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

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! (Weather permitting) this outdoor event will include creating, playing, and fun!

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.

Teen Art Night

3:30pm–5:30pm
Teens (ages 11-18)
Arts, Crafts & DIY
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18)
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY
Event Details:

Create some art! A variety of projects available including painting, Perler beads, bracelets, and collage. Feel free to bring works in progress or your own project, as well. All supplies provided. Grades 6-12.

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–5:15pm
Youth, Tweens (ages 8-12)
Arts, Enrichment
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.

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!

Adopt an Air Plant

4:00pm–5:00pm
Teens (ages 11-18)
Crafts & DIY
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18)
Program Type: Crafts & DIY
Event Details:

Decorate an air plant container, learn about how to care for them (super easy!), and take one home. Grades 6-12. Doors open 10 minutes before program, spots limited to first 20 in line.

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!

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.

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

Teen Movie Night

5:00pm–7:00pm
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:

Teen spring break movie night! More details soon.

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.

Book Swap

10:00am–11:00am
Adults
Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
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.

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.

Video Game-A-Thon

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

Come play some video games! Nintendo switch consoles available. Handheld consoles welcome. Grades 6-12.

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 and 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 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.

Old Hollywood Movie Night

5:00pm–7:45pm
Adults
Movies
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.

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!

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.