Read and Play Preschool Hour 1

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This fun storytime geared towards 3-5 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, moving, dancing, and playing!

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Winter Reading Challenge for Adults

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Joplin Public Library’s Winter Reading Challenge for Adults is perfect for cold days indoors, getting a jump start on New Year’s Resolutions, or simply enjoying books! The challenge is complete by completing 5 of the 15 reading categories. Participants choose which 5 categories to complete, and what books to read. Book titles may only be used once. Complete the challenge to win a ceramic mug and to enter a raffle for a gift card to Target, Vintage Stock, or Always Buying Books. Participate on paper or electronically.

Participate on paper by printing the challenge form Winter Reading Challenge 2023-2024, or stop at our Reference Department to pick up a copy. Or participate electronically on Beanstack by clicking here.

Challenge begins December 1st and ends January 31st. The raffle drawing for gift cards will take place February 1st and winners will be contacted the same day.

Happy reading!

Teen Takeout Kit: Ramen Challenge

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Worried about being bored over the holiday break? Try our latest Teen Takeout Kit, the Ramen Challenge! Using our base kit plus ingredients from around your house (or the one you’re visiting, be sure to ask permission first), create your twist on classic ramen. If you like, send us a photo and/or description of your dish and we’ll post it on our social media.  (See kit for details.)

Kits are designed for grades 6-12 and will be available while supplies last, starting at 3:30pm, Monday, November 20, in the Teen Department.

No registration needed.

Native American Heritage Month Celebration

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Joplin Public Library and Post Art Library partner with the Quapaw Nation to honor Native American Heritage Month with an exhibit featuring Native art and cultural items from regional artists and local collections.

This celebration kicks-off with a reception and soft launch of O-Gah-Pah Coffee’s winter seasonal blend “Beaver Springs” in the library’s Local History area on Thursday, November 2nd from 5:30-7 pm. The exhibit will be on display through the month of November. Admission is free; all ages welcome.

Beaver Springs is home to the Quapaw Nation’s annual powwow grounds. The Quapaw Nation’s powwow is approaching its 152nd anniversary; the longest-running powwow in the four-state area and the second longest in the United States.

For more information about the Quapaw Nation and its culture, please visit https://quapawnation.com/31/Culture. Any other questions may be directed to aheadlee@downstreamcasino.com.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/983523876064637

Harry Potter Day

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Joplin Public Library is hosting a magical day for witches and wizards of all ages from 2:00-6:00pm. Attend the various classes at Hogwarts and celebrate all things Harry Potter!

Children, teens and adults are welcome to participate in house sorting, wand making, horcrux hunting and more! Dress in costume or come as you are, no library card is required for entry!

In the true spirit of the season, bring new or gently used clothing (hats, coats, scarves, etc.) to donate to help make Dobby a FREE ELF and benefit The Next Step, Joplin.

Joplin Chess Club Quick Tournament

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The Joplin Chess Club’s Annual Quick Tournament is back!
This yearly tournament in support of the JPL Children’s Chess Club is open to children in grades K-12!
Unrated open to players in grades K-12/rated open to all ages
First round begins at 10 AM.
Advance registration requested. Email martinstahlchess@gmail.com to register.
Sponsored by Four States Chess.
Rated entries can be paid on 12/9/23 or mailed in advance.
(Players in the Rated Open must have a current USCF membership
rated open: $20 entry fee
100% of entries go to support the JPL Children’s Department and Chess Club!)

Tween Beads & Board Games

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Celebrate International Games Month with an evening of board games and beaded bracelet making!

Ages 10-13

Community Room

Tween Take-Home Kit

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Pick up a creativity-boosting take-home kit in the Teen or Children’s Departments!

Ages 10-13

Teen Takeout Kit: Cemeterrarium

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Enjoy Halloween with a “cemeterrarium” kit!  Create a ghostly graveyard terrarium using new and upcycled materials. Starting at 3:30pm, Monday, October 30, kits will be available in the Teen Department while supplies last.

Designed for grades 6-12; no registration needed.

MSSU Author Visit: An Evening with Colm Tóibín

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Missouri Southern State University’s George A Spiva Library is taking part in MSSU’s themed Ireland Semester by welcoming Irish novelist Colm Tóibín to their campus, author of Brooklyn, the story of a young Irish immigrant in Brooklyn in the 1950s.

In collaboration with MSSU Spiva Library Joplin Public Library is hosting a book discussion Thursday, November 9th to discuss Colm Tóibín’s book Brooklyn. Find further details here or see the novel in our catalog.

To learn more about Colm Tóibín’s visit or MSSU’s Irish themed semester, visit their Ireland Semester website.