Library Calendar
A multitude of classes, activities and events for kids and adults are held each semester. See the library calendar for the current semester’s offerings including dates, times and locations.
Adult Classes
A wide variety of classes are held each semester where community members can learn from one another or a library staff member. Whether your interests lie in arts and crafts, writing/blogging/journaling, photography, health and wellness, the natural world around you, or others you will find a fun class to take and maybe even to teach. Everyone can learn and everyone can teach. Preparation for and teaching a class can also count toward a student’s National Honor Society or graduation requirement for volunteer hours.
Ladies of the Night
Focuses on books written by, for and about women including those with strong female characters, that have a focus on relationships and the bonding/unifying experience of women, and that explore the positive aspects of women’s lives.
Meets the first Monday of most months at 6:30 p.m.
Mystery Club
Focuses on the full spectrum of books written in the mystery genre including suspense, detective, police procedurals, cozies, etc. Meets the second Tuesday of most months at 6:00 p.m.
Talk about Literature in Kanas (TALK)
TALK draws on diverse forms of literature to help us see more clearly who we are as people, what it means to be human, and to define ideas that will shape a future worthy of generations to come. The discussions are led by a scholar from a regional college or university.
Meets at 6:00 p.m. during the spring and fall semesters on a varying schedule
Special Events for Adults
In addition to the classes, discussions and other activities that take place each semester, special events are also sometimes held. These could recognize a significant moment in history, important people who have left their mark, or just plain celebrate life. Some of these programs are held at the library while others may take the stage at another location in the community, such as the C.L. Hoover Opera House. They are also often done in partnership with other community organizations in an ongoing spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
Youth Reading Participation Programs
The winter and summer reading programs are held each year and provide incentives for children and teens to practice and develop their reading skills and win prizes while they do it. A spring program is also sometimes held including during spring break week. Print books, eBooks and audiobooks (disc or digital) all count toward the reading goals. No titles are assigned, so participants are free to pick the reading level-appropriate items of their choice. Participants can ether register and record their titles in paper format or online. Click here to learn more about the current reading program.
Storytime
These year-round preschool classes develop and promote social skills, listening comprehension, and foundations of early literacy through letters, vocabulary, numbers, and sequencing. Classes are designed to encourage children’s love of reading via stories, songs, crafts, games and sensory experiences. A participant form must be filled out for each child. Sessions are open to children ages 10 months through eight years old Caregiver attendance is required for children 2 years old and younger and optional for children 3 to 6 years old.
StoryWalk® JC
Take a walk through Junction City’s beautiful downtown and read a story at the same time. Here pages from popular children’s storybooks will appear in the windows of selected businesses on Washington and Seventh Streets. The route will be posted so families can take a stroll and read the book in page order along the way. The story walk runs from March to December and will feature a new title each month.
Friday Night Live (Grades 6-12)
Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join the Friday night fun at this monthly program. Most are held at the library and begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. Each program has a theme and may find kids watching a movie, taking the stage for a comedy improvisation, time warp, playing a life-sized board game or dressing up as their favorite characters. Advanced registration is required two days prior to class.
Explorers (Grades K-5)
Children in kindergarten through fifth grade will discover the fun of learning at this once-a-month hands-on, interactive STEAM class. Classes last approximately 30 minutes. Advanced registration is required two days prior to class. Note: this class is presented during the Spring and Fall semesters.
Special Events for Kids
In addition to the regular programs that are held each semester, special events are also sometimes given for children and families. Some may happen once in recognition of a special occasion while others become annual events that community members look forward to each year such as the American Girl Tea Party and Touch-a-Truck. All are designed to mix learning, reading and fun into programs the whole family can enjoy.
Summer Reading Bookmark Contest
Artists from kindergarteners to adults can share their talent with readers throughout our community at the annual bookmark contest. The library sponsors the contest each spring and invites community members to create bookmarks based on the theme of the upcoming summer reading program. First, second and third place winners are awarded in each of the ten age categories. The first-place winning bookmarks are distributed to participants who enroll in Summer Reading and their creators are awarded with a small prize package that includes a pack of bookmarks to give to friends and family. All winners are publicly recognized when the reading program launches. Click here for contest entry form.
Book 2 Movie (Grades 6 - 12)
Teens in grades 6-12 can participate in this twice monthly book club. The first meeting is a meet and greet where they can pick up the new discussion title, learn a little about it, and get to know their fellow club members. The second meeting will include watching the book’s film adaptation followed by a discussion of both book and movie. Advanced registration is required.
STEAM Explorers (Grades 3-5)
These educational camps engage kids by showing them that science, technology, engineering, art, and math can be fun! They will be held during the summer reading program.