Upcoming Events

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More Than Waypoints

6:00pm–8:00pm
Adults, All Ages
Large Meeting Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Large Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults, All Ages
Program Type: Presentations
Event Details:

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Iowa as Dave Baker shares insights from his recent novel, More Than Waypoints.

Holiday Light Recycling

All Day
All Ages
Johnston Public Library
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Johnston Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Home & Garden, Other
Event Details:

Taking down those holiday decorations and wondering where you can dispose of old or broken lights? JPL has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to offer a holiday lights drop-off at the library! 

Bouncing Babies

11:00am–11:30am
Kids
Story Time Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Story Hours

👶 Big fun for your littlest learner! 💕

Build your baby's foundation for lifelong reading and learning with this engaging story time. Story time will be followed by a open play time for you and your little one. Great for babies ages 6 months-18 months.

Anime Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
Teens
Teen Space
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Teen Space
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Entertainment
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join JPL's Anime Club each week for Japanese snacks, anime trivia, and art projects! All fans welcome! 

Kids Kitchen: Bagel Pizzas

4:30pm–5:15pm
Kids
East Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: East Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Cooking & Food
Registration Required
Event Details:

🍽️What's cooking in the library kitchen?👩‍🍳

Kids can join our monthly cooking class to learn basic cooking skills and practice following a recipe. Registration is required for this class and is open to kids in elementary school. 

This month, we are making mini bagel pizzas! 

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults - Ages 9 and under

Children ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted. 

Everyday English

6:30pm–7:45pm
Adults
Archive Room
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Archive Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: ESL
Registration Required

Everyday English is an ongoing program designed for English language learning adults. Lessons focus on functional English – learning basic phrases and expressions for having conversations in everyday English as well as lessons on living in the United States. Lessons are led by a professional ESOL teacher and trained volunteers. Follow-up digital materials are available for interested students. Classes meet both in-person and online using the Zoom app, for those who prefer to join virtually. Email Library Staff at esol@johnstonlibrary.org for sign-in information. Classes are free and registration is not required, but is appreciated.

Thursday Night Book Club

6:30pm–7:45pm
Adults
Southeast Corner
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Southeast Corner
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

 

Join fellow local book lovers to discuss great books and enjoy lively conversation. Books are available at the Circulation Desk one month in advance while supplies last. Thursday Night Book Club meets in person at JPL and online via Zoom. Email Beth at stevens@johnstonlibrary.org for info about picking up a book club book and to be added to the email list.

This month's book is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

Holiday Light Recycling

All Day
All Ages
Johnston Public Library
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Johnston Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Home & Garden, Other
Event Details:

Taking down those holiday decorations and wondering where you can dispose of old or broken lights? JPL has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to offer a holiday lights drop-off at the library! 

Holiday Light Recycling

All Day
All Ages
Johnston Public Library
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Johnston Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Home & Garden, Other
Event Details:

Taking down those holiday decorations and wondering where you can dispose of old or broken lights? JPL has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to offer a holiday lights drop-off at the library! 

Homemadeish: New Year's Collages

10:30am–11:30am
Adults
Large Meeting Room
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Large Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Crafts & Hobbies
Registration Required
Event Details:

Ring in the New Year with a creative collage-making session! Participants can design vision boards, memory collages, or simply experiment with art materials to celebrate new beginnings in 2026. All materials provided.

Holiday Light Recycling

All Day
All Ages
Johnston Public Library
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Johnston Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Home & Garden, Other
Event Details:

Taking down those holiday decorations and wondering where you can dispose of old or broken lights? JPL has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to offer a holiday lights drop-off at the library! 

Holiday Light Recycling

All Day
All Ages
Johnston Public Library
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Johnston Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Home & Garden, Other
Event Details:

Taking down those holiday decorations and wondering where you can dispose of old or broken lights? JPL has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to offer a holiday lights drop-off at the library! 

Story Time Together

10:00am–10:30am
Kids
Story Time Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Story Hours

📚 Weekly Story Time 📖

Interact with your child as we use books, songs, music, finger plays, and flannel boards to build early literacy skills. Story time will be followed by a craft or activity. Designed for children from 18 months through preschool and their caregivers.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

LEGO® Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
Kids
Story Time Room
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Play & Learn
Registration Required
Event Details:

LEGO Club provides a fun atmosphere where children can learn, build and play with the library’s set of LEGOs. Each meeting will have a new theme or challenge. Great for kids in grades K-5. Registration required. 

Let's Talk English Conversation Group

6:30pm–7:45pm
Adults
Archive Room
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Archive Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: ESL
Registration Required

Let's Talk is a casual program designed for non-native English speakers to practice their English conversation skills with a native English speaker. Discussions focus on current news, events and American culture.  Let's Talk is held both in-person and online via Zoom, for those who would rather join the class virtually. Email Library Staff at esol@johnstonlibrary.org for sign-in information. The program is free and no registration is required, but is appreciated.

Holiday Light Recycling

All Day
All Ages
Johnston Public Library
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Johnston Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Home & Garden, Other
Event Details:

Taking down those holiday decorations and wondering where you can dispose of old or broken lights? JPL has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to offer a holiday lights drop-off at the library! 

Little Yogis

10:30am–11:15am
Kids
Large Meeting Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Large Meeting Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Details:

Join us for a morning yoga flow! Kids and caregivers will flow through a short yoga class, with a story. Together you will learn simple yoga poses, mindfulness techniques, and movement games.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults - Ages 9 and under

Children ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted. 

Greek Mythology Club

6:30pm–7:30pm
Teens
Teen Space
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Teen Space
Age Group: Teens
Registration Required
Event Details:

Whether you're a Percy Jackson fan or just love Greek mythology, this is the club for you!

Holiday Light Recycling

All Day
All Ages
Johnston Public Library
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Johnston Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Home & Garden, Other
Event Details:

Taking down those holiday decorations and wondering where you can dispose of old or broken lights? JPL has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to offer a holiday lights drop-off at the library! 

Move & Groove

10:00am–10:30am
Kids
Story Time Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Health & Wellness, Story Hours

🎵 Shake Up Your Story Time! 📖

Get ready to sing, dance, and move to the music at a story time that will get you and your kids up on your feet! This is a high-energy story time for kids of all ages.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Teen Mario Kart Tournament

4:00pm–4:30pm
Teens
Teen Space
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Teen Space
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Let's go!  Drive, dodge, and maneuver your way to a first-place finish in our Mario Kart Tournament! Prizes for the winners. 6th grade and up. This is a drop-in program - no registration necessary.

Teen Smash Bros. Tournament

4:30pm–5:30pm
Teens
Teen Space
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Teen Space
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Test your skills! Prizes and bragging rights for the winners. Tournaments will be held every Wednesday. 6th grade and up. No registration necessary.

Silent Book Club

6:30pm–8:00pm
Adults
Large Meeting Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Large Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

Looking for a cozy space to read and connect with fellow book lovers? Join the Johnston and Grimes Public Libraries at Silent Book Club! Unlike traditional book clubs, there's no required reading, just bring whatever you’re currently enjoying.

Disclaimer(s)

Photo/Film Consent

By attending this event, you are giving consent for yourself and/or your child(ren) to be photographed/filmed during the event. Your image and likeness may be used to promote future events or for general library publicity.

Holiday Light Recycling

All Day
All Ages
Johnston Public Library
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Johnston Public Library
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Home & Garden, Other
Event Details:

Taking down those holiday decorations and wondering where you can dispose of old or broken lights? JPL has partnered with Metro Waste Authority to offer a holiday lights drop-off at the library!