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!
REGULARLY SCHEDULED IN PERSON 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 |
|
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 |
SPECIAL IN PERSON & ONLINE PROGRAMS
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: BASKETBALL HOOP
Monday, March 31st @ 9am to Saturday, April 5th @ 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 |
|
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 |
|
LIBRARY LOVE - BEANSTACK READING CHALLENGE
Tuesday, April 1st through Wednesday, April 30th From April 1st to April 30th, the North Manchester Public Library is participating in April Library Love, a Reading Challenge sponsored by Beanstack. Join us and Celebrate National Library Week (April 6-12) and spread the library love! We challenge our community to read at least 5 hours per person during the month and keep track of their reading on the Bingo Board on our Beanstack site at https://nman.beanstack.org/reader365 or on the Beanstack mobile app. Thousands of other libraries and schools across the nation are joining in too, for a chance at winning prizes for their community. Want to help us increase our chances of winning? Beanstack will award prizes to top-performing libraries and schools! Beanstack will determine winners based on many factors, including:
Pick up a new book, explore resources available at your library, and earn virtual badges along the way as you share in the April Library Love. Happy reading, North Manchester! |
|
SPANISH STORYTIME
Tuesday, April 1st @ 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 |
|
ESCAPE ROOM: CRISPUS ATTUCKS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - SPRING BREAK EDITION
Tuesday, April 1st @ 3:30pm, 5:00pm, and 6:30pm Unlock the mystery of a legendary shoe in this thrilling escape experience centered around Indiana’s basketball heritage. Crispus Attucks High School, located in Indianapolis, won back-to-back state basketball championships in 1955 and 1956. As the first all-Black school to EVER win a statewide championship anywhere in America, this was incredibly historic. So historic that the Converse company created a commemorative athletic shoe to honor CAHS. In this experience, Sammy, the Interviewing Toucan, has cleverly hidden the shoe, eager to steal the show. Your challenge is to outsmart Sammy and recover the shoe, revealing the secrets behind these historic triumphs. Engage with a captivating slice of Indiana’s past, making history come alive in an unforgettable adventure. Gather your team, spark your curiosity, and dive into an immersive experience filled with excitement, challenges, and a newfound appreciation for Crispus Attucks High School’s legacy. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity! SPRING BREAK EDITION DATES & REGISTRATION:
Program Age: Grades 6 - Adult Registration: Required Location: Blocher Community Room |
|
OPEN MAKERSPACE
Wednesday, April 2nd from 1pm-3pm 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 |
|
INTERACTIVE MOVIE: SHREK
Thursday, April 3rd @ 11am Experience the film Shrek like never before as we bring the beloved classic to life in an exciting interactive movie experience! This isn’t just any screening—this is a fully immersive event where YOU become part of the story. At our Interactive Movie events, viewers don’t just watch the film—they participate! With hands-on crafts, delicious themed snacks, and engaging activities, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into the world of Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind adventure! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Blocher Room |
|
HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE LAB WITH MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY: SENSORY, NERVES, BRAIN
Friday, April 4th @ 12:30pm Why are fidgets so much fun to play with? How does touching something tell you if it's hot or cold? Every day we're receiving thousands of messages from our environment. Our sensory system, nerves and brain work together to help us make sense of everything happening around us. Want to learn more? Join us for an outstanding science lab with our friends from Manchester University. As you make your way through a series of mini-labs, you'll come away with a deeper understanding of how you experience your world! Program Cost: Free Program Age: Kindergarten - High School Registration: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262&EventID=550220&PK= Location: Blocher Community Room |
|
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: AUTISM AWARENESS
Monday, April 7th @ 9am to Saturday, April 12th @ 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 |
|
ESCAPE ROOM: CRISPUS ATTUCKS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - EVENING EDITIONS
Monday, April 7th @ 5:00pm, 6:30pm; Monday, April 21stth @ 5:00pm, 6:30pm Unlock the mystery of a legendary shoe in this thrilling escape experience centered around Indiana’s basketball heritage. Crispus Attucks High School, located in Indianapolis, won back-to-back state basketball championships in 1955 and 1956. As the first all-Black school to EVER win a statewide championship anywhere in America, this was incredibly historic. So historic that the Converse company created a commemorative athletic shoe to honor CAHS. In this experience, Sammy, the Interviewing Toucan, has cleverly hidden the shoe, eager to steal the show. Your challenge is to outsmart Sammy and recover the shoe, revealing the secrets behind these historic triumphs. Engage with a captivating slice of Indiana’s past, making history come alive in an unforgettable adventure. Gather your team, spark your curiosity, and dive into an immersive experience filled with excitement, challenges, and a newfound appreciation for Crispus Attucks High School’s legacy. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity! EVENING EDITION DATES & REGISTRATION:
Program Cost: Free Program Age: Grades 6 - Adult Registration: Required Location: Blocher Community Room |
|
FUTURE LIBRARIANS: FIRST DAY ON THE JOB & MOCK INTERVIEWS
Tuesday, April 8th @ 4pm If you like...
We are so excited to once again offer our beloved librarian-in-training program to the kids in our community who may someday want to work at NMPL! From "getting the job", to learning the Dewey Decimal system, to carrying for the collection, attendees will learn all sorts of useful skills and get hands-on experience being a librarian. Register today for our 5 week session - spots are limited so don't delay! This Week: First Day on the Job & Mock Interviews Attendees will get a chance to learn helpful interview skills and will participate in mock interviews in order to get that coveted clerk position. Participants are encouraged to dress like a librarian, as we'll be taking "staff photos" of the new Junior Librarians! We'll also embark on a guided tour of the library to get a sneak peek behind-the-scenes of NMPL. Program Cost: Free Program Age: Ages 8 and up Registration: Yes. Register here: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262... Location: Blocher Community Room |
|
ESCAPE ROOM: CRISPUS ATTUCKS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - HOMESCHOOL HISTORY
Friday, April 11th @ 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm; Friday, April 18th @ 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm Unlock the mystery of a legendary shoe in this thrilling escape experience centered around Indiana’s basketball heritage. Crispus Attucks High School, located in Indianapolis, won back-to-back state basketball championships in 1955 and 1956. As the first all-Black school to EVER win a statewide championship anywhere in America, this was incredibly historic. So historic that the Converse company created a commemorative athletic shoe to honor CAHS. In this experience, Sammy, the Interviewing Toucan, has cleverly hidden the shoe, eager to steal the show. Your challenge is to outsmart Sammy and recover the shoe, revealing the secrets behind these historic triumphs. Engage with a captivating slice of Indiana’s past, making history come alive in an unforgettable adventure. Gather your team, spark your curiosity, and dive into an immersive experience filled with excitement, challenges, and a newfound appreciation for Crispus Attucks High School’s legacy. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity! HOMESCHOOL HISTORY DATES & REGISTRATION:
Program Age: Grades 6 - Adult Registration: Required Location: Blocher Community Room |
|
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: HANDPRINT BUNNY
Monday, April 14th @ 9am to Saturday, April 19th @ 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 |
|
FUTURE LIBRARIANS: SHELVING & THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM
Tuesday, April 15th @ 4pm If you like...
We are so excited to once again offer our beloved librarian-in-training program to the kids in our community who may someday want to work at NMPL! From "getting the job", to learning the Dewey Decimal system, to carrying for the collection, attendees will learn all sorts of useful skills and get hands-on experience being a librarian. Register today for our 5 week session - spots are limited so don't delay! This Week: Shelving & The Dewey Decimal System It's shelving week! We'll tackle the Dewey Decimal System, go on a scavenger hunt, and participate in a fun shelving challenge! Program Cost: Free Program Age: Ages 8 and up Registration: Yes. Register here: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262... Location: Blocher Community Room |
|
WINGED AMBASSADORS: A SALAMONIE LAKE RAPTOR CENTER PRESENTATION
Wednesday, April 16th @ 4pm Meet live birds of prey from the Salamonie Raptor Center and find out how important these birds are for healthy habitats. Salamonie Lake’s Raptor Center is home to six permanently injured birds that serve as educational ambassadors for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources across the northern half of the state. This is your chance to meet and learn all about these amazing creatures! Program Cost: Free Program Age: All ages Registration: None Location: Blocher Community Room |
|
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: LADYBUGS
Monday, April 21st @ 9am to Saturday, April 26th @ 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 |
|
EARTH DAY TREE DISTRIBUTION
Tuesday, April 22nd from 1pm-7pm The North Manchester Public Library has partnered with Neighborhood Forest to provide free trees for kids to plant during Earth Week! This program introduces children to the delight of planting a tree and then watching it grow as they care for it! Neighborhood Forest gave away over 67,000 trees last year alone, beautifying many neighborhoods and giving children a personal stake in taking care of their environment. We're still waiting for the exact species to be announced, but we do know trees will be native, nut bearing or fruit bearing! Trees for those who have registered by the March 15 deadline will arrive in time for Earth Day. Register here!: https://shorturl.at/bwHHX Trees can then be picked up at the library between 1pm and 7pm on Tuesday, April 22nd. Tree planting guides will be provided to all participants. To learn more about the Neighborhood Forest project, visit: https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/ |
|
FUTURE LIBRARIANS: VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
Tuesday, April 22nd @ 4pm If you like...
We are so excited to once again offer our beloved librarian-in-training program to the kids in our community who may someday want to work at NMPL! From "getting the job", to learning the Dewey Decimal system, to carrying for the collection, attendees will learn all sorts of useful skills and get hands-on experience being a librarian. Register today for our 5 week session - spots are limited so don't delay! This Week: Virtual Programming Kids take the lead in this special introduction to virtual programming! They’ll choose crafts, assemble Makerspace-2-Go kits, and showcase their creations in a virtual presentation for at-home crafters. Program Cost: Free Program Age: Ages 8 and up Registration: Yes. Register here: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262... Location: Blocher Community Room |
|
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SPRING BOOKSALE
Thursday, April 24th from 9am to 7pm; Friday, April 25th from 9am to 5pm; Saturday, April 26th from 9am to 5pm Discover your next great read at the Friends of the Library Book Sale! This popular semi-annual event attracts both casual readers and book resellers, offering a wide selection of gently used books, DVDs, children’s materials, audiobooks, yearbooks, and more. Every purchase helps support the library, as the sale serves as a major fundraiser for the Friends of the Library and proceeds go toward funding library programs and updates each year. You never know what literary treasures you’ll find, so come explore the FOL Book Sale! |
|
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: PAPER PLATE UMBRELLAS
Monday, April 28th @ 9am to Saturday, May 3rd @ 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 |
|
FUTURE LIBRARIANS: BOOK DISPLAYS & BOOK TASTING
Tuesday, April 22nd @ 4pm If you like...
We are so excited to once again offer our beloved librarian-in-training program to the kids in our community who may someday want to work at NMPL! From "getting the job", to learning the Dewey Decimal system, to carrying for the collection, attendees will learn all sorts of useful skills and get hands-on experience being a librarian. Register today for our 5 week session - spots are limited so don't delay! This Week: Book Displays & Book Tasting Setting up enticing book displays isn't just about judging a book by its cover... you also need to have a theme, choose books that will capture the interest of your readers, and be able to promote these titles to patrons. This week, the Future Librarians will participate in a Book Tasting to help them design and set up a front desk display! Program Cost: Free Program Age: Ages 8 and up Registration: Yes. Register here: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262... Location: Blocher Community Room |