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
STORYTIME
Every Tuesday at 10am Step into the magical world of stories with our beloved Storytime program! Each session includes engaging stories, lively songs, and hands-on crafts that inspire creativity and learning. It's a great opportunity to connect with other parents, while exploring the joy of books and music with your little ones. We look forward to seeing you there! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None, but recommended for ages 0-5. Registration? None Location: Children's Department |
SILENT BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, February 19th @ 6pm; Wednesday, March 5th @ 6pm; Wednesday, March 19th @ 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: Babyland in the Playroom |
QUILTING & CRAFTING CLUB
Friday, February 21st from 10am to 4pm; Monday, March 3rd from 10am to 4pm; Friday, March 31st 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 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: DIY ROCKETSHIP
Monday, February 18th @ 9am to Saturday, February 22nd @ 5pm 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 |
DRONES - WITH PURDUE EXTENSION
Wednesday, February 19th @ 4pm Drones are not just toys to play with, but tools for many businesses, science experiments, and observations in real world applications. For this Purdue Extension session we will discuss the uses of drones, learn basic maneuvers and safety on flying, construct an obstacle course and navigate our drones through the maze! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 10+ Registration: No Location: Blocher Community Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: POPSICLE STICK BALLERINAS
Monday, February 24th @ 9am to Saturday, March 1st @ 5pm 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 |
TAKE & MAKE CRAFT: CHOPSTICK FLOWER FRAMES
Monday, February 24th - All Day Winter evenings are the perfect time to settle in and craft, and we've got a new fun Take & Make project for you to explore this month: Chopstick Flower Frames. Chopsticks are upcycled into a stunning floral frame, perfect for displaying children’s artwork, photos, or postcards! Swing by the Adult Department to grab a kit, then head home to pick up your kit of choice, then head home and get creative! Each kit includes all the supplies you need to make your own frame and are available while supplies last. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: This is a passive craft for ADULTS ONLY! You must be 18+ to get a kit. Registration: None Location: Adult Department- ask for a clerk for a kit! |
GAME NIGHT CHRONICLES: TICKET TO RIDE
Monday, February 24th @ 6pm You may be familiar with jigsaw puzzles, chess and Sorry, but what about all these new board games on store shelves? What are these about? If all you know of board games is Candy Land, Monopoly and Connect 4, come to Game Night Chronicles to discover more options! This adults-only program will teach participants how to play some of the new and exciting games from the library's collection. Attendees will get a chance to play the game with others, ask questions, and connect with others in a fun and welcoming environment. This month, we're playing Ticket To Ride. Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure in which players collect and play matching train cards to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America. The longer the routes, the more points they earn. Additional points come to those who can fulfill their Destination Tickets by connecting two distant cities, and to the player who builds the longest continuous railway. The game is easy to learn and fun to play, making it perfect for players of all skill sets. We hope you'll join us! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 18 and older Registration: No Location: Blocher Room |
OPEN MAKERSPACE
Saturday, March 1st from 2pm to 4pm Take the elevator or the stairs to the lower level and enter a world full of crafts, games, and creativity. All ages are invited to come and enjoy 2 hours of Perler Beading, Scrapbooking, Painting, Foosball, Air Hockey, board games, card games, and more! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: All ages Registration: No Location: NMPL Makerspace |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: PAPER PIGS
Monday, March 3rd @ 9am to Saturday, March 8th @ 5pm 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, Monday 4th at 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 Storytime event! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None, but recommended for ages 0-5. Registration: None Location: Children's Department |
HOW TO HUMAN: INVESTING WITH CHILDREN IN MIND
Tuesday, March 4th @ 12pm Join us for How To Human, a practical and engaging life skills series led by Purdue Extension of Wabash County. Whether you're navigating adulthood for the first time or just looking to fill in some gaps, this program is designed to teach essential skills that make everyday life a little easier. Each session covers a different topic and will give you the tools and confidence to tackle real-world challenges. No judgment, just practical knowledge in a supportive environment! Join us and gain the confidence to “human” a little better! THIS WEEK: Investing with Children in Mind Investing isn’t just about building wealth—it’s about securing a future for the ones you love. This session will guide current and future parents, grandparents, and guardians through the essentials of smart financial planning with children in mind. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 16 and up Registration: No Location: Conference Room |
WELL-BEING 101: THE BRAIN
Tuesday, March 4th @ 12pm Take a lunch break and stimulate your brain during our monthly Well-Being 101 sessions! Each month our director, Andrea Zwiebel, will share a well-being topic in a lunch and learn format. For the second session, we’ll explore neuroscience and how the brain works. Pack a snack, enjoy social connection, and learn something new. It will be the best 30 minutes of your day! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 16+ Registration: No Location: Blocher Community Room |
WATERCOLOR PAINTING: AVOCADO
Friday, March 7th @ 11am Discover the joy of watercolor painting in this relaxed, step-by-step class led by Mackenzie Coulter-Kern. Watercolor is a versatile and expressive medium, perfect for both beginners and experienced artists. In this session, you’ll learn basic techniques while creating an adorable (and very simple) avocado. No prior experience is needed - just bring your enthusiasm, and we'll provide the rest! Program Cost: $10 Program Age Requirements: 12+ Registration: Yes, register at the front circulation desk. Location: Blocher Community Room |
HOMESCHOOL ART: LOGOS & MASCOTS
Friday, March 7th @ 2pm The Sun-Maid Girl. The Nike swoosh. Ronald McDonald. The Pillsbury Dough Boy. The Energizer Bunny. The Gerber Baby. These and many more advertising campaigns have impacted our culture - to say nothing of our buying habits - with their art, memorable characters, catchphrases and music. Join us for a survey of some of the most famous logos and mascots of all time. We’ll discuss their similarities and differences and see if we can determine the winning ingredients for a marketing strategy. While far outside the realms of fine art, these advertisements nonetheless represent the artistic talents and abilities of decades of creators. We’ll put our imaginations to work and create our own unique logos or mascots to represent favorite products and imaginary companies! Who knows? You could create your generation’s icon! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Kindergarten - High School Registration: Yes. Sign up HERE. Location: Blocher Community Room |
NMPL'S WRITER'S RETREAT
Saturday, March 8th from 11am to 1pm Calling all writers! NMPL's Writers 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 Writers Retreat! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Teens and adults Registration: None Location: Conference Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: LEPRECHAUN TRAPS
Monday, March 10th @ 9am to Saturday, March 15th @ 5pm 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 |
HOW TO HUMAN: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR ALL AGES AND STAGES
Tuesday, March 11th @ 3:45pm Join us for How To Human, a practical and engaging life skills series led by Purdue Extension of Wabash County. Whether you're navigating adulthood for the first time or just looking to fill in some gaps, this program is designed to teach essential skills that make everyday life a little easier. Each session covers a different topic and will give you the tools and confidence to tackle real-world challenges. No judgment, just practical knowledge in a supportive environment! Join us and gain the confidence to “human” a little better! THIS WEEK: Physical Activity for All Ages and Stages No matter your age or fitness level, movement plays a vital role in overall well-being. Come learn about the importance of physical activity and how to make it accessible, enjoyable, and beneficial at every stage of life! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 16 and up Registration: No Location: Conference Room |
BOOK PAGE FLOWERS
Wednesday, March 12th @ 6pm on Facebook If you're looking for a creative and eco-friendly craft project, making flowers out of old book pages is a great idea! Not only does it give new life to old books, but also creates stunning and unique décor for your space. Grab a kit from the Makerspace 2-Go Shelf, tune into NMPL's Facebook page for the step-by-step process of creating these simple roses! Program Cost: Free Program Age: All ages! Registration: No Location: NMPL’s Facebook |
HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE LAB WITH MANCHESTER UNIVESITY: BONES
Friday, March 14th @ 10am Bones - the framework of the body. Without them we'd be a mess! Students of Manchester University's Biology Department have put together a multi-station science lab for you to explore. Learn more about the form and function of bones with hands-on activities. You'll be able to go through the stations at your own pace, and MU students and their professor will be on hand to guide the fun, share their knowledge, and answer questions! Program Cost: Free Program Age: Kindergarten - High School Registration: Yes - register HERE. Location: Blocher Community Room |
ST. PADDY'S GOLDEN EGG HUNT
Saturday, March 15th @ 9:30am NMPL’s Annual Egg Hunt is back! Kids of all ages will have a blast searching the nooks and crannies of the library building for hundreds of eggs stuffed with candy, small toys, and stickers. Keep an eye out for the special golden eggs hidden in tricky spots - lucky finders will win extra prizes! To ensure a fair and exciting experience for everyone, we’ve designated separate hunting areas by age:
Gather the whole family and arrive by 9:30 AM sharp on Saturday morning—these egg hunts don’t last long, so don’t miss out on the fun! Program Cost: Free Program Age: All ages! Registration: No Location: All throughout the library |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: LION MASK
Monday, March 17th @ 9am to Saturday, March 22nd @ 5pm 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 & COOKIE BAR BOOK TASTING: FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES
Monday, March 17th @ 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 hot tea and delicious homemade goodies to sample! Book Menu: Embark on a brand new reading journey by exploring First Books In A Series! Cookie Bar Menu:
Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 16+ Registration: No Location: Blocher Community Room |
FAFSA & ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS PRESENTATION WITH MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY
Tuesday, March 18th @ 3:45pm Maybe you have a high school senior who is preparing for college, maybe you're an adult who is thinking about going to college (or even going back), perhaps you’re a freshman in high school and you just want to know all the things- one most important thing to do for college prep is filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Manchester University’s Senior Admission Counselor, Emily Pack will be presenting on the ins and outs of what FAFSA is and how to file. Program Cost: Free Program Age: No age limit, but geared towards high school students! Registration: No Location: Blocher Community Room |
BLENDER BIKE HUMMUS WITH PURDUE EXTENSION
Wednesday, March 19th @ 4pm Let’s take a new SPIN on a beloved Purdue Extension program: Chef University! This time we will make a healthy snack while exercising on the blender bike. Hummus is a delicious spread or dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic... and here's the best part: it's super easy to make! Fun. Food. Physical Activity. This program has it all! Program Cost: Free Program Age: 5 and up Registration: None Location: Blocher Community Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: MAGIC WANDS
Monday, March 24th @ 9am to Saturday, March 29th @ 5pm 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 |
LEGO LEAGUE
Monday, March 24th @ 6pm Join us for a fun time of creating anything we can dream up with the library’s collection of thousands of Lego bricks and people. Kids, send your adults to Game Night Chronicles in the adult department and enjoy hanging out with the children’s department staff and building with Legos! Program Cost: Free Program Age: Elementary and up Registration: None |
GAME NIGHT CHRONICLES: HUES & CUES
Monday, March 24th @ 6pm You may be familiar with jigsaw puzzles, chess and Sorry, but what about all those new board games on store shelves? What are those about? If all you know of board games is Candy Land, Monopoly and Connect 4, come to Game Night Chronicles to discover more options! This adults-only program will teach participants how to play some of the new and exciting games from the library's collection. Attendees will get a chance to play the game with others, ask questions, and connect with others in a fun and welcoming environment. This month, we're playing Hues and Cues. Hues and Cues is the award-winning vibrant game of colorful communication where players are challenged to make connections to colors with words. Since everyone imagines colors differently, connecting colors and clues has never been this much fun! (Note: This game may be difficult for those who experience color blindness.) We hope you'll join us Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 18 and older Registration: No Location: Conference Room |
HOW TO HUMAN: EATING MIDWEST FISH
Tuesday, March 25th @ 3:45pm Join us for How To Human, a practical and engaging life skills series led by Purdue Extension of Wabash County. Whether you're navigating adulthood for the first time or just looking to fill in some gaps, this program is designed to teach essential skills that make everyday life a little easier. Each session covers a different topic and will give you the tools and confidence to tackle real-world challenges. No judgment, just practical knowledge in a supportive environment! Join us and gain the confidence to “human” a little better! This Week: Eating Midwest Fish Did you know the Midwest has some of the lowest seafood consumption rates in the country? Many people overlook fish as a regular part of their diet, but incorporating more seafood can provide a powerhouse of health benefits. In this session, we’ll dive into the essentials of selecting, preparing, and enjoying fish - especially options sourced right here in the Midwest! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 16 and up Registration: No Location: Conference Room |
DOG MAN: JOIN THE HERO PARTY
Tuesday, March 25th @ 6pm You’re invited to join us in the Makerspace for an awesome Dog Man party! We’re celebrating the release of Dav Pilkey’s latest book Dog Man: Big Jim Begins and the movie Dog Man with all kinds of great activities! Come dressed in your favorite hero garb. Grab an official Dog Man name tag and create your own SUPA Hero name! Become Dog Man or Big Jim with a mask. Nab a movie poster to take home and hang up in your room. Go on a scavenger hunt to find 12 of your favorite Dav Pilkey heroes hidden around the library. Win points competing in the Dog Man Cast Quiz and Trivia Contest! There’s lots of fun for everyone! Program Cost: Free Program Age: None Registration: None Location: Makerspace |
SWEET TREAT WEDNESDAY: BLACK SESAME SHORTBREAD
Wednesday, March 26th @ 6pm on Facebook Sweet Treat Wednesday is getting a refresh for 2025! All recipes featured each month will highlight a cookbook that we have right in our collection! Some recipes will be geared towards kids (healthy snacks), whereas other recipes will be more for adults. The ultimate goal for Sweet Treat Wednesday is to draw more attention to our cookbook section, and to provide a healthier alternative for some foods (and help save some money in the process). Bonus? What gets baked will be shared during different programs! So tune into Facebook at the designated time (or any time after) to get step by step instructions on how to make these delicious foods. 👩🍳 The Recipe: Black Sesame Shortbread - Looking for an easy shortbread recipe? Molly Baz's black sesame shortbread cookie recipe creates delicate flavor & melt-in-your-mouth texture, hassle-free. 📖 The Book: Cook This Book, Molly Baz (641.5 BAZ), page 261 Program Cost: Free Program Age: All ages, but geared towards adults Registration: No Location: NMPL’s Facebook Page |
FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHT: DISNEY EDITION
Monday, March 31st @ 6pm Think you know Disney movies inside and out? Put your knowledge to the test at our Family Trivia Night: Disney Edition! Gather your team, relive your favorite Disney moments, and compete for a chance to win a $50 gift card to El Mezquite! How It Works:
How to Register: Spots are limited, so sign up your team today! Click the link below or stop by the library to secure your place in the competition. Get ready for a fun-filled evening of Disney magic, friendly competition, and family fun. Will your team be crowned the ultimate Disney champions? Program Cost: Free Program Age: Ages 6 and up Registration: Yes - register HERE Location: Blocher Room |