Event List

Filters
Age Group

Scholastic Chess Tournament

Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 9:00am - 4:00pm
Community Room East at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Games & Activities
Age Group:
Youth, Teens (ages 11-18)

Rated/K-12/K-8: 4 round Swiss, Game in 25 with 3 second delay (G/25,d3)
 

Sections:
Rated Open: Requires a current USCF membership to play.

K-12: Open to players grades K-12

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room East
Age Group: Youth, Teens (ages 11-18)
Program Type: Games & Activities
Event Details:

Rated/K-12/K-8: 4 round Swiss, Game in 25 with 3 second delay (G/25,d3)
 

Sections:
Rated Open: Requires a current USCF membership to play.

K-12: Open to players grades K-12

Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

All Day 12/24 - 12/25
Joplin Public Library

The Library will be closed 2 days in observance of Christmas. 

Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed 2 days in observance of Christmas. 

New Years Day

All Day
Joplin Public Library

The Library will be closed in observance of New Years!  We apologize for any inconvenience, and would like to remind you that the Library's digital resources are available 24/...

Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of New Years!

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

Text reads: LEAP! After school. There is a picture of a cartoon frog beneath it.

LEAP! After School

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Crafts & DIY, Games & Activities, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)

LEAP into 45 minutes of reading, creating, building, and exploring. Parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to participate. Ages 6-12

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Games & Activities, Storytime
Event Details:

LEAP into 45 minutes of reading, creating, building, and exploring. Parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to participate. Ages 6-12

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

Two kids playing chess together.

Children's Chess Club

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Games & Activities
Age Group:
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)

Chess fans of all skill levels are invited to come play! 

Ages 6-12. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Games & Activities
Event Details:

Chess fans of all skill levels are invited to come play! 

Ages 6-12. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

A woman holding a baby.

Read and Play Toddler Hour

Friday, January 9, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

This fun storytime geared towards 0-2 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, rhyming, and connection.

No registration or library card required to attend.

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

This fun storytime geared towards 0-2 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, rhyming, and connection.

No registration or library card required to attend.

A woman holding a baby.

Read and Play Toddler Hour

Friday, January 9, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

This fun storytime geared towards 0-2 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, rhyming, and connection.

No registration or library card required to attend.

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

This fun storytime geared towards 0-2 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, rhyming, and connection.

No registration or library card required to attend.

Text reads: Spark Lab, There are blue, yellow and red gears beneath the text.

Spark Lab

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Education, STEM/STEAM
Age Group:
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)

Explore a different STEAM-related activity each month! January’s focus is TBD! Ages 6-12

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Education, STEM/STEAM
Event Details:

Explore a different STEAM-related activity each month! January’s focus is TBD! Ages 6-12

An illustration of a young child with dark skin and hair in pigtails painting a rainbow on an easel. The text above the illustration reads "Young Artists Club."

Young Artists Club

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:15pm
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Arts, Enrichment
Age Group:
Youth, Tweens (ages 8-12)

Join us at our Young Artists Club to learn about famous artists and create art in their styles.

This program is designed for children ages 8-12 

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Tweens (ages 8-12)
Program Type: Arts, Enrichment
Event Details:

Join us at our Young Artists Club to learn about famous artists and create art in their styles.

This program is designed for children ages 8-12 

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

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.

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

Text reads: LEAP! After school. There is a picture of a cartoon frog beneath it.

LEAP! After School

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Crafts & DIY, Games & Activities, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)

LEAP into 45 minutes of reading, creating, building, and exploring. Parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to participate. Ages 6-12

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Games & Activities, Storytime
Event Details:

LEAP into 45 minutes of reading, creating, building, and exploring. Parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to participate. Ages 6-12

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

A woman holding a baby.

Read and Play Toddler Hour

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

This fun storytime geared towards 0-2 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, rhyming, and connection.

No registration or library card required to attend.

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

This fun storytime geared towards 0-2 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, rhyming, and connection.

No registration or library card required to attend.

A woman holding a baby.

Read and Play Toddler Hour

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

This fun storytime geared towards 0-2 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, rhyming, and connection.

No registration or library card required to attend.

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

This fun storytime geared towards 0-2 year olds and their families includes reading, singing, rhyming, and connection.

No registration or library card required to attend.

Illustration of colored legos stacked in a tower over a pink background. Black text above reads "Lego Build-a-thon"

Lego Build-a-thon

Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Games & Activities
Age Group:
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)

Collaborate, build, and explore your creative side! Ages 6-12

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Games & Activities
Event Details:

Collaborate, build, and explore your creative side! Ages 6-12

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

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.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

All Day
Joplin Public Library

The Library will be closed in observance of Martin Lurth King Jr. Day

Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of Martin Lurth King Jr. Day

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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

A man reading to a little girl.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at Joplin Public Library
Program Type:
Early Learning, Storytime
Age Group:
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)

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

Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Storytime
Event Details:

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