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
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 |
SPECIAL IN PERSON & ONLINE PROGRAMS
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: SHAMROCK MAN
Monday, March 11th - Saturday, March 16th 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: VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
Tuesday, March 12th @ 4pm Our extremely popular librarian-in-training program is back, and we're excited to teach a new batch of Future Librarians! If you like... - helping other people, tall or short or young or old - searching for hard-to-find answers - collecting and organizing things - getting new books or DVDs - reading to your brother, sister, dog or cat - working with computers - creating cool crafts - respecting people's different points of view …then you might make a great librarian some day! We are so excited to offer this new 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 caring 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: The kids are in charge in this special introduction of virtual program! Kids will choose crafts, prep kits for the Makerspace-2-Go, and present their craft virtually for at-home crafters! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up Registration: Yes. Sign up for the 5 week class by CLICKING HERE. Location: Blocher Community Room |
ST. PADDY'S GOLDEN EGG HUNT
Saturday, March 16th @ 10am 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. Special golden eggs are hidden in extra challenging spots and the finders will receive additional prizes. Designated-by-age areas make this egg hunt one that can be enjoyed by all. Ages 0 - 3 will search the Blocher Community Room; ages 4 - 8 will hunt in the Children’s Department; and ages 9 and up will scout out the Adult Department. Baskets will be provided while supplies last. Bring the whole family on Saturday morning and make sure you are here by 10am sharp - these hunts always go quickly! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: All ages Registration: No Location: All over the library |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: PAPER PLATE RAINBOW
Monday, March 18th - Saturday, March 23rd 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 |
LAB RATS JUNIOR: HYRDROPOWER
Monday, March 18th @ 6pm Water is powerful! Little Lab Rats will get an introduction to this exciting alternative energy source as they work together to build and operate a hydro-powered model. This program was made possible with the support of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-Region 4’s Science Kits for Public Libraries grant. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: 5 - 8 years old Location: Blocher Community Room |
FUTURE LIBRARIANS: BOOK DISPLAYS & BOOK TASTING
Tuesday, March 19th @ 4pm Our extremely popular librarian-in-training program is back, and we're excited to teach a new batch of Future Librarians! If you like... - helping other people, tall or short or young or old - searching for hard-to-find answers - collecting and organizing things - getting new books or DVDs - reading to your brother, sister, dog or cat - working with computers - creating cool crafts - respecting people's different points of view …then you might make a great librarian some day! We are so excited to offer this new 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 caring 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: Setting up enticing book displays isn't just about judging a book by it's 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 Requirements: Ages 8 and up Registration: Yes. Sign up for the 5 week class by CLICKING HERE. Location: Blocher Community Room |
OPEN MAKERSPACE
Tuesday, March 19th from 5:30pm-7pm 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 Perler Beading, Scrapbooking, Foosball, Air Hockey, board games, card games and more! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: NMPL Makerspace |
WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY
Wednesday, March 20th - All Day Join NMPL as we celebrate the beauty of our neighborhoods this spring with Won't You Be My Neighbor Day. This day honors Fred Rogers, who taught us all that every day is a beautiful day in the neighborhood. We'll have coloring pages, an interactive sudoku puzzle, and activity packs to take home. We also invite our patrons to join us for a special sidewalk chalk community project. Help us decorate the NMPL sidewalks with messages of love, kindness, beauty, and fun. Take a photo and tag the library and use the hashtag #wontyoubemyneighborday so we'll be sure to see your work! "As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has or ever will have something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression." - Fred Rogers |
HOMESCHOOL BUSINESS: BUNNY MONEY
Friday, March 22nd @ 2pm K - 5th graders, come get an introduction to entrepreneurship! Local high schoolers Addison Brubaker and Ayla Cashdollar will lead participants through their original program Bunny Money. The story Bunny Money is structured around budgeting. After listening to the story, each student will receive $10 to buy supplies as a group. After creating a product they will sell it back to the leaders. The goal of this project is for kids to understand budgeting, working together, and bargaining. Mrs. Randall, Manchester Elementary School’s media center specialist, said "By incorporating a variety of activities - viewing the book read aloud, working on team collaboration, budgeting to buy supplies, creating original materials, and selling their creations, students were engaged from start to finish. The unit required students to work together as a team to spend their budget, to utilize their creativity to come up with an original product creation, and to use bargaining strategies to make the most profit for their creations. I feel students enjoyed this unit and learned a great deal from the concepts Addison and Ayla incorporated." The North Manchester Public Library is thrilled to add this program to the Homeschool lineup in March. “Addison and Ayla envisioned the program from start to finish and successfully pursued funding for it through a grant with Imagine 185,” said Sarah Morbitzer, Children’s Department Manager. “They are a great example of turning a fantastic idea into a reality. We’ll have them back next month for a program for the older kids as well!” Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Kindergarten - 5th Grade Registration: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262&EventID=517851&PK= Location: NMPL Blocher Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: PAPER EASTER EGGS
Monday, March 25th - Saturday, March 30th 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: WHEN A BOOK COMES BACK & GRADUATION
Tuesday, March 26th @ 4pm Our extremely popular librarian-in-training program is back, and we're excited to teach a new batch of Future Librarians! If you like... - helping other people, tall or short or young or old - searching for hard-to-find answers - collecting and organizing things - getting new books or DVDs - reading to your brother, sister, dog or cat - working with computers - creating cool crafts - respecting people's different points of view …then you might make a great librarian some day! We are so excited to offer this new 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 caring 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: What happens to a book when a patron returns it to the library? The Future Librarians will get hands-on experiences with emptying the book bins, checking in and cleaning the returns, and getting the books ready to go back on the shelves! After the lesson, the students will get to participate in a special graduation ceremony where they will receive diplomas to mark their achievements. Friends and family are invited to attend to cheer on the graduating class! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up Registration: Yes. Sign up for the 5 week class by CLICKING HERE. Location: Blocher Community Room |
HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Friday, March 29th @ 2pm Humans have developed many innovative sources of energy over the years. In this month’s Homeschool Science, we’re going to explore some of the ways we are using nature to fuel machines! Then students will divide into groups to assemble and test a solar powered water pump, a salt water powered robot and a hydro powered water mill. This program was made possible with the support of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-Region 4’s Science Kits for Public Libraries grant. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 8 and up Registration: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262&EventID=517853&PK= Location: NMPL Blocher Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: POPSICLE STICK SNAKE
Monday, April 1st - Saturday, April 6th 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 |
INTERACTIVE MOVIE: THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE
Monday, April 1st @ 11am Join us for a special interactive showing of The Emperor's New Groove... we promise, you've never watched this movie like THIS before! Pretend you're on a rollercoaster, make tons of noise, eat gummy bugs, sample edible grass, show off your dance moves, and MORE! You just never know what fun surprises and activities await you at an Interactive Movie event. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Blocher Community Roo |
SPRING BREAK OPEN MAKERSPACE HOURS
Tuesday, April 2nd from 4pm to 6pm Join us in the Library Makerspace for a fun time of games, crafts, play and exploration! If you’re into gaming, we have everything from the Wii to Uno! Prefer something a little more active? How about Foosball or Air Hockey? Just want to chill? Check out the Perler Bead station. There’s a little something for everyone and we can’t think of a better way to spend Spring Break than at the library! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration: None Location: Library Makerspace |
LEGO LEAGUE
Wednesday, April 3rd @ 3:30pm Lego builders unite! It's time to bring out the thousands-strong collection of Lego bricks that the library has been accumulating. It's time to let our imaginations run wild. It's time to build, time to play, time to test our skills. It's time for LEGO LEAGUE! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Flat Playground or Blocher Community Room |
HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE: SNAP CIRCUITS
Friday, April 5th @ 2pm Will you play tunes on a radio built from scratch or quiz a friend with a homemade lie detector? Maybe both!? With dozens of projects to choose from, this month’s Homeschool Science will be a snap - literally! The exploration of electronics will come alive with Snap Circuit elements like a sound activated switch, adjustable light controller, rechargeable battery and so much more! This program was made possible with the support of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-Region 4’s Science Kits for Public Libraries grant. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 8 and up Registration: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2262&BranchID=1000003286&Branch=North%20Manchester&EventID=520274 Location: NMPL Blocher Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: POM POM CHICK
Monday, April 8th - Saturday, April 13th 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 |
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING AND GLASSES DISTRIBUTION
Monday, April 8th @ 1pm Pick up your free pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses (one per person, while supplies last) from the friendly staff of the North Manchester Public Library and then head outside to the library’s spacious lawn to watch the Total Solar Eclipse! Glasses distribution will not begin until 1pm and is funded by the generous support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and NASA @ My Library. During the eclipse the corona (the Sun’s outer atmosphere) will become visible as a faint glow around the dark disk of the Moon. The eclipse will become visible at approximately 1:53 pm in North Manchester, reaching maximum coverage for our area around 3:09 pm with 98%+ obscurity, and ending at 4:24 pm. Children will enjoy playing on the library’s five piece Flat Playground (Snakes & Ladders, Twister, Darts, Standing Long Jump, 4 Square and Activity Track) while they wait for the eclipse. Adults are welcome to bring lawn chairs, sit on a bench, or borrow a picnic blanket from the library for a comfortable viewing experience. A live stream of the eclipse will be shown on the big screen in the Library’s Blocher Community Room for those who prefer to be indoors and in case of inclement weather. Public restrooms and drinking fountains will be open to the public. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library lawn and Blocher Community Room |
EASTER EGG WREATHS (FEATURING NMPL'S FUTURE LIBRARIANS)
Tuesday, April 9th @ 6pm on Facebook Looking for a simple and creative DIY project to celebrate the Easter season? Our Easter Egg Wreath kits are the answer! Grab yours from the Makerspace-2-Go (while supplies last), then tune into Facebook, and enjoy a festive crafting experience with the whole family. 🐣🌼🌷 Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: NMPL Facebook Page |
LEGO LEAGUE
Wednesday, April 10th @ 3:30pm Lego builders unite! It's time to bring out the thousands-strong collection of Lego bricks that the library has been accumulating. It's time to let our imaginations run wild. It's time to build, time to play, time to test our skills. It's time for LEGO LEAGUE! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Flat Playground or Blocher Community Room |
HOMESCHOOL BUSINESS: STICKER PROJECT
Friday, April 12th at 2pm Calling all young entrepreneurs! Join us for an exciting journey into the world of business with our Homeschool Business: Sticker Project program. Led by local high school students, this hands-on program will teach kids ages 8 and up valuable skills in budgeting, profits, marketing, and production. Get a head start in the business world with this fun and engaging program. Register today! This program is sponsored by Imagine 185. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 8 and up Registration: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2262&BranchID=1000003286&Branch=North%20Manchester&EventID=520275 Location: NMPL Blocher Room |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: BUNNY MASK
Monday, April 15th - Saturday, April 20th 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 |
SPRING FLOWER WREATHS (FEATURING NMPL'S FUTURE LIBRARIANS)
Tuesday, April 16th @ 6pm on Facebook Get crafty and festive with our easy-to-make Spring Flower Wreath! Grab a kit from our Makerspace-2-Go (while supplies last), then tune into Facebook to learn how to bring some spring vibes to your doorstep with just a few simple steps. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: NMPL Facebook Page |
EXPLORER'S OF THE DEEP: OCEAN COMMUNICATOR WITH PURDUE EXTENSION
Wednesday, April 17th @ 4pm Dive deep into the world of ocean exploration! Participants will put their STEM skills to the test with this amazing "underwater" session led by our friends from Purdue Extension. Join us as we uncover the innovative challenges that ocean scientists, engineers, and technologists are tackling to inspire public action. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration: None Location: Blocher Community Room |
HOMESCHOOL ART: CEREAL BOX BUSTS
Friday, April 19th @ 2pm Get out the gray spray paint, because this month you’ll construct a cereal box sculpture of your face (be it picasso-ly abstract, or decently realistic)! Participants will coat their bust in a weathering gray and add texture with sponges and brushes to give a rustic look to the "ancient sculptures". Students can use extra details such as moss, vines, and flowers to help contextualize their portrait bust as a relic of the past. Practical application involves observational skills and translating them into a product resembling their unique features. Led by Joshua Steely, NMPL's very own Cereal Box artist, this session of Homeschool Art is not one you will want to miss! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 8 and up Registration: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2262&BranchID=1000003286&Branch=North%20Manchester&EventID=520277 Location: NMPL Blocher Room and Library Lawn |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: CHICKA CHICKA BOOM TREE
Monday, April 22nd - Saturday, April 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 |
KIDS COOKIE & BOOK TASTING
Monday, April 22nd @ 3:45pm Get ready for a book adventure of a lifetime! Join us at Kid's Cookie & Book Tasting, where kids will discover new authors, genres, and series. Participants will sample a variety of books in limited periods of time, and when the clock runs out, they can decide to bring the book home, try another title, or do both! Even reluctant reader's will enjoy this fun (and tasty) format. Book Menu: - Dive into the world of fun easy readers and fascinating juvenile chapter books. Cookie Menu: - Strawberry Crunch Cookies - Biscoff Cupcakes Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 6 to 16 Registration: None Location: Blocher Community Room |
NO SEW SOCK BUNNIES (FEATURING NMPL'S FUTURE LIBRARIANS)
Tuesday, April 23rd @ 6pm on Facebook Tired of boring old Easter decorations? Say hello to the No Sew Sock Bunny - the cutest, easiest, and softest addition to your holiday décor! Grab a kit from the Makerspace-2-Go (while supplies last), and tune into Facebook for the instructional video. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: NMPL Facebook Page |
LEGO LEAGUE
Wednesday, April 24th @ 3:30pm Lego builders unite! It’s time to bring out the thousands-strong collection of Lego bricks that the library has been accumulating. It’s time to let our imaginations run wild. It’s time to build, time to play, time to test our skills. It’s time for LEGO LEAGUE! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Flat Playground or Blocher Community Room |
CHIT CHAT CLUB
Wednesday, April 24th @ 6pm Are you a social butterfly who thrives on meeting new people? If so, we have the perfect solution to brighten up your evenings. Join NMPL's Chit Chat Club, where you can indulge in engaging conversations and make lasting connections. Our club offers optional Conversation Cards, which are designed to ignite interesting topics and foster meaningful discussions. For those who prefer to keep busy, we also have puzzles available, ensuring that there's something for everyone. Expand your social circle and enjoy the warmth of companionship during these colder months! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: All ages Registration: None Location: Board Game & Puzzle Area by the Adult Graphic Novels |
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SPRING BOOK SALE
Thursday, April 25th from 9am to 7pm; Friday & Saturday, April 26th & 27th from 9am to 5pm Love books? Don't miss out on the FOL Book Sale - your go-to spot for amazing deals on gently used books, DVDs, children's materials, audios, yearbooks and more! Purchasing books from the semi-annual book sale is an excellent way of supporting our library. The event is a significant fundraiser for FOL, and in turn, supports library programs and updates each year. You just never know what great book adventure awaits you at the FOL Book Sale! |
PASSIVE CRAFT OF THE WEEK: MOTHER'S DAY CARDS
Monday, April 29th - Saturday, May 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 |