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Youth Art Month Contest

Sunday, March 31, 2024
All Branches
Calling all youth artists! For Youth Art Month, we're challenging you to create and submit an original 2D work of art based on the theme of our upcoming Summer Reading Program: space! For this theme, draw your favorite planet or space-themed item—you can even make up your own.

The winning artwork will be made into a collectible summer reading prize bookmark. Entries should be 3x7 inches. Starting March 1, you can stop by any MCPL location to grab a template. When you're finished, drop your entry off at any MCPL location by March 31 to enter.

Make sure your entry has the following information written legibly on the back: name, age, title of your artwork, MCPL location that you regularly visit, and contact information (including email address and/or telephone number). Ages birth–12.
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Registration begins 4/4/2024 at 9:00 AM

The Great MCPL Kids Bake Off: National Poetry Month Edition

Tuesday, April 09, 2024
Virtual
Roses are red, 
 Violets are blue, 
 It's time to bake 
 Something brand new! 

The Great MCPL Kids Bake Off returns! Bakers will create a show-stopping treat with a special mystery ingredient that tastes very sweet! Registration is limited to the first 30 participants. Select your preferred MCPL location to pick up your baking kit. One entry per household. Share a picture and description of your dish to jstevens@mcpl.info by April 25. The baker with the most scrumptious-looking and creative dish will win a gift card to a local bakery. 

Need some baking equipment? Try one of the baking kits from our Library of Things. Searching for inspiration? Check out some of our kid-friendly cookbooks and ebooks. 

Please note that we are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions, as all participants will receive the same ingredients. If you are unable to eat one of the ingredients, you are welcome to substitute something similar. Ages 7–12. Please register.
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Preschool Storytime

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Join in the fun with stories, songs, puppets, and more that encourage the development of early literacy skills. Ages 3–6.
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Tiny to Two

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Ellettsville Branch
Ellettsville Meeting Room B
Families with babies and toddlers play, sing, read, and talk together. Ages birth–2.
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Little Makers

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Explore your creativity with different materials and techniques at this fun, open-ended art experience. Dress to mess. Ages 3–6.
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Registration is open

Growing Gardeners: Garden Planning

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ellettsville Branch
Ellettsville Meeting Room B
If you’re interested in learning about gardening and helping the Ellettsville Branch garden, join us for Growing Gardeners, a kid's gardening club. This month, we'll be making plans for our garden and starting nature journals. Ages 7–12. Please register.
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Registration is open

Tween D&D

5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
New to Dungeons & Dragons? Already a seasoned adventurer? Drop in for an ongoing D&D game at the Downtown Library. We'll make characters and go on new adventures every two weeks. Ages 9–12. Please register for each session you'd like to attend, but please only register for one session per week.
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Board Game Night

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Other
It's game night! Join us to chat and play a fun selection of board games out in the community at Hopscotch Kitchen (235 W. Dodds Street, Bloomington). All ages.

 This program is in partnership with Hopscotch Coffee and The Game Preserve.

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Wonderful Ones

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Families with newborns to 18 months play, sing, read, and talk together—then enjoy toy time.
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Preschool Storytime

10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Southwest Branch
Southwest Meeting Room B
Join in the fun with stories, songs, puppets, and more that encourage the development of early literacy skills. Activities will be followed by a craft, so dress to mess! Ages 3–6.
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Terrific Twos

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Families with babies ages 18 months to 3 years play, sing, read, and talk together—then enjoy toy time. 
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Tutoring at the Library

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Downtown Library
See note
Need some extra help with math, reading, or writing? Come to the Downtown Library to get some extra help from IU service learning students for 40-minute sessions. Sign-ups open at 5 PM and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Ages 6–12. Please check in at the Children's desk; tutors will meet with children at the round tables near the windows in the Children's Department.
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Join the waiting list

Tween D&D

5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
New to Dungeons & Dragons? Already a seasoned adventurer? Drop in for an ongoing D&D game at the Downtown Library. We'll make characters and go on new adventures every two weeks. Ages 9–12. Please register for each session you'd like to attend, but please only register for one session per week.
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Preschool Storytime

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Ellettsville Branch
Ellettsville Meeting Room B
Join in the fun with stories, songs, puppets, and more that encourage the development of early literacy skills. Ages 3–6.
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Homeschool Recess

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Calling all elementary-aged homeschoolers—it's recess time! Come to the Downtown Library to play a variety of games and hang out with other homeschoolers. Ages 6–12.
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Preschool Discovery

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Ellettsville Branch
Ellettsville Meeting Room A
Discover more at the Library! Following each Preschool Storytime, join us for a fun craft experience. We may also enjoy a math or science activity, or an activity designed to explore the alphabet! Each week, we'll experiment with different materials and techniques. Dress to mess. Ages 3–6.
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Prenatal Yoga

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Prenatal Yoga
Ellettsville Branch
Ellettsville Meeting Room B
Prenatal yoga is a gentle exercise that supports your changing body's needs, builds strength, and deepens awareness of your mind, body, and connection with your baby. Age 18 and up.
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Total Solar Eclipse 101

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Downtown Library
Meeting Room 1B & 1C Combo
Learn what to expect from the upcoming total solar eclipse (and the people coming to Monroe County to see it) on April 8, how eclipses occur, and how to view it safely. There will be eclipse-related crafts and activities. All ages. 
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Learn About the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse!

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Downtown Library
Auditorium
The total solar eclipse is just around the corner on April 8! Join us as the Indiana University Department of Astronomy provides us with all we need to know in order to enjoy the view. Q&A session to follow. All ages.

This program is in partnership with the Indiana University Department of Astronomy.


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All-Ages Day at the Ellettsville Teen Space

12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Ellettsville Branch
Ellettsville Teen Space
Curious about the Ellettsville Teen Space, but you aren’t a teen? Patrons of all ages are invited to check it out on the fourth Saturday of the month—there's a DIY design studio, video games, virtual reality, and more!
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Total Solar Eclipse 101

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Learn what to expect from the upcoming total solar eclipse (and the people coming to Monroe County to see it) on April 8, how eclipses occur, and how to view it safely. There will be eclipse-related crafts and activities. All ages. 
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Tween Interest Group (TWIG)

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Drop in and share your voice with the Downtown Library to help us plan the future of tween services. Tweens are invited to join TWIG to gather with like-minded peers to talk and plan all things tween Library-related. Ages 7–12.
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Preschool Storytime

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Join in the fun with stories, songs, puppets, and more that encourage the development of early literacy skills. Ages 3–6.
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Preschool Math & Science

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Learning begins with curiosity and wonder. With hands-on workstations, your young scientist will strengthen their independent math and comprehension skills as you investigate science topics together. Ages 3–6.
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Wonderful Ones

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Downtown Library
Children's Program Room
Families with newborns to 18 months play, sing, read, and talk together—then enjoy toy time.
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