The Civics Academy Launches October 15 with Early Childhood Education
The 2025-26 season of The Civics Academy, a joint local government series hosted by Beloit Public Library and the City of Beloit, launches on Wednesday, October 15 with a focus on Early Childhood Education.
Presenting at the kickoff will be Jessica Austin, Director of Early Brain Development at Stateline Community Foundation, and Nick Dimassis, Director of Beloit Public Library, who will discuss the importance of early childhood development.
Through her work with the Basics, Austin is helping parents and caregivers in Rock County learn how to support their infants and young children so that they can be successful in school and beyond. Dimassis will share how Discovery PLAYce – the new space coming to Beloit Public Library in Fall 2026 – will use the science of early childhood development (and the joy of play!) to target early literacy, executive function, caregiver engagement, and enhanced school readiness.
The library hosts The Civics Academy in a lunch-and-learn format that will include presentations on public finance (city and schools), education, city services, housing, economic development, and other topics that are important to our community. The goal is to inform residents about their local government and community and, in turn, support positive change in the City of Beloit.
The series will run from 12:00-1:15 p.m. on select Wednesdays, October 2025 through June 2026, at Beloit Public Library, located at 605 Eclipse Boulevard.
The goal of The Civics Academy is to engage residents with their local government and community so they can support and enact positive change in the City of Beloit. Like all library events, The Civics Academy is free and open to the public. Community members can attend all, one, or some of the sessions, depending on their interests.
Registration is not required, but the first 25 who register for each session will receive a free lunch courtesy of Stateline Community Foundation, Beloit Public Library Foundation, and Pieper Power. Registration is accepted online at beloitlibrary.org/about-us/civicsacademy/ or by phone at (608)364-2905.
The Civics Academy Lineup
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Topic: Early Childhood Development
Presenter: Jessica Austin, Stateline Community Foundation Director of Early Brain Development, and Nick Dimassis, Director of Beloit Public Library Director
Location: Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Boulevard
Time: 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Topic: Public Finance: City of Beloit, expenditures, and revenues
Presenter: Eric Miller, City of Beloit Finance & Administrative Services Director
Location: Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Boulevard
Time: 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Topic: City government, strategic vision, and capital projects
Presenter: Jerry Gabrielatos, City of Beloit City Manager
Location: Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Boulevard
Time: 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21, 2025
Topic: Education: Updates to the School District Data Tool
Presenter: Jason Stein, Wisconsin Policy Forum President
Location: Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Boulevard
Time: 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Additional dates, topics, and presenters will be announced at a later date.
For more information about The Civics Academy, visit https://beloitlibrary.org/about-us/civicsacademy/