September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

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Get in your element—sign up for a library card!

It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month! Held each September, Library Card Sign-Up Month is an annual reminder that library cards empower individuals and communities by providing free access to technology, multimedia content, educational programming, and much more. A library card opens a world of learning for everyone and is one of the most cost-effective back-to-school supplies available.

This year, characters from Disney and PIXAR’s Elemental will be helping us celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month.

If you love libraries—and the access they provide to rich and diverse worlds—we invite you to join the festivities and help spread the word about the value of a library card!

Back to School with JPL

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Author Sean Fitzgibbon is Coming to JPL!

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Post Art Library and JPL Adult Programming are excited to soon host author and artist Sean Fitzgibbon at the library. Sean wrote and illustrated What Follows is True: Crescent Hotel, a nonfiction graphic novel that depicts the mythologies surrounding the Crescent Hotel’s strange two years as the Baker Hospital, a Depression Era cancer hospital in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Sean’s visit will be Tuesday, August 8th, 6:00pm-7:30pm.

Sean will present on his graphic novel and sign copies, with books available for purchase. An art exhibit featuring Sean’s original artwork for the publication will accompany his presentation, and will be located in the Local History gallery. The art exhibit will be on display through August 31.

Get to know JPL’s Book Reviewers

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Summer Reading 2023 Final Stats

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JPL’s Summer Reading Program has come to a close and we’re thankful for another successful year! 

Pride Month Picks

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.  In recognition of Pride Month, we’ve curated a list of materials you may enjoy!

Summer Reading is OVER!

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Joplin Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program began May 30th and will run through July 23rd, with the theme “All Together Now”. 

No Library card is required to participate in the Summer Reading Program; however, for the third year, the Joplin Public Library is extending the offer of a free Summer Reading Library card to EVERYONE! No matter your age, or where you live, you are eligible for a free JPL card to be used from May 30 through July 31. You may check out physical items from the Library including books, DVDs, and more – AND – you can use the card to access our digital resources. As always, Joplin Public Library cards are always free for in-city residents of Joplin, simply bring a recent piece of mail and your photo ID to the Library to register.

The JPL Summer Reading Program is a free program designed to keep the public reading, learning, and discovering all summer. After sign-up, children, teens, and adults alike will participate by tracking the minutes they read or listen to their favorite materials (books, magazines, newspaper, audiobooks, etc) on a paper gameboard that is handed out in the Library, or on the easy, free, and fun “Beanstack” app. Goals for each age group are set accordingly, and are very achievable. Adults will allow pre-readers to participate by tracking the amount of time spent reading to the young child. As participants achieve their reading goals, and complete fun and interactive self-moderated activities, they will earn prizes, plus, entries into generous grand prizes giveaways that are made possible thanks to many local sponsors! All participation is self-guided and completely optional.

Another aspect of the Summer Reading Program is fun, educational, and theme-based Library-hosted events. Summer events include the Library’s regular child-friendly programs – storytimes, lego club, dog day afternoon reading times, and books clubs – but families can also enjoy special programs courtesy of nationally known speakers who will visit Joplin. The list includes The Fishin’ Magicians, Will Parker, Jay & Leslie’s Laughing Matters, Mad Science, and Fire Dog!  Teens will have several chances to connect thanks to partnerships – one with the Missouri Department of Conservation for an escape room program and two others with the Library’s Makerspace, which will allow teens to test out their creativity and undertake random acts of kindness. Plus, traditional offerings of chess and anime/manga will remain on the slate of events.  New to the lineup for adults are monthly opportunities for yoga, a crosswords and coffee, and an anime/manga meetup. The public is invited to participate in the variety of programs, as desired. Find the comprehensive calendar of events here: https://www.joplinpubliclibrary.org/calendar/

Registration for the Summer Reading Program is ongoing, visit joplinpubliclibrary.org/summer-reading to sign up today!

NEW Virtual Tour

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Have you ever been unsure of where to go as you entered the library?  Are you using the same resources over and over because you don’t know what else we may have to offer?  Our NEW virtual tour is for YOU!  We hope this tour will allow you to find your way in the library, and encourage you to learn more about all the amazing community resources we provide!

Joplin Reads Together Success

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Joplin Public Library would like to thank the community for the success of the first Joplin Reads Together.  The program met or exceeded our goals set, and we can’t wait to continue this program next year!

Library of Things Launches

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The Joplin Public Library is pleased to announce a new service offering for the community of things meant to inspire creativity, learning, and fun. The aptly named “Library of Things” is a collection of non-traditional materials including tools, games, kitchen items, and electronics. The best part is all items are available to check out for free with a Joplin Public Library card. The heart of the collection includes items that library users would only potentially need once in a while or expensive items individuals could benefit from borrowing to test before an investment is made. 

The project got its start when a community member generously offered to purchase items to create four cooking kits. The cooking kits include equipment for making sushi, paella, madeleines, and muffins, plus each kit has an accompanying book that provides recipes and tips. The collection has continued to grow thanks to funding from the Joplin Library Foundation. Also, Library staff have applied for local grants with the hope of adding even more things. Library of Things smaller ticket items include puzzles, a tripod, a stud finder, and basic tools for home-based projects, while more expensive offerings include a digital camera, a projector, a food vacuum sealer, and a pickleball paddle set.

“Libraries have grown over the years to expand their offerings beyond “just books,” said Lori Crockett, the Public Relations and Marketing Assistant for the Joplin Public Library. “We are now a hub for community members to access digital resources, learn a new skill, connect with local services, and enjoy programs and events. The Library of Things is the next step to expand on and enhance these offerings. We hope this collection will encourage lifelong learning and creativity.”  

Users may borrow items from the Library of Things for one week and check out up to three Library of Things items at a time.  This service is offered at no cost to active Joplin Public Library cardholders.