- Tween Program: Cyanotype Sun Prints (Wednesday, June 7)
- Yoga at the Library (Saturday, June 10)
- Junior Gardening 101 (Wednesday, June 14)
- All Ages Game Night (Thursday, June 15)
- Encanto Sing-a-Long Interactive Movie Experience (Tuesday, June 27)
There will also be regular story times, Chess Club, Lego Club, and much more!
View JPL’s online calendar to see a full list of their events, and read highlights from their newsletter below.
All Together Now, Summer Reading Starts This Month
Summer reading is here! Starting Tuesday, May 30, you can participate in our free and fun Summer Reading Program. Pick up your gameboard at the Library or register online. Participants can track the time they spend reading or listening to their favorite books, e-books, and graphic novels to complete their gameboard levels and win prizes.
Along with reading and prizes, the Library will host plenty of fun events for all ages this summer. Follow our calendar online for a complete list of programs. This year’s theme is All Together Now, and we’ll spend the summer celebrating collaboration, kindness, unity, and much more.
All ages are invited to participate. Sign up today!
Resource Spotlight: New Virtual Tour
Have you ever been unsure of where to go as you entered the library? Are you using the same resources over and over again because you don’t know what else we may have to offer? The JPL’s new virtual tour is for you!
This tour will allow you to find your way in the library and encourage you to learn more about all the amazing community resources that the Library provides. Try it here.
Special Summer Performances at Joplin Public Library
As part of JPL’s summer reading program, the Library will be hosting performances throughout the summer!
- Will Parker (Friday, June 2 @ 2:00 to 3:00 pm) – Will Parker is an award-winning children’s songwriter and teaching artist based in New Haven, Connecticut. He writes and performs music for kids ages “one to 100.” During Will’s whimsical and interactive shows, he plays guitar and harmonica and sings original songs that engage his audience to sing-along, dance, high-five, and imagine as they play. Suggested for kids ages five to 12. Children under nine must be accompanied by an adult.
- Fishin’ Magicians (Friday, June 23 @ 2:00 to 3:00 pm) – This show includes a humorous mix of magic and mystery. The performers use traditional and unique props to perform classic and original magic that is adapted the shows to each audience! They put the magic in fun, fishing, and learning. Suggested for kids ages five to 12. Children under nine must be accompanied by an adult.
From the Post Reading Room
Part of the mission of the Post Art Library is to Provide public access to arts-related library resources and services with art exhibits being among the ways do this. We’re fortunate to have several areas to show artwork in the library: The Bamlage and Willcoxon Foundation Gallery, a gallery wall in the the Local History room, display shelves in the Post Reading Room, and the wonderful ten-foot display cases that flank the entryway tot he Local History, Genealogy, and Post Reading Room wing of the library. This is not to say that you’ll find artwork in all of these places all the time, as gallery schedules vary, but we have the opportunity to use all of these spaces for the benefit of showing art to the public.
Additionally, the library owns a number of artworks that make up a permanent collection. These works range from 2D to 3D, paintings to sculpture, and include:
- Revering the Phoenix Effect by Jorge Leyva – This sculpture, which is located on the north side of the library, symbolizes the resilience, strength, and tenacity of our community as we healed in the aftermath of the devastating 2011 tornado. The sculpture was inspired by an untitled 2D artwork the artist donated to the library; you’ll find the 2D piece hanging in the Post Reading Room.
- The Lion & the Dog – These two hand-carved limestone sculptures are located outside the library lobby’s east door. They are dated 1888 and were intended as a pair created in imitation of Medieval French statuaries found in cloisters and banquets. Dr. and Mrs. Post purchased them from a hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, for use in their garden.
- Portraits of Dr. & Mrs. Post – Hanging on either side of the fireplace in the Post Reading Room are portraits of Dr. Winfred L. & Elizabeth C. Post. The Posts are the namesakes of the Post Art Library and their generosity is why we are able to do what we do today. They also helped start Spiva Center for the Arts, the Joplin Historical Society, and were involved in numerous other local organizations. These portraits were painted in 1939 by Douglas Reid Hansen and hung in the Post House until 1981, when the Post Art Library was established.
- Langston Hughes Bust – The bust of Langston Hughes located near the Reference Desk was dedicated to the library in 2002 by Nicole and Dewane Hughes. Hughes is an author, poet, and playwright who was born in Joplin.
- Langston Hughes stamp poster – Also in 2002, Langston Hughes was featured on a USPS stamp. A poster of this stamp hangs in the Local History study room.
- Photograph of Library – A beautiful architectural photograph of the library hangs above the newspapers.
- Loren Long artworks – Three artworks by Loren Long hang in the Children’s Department, above the south-facing circle windows. Long is a children’s author and illustrator who was born in Joplin.
- Children’s mural – The large mural that’s at the entrance of the Children’s Department was installed in 2017, as part of the then-new library building.
The artworks listed above are on permanent display at the library. We have other items in our collection that are not on permanent display, but rotate through from time to time. Those items include original architectural drawings by prominent local architect Austin Allen, artworks donated by Missouri artists, and a mail art collection.
Until recently, the library also had a bronze sculpture featuring two children sitting on a bench; it was at the library’s main entrance. This wonderful sculpture was donated to the library by Kiwanis of Joplin. Unfortunately, the sculpture was stolen from the library over the recent Memorial Day weekend. Although we are sad and disappointed to no longer be able to offer this as part of our collection, we are grateful for the time we had it with us.
The next time you’re visiting the library, we encourage you to walk around the grounds and building and seek out the artwork mentioned above. Also, we invite you to check out the gallery shows from time to time. For information about showing your own artwork in the library, visit the Post Library’s website.
About Joplin Public Library:
Since 1902, JPL has been fulfilling the information needs of citizens of Joplin and the surrounding community. JPL opens tomorrow’s doors today through diverse opportunities to learn, create, explore, and have fun.
Reference:
Joplin Public Library
417.623.7953
joplinpubliclibrary.org
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