The Monroe County Public Library provides opportunities for local residents to read, learn, connect and create. The Downtown Library is located 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.
garden club
Come get your hands dirty as you explore gardening and sustainability-focused experiments, projects, and crafts. Each session will include information on the topic of the week, but quickly transition to hands-on projects in the library garden. This series occasionally features expert guests. 7-12 years old. It’s Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Children’s Program Room of the Downtown Library. Come in.
Grow your own tomatoes and potatoes
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a fun way to save money on your grocery bill. Learn how to make a grow container using common household items. The library will have free tomato plants and seed potatoes to take home. 18 and over. It’s 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Library Square on Kirkwood. Come in.
Retro Craft: Decoupage
We update this classic papercraft with decorative glass plate decoupage. We will be using contemporary and vintage paper cut images to decorate a display glass plate. 18 and over. It’s noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday in Ellettsville Meeting Room B. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Game chat: Sable
Want the chance to speak with a video game developer? Join Shedworks Creative Director Gregorios Kythreotis to talk about their award-winning game, Sable. You’ll discuss the development, design, and gameplay behind this open-world narrative game and follow it up with a Q&A session. Need to access the game? Sable will be available to play all month on the second floor of the Downtown Library near the Video Game Collection. It’s 1-2 p.m. Saturday in the downtown library auditorium. Come in.
General public day on the ground floor
Curious about The Ground Floor teen space, but you’re not a teenager? Customers of all ages are invited to experience it on the second Sunday of the month – there’s a DIY design studio, video games, virtual reality and more. It’s noon-6 p.m. Sunday in the downstairs teen space at the downtown library. Come and tell us what you think of this unique library space.
Children’s story time and nature walk
After a nature-themed story hour led by a children’s librarian, join retired naturalist and MC-IRIS member Cathy Meyer on a nature walk near downtown Bloomington. You will learn how important a native urban habitat is for wildlife, birds and pollinators. Age birth-7. It’s 10-11 a.m. Monday in the downtown library auditorium. Come in.
Maker Lab: Mothman Plushes
Science, technology, crafts – come for a cool project every month. 12-19 years old. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday in the teen space on the ground floor of the downtown library. Come in.
A legible feast: “The particular sadness of lemon cake”
Food, cooking projects and conversation are fueled by good reading at this unique book club. This month, you’ll read Aimee Bender’s “The Peculiar Sadness of Lemon Cake” in Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard while making a kitchen DIY. Being able to taste people’s emotions in food can be horrifying at first. But modest young Rose Edelstein grows up learning to harness her gift as she realizes there are secrets even her taste buds can’t discern. All supplies are provided and books can be borrowed from Mother Hubbard’s library or closet. For all ages. Projects will be carried out in small groups or individually. It’s 5-6:30 p.m. Monday at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, 1100 W. Allen St., Bloomington. Please register once per group at mcpl.info/calendar.
Kaiju Movie Mondays
Join fans of Godzilla, Mothra, and other Kaiju creatures for an evening of movies, crafts, snacks, and giant monsters. 12-19 years old. It’s 6-9 p.m. Monday in the teen space on the ground floor of the downtown library. Come in.
Night owls story time
Listen to stories, sing songs, and do yoga and mindfulness exercises to practice early literacy skills and relax before bedtime. Don’t hesitate to come in pajamas. Age birth-6. It’s 6-6:45 p.m. Monday in the Children’s Program Room of the Downtown Library. Come in.
Preschool story time with members of the Alzheimer community
Join the library for this special story hour featuring members of the Alzheimer’s community. You will have fun with stories, songs and puppets, encouraging the development of early literacy skills while breaking the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease. The theme for story time is family and food. For 3-6 year olds and their families. It’s 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the downtown library auditorium. Come in.
Tiny two
Families with babies play, sing, read and talk together! Age birth-3. It’s 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Ellettsville meeting room b. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Little creators
Explore your creativity with different materials and techniques during this fun, open-ended art experience. Dress messy. For 3 to 6 year olds and their families. It’s Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the Children’s Program Room of the Downtown Library. Come in.
Comics and cookies: cryptids
Bring your favorite cipher comic and get ready to chat about all things comics. Come for the cookies, stay to share your feelings. 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.
Level Up Workshop: Photoshop Seascapes
Find out how you can use Adobe Photoshop to create a beautiful digital seascape. 12 years and over. It’s 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Level Up Digital Creativity Center at the Downtown Library. Come in.
Wonderful 1 and Super 2
Families with children under 3 can play, sing, read and talk with other toddlers, then enjoy play time. 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. (18 months-3 years) 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? ? Enter and find out. 12-19 years old. It’s 3-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Ellettsville Teen Space.
D&D Crafting
Come and discover creations inspired by RPGs. This time you will learn how to make fake old maps, then in July you will design your own miniatures using 3D printing software. All skill levels are welcome. 12-19 years old. It’s 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the teen space on the ground floor of the downtown library. Come in.
baby game
Play, learn and get to know other parents at this low-key event. The library will have sensory toys and other manipulatives to facilitate a fun time for all. There will also be an opportunity to talk about baby health, safety, postpartum care and literacy with Blythe Angle from the Tandem Birthing Center. Age birth–2. It’s 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the baby area of the downtown library. Come in.
Introduction to Warhammer
If you like D&D, miniature painting, and board games, tabletop war games like Warhammer are another fun option. The library will provide a light introduction, as well as all the terrain, miniatures, and snacks. All skill levels are welcome. For ages 12-19. It’s from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 16 in the teen space on the ground floor of the downtown library. Come in.
anime watch party
Join fellow fans of “My Hero Academia,” “The Way of the House Husband,” “The Promised Neverland,” and more for a night of anime, crafts, and chatter. 12-19 years old. It’s 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 16 in The Ground Floor teen space at the downtown library.
In-person summer reading games are back
The library’s free summer reading games for all ages are back in person. Read for fun, complete activities and attend events to win prizes. Pick up a game board at the downtown library, Ellettsville branch, or on the bookmobile, through July 31. This year, the Friends of the Library Foundation will donate $1,000 to the Monroe County Community Kitchen when the library reaches its enrollment goal of 1,000 people! Learn more at mcpl.info/summerreading.
Small art exhibition
Looking for something fun to explore? Come see the little 3 inch by 3 inch painted art masterpieces at the Ellettsville Branch Art Gallery, painted by local kids, teens and adults! All ages. See you all month of June.
More online events
This is a sample of this week’s library events. For the full schedule, visit mcpl.info/events.
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