Regina Jennings is coming to JPL!

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We are excited to announce an upcoming author’s visit!!
Regina Jennings, an award winning historical romance writer, is presenting and hosting a book signing Thursday, December 9, 2021 here at our very own Joplin Public Library.
Her presentation covers the life and legacy of Kate Warne–the first female Pinkerton agent, who also serves as the inspiration behind Regina’s book, Courting Misfortune. This book is the first of Jennings’ newest series, The Joplin Chronicles. The next book in the series (Proposing Mischief) comes out December 7th of this year. Naturally, the date of our author’s visit/book signing is no coincidence. To help her promote her book, we are organizing the event as follows:
–Kate Warne presentation – 6:00 PM in the Community Room
–Book signing – 7:00 PM in the main lobby
The event is free, no Library card is required! Library users may check out books by Ms. Jennings on:
hoopla and Libby/Overdrive/MoLib2Go or at the Library!

PAL Holiday Tea to feature The Opus 76 Quartet

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This year, we’ve partnered with Post Art Library and Pro Musica to bring The Opus 76 Quartet to the library for the annual PAL Holiday Tea!

Join us on Saturday, December 4, 2021 for one of two performances:

  • 10-10:45AM: Enjoy a delightful morning Bach-a-Bye Baby performance featuring author/narrator Leia Barrett in a new musical take on the classic tale of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
  • 2-3:00PM: Enjoy an afternoon performance of classical string quartet favorites. Specifically, A. Dvorak: Quartet No.12 in F Major, “American,” Op.96 and The Danish String Quartet: Selections from Woodworks. At the end of this performance, PAL will give away their take-home Holiday Tea kits while supplies last.

From its hometown of Kansas City, The Opus 76 Quartet has become recognized in journals worldwide for its entertaining and energetic interpretations of the classics. Which is to say we are very excited to welcome them to our library!

These programs are free and open to the public. Registration not necessary.

PLEASE NOTE: in an effort to offer safe programming, masks will be required for all attendees ages 2 and older (per CDC guidelines), regardless of vaccination status.

The 2021 PAL Holiday Tea is a partnership between Post Art Library, Pro Musica, and Joplin Public Library. For more information about this event, contact PAL Director Jill Halbach at 417-623-7953 x1041 or jhalbac@postartlibrary.org.

Art by Luke Blevins in Bramlage and Willcoxon Foundation Gallery

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We’re glad to present Queer Space by Luke Blevins in Joplin Public Library’s Bramlage and Willcoxon Foundation Gallery from Sunday, October 10-Friday, December 31, 2021.

In this work, Blevins explores the tangential relationships between boyhood, social expectations, queer culture, and heteronormative assimilationism. He uses fantastical imagery to illustrate the shifting relationships we have with space and community as we grow and develop into our own persons. Through digital manipulation and processes, he creates imagery that proposes narratives without conclusions. Blevins was born and raised in Southwest Missouri. He studied art at Missouri Southern State University before earning his Master of Arts at the University of Missouri Kansas City. He teaches at Crowder College in the evenings and works in Admissions at Missouri Southern during the day.

The exhibit is FREE and open during the library’s regular hours of operation, no Library card required.  For more information, contact Post Art Library Director Jill Halbach at 417-623-7953 x1041 or jhalbach@postartlibrary.org.

My Missouri 2021 Photo Project Exhibit

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In celebration of its 200th year, Missouri 2021, an initiative of The State Historical Society of Missouri, coordinated the My Missouri 2021 Photo Project and it’s visiting our library!

In 2018, Missouri 2021 invited professional and amateur photographers from across the state to capture and share unique and meaningful aspects of place in Missouri. Of the nearly 1,000 photographs submitted, 200 were chosen for a traveling exhibition – including several of Joplin and surrounding areas!

My Missouri 2021 is oriented around the four seasons and showcases the geographic and cultural landscape of the state. They provide an opportunity on the occasion of Missouri’s Bicentennial to reflect upon and increase the understanding of the state’s rich diversity while recognizing the many things its people share. My Missouri 2021 will be in The Bramlage and Willcoxon Foundation Gallery (off of our lobby) from Saturday, September 4, 2021, through Sunday, September 26, 2021.

Shelter Insurance® is the platinum sponsor of the My Missouri 2021 exhibition. The exhibition was designed by PRO Expo Exhibits, the gold sponsor for the show, and supported by contributors to The State Historical Society of Missouri. Exhibits in the library are curated by Post Art Library. For more information, contact Jill Halbach at 417-623-7953 x1041.

 

 

The Joplin Writers’ Faire Returns!

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After a year-long hiatus, we’re back for 2021! The Joplin Writers’ Faire is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 10am-noon here inside the library.

This year’s line-up includes:

Billie Holladay Skelley

Catherine Valentine

Chad Stebbins

Chris Mitchell

Elton Gahr

F.C. Shultz

Izzy B

Larry Wood

Laura Lynn Wright

Pub Hound Press

Randy Turner

Robert Dopp

S.V. Farnsworth

Sandra Ruddick-Darr

Small Harbor Publishing

William & Doris Martin

The Joplin Writers’ Faire is a free, public event co-hosted by Post Art Library and Joplin Public Library each October. The aim of this event is to connect all sorts of writers to their existing and potentially new audiences while encouraging community support of local and regional writers. Questions? Call Jill at 417-623-7953 x1041.

Please note that social distancing will be observed at this event.

Tell your Tale with Art! Summer Reading Art Challenge Display is open now

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In partnership with the Post Art Library, the Summer Reading Art Challenge 2021 “Tell your Tale with Art! What’s the Story of You?!” display is now open and ready for visitors! The display features over forty entries that were created by our community. These local artists used all forms, mediums, and mixed-media to create their designs. The artwork will be exhibited in the Local History and Genealogy section of the Library from now until September 25, 2021.

This display is totally free to view, no Library card is necessary. We are also urging our visitors to vote for their favorite artwork in each category. A “People’s Choice” winner will be chosen for Children’s, Teen, and Adult entries. Come and enjoy these beautiful creations soon.

Free Lunch for all kids!

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Joplin Schools and Joplin Public Library want to make sure that NO CHILD experiences food insecurity this Summer.
Every weekday from now until August 13, Joplin Nutritional Services Department will be in the entrance of Joplin Public Library at 1901 E. 20th Street in Joplin to hand out free sack lunches to any child (under the age of 18)!
There is no requirement for the child to attend Joplin Public Schools. Meals will be first come, first served promptly at 11 am (not before). Children must be present to receive this service.
Meals may also be eaten inside the Library or in our lovely outdoor spaces. Come soon and enjoy Library services and the convenience of a free lunch from Joplin Schools!

Storywalk at JPL! “Just in Case you Want to Fly”

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Joplin Public Library’s Rosemary Titus Reynold’s Children’s Department staff are excited to announce a new interactive outdoor activity just in time for Summer Reading at Joplin Public Library – A StoryWalk®!

A StoryWalk® is an innovative way for families to enjoy reading and being outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children’s book are attached to stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll along the path, you’re directed to the next page in the story. There are also fun action prompts on each sign to keep children engaged and enhance enjoyment.

The StoryWalk features, Just in Case you Want to Fly by Julie Fogliano and Christian Robinson. It is a fun (and sometimes silly!) book about dreaming big and the importance of friends and family. The activity is located in JPL’s “Outdoor Classroom” area, which is at the Northwest corner of the library building.

The Storywalk will remain up throughout the month of June. The activity is completely self-guided, free, and fun for all families. You may enjoy the activity at any time, but if you wish to also enjoy the library, the open hours are Monday-Friday: 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm.

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Since 1902, JPL has been fulfilling the information needs of citizens of Joplin and the surrounding community. JPL opens tomorrow’s doors today through diverse opportunities to learn, create, explore, and have fun.

Connie Miller’s “C is for Color”

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Post Art Library presents Connie Miller‘s “C is for Color” exhibit in our Bramlage and Willcoxon Foundation Gallery from Saturday, June 12-August 31, 2021. Although enjoyed by people of all ages, “C is for Color” is an exhibit especially for children, as it’s hung at their eye-level and consists of a series of colorful acrylic paintings of animals–just in time for the Tails & Tales summer reading challenge! Starting Saturday, June 12, 2021 artist-provided take-home kits will be available in the Children’s Department on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. For more information, contact Jill at 417-623-7953 x1041.

https://www.facebook.com/postartlibrary/posts/10158582857304355

Summer Reading Art Challenge

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It’s time for the Post Art Library Summer Reading Art Challenge (SRAC)! This year, the theme for summer reading is Tails & Tales. In keeping with that theme, the prompt for SRAC 2021 is:

“Tell Your Tale with Art! What’s the story of you?!”

You may pick up your artboard and entry form from any public service desk within the library. Entries will be accepted for three categories: Adult (ages 18+), Teen (entering 6th-12th grades), and Kids (birth-5th grade). Entries must be returned to any public service desk within the library by 5pm on Sunday, July 31, 2021.

All SRAC 2021 entries will be exhibited in the Genealogy, Local History, and Post Reading Room wing inside the library from August 14-September 25, 2021. People’s Choice ballots for each category will be collected in the library during the exhibit. People’s Choice winners will be announced on October 1, 2021 and those winners will receive a prize when they pick up their artwork.

Participation is FREE and open to the public. A library card is NOT necessary. SRAC is an annual art challenge and show meant to encourage exploration of the visual arts through creating art based on Missouri’s state-wide theme for summer reading. For more information, contact Jill at 417-623-7953 x1041.