At the library: Swap houseplants in Ellettsville or play board games in Bloomington
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.
Intro to Warhammer mini painting and gaming
The library has the minis, paints and know-how. Try your hand at miniature painting and learn how to play Warhammer. All skill levels are welcome. Ages 12-19. It’s 3:30-5 p.m. Friday in Ellettsville meeting room A. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Saturday family storytime
The whole family is invited. Books, puppets, music, movement, crafts and more encourage early literacy skills. Ages birth-6. It’s 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday in the children’s program room at the downtown library. Drop in.
Dine Out for the library at Southern Stone
Prepare for a journey of tastes inspired by Southern Midwest and Southern cuisine at Southern Stone. Drop by 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday or 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday and Southern Stone will donate 20% of your tab to the Friends of the Library to make library programs possible. Download your flyer at mcpl.info/dineout. Southern Stone is at 405 W. Patterson Drive, near the B-Line Trail.
Summer houseplant swap
Have a houseplant that you are willing to trade or cuttings to share? Bring them by, meet fellow plant enthusiasts, and find a new plant for your home. Don't have a plant to swap? No problem! The library will have extras to share. All plants should be healthy, labeled (if possible), and can be in soil or rooted cuttings in water. Please only bring pots you are willing to part with. Age 16 and up. It’s 1-4 p.m. Saturday in Ellettsville meeting room A/B combo. Drop in.
Read to a dog
Registered therapy dogs listen to your child read aloud, aiding in the development of reading skills and encouraging a regular habit of reading for fun. This is great for readers of all abilities but especially helpful for reluctant or struggling readers. Ages 5-12. It’s 2-3:30 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.
Teen Artist Club: Mermaid Crowns
Are you a teen artist looking to hang with others? Join the library to make fun stuff, show off your work, chat and relax. Ages 12-19. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library or 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Ellettsville teen space. Drop in.
Video game conversation group: ”Gone Home”
Enjoy video games and want to talk with other people about them? Join the library as they discuss “Gone Home” and talk about game design, stories, art and everything else. It's just like a book club, but with video games! The game will be available to play each month on the second floor of the downtown library near the video game collection. It’s 6:30-8 p.m. Monday in meeting room 2A at the downtown library.
Preschool storytime
Join in the fun with stories, songs, puppets and more that encourage the development of early literacy skills! For ages 3-6 and caregivers. It’s 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at the downtown library. Drop in.
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!
Beat Saber tournament
Think you have what it takes to be a Beat Saber champion? Drop in and find out. Ages 12-19. It’s 3-5 p.m. Tuesday in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library.
Board game night
It's game night! Join the library and the Game Preserve to chat and play a fun selection of board games out in the community at Hopscotch Kitchen. All ages. It’s 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Hopscotch Kitchen located at 235 W. Dodds St., Bloomington. Drop in.
Tuesday Night Music Club: “Sign o' the Times”
Join other music fans to discuss classic albums virtually. This week, it's Prince's “Sign o' the Times”. Listen before the meeting, then come share your reaction. Participants will also listen to select songs as a group. The albums are available for streaming and download on Freegal with your library card. Age 18 & up. It’s 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday on Zoom. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
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.
D&D crafts
Drop by for some RPG-inspired crafts! 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.
Evening family storytime
Stories, songs and rhymes get your preschooler talking, singing, and playing with books and words! For ages 3-6 and caregivers, but all are welcome. It’s 6-6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Ellettsville meeting room B. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar. Please note, the content of this storytime may be repeated in the next morning's Thursday storytime.
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, July 21, in Ellettsville meeting rooms A and B. For ages 3-6 and caregivers. Register at mcpl.info/calendar.
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, July 21, in the Baby Space at the downtown library. Drop in.
Teen video game conversation group: ”Stardew Valley”
Enjoy video games and want to talk with other people about them? Join the library to chat about a game, game design, stories, art and everything else. In July you’ll dive into “Stardew Valley”. The games will be available to play each month on The Ground Floor gaming PC. Ages 12-19. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 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: Library events include houseplant swap and board games at Game Preserve
