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!

REGULARLY SCHEDULED IN PERSON PROGRAMING

TEEN MAKERS
Every Wednesday @ 3:45pm in the Makerspace
​Teens are invited to meet in the NMPL Makerspace for snacks and activities! 
​
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: 13-18
Registration? None

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

​Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: Ages 9-12
Registration? None

SPECIAL IN PERSON & ONLINE PROGRAMS

​COOKIES & CANVAS: LAVENDER & DAISIES
Wednesday, March 15th @ 6pm
Hobby painters and beginners will love our Cookies and Canvas series! Step-by-step instructions take participants on a journey towards a beautiful masterpiece. The fun themes are perfect for porch hangings, mantel decorations, and special gifts for family and friends. Love painting but in a dry spell? Let us provide the inspiration for your next piece. Are you a watercolor fiend or an oil painting master? Why not give acrylics a whirl!? Not too confident in your art skills? Give C & C a try - you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results (plus, there will be cookies!).

Program Cost: Non-refundable $8 fee per person
Program Age Requirements: 13 and up
Registration? Yes, registration is required. Sign up at the front desk!

ST. PADDY'S GOLDEN EGG HUNT
Friday, March 17th @ 10am
It’s back! Join us for the first time in three years as we celebrate the return of St. Paddy’s Golden Egg Hunt. Kids of all ages will have a blast searching the nooks and crannies of the library building for eggs stuffed with candy, small toys, and stickers! Special golden eggs will be hidden in extra challenging spots and the finders will receive extra rewards - including gift certificates to local sponsor Penguin Point!
​
In order to make sure all our patrons have a good time, we'll be dividing the library into sections, with one area for toddlers and babies, one area for younger kids, and one area for older kids and teens. Baskets will be provided while supplies last!

Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: Children of all ages
Registration? None

​NOBLE FICTION WRITERS OF NMPL
Saturday, March 18th @ 1pm in the Blocher Room
Are you looking for a way to improve your writing skills?
The "Noble Fiction Writers of NMPL" group can help you write better fiction using time-tested techniques. You will enjoy writing prompts to help you learn how to use your craftsmanship, daring, and insight into human nature to create stories that feel real.
​
You’ll be able to apply what you learn in this group to any genre of fiction – from mystery novels to science fiction. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your work with other writers and get feedback. Its a fun, creative, and safe place to write. So why wait? Mark you calendar today!
​
​Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: None
Registration? None

​"STICKING" TOGETHER: POPSICLE STICK RUSTIC ARROWS
Tuesday, March 21st @ 3:45pm
Versatile and fun, popsicle sticks make crafting a breeze. Need some motivation to get started? Come to our NEW “Sticking” Together program and learn to use this handy supply to make beautiful and unique crafts!

Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: 7+
Registration: None

PIPE CLEANER & YARN COASTERS
Wednesday, March 22nd @ 6pm on Facebook
Make these beautiful no-sew coasters using only pipe cleaners, yarn, and hot glue. Grab a kit and tune in to Facebook to watch the tutorial video to learn how!
​
Program Cost: FREE
Program Age Requirements: None, but parental supervision is necessary to due working with a hot glue gun
Registration: No Registration Required

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SCIENCE LAB WITH MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY
​Saturday, March 25th @ 10am
Assistant Professor of Biology Cassandra Gohn and students from Manchester University will host a multi-station science lab for kids at the North Manchester Public Library (teens & adults are welcome, too)!
This month’s lab will feature the digestive system! Participants will peek inside their insides and learn how food and water travel through the body and what happens along the way.

The science lab is an outreach of Manchester University and the Indiana Physiological Society. There is no cost or registration required – participants are welcome to come and go anytime between 10 am and 12 pm.
​
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: All ages but geared towards elementary ages
Registration? None

HOMESCHOOL ART CLASS: MATISSE CUT-OUT
Friday, March 31st @ 2pm
French artist Henri Matisse’s career in art began and ended with illness. He started painting as a 20-year-old recovering from appendicitis. Decades later, Matisse faced the end of his career when ill health compelled him to quit painting. He could have given up - instead he created a gorgeous new array of artwork. Come learn the inspiring story of learning to overcome challenges and try your hand at your own cut-outs!

Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: Kindergarten - High School
Registration? Call or visit the Children’s Department

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE FOR KIDS: SEASONS
Monday, April 3rd @ 3pm
American Sign Language is a natural language that serves as the predominant language of deaf communities in the United States. ASL is a complete and organized visual language that is utilized through facial expression as well as movements and motions with the hands and body. At this session, we’ll learn the signs for the different seasons and weather!

This class will be taught by Elliot Sklar. He is a recent graduate from Goshen College with a bachelors in American Sign Language and Secondary Education. Throughout his four years at Goshen he has learned and taught ASL as well as taken a semester at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. Elliot is excited to teach you all more about American Sign Language as much as you are excited to learn it!
​
Program Cost: None
Program Age Requirements: None
Registration: None
Location: NMPL Blocher Room

COLORING CAFÉ 
Tuesday, April 4th @ 3:45pm
Adult Coloring is a healthy way to relieve stress, as it can calm the brain and help your body relax. Come to the library to enjoy a peaceful afternoon of coloring your stress away! We’ll have a variety of different coloring pages to choose from, and we’ll be serving coffee, hot chocolate and tea. And if that isn’t already perfect enough? We’ll be playing café style music the entire time!
​
Program Cost: FREE
Program Age Requirements: 13+
Registration: None
Location: NMPL Conference Room

COLORING CAFÉ 
Tuesday, April 11th @ 3:45pm
Adult Coloring is a healthy way to relieve stress, as it can calm the brain and help your body relax. Come to the library to enjoy a peaceful afternoon of coloring your stress away! We’ll have a variety of different coloring pages to choose from, and we’ll be serving coffee, hot chocolate and tea. And if that isn’t already perfect enough? We’ll be playing café style music the entire time!
​
Program Cost: FREE
Program Age Requirements: 13+
Registration: None
Location: NMPL Conference Room

HELLO SPRING - DIY DOOR HANGING CRAFT
Wednesday, April 12th @ 6pm
April showers bring May flowers! Let’s welcome spring by making this adorable and simple door hanging! Grab a kit from the Makerspace-2-Go shelf and tune into Facebook on the designated date for the tutorial video.
​
Program Cost: FREE
Program Age Requirements: All ages
Registration: None
Location: Virtual - visit the video section of the NMPL Facebook page.

​HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE WITH PURDUE EXTENSTION: ELEPHANT TOOTHPASTE
Friday, April 14th @ 2pm
Come explore catalytic decomposition with this super fun and super foamy experiment! There’s nothing quite like Elephant Toothpaste and we’re going to have some great hands on learning with this STEM activity.

Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: 8 and up
Registration: Yes, please call the library to sign up

​DIAMOND PAINTING COASTERS
Tuesday, April 18th @ 3:45pm
Ever wondered what diamond painting is? Maybe you’ve heard about it, but never had the opportunity to try it. The last two Tuesdays in April we will be diamond painting coasters! Due to limited supplies and time, registration will be required for BOTH classes, so call the library today to sign up.
​
Program Cost: FREE
Program Age Requirements: 13+
Registration: Yes for both dates
Location: NMPL Conference Room

COOKIES & CANVAS: ROLLING INTO SPRING
Wednesday, April 19th @ 6pm
Hobby painters and beginners will love our Cookies and Canvas series! Step-by-step instructions take participants on a journey towards a beautiful masterpiece. The fun themes are perfect for porch hangings, mantel decorations, and special gifts for family and friends. Love painting but in a dry spell? Let us provide the inspiration for your next piece. Are you a watercolor fiend or an oil painting master? Why not give acrylics a whirl!? Not too confident in your art skills? Give C & C a try - you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results (plus, there will be cookies!).

Program Cost: Non-refundable $8 fee per person
Program Age Requirements: 13 and up
Registration? Yes, registration is required. Sign up at the front desk!
Location: NMPL Blocher Room

NOBLE FICTION WRITERS OF NMPL
Saturday, April 22nd @ 11am
Are you looking for a way to improve your writing skills?
The "Noble Fiction Writers of NMPL" group can help you write better fiction using time-tested techniques. You will enjoy writing prompts to help you learn how to use your craftsmanship, daring, and insight into human nature to create stories that feel real.
​
You’ll be able to apply what you learn in this group to any genre of fiction – from mystery novels to science fiction. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your work with other writers and get feedback. Its a fun, creative, and safe place to write. So why wait? Mark you calendar today!
​
​Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: None
Registration? None
Location: NMPL Blocher Room ​

DIAMOND PAINTING COASTERS
Tuesday, April 25th @ 3:45pm
Ever wondered what diamond painting is? Maybe you’ve heard about it, but never had the opportunity to try it. The last two Tuesdays in April we will be diamond painting coasters! Due to limited supplies and time, registration will be required for BOTH classes, so call the library today to sign up.
​
Program Cost: FREE
Program Age Requirements: 13+
Registration: Yes for both dates
Location: NMPL Conference Room

DIY BOUNCY BALLS
Wednesday, April 26th @ 6pm on Facebook
Making your own bouncy balls is super simple and FUN! Grab your DIY kit from the Makerspace-2-Go shelf and tune in for the tutorial video on Facebook. This program will be a little messy so be sure to do this program on a hard surface that’s easy to clean up!
​
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: All ages
Registration: None
Location: Virtual - visit the video section of the NMPL Facebook page

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SPRING BOOKSALE
Thursday, April 27th - Saturday, April 29th from 9am to 5pm in the Blocher room
The Friends of the Library book sale is held in the spring and in the fall each year. The FOL book sale has become a popular shopping spot for both recreational book buyers and book sellers in the area! Purchasing books from the semi-annual book sale is an excellent way of supporting our library.

The book sale is a significant fundraiser for FOL, and in turn, supports library programs and updates each year. Find gently used books, DVDs, children's materials, audios, yearbooks and more! You just never know what great book adventure awaits you at the FOL Booksale!