Events

Curious George will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Hop on by for a whole lot of cuddly cuteness! The Bunny Lady from Lambert Rabbitry is coming to town, and she's bringing her bunnies with her! There will be a fenced-off space in the store where kids can play and pet the bunnies. Plus, we'll have an adorable bunny-themed craft activity for them to do before they leave. Be prepared, though. Your heart WILL melt.

Spark Studio is a hands-on STEAM program for kids where creativity meets technology. Through fun challenges and interactive projects, participants build, design, and explore while developing problem-solving skills and confidence as makers. This is a free event for kids ages 7-12. Registration is required

Houston, we have a problem! Your space mission has gone off course, and it’s up to your crew to solve puzzles themed around the historic space race and real space facts. Work together to crack codes, explore the solar system, and complete your mission before time runs out! This is a free event for children ages 8-12. Registration is required

Are you looking for an outdoor family event? Do you want to learn a new skill like archery or fire building? Then come join us for an afternoon of family fun at Archery Adventure Day!

Your end of summer celebration is here. Join Messy Moms Club for Pages & Pours. An evening of good conversation, snacks, refreshments, goodie bags, raffles and a kid-free evening. Author Meg Doody will be joining us IN-PERSON.

In honor of Fat Bear Week, join in on the Fat Bear Fun at OPL with a special storytime. Enjoy books and songs about bears followed by crafting handmade binoculars to spot the Fat Bear Hall of Champions around the library. This event will be sure to entertain our littlest bear scouts! Parents/caregivers must remain with their child(ren) for the duration of the program and are encouraged to help younger children with the activity.

Lil Rosies Teaching Artists, Breanna and Chloe, from The Rose Theater will be visiting to lead an interactive reading of the beloved book Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor. Children and families will get to enjoy the story, participate in fun theater activities, and get excited as we prepare for Just Ask! at The Rose Theater.

Come and play and have fun! We'll have different stations set up throughout the store where kids can build, create, mold, and draw to their hearts' content. No purchase necessary!

Preserve the stories of someone special by creating a short digital movie using the iMovie app on your own iPhone or iPad. (You must bring your own iPhone or iPad; we will not provide these devices for you to use). During this hands-on workshop, you'll combine family photographs with your own recorded narration to create a meaningful keepsake that celebrates the life and legacy of a loved one. This is a free event for ages 8+. Registration is required

Ages 10-18. Celebrate national coffee day by making your own felt cozy that fits a takeout cup! Registration is required.

Ages 2-7. Enjoy alphabet-themed crafts, games and hands-on activities!

Every Wednesday, Monarch Agents will have the opportunity to participate in fun activities, including outdoor fun, arts and crafts, science experiments, detective work, and more library fun! Please arrive at least 5 minutes early before your first mission to receive your mission log. For those in 1st - 6th grade.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Keenan Jones, the author of the picture book, "Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop", illustrated by Ken Daley, which follows a young boy who discovers the vital role a neighborhood barbershop plays in community and culture. A 2022 Mirrors and Windows Fellow with The Loft Literary Center, Keenan also teaches writing workshops and speaks on the importance of literacy, representation, and storytelling.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Claribel Ortega, whose book "Witchlings" (Scholastic) was an Instant NYT Bestseller, a USA Today Bestseller, and #1 Indie Bestseller. Her graphic novel "Frizzy" with Rose Bousamra was winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text, The 2023 Eisner Award and an Indie Bestseller. Claribel’s debut middle grade novel "Ghost Squad" is a New York Times Bestseller and is being made into a feature film. Her latest book "Witchlings: Scepter of Memories" released in September 2025 from Scholastic.

Celebrate the joy of literacy, art, storytelling, and creativity at the Meet & Greet for Midwest Lit Fest! Meet all of the talented authors and illustrators visiting the festival, get your books signed, and snap a photo with your favorite creators. Plus, every child can receive one free book written by one of our participating authors, while supplies last. Come discover new stories, meet inspiring creators, and celebrate the magic of books together!

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Jerry Craft, the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the graphic novels "New Kid", "Class Act," and "School Trip." New Kid is the first graphic novel in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature (2020). And it is the only book to ever win the Newbery Medal; the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature (2019), and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for the most outstanding work by an African American writer (2020).

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet the Caldecott-winning author and illustrator of Big. Vashti Harrison is also the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of "Little Leaders," "Little Dreamers," and "Little Legends," and the illustrator of Lupita Nyong’o’s "Sulwe" (for which she received a Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor), Matthew A. Cherry’s "Hair Love," Andrea Beaty's "I Love You Like Yellow," and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s "Hello, Star," among others. Vashti will discuss her books and her journey to becoming both an illustrator and an author.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Claribel Ortega, whose book "Witchlings" (Scholastic) was an Instant NYT Bestseller, a USA Today Bestseller, and #1 Indie Bestseller. Her graphic novel "Frizzy" with Rose Bousamra was winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text, The 2023 Eisner Award and an Indie Bestseller. Claribel’s debut middle grade novel "Ghost Squad" is a New York Times Bestseller and is being made into a feature film. Her latest book "Witchlings: Scepter of Memories" released in September 2025 from Scholastic.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Raul the Third, author of the "¡Vamos!" books and illustrator of the "Stuntboy" and "Lowriders" graphic novels. Raúl The Third is a New York Times bestselling and three-time Pura Belpré award-winning illustrator, author, and artist living in Boston. "Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge" was awarded one of the year’s Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2021 from the New York Times and the New York Public Library. His work centers around the contemporary Mexican-American experience and his memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Danielle Herzog, author of "What Are You, Lou?", "The Cassette Tape Secret", and "A Place for Scamper."  Danielle Herzog works in education (former school counselor) by day, and by night, she's a kid lit writer, freelance writer, speaker, mother and member of one ridiculously insane large Italian family.

Join OPL at The Joslyn for storytime, featuring stories, creative movement, music and exploration of a piece of art. Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. This Storytime is part of The Joslyn's monthly Art-tastic Saturdays.