At the library: Grow a plant or love of books, anime or chat with 'Sable' game developer

Special to the H-T
·8 min read

Monroe County Public Library provides opportunities for local residents to read, learn, connect and create. The downtown library is located at 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. and the Ellettsville branch is at 600 W. Temperance St. All events are free of charge. Event funding is provided by the Friends of the Library Foundation.

Garden Club

​​Come get your hands dirty while you explore experiments, projects and crafts that focus on gardening and sustainability. Each session will include information on the week's topic, but will quickly move into some hands-on projects in the library’s garden. This series occasionally features expert guests. Ages 7-12. It’s 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday in the children’s program room at the downtown library. Drop in.

Children plant seeds at garden club at the Monroe County Public Library's downtown location.
Children plant seeds at garden club at the Monroe County Public Library's downtown location.

Grow your own tomatoes and potatoes

Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a fun way to save money on your grocery bill. Learn how to make a growing container using common household items. The library will have free starter tomato plants and seed potatoes for you to take home. Age 18 & up. It’s 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the library plaza on Kirkwood. Drop in.

Retro crafting: decoupage

We're updating this classic papercraft with a decorative glass plate decoupage. We'll use contemporary and vintage images cut from paper to decorate a glass plate suitable for display. Age 18 and up. It’s noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday in Ellettsville meeting room B. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.

Game Chat: Sable

Want the opportunity to talk with a video game developer? Join Gregorios Kythreotis, Shedworks creative director, to talk about their award-winning game, Sable. You'll discuss the development, design and gameplay behind this open-world narrative game and follow it up with a Q&A session. Need access to the game? Sable will be available to play all month on the second floor of the downtown library near the video game collection. It’s 1-2 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium at the downtown library. Drop in.

All-ages day at the Ground Floor

Curious about The Ground Floor teen space, but you aren’t a teen? Patrons of all ages are invited to check it out on the second Sunday of the month — there's a DIY design studio, video games, virtual reality and more. It’s noon-6 p.m. Sunday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in and tell us what you think of this unique library space.

Children's storytime and nature walk

Following a nature-themed storytime by a children’s librarian, join Cathy Meyer, retired naturalist and MC-IRIS member, on a nature walk close by downtown Bloomington. You’ll learn how important a native city habitat is to wildlife, birds and pollinators. Ages birth-7. It’s 10-11 a.m. Monday in the auditorium at the downtown library. Drop in.

Maker Lab: Mothman Plushies

Science, tech, crafts — drop in for a cool project each month. Ages 12-19. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.

A readable feast: “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake”

Food, kitchen projects and conversation are fueled by a good read in this unique book club. This month you will read “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake” by Aimee Bender at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard while making a kitchen craft. Being able to taste people's emotions in food may at first be horrifying. But young, unassuming Rose Edelstein grows up learning to harness her gift as she becomes aware that there are secrets even her taste buds cannot discern. All supplies are provided, and books can be checked out from the library or Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. For all ages. Projects will be made in small groups or as individuals. It’s 5-6:30 p.m. Monday at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, at 1100 W. Allen St., Bloomington. Please register once per group at mcpl.info/calendar.

Kaiju Movie Mondays

Join fans of Godzilla, Mothra and other Kaiju creatures for a night of movies, crafts, snacks and giant monsters. Ages 12-19. It’s 6-9 p.m. Monday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.

Night Owl Storytime

Listen to stories, sing songs, and do some yoga and mindfulness exercises to practice early literacy skills and wind down before bedtime. Feel free to come in pajamas. Ages birth-6. It’s 6-6:45 p.m. Monday in the children’s program room at the downtown library. Drop in.

Preschool storytime featuring members of the Alzheimer's community

Join the library for this special storytime featuring members of the Alzheimer's community. You'll have fun with stories, songs and puppets, encouraging the development of early literacy skills while breaking the stigma of Alzheimer's. The storytime theme is family and food. For ages 3-6 and their families. It’s 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at the downtown library. Drop in.

Tiny to Two

Families with babies play, sing, read and talk together! Ages birth-3. It’s 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Ellettsville meeting room b. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.

Little Makers

Explore your creativity with different materials and techniques at this fun, open-ended art experience. Dress to mess. For ages 3–6 and their families. It’s 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesday in the children’s program room at the downtown library. Drop in.

Comics and cookies: cryptids

Bring your favorite cryptid comic and get ready to chat about all things comics-related. Come for the cookies, stay to share your feels. Ages 12-19. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.

Level Up workshop: Photoshop seascapes

Learn how you can use Adobe Photoshop to create a beautiful digital seascape. Age 12 & up. It’s 6-7 p.m. Tuesday in Level Up digital creativity center at the downtown library. Drop in.

Wonderful 1s and Terrific 2s

Families with kids from infants to age 3 can play, sing, read and talk together with other little ones — then enjoy toy time. It’s 9:30-10:15 a.m. (infants-18 months) and 10:30-11:15 a.m. (18 months-3 years) Wednesday in the children’s program room at the downtown library. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.

Super Smash Bros. tournament

Think you have what it takes to be a Super Smash Bros. champion? Drop in and find out. Ages 12-19. It’s 3-4 p.m. Wednesday in the Ellettsville teen space.

D&D crafts

Drop by for some RPG-inspired crafts. This time you'll learn how to make fake aged maps, then in July, you'll design your own miniatures using 3D printing software. All skill levels are welcome. Ages 12-19. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.

Baby play

Play, learn, and get to know other parents at this low-key event. The library will have sensory toys and other manipulatives to facilitate a fun time for all. There will also be an opportunity to talk about baby health, safety, postpartum care and literacy with Tandem Birthing Center's Blythe Angle. Ages birth–2. It’s 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16, in the baby space at the downtown library. Drop in.

Intro to Warhammer

If you enjoy D&D, miniature painting, and board games, tabletop war games like Warhammer are another fun option. The library will provide a light introduction, as well as all the terrain, miniatures and snacks. All skill levels are welcome. For ages 12–19. It’s 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday, June 16, in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.

Anime watch party

Join other fans of “My Hero Academia,” “The Way of the House Husband,” “The Promised Neverland” and more for a night of anime, crafts and chatter. Ages 12-19. It’s 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 16, in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library.

In-person summer reading games are back

The library’s free all-ages summer reading games are back in person. Read for fun, complete activities and attend events to earn prizes. Pick up a game board at the downtown library, Ellettsville branch, or on the Bookmobile, now through July 31. This year, the Friends of the Library Foundation will donate $1,000 to the Community Kitchen of Monroe County when the library meets its registration goal of 1,000 people! Learn more at mcpl.info/summerreading.

Tiny Art Show

Looking for something fun to explore? Come view the 3-by-3-inch painted tiny art masterpieces at the Ellettsville Branch Art Gallery, painted by local kids, teens, and adults! All ages. Drop in throughout the month of June.

More events online

This is a sampling of this week’s library events. For the full calendar, visit mcpl.info/events.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Talk with 'Sable' game developer, pick up a free plant at the library