Upcoming Events

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Lunchtime Lit Book Club

12:00pm–1:00pm
Adults
Archive Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Archive Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Clubs
Event Details:

Meet up with fellow book lovers for good books and good discussion at this lunchtime book club. Books are available a month in advance at the Circulation Desk. Lunchtime Lit 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 Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

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! 

Doodlerz Art Studio

4:30pm–5:30pm
Kids
Story Time Room
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Crafts & Hobbies
Registration Required

🎨 Love to doodle, scribble, paint, and sketch? 🖌️

Want to make crafts, practice your art skills, and chill with your friends? Join Doodlerz on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Registration is required for kids in grades 3-5. 

Library Board Meeting

5:30pm–7:00pm
East Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: East Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)

Retirement University: Wills and Estate Planning

6:00pm–7:30pm
Adults
West Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: West Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Presentations
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join attorney Joel Hjelmaas, Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorney at Pearson Bollman Law, for a FREE informative and interactive workshop where we will go over...

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.

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! 

Iowa School Counselor Association - Board Meeting

9:00am–4:00pm
Archive Room
This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Archive Room
Purpose of Meeting

We are looking for a community meeting space to hold our quarterly board meetings, with the next one taking place in January.

VolunTEENS

2:00pm–5:00pm
Teens
Story Time Room
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Other
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you a student in 8th through 12th grade looking to make a difference in your community? Join our VolunTEEN program at JPL!

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! 

Can You Find It?

1:00pm–4:00pm
Kids
Youth Services Area
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Youth Services Area
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Play & Learn
Join us for a fun Scavenger Hunt throughout the Youth Services Area. Win a prize after finding all 10 themed items. For all ages.

Central Iowa Cubers (Corny Cubers)

3:30pm–5:00pm
West Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: West Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
Purpose of Meeting

Monthly meetup of speed cubing enthusiasts.

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! 

Library is Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

All Day
Closing
Branches:
Johnston Public Library
Description:

The Johnston Public Library will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026 in observance of Martin King Luther Jr. Day. 

The library will re-open Tuesday, January 20, 2026 with regular hours. 

Admin Team Meeting

1:00pm–2:30pm
Archive Room
This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Archive Room
Purpose of Meeting

Admin team meeting

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! 

Study Room 4

9:15am–12:00pm
Study Room 4
This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Study Room 4

Maverik Operation Manager Meeting

9:15am–3:30pm
Archive Room
This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Archive Room
Purpose of Meeting

Back to the basics

Play-Doh Power!

10:30am–11:30am
Kids
Story Time Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Play & Learn

🌈 Hands on fun at the library! 😄

A variety of Play-Doh, tools, and mats will all be available during this program as well as information for parents on the benefits of using Play-Doh during regular play time. Perfect for ages 2-5, but all ages are welcome! 

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 Advisory Board Meeting (Senior Board - 8th - 12th grade)

4:30pm–5:30pm
Teens
Large Meeting Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Large Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Event Details:

Make a difference at your library! Our Senior Teen Advisory Board is for teens in 8th - 12th grade who want to take the lead in shaping library programs. Members help plan events, share ideas, and have a say in teen services at the library.

Teen Advisory Board Meeting (Junior Board - 6th & 7th grade)

5:30pm–6:30pm
Teens
Large Meeting Room
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Large Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens
Event Details:

Join our Teen Advisory Board and make the library your space! Junior TAB is for kids in 6th and 7th grade. Members share ideas, plan events, provide valuable feedback, and have a say in what happens at the library. Want to join?

Homeschool Mom Craft Club and Support Group

6:30pm–8:00pm
Archive Room
This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: Archive Room
Purpose of Meeting

Homeschool mom crafting club and support group.

Teen Tabletop Game Night

6:30pm–8:00pm
Teens
West Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Johnston Public Library
Room: West Meeting Room (1/2 of Large)
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Registration Required
Event Details:

Game night just got better -- are you in? Each month, we’ll feature new tabletop games (think Sushi Go, Ticket to Ride, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, etc.) and show you how to play.