Visit the Wichita Public Library
For information on classes and upcoming events visit:
www.wichita.lib.ks.us
For specific programs at the Wichita Public Library, click on these links:
Monthly Book Discussion Groups
Registration is not required. (60 minutes, unless otherwise noted)
June-July Programs for Children at the Wichita Public Library All programs are free and open to the public. With 48-hour notice, the Library can provide signed programs and meet other special needs; call 261-8590 for details. Seating is limited, but most programs do not require registration. Central Library can accommodate larger groups; call 261-8512 for information. Thanks to the Leonard and Celia Levand Trust for making these programs possible.
Summer Reading Club: "Catch the Reading Bug"
Register Sunday, June 1 through Thursday, July 24 at all Wichita Public Library locations Make sure those reading skills don’t fly away the summer and earn great prizes at the same time – just join the Summer Reading Club! We’ll make your buzz through summer full of fabulous books. Participants are accepted from birth through 17 years of age. (Teens may be interested in our Teens Read program instead.)
Teens Read: "Metamorphosis"
Register Sunday, June 1 through Thursday, July 24 at all Wichita Public Library locations Teens, are you looking for a change from the same old summer? Enter to win prizes based on the time you spend reading – and read whatever you want. No book reports necessary! Teens 12-17 or entering grades 6-12 in fall 2008 may join either the Summer Reading Club or Teens Read.
Preschool Storytime
Storytelling, fingerplays and more for children aged 3-6. (30 minutes)
Tuesdays, June 10-July 22, 10:30 a.m., Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
Tuesdays, June 10-July 15, 10:30 a.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456 (children only)
Wednesdays, June 11-July 23, 10:30 a.m., Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119
Wednesdays, June 11-July 23, 10:30 a.m., Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361
Thursdays, June 12-July 24, 10:30 a.m., Linwood Branch Library, 1901 S. Kansas, 337-9125
Thursdays, June 12-July 24, 11:30 a.m., Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st, 688-9580
Toddle Time
Stories, rhymes and motion activities for 2-year-olds with an adult helper. Registration required; contact the hosting library to register. (20 minutes)
Tuesdays, June 10-July 22, 10:30 a.m., Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119
Tuesdays, June 10-July 15, 10:30 a.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456
Thursdays, June 12-July 24, 10:30 a.m. and 11:05 a.m., Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361
Nursery Rhyme Time
Music, rhymes, activities and stories for children aged 2 and under with an adult helper. No program Friday, July 4. (20 minutes)
Tuesdays, June 10-July 22, 10:30 a.m. and 11:05 a.m., Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361
Wednesdays, June 11-July 23, 10:30 a.m., Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
Thursdays, June 12-July 24, 10:30 a.m., Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119
Fridays, June 13-July 25, 10:30 a.m., Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
Fridays, June 13-July 25, 10:30 a.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456
Craftplay
Children aged 5-7 will make a craft project that they can take home. Registration required; contact the hosting branch to register. (30-60 minutes)
Tuesday, June 24, 2:30 p.m., Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361 (Registration begins Wednesday, June 11.)
Tuesday, July 8, 2:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181 (Registration begins Wednesday, June 25.)
Preschool Storytime - Cuentos Bilingües
Bilingual (English and Spanish) storytelling, fingerplays and more for children aged 3-6. (30 minutes)
Wednesdays, June 11-July 23, 10:30 a.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181
Family Storytime
Interactive storytelling and activities for children aged 2-7 with their families. (30 minutes)
Wednesdays, June 11-July 16, 10:30 a.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456
Got Bugs? . . . A Magic Show
Come along with Shawn Reida as he takes you on a fun, mysterious and exciting trip with Reading Roaches, Spooky Spiders, Jumping Junebugs, Amaaazing Ants, and Brown Beetles. Shawn’s magic is filled with comedy and audience participation. For ages 3-11. (45 minutes)
Monday, July 21, 2:30 p.m., Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119
Fantastic Flicks
Enjoy children’s movies for ages 4 and up and make a movie-related craft. Bring snacks if you wish. Because of licensing restrictions, titles are unavailable to the media or through the Library's website. Customers may call or visit for title information. (Length varies.)
July 10-24, 2:30 p.m., Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
July 25, 2:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181
Explorers
Crafts and activities for children aged 6-7, entering grades 1-2. Free tickets available at Westlink two weeks before each program. (60 minutes)
July 17, 2:30 p.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456
Artistic Kids
Children aged 8-11 will make a craft project that they can take home. Registration required; contact the hosting branch to register. (30-60 minutes)
Tuesday, July 15, 2:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181 (Registration begins Wednesday, July 2.)
Discoverers
Crafts and activities for children aged 8-11, entering grades 3-6. Ticket required; free tickets available at Westlink two weeks before each program. (60 minutes)
Thursdays, July 10 and July 24, 2:30 p.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456
Make and Take Craft
Children aged 3-11 will make a craft project that they can take home. (Available 6 hours)
Saturday, July 19, 11:00 a.m., Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st, 688-9580
Puppet Shows
For children aged 3-10. Starred times indicate repeat performances. (20-30 minutes)
Tuesday, July 15, 7:00 p.m., Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361
Wednesday, July 16, 10:30 a.m.*, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361
Tuesday, July 22, 10:30 a.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456
Tuesday, July 22, 2:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181
Wednesday, July 23, 10:30 a.m.*, Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181
Wednesday, July 23, 10:30 a.m.*, Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456
Road Trip
Stuck at home this summer? Come to the library where you’ll experience some of the nation’s vacation hot spots through games, crafts and more. For ages 5-11. Drop in anytime between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16, 2:30 p.m., Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
Great Plains Nature Center
Learn about the wonders of wildlife native to our area with the Great Plains Nature Center. For ages 3-11 (45 minutes)
Thursday, July 17¸ 10:30 a.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181
Tuesday, July 22, 2:30 p.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456
EEEEWW! Worms!
Listen to stories, create a craft and participate in a worm race. Worms provided. Ages 6-9. (45 minutes)
Thursday, July 17, 2:30 p.m., Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119
Bubba and Trixie with StoneLion Puppet Theater
Bubba is a “nervous Nellie” caterpillar, afraid to leave his leaf, who meets Trixie, a crimped winged ladybug who knows no fear. Join their adventures as Trixie helps Bubba learn to enjoy life with what he is and what he becomes. Children also learn the three stages of a butterfly’s life cycle in this touching story of true friendship. Based on the book by Lisa Campbell Ernst. For children aged 3-11. (30 minutes)
Thursday, July 17, 2:30 p.m., Orchard Park Branch Library, 4808 W. 9th, 337-9084
Friday, July 18, 2:30 p.m., Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st, 688-9580
Barnyard Tales
Enjoy readers’ theater for ages 3-10 performed by the Library’s very own teen actors. With little more than a script, a few props and loads of enthusiasm, teens will bring tales from the farm to life. (30 minutes)
Tuesday, July 22, 10:30 a.m., Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
Capturing Grasshoppers . . . On Paper!
Artist Charles Baughman from Monart will show children aged 8-11 how to draw their own grasshoppers. (60 minutes)
Thursday, July 24, 10:30 a.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181
Miranda’s Music on the Move
Do you have music in you? Come listen, move, sing, laugh and play along with Miranda Filbeck’s silly songs of the great outdoors. Enjoy some of your old favorites along with original songs that celebrate the joy of reading. For ages 3-11. (45 minutes)
Friday, July 25, 10:30 a.m., Linwood Branch Library, 1901 S. Kansas, 337-9125
Friday, July 25, 2:30 p.m., Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361
Bug Fest!
Bring your insect collection to the library and participate in all things bug: games, crafts and more. Snacks provided. Ages 5-10. (60 minutes)
Saturday, July 26, 2:30 p.m., Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119
Picnic with the Bugs
Learn how to make picnic goodies in the shape of your favorite bugs, from butterfly cupcakes to earthworm pudding. For ages 5-10. Registration is required and starts Wednesday, July 16. Call 688-9361 to register. (60 minutes)
Monday, July 28, 2:30 p.m., Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361
TEEN PROGRAMS
All programs are free and open to the public. With 48-hour notice, the Library can provide signed programs and meet other special needs; call 261-8590 for details. Seating is limited, but most programs do not require registration. Central Library can accommodate larger groups; call 261-8512 for information. Thanks to the Leonard and Celia Levand Trust for making these programs possible.
Accessory Obsession
When you hear bags, belts and bracelets, do you think to yourself, “Who could ask for anything more?” If so, this is the program for you. You’ll make only the necessities. Registration required; contact the hosting library to register. (1.5 hours)
Friday, July 25, 2:30 p.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456 (Registration starts Wednesday, July 16)
Sweet Treats
Sweet tooth sufferers surrender! Celebrate candy in all of its forms through games, crafts and more. Registration required; contact the hosting library to register. (2 hours)
Tuesday, July 15, 2:30 p.m., Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, 337-9456 (Registration starts Wednesday, July 2)
Chocolate Festival
Become an expert on the history and properties of this delicious treat. Hands-on activities with chocolate will involve all participants. Registration required; contact the hosting library to register. (2 hours)
Friday, July 18, 2:30 p.m., Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, 337-9119 (Registration starts Wednesday, July 9)
Coffeehouse
Relax and enjoy refreshments while your peers share their artistic talents including poetry reading, singing and more. It is open mic so you can display your abilities. Refreshments served. (1 hour)
Wednesday, July 16, 2:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, 303-8181
Anime Art
A demonstration on how to draw characters that resemble the ones seen in today’s anime films. Registration required and begins on Wednesday, July 9; contact the hosting library to register. (1 hour)
Monday, July 21, 2:30 p.m., Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 688-9361
Dance Mania
Discover the variety of dance moves that can be done in a line: hip hop, country and more. No partners are required for these dances, but bring your friends for more fun! (1 hour)
Wednesday, July 23, 2:30 p.m., Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500
Grand Prize Drawing Party
The grand prize—and many others—will be awarded based on the entries for Teens Read. All Wichita Public Library Teens Read participants are invited. Refreshments provided. Registration in Teens Read required. (1.5 hours)
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2:30 p.m., Central Library, 223 S. Main, 261-8500