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!
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
2024 SUMMER READING PROGRAM: LIFE IN THE PAST LANE
Monday, June 3rd - Saturday, July 27th Take a trip back in time with our Life in the Past Lane Summer Reading Program! Explore the decades with fun events that delve into the fads, fashion, and funky dance moves of eras gone by. With a library card in hand, join us as we step back in time and get lost in the pages of nostalgia. Patrons of all ages will enjoy reading or listening to books (any kind you want!) all summer long through one of our three reading programs, all while winning some fabulous prizes! There's something for EVERYONE to enjoy at NMPL's Summer Reading Program! |
SILENT BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, July 17th; Wednesday, August 7th; Wednesday, August 21st @ 6pm Looking to find a community of fellow readers, but intimidated by traditional book clubs? Put down your phone, pick up a book, and spend quality time with fellow book lovers – no homework or chit chat required! Bring the book (and hot beverage) of your choice to the library for a quiet hour of reading in peace. (You can also choose a book from the library shelves!) We’ll have cozy blankets and comfortable seating for all attendees. Colored lanyards will be available for participants to wear, to help indicate who is down for some book chit chat and who is not. (Red lanyards = Please let me read in silence; Green lanyards = Let’s talk a little bit.) Known as the introvert’s happy hour, NMPL’s Silent Book Club is the perfect place to retreat with your book for a designated hour of reading. This is the perfect activity for those whose social battery is low, but who still want company. Readers and introverts unite! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: NMPL Adult Department, by the computer area |
BABYTIME
Every Thursday at 10am Designed for children from birth to 3 years old and their caregivers, Babytime features books, rhymes, and simple sensory play just right for your little one. Build your baby's foundation for lifelong reading and learning with this engaging program! Families are invited to bring older kids, who can play in the Playroom, craft at the Passive Craft table, or enjoy our computer lab. Caregivers are welcome to stay with the babies, but if you need to choose some books for yourself, or keep an eye on the other kids, your babies will be looked after for you during Babytime! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 0-3 (and caregivers) Registration: No Location: Picture Book Room |
QUILTING & CRAFTING CLUB
Friday, July 12th; Thursday, July 25th; Friday, August 9th; Friday, August 23rd from 10am to 4pm 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! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration? None Location: NMPL Blocher Room |
KNITTING & CROCHET GROUP
Every Friday @ 3:00pm (NEW TIME!) 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. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration? None Location: NMPL Conference Room |
SPECIAL IN PERSON & ONLINE PROGRAMS
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: PINWHEEL MERMAID
Monday, July 22nd - Saturday, July 27th 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 are 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! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Children's Department |
DIRTY DIGGERS: BIRDS THAT POLLINATE
Tuesday, July 23rd @ 6pm Dirty Diggers is our annual gardening program for kids who love to get dirty, have fun, grow things, and learn about nature! This week: Often overlooked when we talk about pollinators, birds are nonetheless an important link in fertilization. We’ll learn about the US bird species that assist with pollination in their respective habitats and make a silly squawking bird craft to help us remember what we learned! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn and the Blocher Community Room |
80s ARCADE & PET ROCKS
RESCHEDULED DATE: Thursday, July 25th from 3pm to 7pm Get ready for an epic blast from the past, because The Party Trailer Mobile Arcade is rolling into the library and bringing with it a ton of awesome arcade games to play! Whether you consider yourself a gaming pro or just want to relive the glory days of your childhood, this is the perfect opportunity to have a blast with friends and family. All arcade games will be FREE to play and EVERYONE is welcome to attend - adults, kids, and teens, we want everyone to come, play games, and have a great time! Not much of a gamer? We’ll have yard games, Lego stations, and (in another nod to the 80s) a Pet Rock crafting station! Additionally, our friends at Tacos Los Gordos will be present selling their delicious Mexican Street Food. Don't miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in the world of classic arcade games, amazing food, and all kinds of fun – it's bound to be a night to remember! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn |
LEGO LEAGUE: SPLASH! EDITION
Friday, July 26th @ 2pm The weather is warm and the Legos are back! Kiddie Pools? Sprinklers? Water blasters? You never know from week to week what you’ll find at Lego League: Splash Edition! So bring a towel, wear your swimsuit and come prepared to build and to make a splash. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn and the Blocher Community Room |
BOTANICAL BOOK CRAFT
Saturday, July 27th @ 1pm Transform your home with the timeless charm of our Botanical Garden Book Craft - a stunning floral arrangement that will never wilt! Perfect for the nature AND book lover, this relaxing craft brings a touch of the outdoors inside and makes a thoughtful gift for a nature lover! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 13 and up Registration: Yes. https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262&EventID=529972&PK= Location: Blocher Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: SUMMER GINGERBREAD MAN
Monday, July 29th through August 3rd 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 are 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! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Children's Department |
COLORING CAFE
Tuesday, July 30th @ 3:45pm Want a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Coloring Café is just what you need! Enjoy some coffee or tea during the program and take a moment for yourself to unwind with some coloring therapy. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Conference Room |
DIRTY DIGGERS: CLEAN MUD
Tuesday, July 30th @ 6pm Dirty Diggers is our annual gardening program for kids who love to get dirty, have fun, grow things, and learn about nature! This week: Our last Dirty Diggers of the summer! Join us for a final round of water games, harvesting and tasting our produce and mixing up a batch of Clean Mud to take home for sensory fun. |
90s POOL PARTY
Wednesday, July 31st from 1pm to 3pm Get ready to make a splash at our totally rad 90s pool party! As we bid farewell to an amazing summer filled with books and friendship, we invite you to celebrate with us in style. Dive into the excitement with our giant inflatable obstacle course, splash around in the kiddie pools, challenge your friends to some yard games, and try your luck at the dunk tank. Wear your summer reading t-shirt and collect signatures from all your friends! The Beverage Buggy will also be on hand selling some refreshing and delicious summer beverages to keep everyone cool! This is one of our biggest events of the summer and we want YOU to be a part of the fun, so grab your swimsuit and sunscreen and join us! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn |
BOARD GAMERS
Friday, August 2nd from 11am to 12pm Calling all board game enthusiasts! Are you looking for someone to play your favorite game with? Look no further than our Board Gamers program at the library! We have a wide range of board games available, from No-Stress Chess to Ticket to Ride to Apples to Apples. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, all ages are welcome to join us for some friendly competition, strategy, and most importantly, fun! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Board and Puzzle Game Section in the Adult Department |
SLIME TIME
Friday, August 2nd @ 2pm As summer comes to a close and the school year approaches, let's squeeze in one final program to make the most of the last days of vacation! Join us on the library lawn for a fun afternoon of concocting and playing with slime. This activity is the ultimate sensory experience that kids of all ages will enjoy. We'll have plenty of ingredients for you to experiment with, so come and get creative with us! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: No Location: Library Lawn (Makerspace in case of rain) |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: ROCKING SCHOOL SHOES
Monday, August 5th through Saturday, August10th 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 are 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! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Children's Department |
SPANISH STORYTIME
Tuesday, August 6th @ 10am Introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of languages with Spanish Storytime! Enjoy songs, a craft, and a special story read in both Spanish and English by Mackenzie Coulter-Kern of the Wabash County Diversity Coalition. Start building a love for languages with your little ones at this Storyime event! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None, but recommended for ages 0-5. Registration? None Location: Children's Department |
NMPL'S WRITER'S RETREAT
Saturday, July 13th from 11am-1pm Calling all writers! NMPL's Writer's Retreat is here to help you cultivate creativity and connect with fellow aspiring authors. Spend the first hour bouncing ideas off like-minded individuals, then dive into your writing project for the second hour. Take your writing to the next level with Writer's Retreat! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Teens and adults Registration: None Location: Conference Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: PAPER PLATE CAMPER
Monday, August 12th through Saturday, August 17th 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 are 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! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Children's Department |
HERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: HEALTHY PESTO TASTING
Monday, August 12th @ 6pm The vibrant flavors of pesto never fail to take pizza, focaccia, pasta and charcuterie boards to the next level. Fortunately, this healthy spread/sauce is easy to make and good for you, too! Join us in the Blocher Community Room for a pesto making demonstration and see for yourself just how easy it is to make at home with simple kitchen equipment. Then enjoy tasting several different kinds of pesto: classic, Sicilian, mint, carrot top and arugula sourced from our Tower Garden and outdoor raised beds. You won't want to miss this flavorful and educational event! Allergen Notice: pesto contains nuts & cheese. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: No Location: BCR |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: ICE CREAM CONES
Monday, August 19th through Saturday, August 24th 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 are 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! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Children's Department |
TEA & BISCUIT BOOK TASTING: BEST SELLERS
Monday, August 19th @ 6pm Described as "literary speed dating", NMPL Book Tastings will help adult readers broaden their reading horizons and discover exciting new book adventures. Participants will have the chance to sample a variety of books in 5 minute time increments and when the bell sounds, they can decide to bring the book home, try another title, or do both! Explore new authors, genres, and series that you might not have tried before. No more complaints of "I don't have anything to read!" Plus we'll have iced tea and delicious homemade treats! Book Menu: Catch up on the titles that everyone is talking about with a collection of recent best sellers. Biscuit Menu:
Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 16+ Registration: None Location: Blocher Community Room |
ROCK THE BIKE: GARDEN SALSA WITH PURDUE EXTENSION
Wednesday, August 21st @ 4pm From garden to table, let’s make some salsa from our community garden! We will put a spin on making salsa by using a pedal powered blender. Come exercise and enjoy a garden fresh snack! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: No Location: BCR |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: TOILET PAPER ROLL CACTUS
Monday, August 26th through Saturday, August 31st 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 are 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! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Children's Department |