Programs & Events
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Click on an event to learn more & register! Color Guide:
Kids (0-3) | PreK | Kids (K-6th) | Teen (12-18) | Family | Adult (18+) | Makerspace | Online | Closings/Cancellations
SPECIAL EVENTS
Historical Building Stroll
120 Anniversary Event!
November 1 - 30 | Clinton, IA
Stroll the streets of Clinton and discover the architecture and history of days gone by.
Starting on November 1, use your smart phone to scan the QR codes to learn about twelve historical buildings in our city. Once you have gone to every historical building on this list and completed all the steps, you will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket.
Puzzle Exchange!
Drop-Off: November 12 - 16
Pick-Up: November 20 - 23
Main Branch
Swap your old jigsaw puzzles for gently-used ones through the Clinton Public Library’s puzzle exchange!
Here’s how it works:
- Bring in a gently used jigsaw puzzle —with all of its pieces, please— to the Main Branch from Tuesday, Nov. 12 through Saturday, Nov. 16 during open hours. Library staff will give you a ticket to get a “new” puzzle the following week. Participants will get one ticket for every puzzle they drop off.
- Present your ticket(s) and choose a new-to-you puzzle(s) at the Main Branch from Wednesday, Nov. 20 – Saturday, Nov. 23 any time during open hours. Puzzle selection will be on a first come, first serve basis.
- The best part: Begin your new-to-you jigsaw puzzle!
Questions? Call the Main Branch at (563) 242-8411 or email Kate at kstruble@clintonpubliclibrary.us
Clinton Public Library Open House
120 Anniversary Event!
Saturday, November 16
12:00PM - 4:00PM
Main Branch
Visit the library to learn about its services, resources, and programs. Library staff members will be available to give interested individuals library tours.
The History of the Clinton Public Library: The First 120 Years
120 Anniversary Event!
Presented by Dave Bahnsen
Saturday, November 16
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Registration is encouraged; click HERE or call (563) 242-8441.
Come join us to celebrate the history of your Clinton Public Library. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie provided funds for over 2,500 public libraries worldwide, one of which is right here in Clinton. Learn the story of this beautiful building and how our Clinton library has evolved today.
120 Minute Party: Celebrating 120 Years!
120 Anniversary Event!
Thursday, November 21
5:30PM - 7:30PM
Main Branch
5:30 – 7:30pm | Open Makerspace Hours
6pm | Remarks from Clinton’s Mayor and Library Leadership
7pm | Raffle prize drawings (Individuals must be present to win.)
Join us as we celebrate the Clinton Public Library’s 120th anniversary. Special remarks will be given at 6pm by Clinton Mayor Scott Maddasion and library leadership. Attendees will be encouraged to explore the library during the event and can choose to participate in various activities, such as a Makerspace craft and a scavenger hunt.
Individuals will be entered to win prizes for attending this celebration. Prizewinners will be announced at 7pm and must be present to win. Light appetizers will also be provided. No registration is necessary to attend.
WEEKLY
Creative Explorers
Wednesdays at 3:00PM
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.
Storytime
Wednesdays & First Saturdays 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!
Wiggle Time
Tuesdays at 10:30AM
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
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.
FREQUENT
The following programs may occur several times a month. For more information, please view our calendar or call (563) 242-8441.
Virtual Author Talks
Library Speakers Consortium
Click HERE to view more information, register for upcoming events, or view past recordings.
On Childhood Migration from Central America--In Conversation with Javier Zamora
Thursday, Nov 14, 3PM
Award-Winning and New York Times Bestselling Author of Solito
Native Rights and Culture in Fiction–A Conversation with Mona Susan Power
Wednesday, Nov 20, 6PM
PEN/Hemingway Prize Winner and An Enrolled Member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Iháŋktȟuŋwaŋna Dakhóta)
MONTHLY
The following programs meet once a month. For more information, please view our calendar or call (563) 242-8441.
#52Stories
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.
Device Advice
Main Branch, Main Floor
Technology giving you trouble? Drop into the library for one-on-one help during Device Advice hours! We’re happy to help with any projects you’re working on or just answer your questions. We’re not tech professionals, but we can help you feel more comfortable navigating the technology you’re interested in.
Lyons Reads Book Club
Check Calendar for Location
Note: On break, returning in January.
The Lyons Reads 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.
Make It @ The Library
Ages 14+ | 5:30PM - 6:30PM | Third Thursdays
Youth Edition
Ages 10-14 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM | Third Thursdays
Main Branch, Makerspace
Do you have a passion for learning and creating? This workshop offers a welcoming environment to learn and practice a variety of skills and techniques for makers of all skills and abilities. There is no one kind of maker—a maker is anyone who is curious and a creative thinker. Make It @ The Library encourages opportunities for hands-on learning, designing, exchanging ideas, and collaboration. In this workshop, makers will:
- get more comfortable with the idea of making.
- learn to be creators, not just consumers.
- gain the skills and confidence needed to complete independent projects.
- get exposure to different types of projects and equipment, such as 3D printers, cutting machines, heat press, sublimation, sewing & embroidery, and more!
- learn how to bring your ideas to life!
The Plarn Project
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Note: On break, returning in January.
Plarn is plastic yarn that is made from plastic shopping bags. This material is used by local volunteers to make comfortable sleeping mats for the homeless. Upcycling these plastic bags is a way to help our community and also reduce the amount of plastic going into landfills. If you are interested in donating clean plastic grocery bags & cutting them, please join us to learn more about this project.
Reading Party
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Attend this program to enjoy quiet reading time with other readers. This is the perfect party for people of all ages who want to designate time to read. Light drinks and snacks will be provided.
Can't make it right at 5:30pm? That's ok! Come whenever you can to read with us, even if it's for ten minutes. This is a family friendly event.
Sewing Basics
First Thursdays, Sept - Dec 2024
Next Workshop: January-April 2025
Main Branch, Makerspace
The Sewing Basics workshop includes 4 sessions, each held on the 1st Thursday of the month. You will be guided through the basics, from learning sewing machine parts and essential tools to mending, sewing simple projects, and much more!
Ages 14+ | 5:30PM - 6:30PM | Registration is closed.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew? Have your sewing skills gotten a little rusty over the years? Sign up for a series of beginner level workshops where you can learn to sew, or refresh your skills, alongside our Makerspace staff.
Youth Edition
Ages 10-14 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM | Registration is closed.
If you have ever wanted to learn how to sew, here is your chance! Sign up for a series of beginner level workshops where you can learn how to mend your old items as well as sew something new, alongside our Makerspace staff.
Spice Club
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Registration is closed.
If you enjoy trying new spices, recipes, and meeting new people, please join Spice Club! We welcome all levels of cooking experience and diets and want to help you take your cooking to the next level. At each monthly meeting, you will be provided with a spice kit that includes some information and history of a featured spice or spice blend, a couple of recipes, and pre-measured samples to use in recipes.
Meetings will be held the 4th Saturday of the month unless otherwise noted. This program is sponsored by The Spice & Tea Exchange® of TSTE of West Des Moines.
Teen Video Game Night
Main Branch, 2nd Floor
Note: We will now meet on the 1st Monday of the month!
This program is free! Bring your Joy-Con and compete on our Switch. Just Dance with the Wii. Play it old school with Guitar Hero on the PS2.
Snacks provided. Game nights will be held the 1st Monday of the month unless otherwise noted. Registration is encouraged, but not required.