At the library: Summer reading games, tiny art show, movies, anime, button making

The Herald-Times
·5 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.

Closed Memorial Day

The Downtown Library, Ellettsville Branch, and Bookmobile will be closed Monday, May 30. You can still use your library card to access ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and much more online anytime! Visit mcpl.info/digital to learn more.

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.

A teen paints a miniature canvas for the Tiny Art Show. View the 3" x 3" masterpieces at the Ellettsville Branch Art Gallery from June 1–30, painted by local kids, teens, and adults.
A teen paints a miniature canvas for the Tiny Art Show. View the 3" x 3" masterpieces at the Ellettsville Branch Art Gallery from June 1–30, painted by local kids, teens, and adults.

Tiny Art Show

Looking for something fun to explore? Come view the 3" x 3" 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.

Garden club

Come get your hands dirty as you explore experiments, projects, and crafts that focus on gardening and sustainability. Each session will include information on the week's topic, but you'll quickly move into some hands-on projects in the Library’s garden. This series will include occasional 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.

All-Ages Day at the Ellettsville Teen Space

Curious about the Ellettsville Teen Space, but you aren’t a teen? Patrons of all ages are invited to check it out on the fourth Saturday of the month––there's a DIY design studio, video games, virtual reality, and more! It’s 12-6 p.m. Saturday at the Ellettsville branch library. Drop in.

Saturday movie marathon

Saturdays are the perfect day to hang out and watch movies with friends! Ages 12-19. It’s 12-6 p.m. Saturday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.

Magic the Gathering Draft

The library is hosting its own Magic the Gathering Draft for teens! The library will provide all the cards and know-how for the event. Only eight spots are available. It’s 2-4 p.m. Sunday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar. For ages 12-19.

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.

Cryptid button making

Welcome to Cryptid Summer! You’ll kick it off by making buttons featuring your favorite cryptids. There's an ocean of possibilities out there, so who knows what cryptids are waiting to be discovered? Ages 12-19. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Ellettsville teen space. Drop in.

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 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday in meeting room 1c at the downtown library. Drop in.

Granfalloon: Indiana Author Awards Talks

Join Indiana Humanities and the IU Writers Conference for a reading and panel discussion featuring recent honorees of the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards. Poets Lindsey Alexander, Eugene Gloria, and Kevin McKelvey as well as fiction writer Maurice Broaddus will deliver short readings and engage in a conversation about writing in Indiana. Following their conversation, the authors will be available for Q&A with the audience. It’s 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium 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 2, in Ellettsville meeting rooms A and B. For ages 3-6 and caregivers. Register at mcpl.info/calendar.

Tween D&D

Interested in Dungeons & Dragons? Join the library for a special stand-alone role-playing adventure! No prior experience is necessary. Ages 9–12. It’s 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2, in the children’s program room at the downtown library. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.

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 2, in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library. Drop in.

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: What's happening this week at the Monroe County Public Library