The North Manchester Public Library offers a great mix of in-person and online programming!  We provide a range of programming for small children to senior citizens (and everyone in between).  Take a look at our calendar to see the literary, culinary, artistic, cultural, and educational activities we have going on each month!  

Virtual programs can be accessed live on Facebook or Zoom.  Recordings are permanently available on the Library's Facebook page. 
Take home kits for many programs are available for free at the front desk and enrich the virtual experience. Attending in person? Supplies for the various activities are made available at each of our in-house programs.

We look forward to getting to know you as we explore the world around us!​

CALENDARS

REGULARLY SCHEDULED IN PERSON & ONLINE PROGRAMS

STORYTIME
Every Tuesday & Thursday at 11am 
Join us for this beloved program... from delightful stories, to silly songs, to cool crafts, Storytime has it all! 

PAINT BY STICKER
Every Tuesday in June @ 3:45pm in Conference Room
​It's back by popular demand! Come relax for an hour, listen to music, and create a beautiful picture with stickers! Each pattern and sticker sheet is numbered, making it easy AND fun to create your own masterpiece. All ages are welcome!

TEEN MAKERS
Every Wednesday @ 3:45pm in the Makerspace
​Teens ages 13-18 are invited to meet in the NMPL Makerspace for snacks and activities! 

BETWEEN
Every Thursday @ 3:30pm in the Makerspace
Tweens ages 9 to 12 are invited to meet in the NMPL Makerspace for snacks and activities! 

KNITTING & CROCHET GROUP
Every Friday @ 1:30pm in the Conference Room
Whether you are new to knitting and crochet, or have been enjoying this relaxing craft for years, you'll love our weekly Knitting & Crochet Group here at the library! Come join others in the NMPL Conference Room on Friday afternoons for a relaxing time to work on your current craft projects and to meet new friends!
Beginner and eager to learn? You'll find a helpful teacher here! Beginners should bring a pair of needles (size 6 to 9), and a skein of light colored, worsted weight yarn. Worsted weight yarn is also labeled 4. Light colors are recommended as it is easier to see individual stitches with the light color.
All are welcome!

QUILTING & CRAFTING CLUB
Tuesday, May 24th; Friday, June 10th, Tuesday, June 21st from 10am to 4pm in the Blocher Room
If you love crafting, and enjoy gatherings of other creative minds to work on projects together, this club is for you! Gather your current projects, and head to the library to meet up, have a laugh, and share crafting tips and skills in a relaxing environment. All skill levels, mediums, and crafters are welcome!

SPECIAL IN PERSON & ONLINE PROGRAMS

PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: POM POM POPSICLES
Monday, May 16th through Saturday, May 21st
Do you love the different NMPL crafts, but can't fit another thing into your schedule? Do you want to get creative with the kiddos, but don't want to deal with the mess afterwards? Passive Crafts is the solution for you!

Each week, a new fun, simple and engaging craft will be set up at the Passive Craft Table in the Children's Department. Stop by ANY time the library is open and spend time crafting at your leisure! No specific times to memorize... no clean up after... just good creative fun! 

ADULTING 101: LAUNDRY
Tuesday, May 17th @ 3:45pm in the Conference Room
Do you know those seemingly simple tasks you have to do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? Like laundry… Did you know about 90% of people do not know how to do laundry the right way?

Come to this 4 week class every Tuesday in May from 3:45-4:45 in the Conference Room and learn how to properly do laundry; how to save money for college or for life in general; different ways to improve your mental health; and basic car maintenance and driving skills.
At the end of each class there will be reference books on each topic in case you want to explore even further. This class is geared towards teens and young adults, but all are welcome to attend! 

DIRTY DIGGERS: RAISED BEDS WITH PURDUE EXTENSION
Tuesday, May 17th @ 6pm 
The danger of frost is past - it’s time to plant our starts in the ground! Geoff Schortgen of Purdue Extension Wabash County will show us how to look at different soils, plant seeds, and transplant starts into raised beds.

SENSORY TIME: MAGIC CLAY
Wednesday, May 18th @ 3:45pm
Our popular Sensory Time continues with 3 new sensory experiences.
Pillowy soft and feather light, Magic Clay provides a soothing medium for squishing, squashing, and sculpting. Happy with the results? Leave it out to air dry and you’ll have a permanent keepsake!

BASICS OF CROSS STITCH PORTRAITS: KIDS
Wednesday, May 18th @ 6pm on Facebook
Building on the techniques we've learned in our previous Cross-Stitch Classes, learn how to design, map, prepare, and stitch kids! You'll learn proper stitch sizing, from toddlers to teens, as well as different ways to sew babies. These personalized cross-stitch family portraits are perfect to give away as gifts for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other big life events!
​
Want to stich along with us? You will need:
- A Cross-stitch Kit from the library (Includes Patterns, Graph Paper, Aida 14 Count Fabric, & Embroidery Hoop)
- Coloring Pencils
- Embroidery floss
- Scissors
- Sewing Needles 

PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: PAPER PLATE WATERMELONS
Monday, May 23rd through Saturday, May 28th
Do you love the different NMPL crafts, but can't fit another thing into your schedule? Do you want to get creative with the kiddos, but don't want to deal with the mess afterwards? Passive Crafts is the solution for you!

Each week, a new fun, simple and engaging craft will be set up at the Passive Craft Table in the Children's Department. Stop by ANY time the library is open and spend time crafting at your leisure! No specific times to memorize... no clean up after... just good creative fun! 

EVENING TALES: QUESADILLAS
Monday, May 2rd @ 6pm 
Elementary aged kids enjoy an hour of stories, games, crafts and snacks.
Join us for fun games and yummy snacks. We’re going to learn how to make quick and easy quesadillas.

ADULTING 101: BASIC CAR MAINTENANCE & DRIVING SKILLS
Tuesday, May 24th @ 3:45pm in the Conference Room
Do you know those seemingly simple tasks you have to do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? Like laundry… Did you know about 90% of people do not know how to do laundry the right way?

Come to this 4 week class every Tuesday in May from 3:45-4:45 in the Conference Room and learn how to properly do laundry; how to save money for college or for life in general; different ways to improve your mental health; and basic car maintenance and driving skills.
At the end of each class there will be reference books on each topic in case you want to explore even further. This class is geared towards teens and young adults, but all are welcome to attend! 

COOKIES & CANVAS: HELLO SPRING!
Wednesday, May 25th @ 6pm in the Blocher Room​
Hobby painters and beginners will love our Cookies and Canvas series! Step-by-step instructions take participants on a journey towards a beautiful masterpiece. The fun themes are perfect for porch hangings, mantel decorations, and special gifts for family and friends. Love painting but in a dry spell? Let us provide the inspiration for your next piece. Are you a watercolor fiend or an oil painting master? Why not give acrylics a whirl!? Not too confident in your art skills? Give C & C a try - you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results (plus, there will be cookies!).
​
​This class is for teens and adults ages 13+ and requires registration. Class size is limited so painting reservations are first-come, first-serve. A materials fee of $8 per person will be due at registration. These fees are non-refundable. Register at the front desk or by the calling the library.

PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: TISSUE PAPER BLOSSOMS
Monday, May 31st through Saturday, June 4th
Do you love the different NMPL crafts, but can't fit another thing into your schedule? Do you want to get creative with the kiddos, but don't want to deal with the mess afterwards? Passive Crafts is the solution for you!

Each week, a new fun, simple and engaging craft will be set up at the Passive Craft Table in the Children's Department. Stop by ANY time the library is open and spend time crafting at your leisure! No specific times to memorize... no clean up after... just good creative fun! 

DIRTY DIGGERS: CONTAINER GARDENS
Tuesday, May 31st @ 6pm
What do you do when you don’t have a yard but want to grow your own food? Container gardens to the rescue! Tonight we’ll be planting NMPL’s 3 container gardens and gaining knowledge that can be used at home.

NMPL'S MARVEL-OUS SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Friday, June 1st through Saturday, July 30th
​Our summer reading program is a great way to get everyone excited about reading! Enjoy reading whatever books they want at their own pace, winning some amazing prizes, and attending some FABULOUS programs. It all begins here at the library on June 1st! Spiderman will be swinging by throughout the day and we’ll have an awesome photo booth set up for taking Marvel-ous pictures!

LEGO CLUB: CHALLENGE - CASTLES
Friday, June 3rd @ 3pm
Dig through thousands of Lego bricks to find the perfect pieces to construct the castle of your dreams!

PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: POPSICLE STICKER SUPERHEROES
Monday, June 6th through Saturday, June 11th
​Do you love the different NMPL crafts, but can't fit another thing into your schedule? Do you want to get creative with the kiddos, but don't want to deal with the mess afterwards? Passive Crafts is the solution for you!

Each week, a new fun, simple and engaging craft will be set up at the Passive Craft Table in the Children's Department. Stop by ANY time the library is open and spend time crafting at your leisure! No specific times to memorize... no clean up after... just good creative fun! 

EVENING TALES: BABY FOOD JAR LEGO HEAD
Monday, June 6th @ 6pm
Elementary aged kids enjoy an hour of stories, games, crafts and snacks.
Use paint and markers to turn a baby food jar into an awesome Lego Head! Personalize to look like yourself, a friend, or a favorite superhero.

DIRTY DIGGERS: HOVER FLY & DAISY PLANTING
Tuesday, June 7th @ 6pm
Meet a pollinator pal - the Hover Fly - and plant a daisy or two to help these friends out. We’ll also play a game and tend to our raised beds and container gardens!

ICE CREAM & GAMES ON THE LIBRARY LAWN
Wednesday, June 8th @ 1pm
Join us on the library lawn beginning at 1 pm to enjoy chips and free Philadelphia Water Ice served up by Summer Reading Sponsor Grand’s Ice Cream Shoppe! There will be lots of lawn games to play (like giant Connect Four) and fun on the Flat Playground.

FOLK PERFORMER MRS. KATE
Wednesday, June 8th @ 2pm
Head to the Blocher Community Room for an upbeat performance by folk singer, storyteller, and puppeteer Mrs. Kate! A big thank you to the Kiwanis for sponsoring the show!

WATER BOTTLE WIND SPIRALS
Friday, June 10th @ 11am
Summer is the time to drink a lot of water, but did you know you can create a beautiful wind spiral out of the plastic bottles?! Join us to make this awesome craft!

LEGO CLUB: CHALLENGE - SEA CREATURES
Friday, June 10th @ 3pm
What’s your favorite ocean animal? A walrus? A shark? An octopus? Challenge yourself to bring a marine buddy to life with Legos!

PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: DESIGN YOUR OWN SUPERHERO
Monday, June 13th through Saturday, June 18th
​Do you love the different NMPL crafts, but can't fit another thing into your schedule? Do you want to get creative with the kiddos, but don't want to deal with the mess afterwards? Passive Crafts is the solution for you!

Each week, a new fun, simple and engaging craft will be set up at the Passive Craft Table in the Children's Department. Stop by ANY time the library is open and spend time crafting at your leisure! No specific times to memorize... no clean up after... just good creative fun! 

EVENING TALES: BUBBLE LID UFOS
Monday, June 13th @ 6pm
Elementary aged kids enjoy an hour of stories, games, crafts and snacks.
Grab a glow-in-the-dark alien and then craft the perfect spaceship for your intergalactic friend!

DIRTY DIGGERS: FLYING FOX BAT & BAT HOUSE INSTALL
Tuesday, June 14th @ 6pm
If you love bats, you will love this session of Dirty Diggers! And if you don’t love bats, you will learn why so many people do. Whether they are eating tons of harmful insects or pollinating various plants, bats do a lot for our environment - and us! We’ll learn all about these flying friends and then choose the perfect spot to install our bat house on NMPL property.

MORNING AT THE MOVIES: SKY HIGH
Wednesday, June 15th @ 11am
A hot summer morning is the perfect time to gather a few friends and watch an exciting movie! Join us in the Blocher Room for hot popcorn and a showing of Sky High, a fun superhero film for the whole family!
"At a school in the sky where teens learn how to be superheroes, Will Stronghold lands in a class for students who show special promise. Classmate Gwen quickly cozies up to Will, but it's soon clear that she has other motives. When he learns that Gwen's mother is a villain who was defeated by his father, Steve Stronghold, Will realizes that Gwen is aiming for revenge, and he rushes to a school dance in the hope of stopping her."
Movie Rating: PG
Movie Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

COOKIES & CANVAS: STARRY SUMMER NIGHT
Wednesday, June 15th @ 6pm 
Hobby painters and beginners will love our Cookies and Canvas series! Step-by-step instructions take participants on a journey towards a beautiful masterpiece. The fun themes are perfect for porch hangings, mantel decorations, and special gifts for family and friends. Love painting but in a dry spell? Let us provide the inspiration for your next piece. Are you a watercolor fiend or an oil painting master? Why not give acrylics a whirl!? Not too confident in your art skills? Give C & C a try - you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results (plus, there will be cookies!).
​
​This class is for teens and adults ages 13+ and requires registration. Class size is limited so painting reservations are first-come, first-serve. A materials fee of $8 per person will be due at registration. These fees are non-refundable. Register at the front desk or by the calling the library.

LITTLE BOOKSHOP ON MARKET STREET
Friday, June 17th - Saturday, June 18th from 10am to 3pm
It’s back! The Little Bookshop on Market Street returns for year two. Gently used books for all ages will be for sale for $1 (or 1 NMPL buck). Funds raised will support library programming.
Tacos Los Gordos will be selling their irresistible Mexican food both days. Kids will enjoy building at the Lego station, running around on the Flat Playground, and playing the new lawn games donated by Summer Reading sponsors Masonic Lodge, Deming 88 and The Order of the Eastern Star, Ivy Chapter.
Come between 12pm-3pm on Friday to enjoy a petting zoo with Animal Grams.
Come between 1pm-3pm on Saturday to enjoy horseback rides on Dusty!

PETTING ZOO
Friday, June 17th from 12pm to 3pm
​Stop by the Little Bookshop on Market Street during the hours of 12pm through 3pm for a special petting zoom with our friends from Animal-Grams!

HORSEBACK RIDES
Saturday, June 18th from 1pm to 3pm
Stop by the Little Bookshop on Market Street between the hours of 1pm and 3pm to go on a special horseback ride on Dusty!

PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: PAPER BAG BATMAN
Monday, June 20th through Saturday, June 25th
​Do you love the different NMPL crafts, but can't fit another thing into your schedule? Do you want to get creative with the kiddos, but don't want to deal with the mess afterwards? Passive Crafts is the solution for you!

Each week, a new fun, simple and engaging craft will be set up at the Passive Craft Table in the Children's Department. Stop by ANY time the library is open and spend time crafting at your leisure! No specific times to memorize... no clean up after... just good creative fun! 

EVENING TALES: LEVITATING BALL MONSTERS
Monday, June 20th @ 6pm
​Elementary aged kids enjoy an hour of stories, games, crafts and snacks.
See Bernoulli's principle in action with this fun STEM challenge!

DIRTY DIGGERS: YUCCA MOTHS & GARI DUMPLINGS
Tuesday, June 21st @ 6pm
This week’s pollinator pal is vitally important for the nutrition of people living all over the world. The Yucca/Cassava plant is unfamiliar to many of us living here in Indiana so this is a great opportunity to learn more about this staple and try out some yummy dumplings made of cassava! 

FAMILY BINGO!
Wednesday, June 22nd @ 2pm
NMPL loves Bingo, and we’re so excited to bring it back to in-person programming. Grab the whole family and enjoy an hour of bingo-ing and winning prizes!

CELESTIAL WALL DECOR
Wednesday, June 22nd @ 6pm on Facebook
Let’s make another DIY craft for your home! Out of just a few embroidery hoops and yarn, you can create a beautiful celestial wall decoration.

LEGO CLUB: CHALLENGE - BOATS
Friday, June 24th @ 3pm
​The pools are out so get to work! It’s time to see if you have the skills to construct a Lego boat that will float!

PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: SPIDER-MAN MASKS
Monday, June 27th through Saturday, July 2nd
​Do you love the different NMPL crafts, but can't fit another thing into your schedule? Do you want to get creative with the kiddos, but don't want to deal with the mess afterwards? Passive Crafts is the solution for you!

Each week, a new fun, simple and engaging craft will be set up at the Passive Craft Table in the Children's Department. Stop by ANY time the library is open and spend time crafting at your leisure! No specific times to memorize... no clean up after... just good creative fun! 

EVENING TALES: FRUIT KEBABS
Monday, June 27th @ 6pm
​​Elementary aged kids enjoy an hour of stories, games, crafts and snacks.
Customize your own kebab with your favorite fruits - and then enjoy eating them!

DIRTY DIGGERS: CHOCOLATE MIDGES & FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE
Tuesday, June 28th @ 6pm
Chocolate Midges may not look like much but without them, the world would not be as sweet. Learn all about these tiny but mighty flies while snacking on some delicious Fair Trade Chocolate!

MARVEL-OUS SLIME!
Wednesday, June 29th @ 2pm
Make your way through the slime bar with many kinds of cool mix-ins to create your own custom slime. Save time for Canvas Pump Painting. Don’t forget to play in the Orbeez filled pools. And did we mention the Shaving Cream Fingerpaint tables? There’s even a rumor that Mentos Geysers will be back...