Programs & Events
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Click on an event to learn more & register! Color Guide:
Kids (0-3) | PreK (3-5) | Kids (0-5) | Kids (K-6th) | Teen (12-18) | Family | Adult/General | Makerspace | Online | Closings
SPECIAL EVENTS
Sustainability Club | Take & Sew Boomerang Bags!
November 1 - December 30, 2025
The Clinton Public Library is looking for volunteers to sew Boomerang Bags at home! Boomerang Bags is a global movement to help tackle plastic pollution and to upcycle and recycle fiber to make home-sewn reusable tote bags as an alternative. These bags will then be provided to library patrons to carry their library books.
Take & Sew Kits will be available at the front desk during library hours this November & December. You will return the bags when completed. To volunteer for this project, you will need your own sewing machine and thread. If you have any questions, please call (563) 242-5355 or email the makerspace at cplmakerspace@gmail.com.
Cookie Decorating: Sprinkles & Icing!
Friday, December 19
4:30PM - 7:00PM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Registration is required; click HERE or call (563) 242-8441.
Sprinkles, Icing and Hot Chocolate, Oh My!
Teens, join us to celebrate the holiday season! We'll be decorating cookies, enjoying hot chocolate and watching a cozy holiday film.
American Mahjong Open Play
Saturday, December 20
1:00PM - 3:00PM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Registration is required; click HERE or call (563) 242-8441. Ages 18+.
Interested in practicing your American Mahjong skills? Join us for an open play session! Open play is for those who already know how to play. It is an opportunity to enjoy the game with other members of the community in a relaxed and friendly environment. We have 2 Mahjong sets and 8 cards, enough for 8 players. Groups are welcome to bring your own cards & sets also.
Learn to Sew: A Beginner’s Workshop
Four Classes, 1st Thursdays
Jan 8, Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, 2026
5:00PM - 7:00PM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor (Makerspace)
Registration is now open for our next four-month session! Ages 10+. Click HERE or call (563) 242-8441 to sign up.
Always wanted to learn how to sew but didn’t know where to start? Join us for a hands-on Learn-to-Sew class designed just for beginners! In this friendly, no-pressure workshop, you’ll get comfortable with the basics of both hand and machine sewing.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to thread a needle and operate a sewing machine
- Basic stitches and simple sewing techniques
- Sewing tips to build your confidence and creativity
- How to make a reusable tote bag
All materials and equipment provided. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and creativity!
This class is perfect for anyone wanting to develop a new skill, save money, or explore a creative hobby. Whether you're dreaming of making your own clothes, fixing a favorite garment, or crafting handmade gifts, this class is the perfect place to start.
Teen D&D Club
1st & Last Fridays, starting January 2026
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Teens - adventure awaits! Join us for a one-shot campaign each month. We’ll have a character-building session the first Friday of the month and a campaign on the last Friday (unless noted otherwise). Games will be run using D&D 5e. Registration is always required.
Character-Building Session
Friday, January 9 | 2:00PM - 4:30PM
Click HERE to sign up. This is an optional character-building session for January's campaign.
"Heist Down Below" One-Shot
Friday, January 30 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Click HERE to sign up. Sign up and submit the following character sheet to the library by Friday, January 16th.
Synopsis: A fresh band of shady adventurers come together to steal a rumored artifact that could be worth thousands of gold pieces. The group must venture below the city sewers and find their way into the secret underground town of The Denn to find all the information they can and successfully steal the artifact to earn their reward.
Tiny Art Show 2026
Calling All Artists: Participate in our Tiny Art Show!
Be a part of the Clinton Public Library’s third annual Tiny Art Show! Individuals ages 5 and up of all artistic abilities are encouraged to participate. We invite artists to create their paintings with one of the following themes in mind:
1) America’s 250th Birthday Celebration 2) Stained Glass 3) Community is . . . 4) My Perfect Day
Questions? Please call the library at (563) 242-8441.
How It Works
Material Pick-Up | Monday, January 12 - Saturday, January 17
Pick up FREE art materials at the library anytime during open hours. You'll get two 4’’ x 4’’ canvases, paint, and a brush to create your paintings. Art materials will be given out on a first come, first serve basis.
Artwork Drop Off | Tuesday, January 20 - Saturday, January 31
Return your finished paintings to the library anytime during open hours. Before you return your painting, please write the following on the back of the canvases: your full name, your phone number, and what theme you chose for your painting.
Tiny Art Show Artists Reception | Thursday, February 5 at 5:30pm
View the art created by you and fellow community members throughout the main floor of the library. Refreshments will be provided. The Tiny Art Show is on display through Saturday, February 28th.
Tiny Art Show on Display at the Clinton Public Library | Thursday, February 5 - Saturday, February 28
View your artwork and others on display on the main floor of the library.
Artwork Pick-Up | TBD
Pick up your artwork at the library.
WEEKLY
Fiber Friends | Weekly Craft Club
Tuesdays, 5:00PM - 7:00PM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Registration is encouraged, but not required.
Join us for a cozy and creative gathering of fiber arts enthusiasts! Whether you're passionate about crochet, knitting, or other fiber crafts like weaving, embroidery, or felting, this club is the perfect place to share your skills, learn new techniques, and connect with fellow makers.
All skill levels are welcome—from beginners to seasoned crafters. Bring your current project or start something new. Limited yarn, crochet hooks/knitting needles are provided. Come stitch, chat, and be inspired!
Sensory Saturday
Explore, Discover, Play!
Saturdays, 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Main Branch, Lower Level
Sensory Saturdays is a hands-on, play-based program that invites young children to explore a variety of sensory stations designed to stimulate touch, sight, sound, smell, and movement. Each session features activities that support early childhood development, creativity, and social interaction, and encourages caregiver-child interaction.
Wiggle Time
It's time for Winter Break!
Last Wiggle Time of 2025: Dec 16
First Wiggle Time of 2026: Jan 20
Tuesdays at 10:30AM
Main Branch, Lower Level
We will have songs, toys, and bubbles for you and your baby or toddler to interact! This is a great chance for kids and caregivers to socialize with each other and their peers. This program is suited for ages 0-3.
Storytime
It's time for Winter Break!
Last Storytime of 2025: Dec 17
First Storytime of 2026: Jan 21
Wednesdays at 10:30AM
Main Branch, Lower Level
Storytime is offered continually, with breaks occurring in late December and August. Join us for fun, stories, songs, puppet shows, and a craft to take home!
Creative Explorers
It's time for Winter Break!
Last CE of 2025: Dec 16
First CE of 2026: Jan 20
Tuesdays at 3:30PM
Main Branch, Lower Level
Join us for an afternoon of play and learning! The Creative Explorers (formerly Afternoon Adventures) program offers a space for children to create, explore, and discover. Through fun and interactive programs, we aim to provide patrons of all abilities and stages of learning with the opportunity to learn about the world around them in a hands-on way.
Caregivers are encouraged to stay in the building and participate with their children. Children under the age of 8 are not to be left alone in the building without a caretaker at least 14 years of age.
Weekly Schedule:
- Dec 16 – Shrinky Dink Ornaments
Teen Hangout
A Space for Teens!
It's time for Winter Break!
Last Teen Hangout of 2025: Dec 12
First Teen Hangout of 2026: Jan 23
Join us for a Cookie Decorating Lock-In on Dec 19, and be on the lookout for D&D Club starting in January!
Most Fridays, 2:00PM - 4:30PM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
(Formerly "Vibe Out")
Join us at the library Friday afternoons - play games, do homework, read a book, make art, make a craft, or just hangout. Oh, and enjoy some snacks!
FREQUENT
The following programs may occur several times a month. For more information, please view our calendar or call (563) 242-8441.
All-Ages Chess Club
Where Every Move Matters!
1st & 3rd Saturdays
2:00PM - 3:00PM (may go longer)
Main Branch, Lower Level
Welcome to the All-Ages Chess Club, a vibrant community where chess enthusiasts of all skill levels come together to share their passion for the game! Players of all ages—children, teens, adults, and seniors—can connect over the chessboard. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned grandmaster, our club provides a friendly and inclusive environment for everyone.
LEGO Club
2nd & 4th Saturdays
2:00PM - 3:00PM (may go longer)
Main Branch, Lower Level
Join us on 2nd and 4th Saturdays in an all-ages LEGO club. Show off your building skills, learn some tricks of the trade, complete a mini build challenge, or enjoy some open building time with buckets of bricks.
Virtual Author Talks
Library Speakers Consortium
Click HERE to view more information, register for upcoming events, or view past recordings.
The Creative and Compassionate Art of Seeing Others Deeply with David Brooks
Tuesday, January 13, 1PM
Leading Cultural and Political Commentator and Bestselling Author of The Road to Character
Nature, Art, and Service as Medicine with Journalist Julia Hotz
Tuesday, January 20, 1PM
Journalist and Award-Winning Author of The Connection Cure
Secrets and Second Chances with Liz Moore
Wednesday, January 28, 6PM
New York Times Bestselling and Award-Winning Author of The God of the Woods and Long Bright River
Swashbuckling Heroines and High Seas Adventures with Novelist Vanessa Riley
Thursday, February 5, 6PM
Award-Winning Author of Island Queen and Murder in Westminster
Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic with Dr. Lindsey Stewart
Thursday, February 12, 1PM
Award-Winning Author and Professor of Philosophy
Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum with Smithsonian Curator Emeritus Tom Crouch
Tuesday, February 24, 1PM
A Library Speakers Consortium and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration
MONTHLY
The following programs meet once a month. For more information, please view our calendar or call (563) 242-8441.
#52Stories
First Saturdays
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
On every headstone or plaque, there are two dates separated by a dash. How do you define your dash? The #52Stories genealogy project provides the inspiration you need to write down one story every week for a year by using a handwritten journal, blog, voice, or video recording. During this meeting we will chat about what we are doing with our own #52Stories project by sharing our stories & photos.
Bring Your Own Book Club
On break until January
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Formerly Lyons Reads, this book club is relaxed and we have fun conversations about books and authors. We each read our own book and discuss it with our group.
Let’s Dish: Potluck Club
Fourth Saturdays
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Calling all foodies! If you have an appetite for new foods and fun conversations please join us in our monthly Let’s Dish: Potluck Club. To participate, each month you will choose and prepare a recipe that matches the theme for our potluck. Bring that dish, and serving utensils, to our potluck to share family style along with the recipe.
Make, Mend, Repair
Second Thursdays
5:00PM - 7:00PM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor (Makerspace)
Don’t toss it—fix it! Join us for Make, Mend, Repair, a creative, community-centered workshop where you’ll learn basic repair skills to extend the life of your clothes, textiles, and small household items.
Bring something you’d like to fix—like a broken zipper, a missing button, or a broken stuffed animal or toy—or just come to learn!
Registration is encouraged, but not required; drop-ins and all ages welcome.
Sustainability Club | Help Us Make Boomerang Bags!
On break until January
Third Thursdays
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Do you like to sew? We are looking for volunteers to cut and sew Boomerang Bags, put together take-n-sew kits, and to help us eliminate the use of plastic bags in the library. Boomerang Bags is a global movement to help tackle plastic pollution and to upcycle and recycle fiber to make home-sewn reusable tote bags as an alternative. These bags will then be provided to library patrons to carry their library books.