Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Handwritten letters in background, orange circle overtop with event name and microphone graphic centered.

Dear Listener: A Night of Letters Aloud

Friday, April 10, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Registration Required
Event Details:

An Open Mic Night with a theme of letters! Have an old letter from a relative, a creative letter you’ve written, a favorite letter from an author, or even a rejection letter? Share a letter aloud or listen to those that do at this Open Mic Night!

Handwritten letters in background, orange circle overtop with event name and craft graphics centered.

Creative Correspondence

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY, Joplin Reads Together, Makerspace, Post Art Library
Event Details:

Join POST Art Library and Makerspace staff to view creative ways to personalize correspondence while creating a ready-to-mail piece of your own. All supplies provided.

For ages 18+, no library card or registration required to attend.

Handwritten letters in background, orange circle overtop with event name and book image centered.

Book Discussion: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Discussion, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Join in as we chat about

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

Book Discussion: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Discussion, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Join in as we chat about

Handwritten letters in background, orange circle overtop with event name and book graphic centered.

Sibylline Letters and the History of the Epistolary

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Education, Joplin Reads Together, Speakers
Event Details:

Dear Readers,

Handwritten letters in background, orange circle overtop with event name and tree with roots graphic centered.

It's Complicated: Orphans, Italian Adoptions, & Finding Your Roots

Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Education, Joplin Reads Together, Speakers
Event Details:

Dr. Kerry Sachetta will discuss the history of unwanted children from Medieval practices through today, and how the Italian Orphan Program 1950-1970 addressed the issue of orphaned and unwanted children after WWII.

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

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.

Dear Listener: A Night of Letters Aloud

6:00pm–7:30pm
Adults
Arts, Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Open
Registration Required
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Registration Required
Event Details:

An Open Mic Night with a theme of letters! Have an old letter from a relative, a creative letter you’ve written, a favorite letter from an author, or even a rejection letter? Share a letter aloud or listen to those that do at this Open Mic Night!

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.

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.

123 Play With Me

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

A 5 week program for parents/caregivers and children ages 1-3 focused on learning through play and connection! 

Visit with community resource professionals in the following fields: 

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.

Random Awesomeness

4:00pm–6:00pm
Teens (ages 11-18)
Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Games & Activities, STEM/STEAM
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18)
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Games & Activities, STEM/STEAM
Event Details:

The title says it all - come hang out! Legos, crafts, movies, video/board games, STEM, and more in the Teen dept. Grades 6-12

Creative Correspondence

5:30pm–7:30pm
Adults
Arts, Crafts & DIY, Joplin Reads Together, Makerspace, Post Art Library
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY, Joplin Reads Together, Makerspace, Post Art Library
Event Details:

Join POST Art Library and Makerspace staff to view creative ways to personalize correspondence while creating a ready-to-mail piece of your own. All supplies provided.

For ages 18+, no library card or registration required to attend.

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

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!

Book Discussion: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

1:00pm–2:00pm
Adults
Book Discussion, Joplin Reads Together
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Discussion, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Join in as we chat about

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.

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 Discussion: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Book Discussion, Joplin Reads Together
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Discussion, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Join in as we chat about

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.

Trinket & Book Swap

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

Bring some YA books and/or trinkets to trade in the Teen Dept.! Handmade or bought trinkets are both welcome. Grades 6-12

Teen Movie

2:00pm–4:30pm
Teens (ages 11-18)
Movies
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18)
Program Type: Movies
Event Details:

Hang out, eat snacks, and watch a movie based on a book with us about a peculiar home with peculiar children. Blankets and snacks welcome!

(PG-13)

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 talk about weather and wind and explore wind-related activities!

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.

123 Play With Me

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

A 5 week program for parents/caregivers and children ages 1-3 focused on learning through play and connection! 

Visit with community resource professionals in the following fields: 

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.

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.

Family Reading Night

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

Cozy up with your family and join the Children’s Department as we read a few good stories and sing some songs.

Ages 3-12