Upcoming Events

Featured Events

White text on black background. Says We Are Here join us for the closing reception on Thursday, March 5th from 5:30-7pm.

WE ARE HERE (closing reception)

Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Bramlage & Willcoxon Foundation Gallery
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts, Exhibits, Post Art Library, Speakers
Event Details:

The Post Art Library and Rock Center Coalition, a Joplin-based nonprofit, are teaming up to co-host a closing reception for We Are Here, an exhibit on display in The Bramlage & Willcoxon Foundation Gallery inside Jopl

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.

butterflies and sun and image of woman on black background with information about an artist's opening reception at the library on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Through the Glass (opening reception)

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Post Art Reading Room
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts, Exhibits, Post Art Library
Event Details:

Join us in the library's Local History wing for the opening of Through the Glass, an exhibit featuring reverse painting on repurposed vintage windows, by local artist Julie Catlett.

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

Children's Chess Club

5:30pm–6:00pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Games & Activities
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.

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

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

Spring Break Movie

2:00pm–3:30pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Movies
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Movies
Event Details:

Join us for a funny movie about a brave rabbit cop and her friend Nick! We will also have snacks, and coloring! The movie is rated PG.

Ages 5-12

Lego Build-a-thon

1:00pm–2:00pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Games & Activities
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.

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 birds native to our area, including different ways to identify species. 

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.

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

Pokémon Club

5:00pm–5:45pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Games & Activities
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Games & Activities
Event Details:

Play the trading card game, show off your cards, and just talk Pokémon with fellow fans!

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.

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!

Easter Sunday

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Easter Sunday.

Reading Buddies

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

The Children's Department is excited to partner with MSSU'S Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society for Reading Buddies. This program is designed for newly independent readers in grades K-5 who want to practice their reading.

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.

Memorial Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

Juneteenth

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of Juneteenth.

Independence Day Observed

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library

Independence Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of Independence Day.

Labor Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Labor Day.

Veterans Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of Veterans day.

Thanksgiving Day/Day After

All Day 11/26–11/27
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed for Thanksgiving and the following day.

Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

All Day 12/24–12/25
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

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

New Years Eve - Early Closure

6:00pm–8:00pm
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library

New Years Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of New Years!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

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

Presidents Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Presidents Day

Easter Sunday

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Easter Sunday.