At the Library: Get an item fixed for free, attend Glow Dance Party for teens this week
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.
Granfalloon: Rippling effects of incarceration on families
Join in this impactful panel presented in partnership with Political and Civic Engagement (PACE) and inspired by Ashley C. Ford's memoir, “Somebody's Daughter.” Panelists include Ashley C. Ford, author of “Somebody’s Daughter”; Stacy Flynn, assistant director of New Leaf, New Life; Mary Goetze, founder of KAP (Kids with Absent Parents); Beth Harris, grandmother and participant of KAP; and Max E. Smith, a formerly incarcerated person. It’s noon-1 p.m. Friday in the auditorium at the downtown library. Visit granfalloon.indiana.edu to learn more.
Rainbow D&D Club
Drop in, adventure through fantastic realms, then leave when you want. These sessions of Dungeons and Dragons are designed to be short, fun and evolving adventures that anyone can play. All skill levels are welcome. Ages 12-19. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday in Ellettsville meeting room A. Drop in.
Know Your Glow Dance Party
Join the library and Kaleidoscope Youth Community for this after-hours fun and free glow stick and black light dance extravaganza. Ages 12-20. It’s 7-10 p.m. Friday in meeting room 1B & 1C combo at the downtown library. Enter from the Kirkwood Avenue entrance. Drop in.
Sensory Playtime
Share books, songs and rhymes with your little one while squishing and smushing your way to the benefits of messy and sensory play! Dress for mess. Ages birth–2. It’s 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday in the children’s program room at the downtown library. Drop in.
Fix-It Fair
You’re invited to bring in an item for repair free of charge at the third Fix-It Fair. Local professionals will provide repairs and be available to coach attendees interested in learning how to make their own fixes. Limit one item per person, please. All ages. It’s 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in various rooms and spaces at the downtown library. Drop in! Watch a video and learn more about what can be fixed at mcpl.info/fixitfair.
Granfallooning the environment: Discussions about ecology, sustainability, end times, and how to avoid them
Scholars from Indiana University and across the Midwest will gather for a series of public panels exploring the intersections of literature, science fiction and environmental stewardship. Panelists include Maria Whiteman, James Coby, Nathan Schmidt, Adam Henze, Shannon Gayk and Scott Russell Sanders. Visit mcpl.info/calendar to view the schedule of panels and their topics. It’s 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium at the downtown library. Drop in.
Books Plus, Virtual Edition: “Crying in H Mart”
All are welcome to join the book discussions – –or just listen. June's title is “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner, an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother and forging her own identity. Age 16 and up. It’s 2-3 p.m. Sunday on Zoom. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar if you have not previously been emailed the Zoom link.
LEGO Club
Unleash your imagination and creativity with fellow LEGO builders. Ages 5–12. It’s 2-3 p.m. Sunday in the children’s program room at the downtown library. Drop in.
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 2-5 p.m. Sunday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.
8-Hour Comic Book Day
The library is teaming up with Vintage Phoenix Comic Books for the annual celebration of comics and manga, and a challenge to create a piece of sequential art from start to finish in one day. Art supplies are provided, as well as prizes, lunch, and snacks. Come by for an hour or stay for the entire day, but don't miss the special anime drawing program from 1-2 p.m. presented by artist Carlos Nieto III of Anime Your Way. Age 7 and older. It’s 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday in meeting room 1B & 1C combo at the downtown library. Drop in.
Preschool Storytime: Special Edition with Kim Howard
Join local author Kim Howard as she reads her Firefly Award-nominated picture book, “Grace and Box”. After the reading, enjoy a mystery game with the author. Ages 3-6. 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 or 10-10:45 a.m. Wednesday, outdoors at Switchyard Park’s Pavilion Lawn at 1601 S. Rogers St., Bloomington. 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.
Painted Pride Pennants
Celebrate your identity this Pride Month by painting your very own Pride flag onto a wooden pennant. Acrylic paints in a rainbow of colors will be provided. Ages 12-19. It’s 3-4 p.m. Tuesday in the Ellettsville Teen Space. Drop in.
Cartoon Tuesdays
Join fans of classic cartoons like “Samurai Jack,” “The Powerpuff Girls” and “SpongeBob Squarepants” for a night of snacks, crafts and toons. Ages 12-19. It’s 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.
Stuntology: The Art of Entertaining Yourself!
Explore the mysteries and absurdities of the physical world with Stuntologist Sam Bartlett. Using everyday objects, Bartlett demonstrates how you can amaze yourself and amuse your friends with fantastic tricks and easy stunts anyone can do. There are oceans of possibilities. All ages. It’s Wednesday 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. in Ellettsville meeting room A/B combo or 2:30-3:15 p.m. in the auditorium at the downtown library. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Cosplay Wednesday
Have you ever wanted to bring a favorite character to life? Get the materials and instructions you need to take your cosplay to the next level. This month you’ll cover embroidery skills, and in July you’ll work on character makeup. All skill levels are welcome. Ages 12-19. It’s 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.
Preschool storytime and discovery
At preschool storytime, stories, songs and rhymes get your preschooler talking, singing and playing with books and words, followed by preschool discovery — fun, open-ended art experiences, STEAM adventures and letter exploration. It’s 10-10:25 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. Thursday, June 9, in Ellettsville meeting rooms A and B. For ages 3-6 and caregivers. Register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Miniature Painting 101
The library has the minis, paints, brushes, and know-how — come try your hand at miniature painting. All skill levels are welcome. Ages 12–19. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9, in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.
Crafts in the Stacks
Learn new crafting skills as you try some hands-on DIY projects in The Tween Space. Ages 7-10. It’s 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, in The Tween Space at the downtown library. Drop in.
Musical Mastery: Final Touches
Looking to take your music to the next level? Join the library for any or all of the programs in this series to make your songs sound like the pros! In June, you'll cover additional touches, including limiting and normalizing, completing the mastering process for a streaming-ready song. Age 12 & up. It’s 6-7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, in Level Up digital creativity center at the downtown library. Drop in.
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: Glow Dance Party, incarceration talk, free item repair at public library
