Upcoming Events

Featured Events

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.

Images of letters faded in background, orange circle over top with event title and Post Art Library logo, and stamp graphic

Joplin Reads Together Art Challenge Reception

Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts, Exhibits, Joplin Reads Together, Post Art Library
Event Details:

Presented by Post Art Library inside the Joplin Public Library this exhibit reception will feature artwork from the Joplin Reads Together Art Challenge created by participants from the community. The challenge: design a postage stamp. 

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

Plant Swap

Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 11:00am - 12:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Calling all plant enthusiasts to Plant Swap! Bring a plant, cutting, or seed and swap for ones provided by the library or brought by other attendees! Please have plants ready to swap. Indoor and outdoor plants are welcome.

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

Chat & Craft: Reading Journals

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Whether you crochet, knit, stitch, draw, or paint, bring along your current project and chat with us! All crafts are welcome!

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!

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Age Group
Program Type

Teen Spring Mini Reading Challenge

03/01/2026 @ 9:00am–03/31/2026 @ 8:00pm
Teens (ages 11-18)
Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18)
Program Type: Enrichment
Event Details:

Grab a Reading Challenge sheet from the Teen desk or register at joplinpubliclibrary.beanstack.com. Complete the challenge and earn a prize book + and entry for the grand prize ($30 Vintage Stock gift card)! 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Anime/Manga Club

2:00pm–3:30pm
Teens (ages 11-18)
Enrichment, Games & Activities
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Conference Room 1
Age Group: Teens (ages 11-18)
Program Type: Enrichment, Games & Activities
Event Details:

Watch anime, read manga, make art, and hang out with us! Grades 6-12.

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!

Adult Take-Home Kit (Letter Writing)

4:00pm–4:00pm
Adults
Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Pick up the April adult take-home kit in the Reference Department, while supplies last!

Plant Swap

11:00am–12:00pm
Adults
Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Calling all plant enthusiasts to Plant Swap! Bring a plant, cutting, or seed and swap for ones provided by the library or brought by other attendees! Please have plants ready to swap. Indoor and outdoor plants are welcome.

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.

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.

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.

Chat & Craft: Reading Journals

6:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment, Joplin Reads Together
Event Details:

Whether you crochet, knit, stitch, draw, or paint, bring along your current project and chat with us! All crafts are welcome!

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.

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

Dog Day Afternoon

4:00pm–4:45pm
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:

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

Chat & Craft

6:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment
Event Details:

Whether you crochet, knit, stitch, draw, or paint, bring along your current project and chat with us! All crafts are welcome!

Memorial Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

Chat & Craft

6:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment
Event Details:

Whether you crochet, knit, stitch, draw, or paint, bring along your current project and chat with us! All crafts are welcome!

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.

Chat & Craft

6:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY, Enrichment
Event Details:

Whether you crochet, knit, stitch, draw, or paint, bring along your current project and chat with us! All crafts are welcome!