The Monroe County Public Library provides opportunities for local residents to read, learn, connect and create. The downtown library is at 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. and the Ellettsville branch is at 600 W. Temperance St. All events are free. Funding for the event is provided by the Friends of the Library Foundation.
Youth art contest and workshop
Calling all youth artists, from infants up to 12 years old! For Youth Art Month, the library challenges you to create and submit an original 2D (3×7 inch) piece of art based on the Summer Reading Games theme: Oceans of Possibilities! Drop by the Children’s Program Room from 2-3 p.m. today at the Downtown Library to work on your entry. They will have everything you need to get started. The winning work will be made into a collector’s bookmark for the Summer Reading Prize! Drop off your registration at the Children’s Information Desk at the Downtown Library, Ellettsville Branch or Bookmobile before March 31st. Learn more at mcpl.info/artcontest.
Exhibition “Our Voice: Celebrating the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards”
Organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, this traveling exhibit showcases 34 award-winning illustrations since 1973, highlighting stories and characters from black history and honoring the triumphs and struggles of African Americans through time. . The exhibit runs through March 20 in Meeting Rooms 1B/C of the Downtown Library. Exhibition hours are 3-7pm Monday-Thursday and 1-5pm Friday-Sunday. Learn more at mcpl.info/ourvoice.
Story time and preschool discovery
At preschool story time, stories, songs, and rhymes get your preschooler talking, singing, and playing with books and words, followed by preschool discovery – fun art experiences and open, STEAM adventures and an exploration of letters. It’s 10-10:25 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. today in Ellettsville meeting rooms A and B. For 3-6 year olds and caregivers. Sign up at mcpl.info/calendar.
Dine at the Truffle Library
Dine for the Friends of the Library tonight at Truffles! Show your flyer and Truffles will donate 20% of your tab to friends to help make important library resources possible. Truffles Restaurant and 56° Bar is a chef-led establishment, serving a range of dishes from classic steakhouse to international cuisine. Dine in or take out from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 17 and 24. Please call 812-330-1111 for reservations, which are strongly encouraged. Download the flyer at mcpl.info/dineout.
Yoga with baby
Take care of your body and strengthen yourself after having your baby. This gentle exercise supports the changing needs of the body and deepens awareness of mind, body and the caregiver’s connection to their baby. For adults with babies up to 2 years old. It’s Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Ellettsville Meeting Room B. Sign up at mcpl.info/calendar.
The school is closed, the cinema is on! ‘Encanto’
Enjoy a fun kids movie at the library while school is on break! Parental supervision is recommended. Recommended for ages 5 and up. It’s 1:30-3:15 p.m. Friday in the downtown library auditorium. Come in.
Saturday Story Time
The whole family is invited to this weekend story time! Books, puppets, music, movement, crafts and more encourage early literacy skills. Age birth-6. It’s 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Children’s Program Room of the Downtown Library. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Seed exchange
Bring your vegetable and flower seeds to trade with other community members and help Monroe County gardens grow! This event is one of the only times the Library’s Seed Library will be accepting seed donations this year, so please come along and help supply this valuable community resource! Mother Hubbard’s bookcase and closet will also have free seeds available! All ages. It’s 2-5pm Saturday in the 2b & 2c combo program room at the downtown library. When donating seeds, make sure your seeds are not from invasive plants and note the following: the type/variety of seeds, the year the seeds came from, if the seeds are store bought or self-preserved.
Between D&D
Interested in Dungeons & Dragons? Join the library for a special stand-alone role-playing adventure! No prior experience is necessary. 9-12 years old. It’s 2:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Children’s Program Room of the Downtown Library. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Super Smash Bros Tournament
Think you have what it takes to be a Super Smash Bros. champion? ? Come in and find out! 12-19 years old. It’s 2-5 p.m. Sunday in the teen space on the ground floor of the downtown library.
LEGO club
Unleash your imagination and creativity with other LEGO builders and our LEGOs! 5-12 years old. It’s 4-5 p.m. Monday in meeting room A in Ellettsville. Sign up at mcpl.info/calendar.
Girls Rock Music Lab
Join Girls Rock Bloomington for four hands-on music-related workshops for girls, trans youth and non-binary youth ages 8-12. No experience is necessary. This week you will continue your exploration of instruments by adding pedals and other special effects. It’s 4:30-6 p.m. Monday in the downtown library auditorium. Sign up at mcpl.info/calendar.
Video Game Conversation Group: “Hades”
Do you like video games and want to talk about them with other people? Join the library to discuss a new game and talk about game design, stories, art, and everything in between. It’s like a book club, but with video games! In March you will play “Hades” and in April you will dive into “Stardew Valley”. Each month, games will be available to play on the second floor of the Downtown Library near the Video Game Collection. 12 years and over. It’s 6:30-8 p.m. Monday in Meeting Room 2A at the Downtown Library. Come in.
Weekly math homework help for teens
Come for free one-on-one help with math and science related homework – arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, and ISTEP and SAT review. Only for middle and high school students. It’s 7-8:45 p.m. Mondays in Programming Room 2B of the Downtown Library.
Preschool math and science
Science begins with curiosity and wonder! Strengthen your child’s independent learning skills by engaging in science processes and practices together in these hands-on math and science activities. For 3-6 year olds and caregivers. It’s Tuesday from 10 to 11:15 a.m. in the Children’s Program Room of the Downtown Library. Come in.
Teen graphic novel book club
Come for the cookies, stay to share your thoughts on Taiyo Matsumoto’s graphic novels. 12-19 years old. It’s Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the teen space on the ground floor of the downtown library. Come in.
Talking Tacos for Teens
Come chat about relationships, dating, and other tough topics, stay for the tacos! A partnership with Middle Way House. 12-19 years old. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Ellettsville meeting room a. Come in.
More online events
This is a sample of this week’s library events. For the full schedule, visit mcpl.info/events.
