Elkhart Public Library

Making Sensory Bottles with Golden Steps ABA
2026-04-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, we’re partnering with Golden Steps ABA to host a sensory bottle-making event. Get hands-on and use creativity and take home what you make.

Preschool Party: Pout Pout Fish
2026-04-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Stories, games and more based on the misunderstood fish.

Storytime with Mr. Manley
2026-04-22 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-04-29 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-05-06 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-05-13 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-05-20 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-05-27 10:00 - 10:45 | Cleveland Branch, 53715 C.R. 1, Elkhart, IN, 46514, United States
Build early literacy skills through fun and interactive activities. This Storytime pauses on April 8 for spring break. This Storytime moves to two sessions in June.

Kindergarten Gear Up
2026-04-22 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-29 16:00 - 17:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
(This event is full. Keep watching for more great activities.)
Prepare your soon-to-be-kindergartener with the skills they need in the classroom at this free nine-week program led by a former teacher. Please consider if your child will be entering kindergarten before registering.
Registration for this program starts Feb. 1.

Appreciation Card Workshop
2026-05-04, 2026-05-05, 2026-05-06, 2026-05-07, 2026-05-08, 2026-05-09 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Drop in anytime during open hours to create a heartfelt card of appreciation for a grown-up in your life.

May the Fourth Be with You Movie Marathon
2026-05-04 10:00 - 17:00 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Drop in to the branch from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the original “Star Wars” trilogy playing. Plus, activities for kids while they watch.
A New Hope – PG, 2:01
Empire Strikes Back – PG, 2:04
Return of the Jedi – PG, 2:11

Stories in the Garden
2026-05-05 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-05-12 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-05-19 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-05-26 17:00 - 17:30 | Wellfield Gardens, 1011 N. Main St., Elkhart, IN, 46514, United States
Join us on Wellfield Botanic Gardens free Tuesdays for a fun and interactive Storytime in the Children’s Garden area. Watch this page and our Facebook if the weather is iffy. Wellfield Gardens offers free admission to Elkhart County residents on Tuesdays.

Friday Night Bingo
2026-05-08 16:30 - 17:30 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Enjoy themed bingo for the whole family. Win snacks and prizes.
May 8 – Ocean creature bingo
June 19 – Playing card bingo
July 10 – State trivia bingo

Toy Story Preschool Party
2026-05-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Early literacy activities, crafts and stories inspired by Toy Story characters.

Pigskins & Ponytails: The story of a women's professional football team
2026-05-16 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
This unique storytelling program features players and coaches from the 2002 South Bend Golden Hawks, a professional women’s tackle football team.
Author Mark Bradford hosts a panel discussion with former coaches and players from the Golden Hawks to share stories of their season, challenges they faced and how they look back on it.
This after-hours event is free and open to the public.

Pioneer Toys
2026-05-19 17:30 - 18:30 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
See what kids played with in the settler days with an Elkhart County Parks naturalist. Play with them and then make your own.

Rockets Red Glare Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff
2026-05-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Get set for the Summer Reading Challenge with popcorn, activities and a film canister rocket. Plus, pick up some great books.

Summer Reading Kickoff: Sundae Spectacular
2026-05-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Pierre Moran Branch, 2400 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN, 46517, United States
Start the summer reading challenge with a mini ice cream sandwich and toppings, while supplies last. Plus, activities, games and books.

Osolo Summer Reading Kickoff Party
2026-05-22 15:30 - 17:00 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Get everything you need to start the Summer Reading Challenge. Pick up a gameboard or get registered on Beanstack. Plus, snacks, activities and more.

Family Read-In
2026-05-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Cleveland Branch, 53715 C.R. 1, Elkhart, IN, 46514, United States
Check off the first day of the Summer Reading challenge at our after-hours family read-in. We’ll share a short story and then break off for individual reading time with snacks. Bring a book or borrow one of ours.

Mid-Day Matinees
2026-05-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Enjoy popcorn and a free movie. We’re watching “The Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Search for Squarepants” (PG, 1:28).
