Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Snowy background with icy tree branches, event name centered in middle.

Adult Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 12/1 - 1/31
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Enrichment
Event Details:

Joplin Public Library's Winter Reading Challenge for Adults is perfect for cold days indoors, getting a jump start on New Year’s Resolutions, reading new things, or simply enjoying a challenge!

Peach and brown background, graphic of people doing yoga, event name above.

Yoga Class

Saturday, January 31, 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 yoga at the library! This class is open to any experience level. Some yoga mats will be on hand but supply is limited; please bring your own if you have one. 

Informational flyer of the Black History Fair with a colorful Alma Woodsey Thomas painting behind it.

All-Ages Black History Fair

Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 11:00am - 12:30pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Enrichment
Event Details:

Community members are invited to the Joplin Public Library's All-Ages Black History Fair. Connect with your community, hear from members and organizations in Joplin, and learn about Black history, present, and future in Joplin and beyond!

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. 

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.

Adult Take-Home Kit (String Art Card)

1:00pm–1:00pm
Adults
Crafts & DIY, Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Enrichment
Event Details:

Pick up the February adult take-home kit in the Reference Department, while supplies last! This kit includes instructions and supplies to create Valentine's themed string art on a card. 

All-Ages Black History Fair

11:00am–12:30pm
All Ages
Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Enrichment
Event Details:

Community members are invited to the Joplin Public Library's All-Ages Black History Fair. Connect with your community, hear from members and organizations in Joplin, and learn about Black history, present, and future in Joplin and beyond!

Chapter Book Club: Dragons

4:15pm–5:15pm
Youth, Tweens (ages 8-12)
Arts, Book Discussion, Summer Reading
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Tweens (ages 8-12)
Program Type: Arts, Book Discussion, Summer Reading
Registration Required
Event Details:

This session’s theme is dragons! Bring a book of your choice to the club, where we’ll talk about our books and work on dragon-related activities

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

Bingo Night

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Games & Activities
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Games & Activities
Event Details:

It's Bingo Night at the library! All supplies provided and prizes for winners! 

For ages 18+. No library card or registration is required to participate. 

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

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!

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.

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!