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Humor, Heart, and Reflective Rural Stories

with Michael Perry

2026-03-04 13:00:00 2026-03-04 14:00:00 America/Chicago Humor, Heart, and Reflective Rural Stories Join us w/ humorist Michael Perry whose collection of genre-spanning works encapsulates the experiences–& the magic–of rural town communities & the everyday people who reside in them. Please register Virtual -

Wednesday, March 04
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-03-04 13:00:00 2026-03-04 14:00:00 America/Chicago Humor, Heart, and Reflective Rural Stories Join us w/ humorist Michael Perry whose collection of genre-spanning works encapsulates the experiences–& the magic–of rural town communities & the everyday people who reside in them. Please register Virtual -

Join us w/ humorist Michael Perry whose collection of genre-spanning works encapsulates the experiences–& the magic–of rural town communities & the everyday people who reside in them. Please register

In Michael Perry’s memoir, Population: 485, the local vigilante is a farmer's wife armed with a pistol and a Bible, the most senior member of the volunteer fire department is a cross-eyed butcher with one kidney and two ex-wives, and the back roads are haunted by the ghosts of children and farmers. Against a backdrop of fires and tangled wrecks, bar fights and smelt feeds, Perry tells a frequently comic tale leavened with moments of heartbreaking delicacy and searing tragedy.

Jesus Cow, Perry’s fiction debut, is a hilarious yet sincere exploration of faith and the foibles of modern life. Low-key Harley Jackson finds himself entangled in drama from all corners: A woman in a big red pickup has stolen his bachelor’s heart, a Hummer-driving predatory developer is threatening to pave the last vestiges of his family farm, and inside his barn is a calf bearing the image of Jesus Christ–a secret he wants to keep quiet, until the truth slips right through the barn door. 

Register today to hear more about Perry’s expansive collection of stories!


About the Author: Michael Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, corporate speaker, volunteer firefighter/first responder, and amateur snowplow driver. A lifelong resident of the rural Midwest, his “reflective roughneck” takes on life in Middle America have left hundreds of thousands of readers and live audiences laughing, nodding, and sometimes misty.

Perry, a registered nurse who put himself through college working as a Wyoming cowboy and a roller-skating Snoopy produces the popular audio newsletter “Michael Perry’s Voice Mail,” performs widely as a humorist and speaker, tours with his band The Long Beds, works as a script writer, voiceover artist and audiobook narrator, and still makes an occasional call with the local volunteer fire and rescue service.

Perry lives in rural Wisconsin and can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.


Please Register for link to program.


Live Virtual Author Talks - This new series through Library Speakers Consortium offers live online talks by bestselling authors of books in a variety of genres. Participants receive a link to the program when they register. Please see https://libraryc.org/gailborden to register and also view recorded videos of past speakers.

AGE GROUP: | Virtual Live | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Adult Programs |

TAGS: | |

Virtual

Phone: 847-742-2411

Hours
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Today's hours

We're open 9:00AM to 9:00PM

Mon, Mar 02 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Mar 03 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Mar 04 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Mar 05 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Mar 06 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Mar 07 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Mar 08 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the Branch

Programs presented virtually through FB, Zoom, YouTube, and other online sources.

Upcoming Events

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Tue, Mar 03, 8:30am - 9:15am
Mobile Services - Sprinter
Tech Mobile Stop: Food For Greater Elgin – 1553 Commerce Dr.- Elgin 60123

Tue, Mar 03, 9:00am - 9:00pm
South Elgin Branch
Search for beloved book characters hidden throughout the library, jot them down on your scavenger hunt sheet and turn into the Help Desk to snag your prize!

Tue, Mar 03, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Celebrate America's 250th birthday with the 250 Years of Elgin exhibit. This engaging exhibit highlights the pivotal moments that shaped Elgin into the culturally vibrant city it is today.

Tue, Mar 03, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Open to all eligible voters in Kane County. Please see long description for dates/times. Voting and registration is located on 2nd floor of Main Library.

Tue, Mar 03, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Search for beloved book characters hidden throughout the first floor of the main library, jot them down on your scavenger hunt sheet and turn into Customer Relations Desk to snag your prize!

Tue, Mar 03, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Discover some of the incredible women who have played a vital role throughout Illinois history.

Tue, Mar 03, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Rakow Branch
Search for beloved book characters hidden throughout the library, jot them down on your scavenger hunt sheet and turn into the Customer Service Desk to snag your prize!

Tue, Mar 03, 9:15am - 9:45am
Main Library - Story Room - South
Calling all babies! Join us for singing, clapping, and simple stories at this program. Best for little ones 0-11 months with a parent or caregiver.

Tue, Mar 03, 9:30am - 11:00am
Main Library - Grove Room
Semi-monthly meeting of the Elgin Genealogical Society. No registration required.

Tue, Mar 03, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Story Room
Families are invited to share stories, rhymes and musical activities together in this interactive storytime. For ages 1-3 with an adult caregiver. *Registration Required
This event is full

Tue, Mar 03, 10:00am - 10:30am
Rakow Branch - Rakow - Large Exhibit Area
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime.
This event is full

Tue, Mar 03, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Learn basic Android operations: adding and removing apps, increase text size, battery care, what to do with that pesky "low memory" message, and much more. This class is best suited for new users.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Mar 03, 10:45am - 11:15am
Rakow Branch - Rakow - Large Exhibit Area
Preschoolers will enjoy stories, songs, and activities.

Tue, Mar 03, 11:30am - 1:30pm
Main Library - 2nd Floor - Behind Elevators
Receive one-on-one genealogy assistance from Elgin Genealogical Society volunteers.

Tue, Mar 03, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Drop in for a consultation with a Career Coach from workNet Batavia! Registration not required.

Tue, Mar 03, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
Clubhouse off Amanda Circle

Tue, Mar 03, 4:30pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - Conference Room
This session is a teen volunteer orientation only. We'll go over the program as well as volunteer expectations.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Mar 03, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Grove Room
Participantes de nivel intermedio, practican conversaciones en inglés, adquieren confianza y mejoran su pronunciación. El grupo es liderado por un tutor de Literacy Connection. Favor registrarse
Registration is now closed

Tue, Mar 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Explore ways to increase vitality and manage stress. Includes breath practices and the use of sound, rhythm, and movement to build nervous system resilience. Please Register

Wed, Mar 04, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Open to all eligible voters in Kane County. Please see long description for dates/times. Voting and registration is located on 2nd floor of Main Library.

Wed, Mar 04, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Search for beloved book characters hidden throughout the first floor of the main library, jot them down on your scavenger hunt sheet and turn into Customer Relations Desk to snag your prize!

Wed, Mar 04, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Rakow Branch
Search for beloved book characters hidden throughout the library, jot them down on your scavenger hunt sheet and turn into the Customer Service Desk to snag your prize!

Wed, Mar 04, 9:00am - 9:00pm
South Elgin Branch
Search for beloved book characters hidden throughout the library, jot them down on your scavenger hunt sheet and turn into the Help Desk to snag your prize!

Wed, Mar 04, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Celebrate America's 250th birthday with the 250 Years of Elgin exhibit. This engaging exhibit highlights the pivotal moments that shaped Elgin into the culturally vibrant city it is today.

Wed, Mar 04, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Discover some of the incredible women who have played a vital role throughout Illinois history.

Wed, Mar 04, 9:15am - 9:35am
Main Library - Story Room - North
This engaging storytime will include short stories, fingerplays, rhymes, and music movement activities with a parent or caregiver. Registration required.
This event is full

Wed, Mar 04, 9:30am - 10:00am
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime.

Wed, Mar 04, 10:00am - 10:20am
Main Library - Story Room - North
This engaging storytime will include short stories, fingerplays, rhymes, and music movement activities with a parent or caregiver.
This event is full

Wed, Mar 04, 10:15am - 10:45am
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
Preschoolers will enjoy stories, songs, and activities.

Wed, Mar 04, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
899 Jay St, Elgin, IL 60120

Wed, Mar 04, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Music Director Chad Goodman will lead discussions about upcoming ESO concerts, repertoire, guest artists, special events and other Symphony-related topics. Please register.

Wed, Mar 04, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual
Join us w/ humorist Michael Perry whose collection of genre-spanning works encapsulates the experiences–& the magic–of rural town communities & the everyday people who reside in them. Please register
Register

Wed, Mar 04, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
Come join us for Pinochle play. Emphasis will be on three person single deck three card widow version however other versions may also be played.

Wed, Mar 04, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
New venue Mobile Services - Sprinter
Well Child Center - 620 Wing St, Elgin, IL 60123

Wed, Mar 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Rakow Branch - Rakow - Shales Living Room
Complete a hands-on volunteer project that benefits the library or one of our community outreach initiatives. Teen volunteers must complete the teen volunteer orientation before participating.

Wed, Mar 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Studio 270
Come talk about what you are currently listening to! Pizza will be provided. Please register
This event is full

Wed, Mar 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
In this series, learn how to use Microsoft Excel to manipulate, format, and organize numbers and other types of data. Sponsored by Comcast Internet Essentials.

Wed, Mar 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Elgin Room
Aprende en la biblioteca. Participa con otras personas que hablan español o inglés como primer idioma. Learn at the Library with native English and Spanish speakers.

Wed, Mar 04, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Learn how Google Drive can be used to upload, organize, and share files in the cloud. Sponsored by Comcast Internet Essentials.

Wed, Mar 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library
The Walking Book Club meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm to walk. The book discussion is held on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:45 pm at the Main Library.