Upcoming Events

Featured Events

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!

Makerspace Live Demonstration: Fused Flowers with Dianne

Makerspace Demonstration: Fused Glass Flowers with Dianne

Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:00pm
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts, Crafts & DIY, Education, Makerspace
Event Details:

Makerspace Live Demonstration: Fused Glass Flowers with Dianne

Join the Makerspace at the library where Dianne will demonstrate making glass flowers as well as basic glass-cutting techniques.

Image reads "Unearth a story" in green and orange text. Images includes an open, magenta book, a small blue triceratops, a t-rex skull, and excavation tools

Summer Reading begins!

All Day 5/26
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Summer Reading
Event Details:

Summer Reading 2026 begins today! Visit the library to pick up your reading challenge log and event calendars, or sign up online at joplinpubliclibrary.beanstack.org!

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Age Group
Program Type

Virginia Evans Author Visit

6:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Author Visit, Joplin Reads Together, Speakers
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!

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.

Memorial Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

Brown Bag Travelogue

12:00pm–1:00pm
Adults
Education, Enrichment, Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Conference Room 1
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Education, Enrichment, Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Sit back, relax, and explore a new place from the comfort of the library in this Travelogue program.

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.

Missouri Department of Conservation presents: Birds of Prey

3:00pm–4:00pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room East
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Discover the fascinating world of birds of prey in this engaging and educational library program!

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.

Storyteller Sue Godsey

3:00pm–4:00pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Listen in as storyteller Sue Godsey retells adventure story THE SHIPWRECKED SAILOR, an ancient Egyptian story that was originally written in hieroglyphics. 

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.

Missouri Department of Conservation presents: Early Hunters and Gatherers

6:00pm–7:15pm
Adults
Education, Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Education, Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

This discussion of pre-contact Native Missouri hunting and gathering will give a glimpse into early human efforts to find food!

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.

Juneteenth

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of Juneteenth.

Unearth Joplin: A Mining and Mineral History

5:30pm–6:30pm
Adults
Education, Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Education, Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Joplin has a rich mining history. Join Kelly Reddin, member of the Joplin Historical & Mineral Museum Board, as she shares stories from Joplin’s mining and mineral past.

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.

Mad Science presents: Davidious the Dinosaur

2:30pm–3:15pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Learn about T. Rex Davidious as he comes to life and tells us all sort of stories. Witness an underwater volcano, mini explosions and the roars of years past. Excitement awaits!

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.

American Indian Center of Springfield

1:30pm–2:30pm
Youth
Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Youth
Program Type: Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Celebrate Native American culture by learning about the powwow. The American Indian Center of Springfield will present traditional dances that may be found at powwows and how Native American children participate in their heritage. 

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.

Independence Day Observed

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of Independence Day.

Independence Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The Library will be closed in observance of Independence Day.

Dickerson Park Zoo presents: Observe and Preserve: Unearthing Secret Stories in Hidden Habitats

11:00am–12:00pm
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room (Whole)
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

In this fascinating program, we’ll meet live animal ambassadors from Dickerson Park Zoo and unearth the secret homes they depend on to survive.

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.

Jim "Two Crows" Wallen

10:00am–10:45am
Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Speakers, Summer Reading
Library Branch: Joplin Public Library
Room: Community Room West
Age Group: Youth, Children (ages 6-12)
Program Type: Speakers, Summer Reading
Event Details:

Jim Two Crows Wallen lets his audience experience Colonial history through artifacts and historically accurate clothing while telling the compelling story of 18th century long hunter Elisha Warren.

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.

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.

Memorial Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Joplin Public Library
Description:

The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.