Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Blue and purple background, graphic of easel, paint, and paint brush in the center, with event title above.

Tiny Art Night

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18), Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY
Event Details:

Get inspired and join us to paint tiny masterpieces on tiny canvases! This is a self-guided paint night where we provide paint supplies and canvases and you create whatever you'd like! Limit 1 canvas per person. 

Pink and grey background with graphics of people in yoga poses, event title above.

Yoga Class

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Class/Workshop, Health & Wellness
Event Details:

Join in on yoga at the library! This class is open to all experience levels. Some yoga mats will be on hand but supply is limited; please bring your own if you have one. 

Yellow and red background, graphics of movie items in the middle, event title above.

Old Hollywood Movie Night

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 5:00pm - 7:45pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:

Take a step back in time with our Old Hollywood Movie Night! Join us for a pre-Code double feature! Pre-Code movies were made before Hollywood’s Production Code, or Hays Code, was established.

Handwritten letters in background, orange circle overtop with event name and author photo and book cover centered.

Virginia Evans Author Visit

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Author Visit, Joplin Reads Together, Speakers
Event Details:

Join us as we welcome bestselling author Virginia Evans to the Joplin Public Library!

Filters
Age Group

Presidents Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Presidents Day

Board of Trustees Meeting

4:00pm–5:45pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Conference Room 1
Event Details:

The Board of Trustees is a policymaking board and is fiscally responsible for how the Library’s funds are spent. With a few exceptions, the Board meets every month on the 3rd Tuesday at 4:00 pm in Conference Room 1 at the Library.

Young Artists Club

4:15pm–5:00pm
Youth, Tweens (ages 8-12)
Arts, Class/Workshop
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Tweens (ages 8-12)
Program Type: Arts, Class/Workshop
Event Details:

Join us as we learn about African American artist Alma Thomas and create artwork inspired by her bold and colorful paintings!

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.

Tiny Art Night

6:00pm–7:30pm
Teens (ages 11-18), Adults
Arts, Crafts & DIY
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18), Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY
Event Details:

Get inspired and join us to paint tiny masterpieces on tiny canvases! This is a self-guided paint night where we provide paint supplies and canvases and you create whatever you'd like! Limit 1 canvas per person. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The Library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact library staff.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

9:30am–10:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Storytime
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!

Read and Play Preschool Hour

10:30am–11:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Storytime
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!

LEAP! After School

4:15pm–5:00pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Crafts & DIY, Games & Activities, Storytime
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

Trinket Trading

4:30pm–5:30pm
Teens (ages 11-18)
Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18)
Program Type: Enrichment
Event Details:

Bring some trinkets to trade! Handmade or bought are both welcome. Rocks, keychains, figurines, little things, shiny things, rare things, colorful things, etc... Teen Dept. Grades 6-12

Read and Play Preschool Hour

9:30am–10:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Storytime
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!

Read and Play Preschool Hour

10:30am–11:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Storytime
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!

Economic Security - Outreach Worker Visit

1:00pm–3:00pm
Adults
Education
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Education
Event Details:

An Outreach Worker from Economic Security will be at the library for free consultations.

Book Swap

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Enrichment
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Enrichment
Event Details:

Find your next read at Book Swap! Bring a book (or several) you no longer want and swap for books brought by other attendees and the library. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The Library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact library staff.

Read and Play Toddler Hour

9:30am–10:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Storytime
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.

Read and Play Toddler Hour

10:30am–11:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Storytime
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.

SNAP Outreach Visit

1:00pm–3:00pm
Adults
Health & Wellness
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) assistance and consultations will be available in the library’s lobby. No library card or appointment is required.

Kids' Fair

2:00pm–3:30pm
Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-12)
Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Games & Activities
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5), Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Games & Activities
Event Details:

The Next Gen. Library Council presents a Kids' Fair benefitting Children's Haven in Joplin!

Mahjong - Hosted by Friends of the Library

1:30pm–4:00pm
This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Purpose of Meeting

The ancient game of mahjong, which first captured America’s attention in the 1920s, is making a comeback—and the Friends of the Joplin Public Library are hosting it at the Library on the second and fourth Mondays in February & March. 

Spark Lab

4:15pm–5:00pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Enrichment
Event Details:

Join us as we learn about African American engineer Raye Montague. We will learn about buoyancy and her work to help heavy ships float and then complete a related activity!

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.

Preschool Playdate

10:00am–11:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Learning, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Come play with us! Escape the cold with toys, activities, and self-guided play in our storytime room. 

Ages 2-5

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.

Dog Day Afternoon

4:00pm–4:45pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Enrichment
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Enrichment
Registration Required
Event Details:

Dog Day Afternoon is designed to help newly independent readers become more comfortable reading!

Read and Play Preschool Hour

9:30am–10:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Storytime
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!

Adult Learners at the Library

10:00am–11:00am
Adults
Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Games & Activities, Storytime
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Games & Activities, Storytime
Event Details:

This program is designed for individuals 18 years and up with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and a support person. We explore a book through a storytime that includes reading, hanging out, activities, and crafts! 

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The Library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact library staff.

Read and Play Preschool Hour

10:30am–11:00am
Youth, Babies & Toddlers (ages 0-5)
Early Learning, Storytime
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!

LEAP! After School

4:15pm–5:00pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Crafts & DIY, Games & Activities, Storytime
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