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 PROGRAMING
SILENT BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, June 19th @ 6pm; Wednesday, July 3rd @ 6pm; Wednesday, July 17th @ 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 |
SPECIAL IN PERSON & ONLINE PROGRAMS
60s TIE DYE SHIRTS
Rescheduled Date: Thursday, July 11th @ 2pm Throwback to the 60s with some groovy tie-dye fun! We'll have a limited number of shirts available (first come, first serve) but all attendees are welcome to bring their own tee, pillowcase, or socks to dye. Let's channel that retro energy and make some totally rad creations together! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn |
BOARD GAMERS
Friday, July 12th from 11am to 12pm Calling all board game enthusiasts! Are you looking for someone to play your favorite game with? Look no further than our Board Gamers program at the library! We have a wide range of board games available, from No-Stress Chess to Ticket to Ride to Apples to Apples. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, all ages are welcome to join us for some friendly competition, strategy, and most importantly, fun! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Board and Puzzle Game Section in the Adult Department |
NMPL'S WRITER'S RETREAT
Saturday, June 8th from 11am-1pm Calling all writers! NMPL's Writer's Retreat is here to help you cultivate creativity and connect with fellow aspiring authors. Spend the first hour bouncing ideas off like-minded individuals, then dive into your writing project for the second hour. Take your writing to the next level with Writer's Retreat! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Teens and adults Registration: None Location: Conference Room |
THE ART GIRAFFE: DRAWING WITH PEN & INK
Monday, July 15th from 3:00pm to 5:30pm Acclaimed local artist Brenda Ramseier of The Art Giraffe studio in Silver Lake, Indiana (https://www.theartgiraffe.com/gallery) will teach a four part series designed to introduce students to drawing with Pencil, Liquid Graphite, and Pen and Ink. The series is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Wabash County Good Deeds grant and provided free of charge! Our 4th and final class will cover the basics of Pen and Ink drawing. It will focus on the methods of shading with values and techniques. This class will work basically with black and white but will introduce the use of different methods of adding color to the ink project. Student will leave with a finished ink drawing of a highly textured tree. Brenda Ramseier taught Elementary and Middle School Art for many years at Maconaquah and opened The Art Giraffe studio in 2015 to students. Her many years as an art teacher/studio owner make her an ideal instructor for teens and adults seeking to expand their abilities! Brenda has been recognized on the state level and one of her award winning pieces is prominently displayed in the North Manchester Center for History. She has won many awards including at Hoosier Salon, Honeywell Center, Ventures in Creativity in Ft. Wayne, LaFontaine Arts Council in Huntington, and the Logansport Art Association. Her achievements are inspiring and an example of the incredible talent our community has to offer! Program Cost: Free, sponsored by the Community Foundation Good Deeds Grant Program Age Requirements: 13+ Registration: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262&EventID=525237&PK= Location: Blocher Community Room |
COLORING CAFE
Tuesday, July 16th @ 3:45pm Want a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Coloring Café is just what you need! Enjoy some coffee or tea during the program and take a moment for yourself to unwind with some coloring therapy. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Conference Room |
FELTING CLASS WITH KRUGER KRAFTS: SHEEP
Tuesday, July 16th @ 5pm Come learn the art of needle felting at the library! "It's so EASY!" is the common refrain from those who try felting for the first time. It’s not hard to see why: These fuzzy friends require no sewing, knitting, or crocheting skills! Taught by experience crafter Rachel Kruger of Kruger Krafts, this class will provide expert step-by-step instruction and helpful hands-on guidance. Participants will be able to customize their sheep by choosing their own yarn colors and accessories. Simply follow along and watch your sheep come to life! Program Cost: $15 for baby sheep or $20 for big sheep (includes needle, wool roving, instruction, pads, and decorations). Cash or checks (payable to Rachel Kruger) only. Program Age Requirements: 13+ (No children under the age of 13 due to the sharp/barbed needles used for this craft.) Registration: Yes, at the NMPL circulation desk. Location: NMPL Blocher Room |
DIRTY DIGGERS: POTS & DIY KNEELING PADS
Tuesday, July 16th @ 6pm Dirty Diggers is our annual gardening program for kids who love to get dirty, have fun, grow things, and learn about nature! This week: This garden craft is a little bit messy, quite a bit colorful and very practical! Transform plain terra cotta pots into works of art with the sweep of a paintbrush. Jazz up a carpet square for your own personalized kneeling pad for your personal gardening endeavors. Garden art - it’s the best! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn and the Blocher Community Room |
70s BELL BOTTOM BINGO
Wednesday, July 17th @ 2pm Time to dust off your bell bottoms and dig out that tie-dye shirt from 60s Week, because we're throwing a retro-themed Bingo event! The whole family is invited to come and enjoy an afternoon prizes and nostalgic fun at the library! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None, but space is limited! Get here early to secure your spot Location: Blocher Community Room |
BOARD GAMERS
Friday, July 19th from 11am to 12pm Calling all board game enthusiasts! Are you looking for someone to play your favorite game with? Look no further than our Board Gamers program at the library! We have a wide range of board games available, from No-Stress Chess to Ticket to Ride to Apples to Apples. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, all ages are welcome to join us for some friendly competition, strategy, and most importantly, fun! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Board and Puzzle Game Section in the Adult Department |
KIDS' DONUT & BOOK TASTING
Monday, July 22nd @ 3pm Get ready for a book adventure of a lifetime! Join us at Kids' Donut & 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 readers will enjoy this fun (and tasty) format. Book Menu: Dive into the world of fun Easy Readers, cool graphic novels, and fascinating juvenile chapter books. Donut Menu: Glazed Donuts & Cinnamon Sugar Donuts from Chillz Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Ages 6-16 Registration: None Location: Blocher Community Room or the Library Lawn (weather dependent) |
DIRTY DIGGERS: BIRDS THAT POLLINATE
Tuesday, July 23rd @ 6pm Dirty Diggers is our annual gardening program for kids who love to get dirty, have fun, grow things, and learn about nature! This week: Often overlooked when we talk about pollinators, birds are nonetheless an important link in fertilization. We’ll learn about the US bird species that assist with pollination in their respective habitats and make a silly squawking bird craft to help us remember what we learned! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn and the Blocher Community Room |
80s ARCADE & PET ROCKS
RESCHEDULED DATE: Thursday, July 25th from 3pm to 7pm Get ready for an epic blast from the past, because The Party Trailer Mobile Arcade is rolling into the library and bringing with it a ton of awesome arcade games to play! Whether you consider yourself a gaming pro or just want to relive the glory days of your childhood, this is the perfect opportunity to have a blast with friends and family. All arcade games will be FREE to play and EVERYONE is welcome to attend - adults, kids, and teens, we want everyone to come, play games, and have a great time! Not much of a gamer? We’ll have yard games, Lego stations, and (in another nod to the 80s) a Pet Rock crafting station! Additionally, our friends at Tacos Los Gordos will be present selling their delicious Mexican Street Food. Don't miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in the world of classic arcade games, amazing food, and all kinds of fun – it's bound to be a night to remember! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn |
BOTANICAL BOOK CRAFT
Saturday, July 27th @ 1pm Transform your home with the timeless charm of our Botanical Garden Book Craft - a stunning floral arrangement that will never wilt! Perfect for the nature AND book lover, this relaxing craft brings a touch of the outdoors inside and makes a thoughtful gift for a nature lover! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 13 and up Registration: Yes. https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262&EventID=529972&PK= Location: Blocher Room |
COLORING CAFE
Tuesday, July 30th @ 3:45pm Want a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Coloring Café is just what you need! Enjoy some coffee or tea during the program and take a moment for yourself to unwind with some coloring therapy. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Conference Room |
DIRTY DIGGERS: CLEAN MUD
Tuesday, July 30th @ 6pm Dirty Diggers is our annual gardening program for kids who love to get dirty, have fun, grow things, and learn about nature! This week: Our last Dirty Diggers of the summer! Join us for a final round of water games, harvesting and tasting our produce and mixing up a batch of Clean Mud to take home for sensory fun. |
90s POOL PARTY
Wednesday, July 31st from 1pm to 3pm Get ready to make a splash at our totally rad 90s pool party! As we bid farewell to an amazing summer filled with books and friendship, we invite you to celebrate with us in style. Dive into the excitement with our giant inflatable obstacle course, splash around in the kiddie pools, challenge your friends to some yard games, and try your luck at the dunk tank. The Beverage Buggy will also be on hand selling some refreshing and delicious summer beverages to keep everyone cool! This is one of our biggest events of the summer and we want YOU to be a part of the fun, so grab your swimsuit and sunscreen and join us! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Library Lawn |
BOARD GAMERS
Friday, August 2nd from 11am to 12pm Calling all board game enthusiasts! Are you looking for someone to play your favorite game with? Look no further than our Board Gamers program at the library! We have a wide range of board games available, from No-Stress Chess to Ticket to Ride to Apples to Apples. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, all ages are welcome to join us for some friendly competition, strategy, and most importantly, fun! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: None Location: Board and Puzzle Game Section in the Adult Department |
NMPL'S WRITER'S RETREAT
Saturday, July 13th from 11am-1pm Calling all writers! NMPL's Writer's Retreat is here to help you cultivate creativity and connect with fellow aspiring authors. Spend the first hour bouncing ideas off like-minded individuals, then dive into your writing project for the second hour. Take your writing to the next level with Writer's Retreat! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: Teens and adults Registration: None Location: Conference Room |
HERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: HEALTHY PESTO TASTING
Monday, August 12th @ 6pm The vibrant flavors of pesto never fail to take pizza, focaccia, pasta and charcuterie boards to the next level. Fortunately, this healthy spread/sauce is easy to make and good for you, too! Join us in the Blocher Community Room for a pesto making demonstration and see for yourself just how easy it is to make at home with simple kitchen equipment. Then enjoy tasting several different kinds of pesto: classic, Sicilian, mint, carrot top and arugula sourced from our Tower Garden and outdoor raised beds. You won't want to miss this flavorful and educational event! Allergen Notice: pesto contains nuts & cheese. Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: No Location: BCR |
TEA & BISCUIT BOOK TASTING: BEST SELLERS
Monday, August 19th @ 6pm Described as "literary speed dating", NMPL Book Tastings will help adult readers broaden their reading horizons and discover exciting new book adventures. Participants will have the chance to sample a variety of books in 5 minute time increments and when the bell sounds, they can decide to bring the book home, try another title, or do both! Explore new authors, genres, and series that you might not have tried before. No more complaints of "I don't have anything to read!" Plus we'll have iced tea and delicious homemade treats! Book Menu: Catch up on the titles that everyone is talking about with a collection of recent best sellers. Biscuit Menu:
Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: 16+ Registration: None Location: Blocher Community Room |
ROCK THE BIKE: GARDEN SALSA WITH PURDUE EXTENSION
Wednesday, August 21st @ 4pm From garden to table, let’s make some salsa from our community garden! We will put a spin on making salsa by using a pedal powered blender. Come exercise and enjoy a garden fresh snack! Program Cost: Free Program Age Requirements: None Registration: No Location: BCR |