Elkhart Public Library

WordPlay Open Mic - Spoken Word Performances
2026-04-23 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-30 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Jake Webster, local artist and writer, hosts this special open-mic event during National Poetry Month. This series gives everyone a chance to take the mic with an original written work or song. Or share someone else’s published work if you’re moved by it. The events are free and no registration is necessary.

Homeschool LEGO Bots
2026-04-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Work as a team to bring LEGO creations to life by coding it to light up, play sounds or move. This program is geared for kids ages 6 and up.
Registration for this program starts March 1.

Teen Job Fair
2026-04-28 16:30 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Find a summer job at our third annual job fair. Meet with local companies looking to hire.

Teen Bingo
2026-04-30 16:30 - 17:30 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Play bingo with a twist. We use snacks as the markers. Eat and play for prizes.

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

Teen Anime Club
2026-05-05 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-06-02 16:30 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Enjoy anime and manga with other fans. We’ll share Japanese snacks and make crafts, too.

Ox Bow Books & Boots
2026-05-08 13:00 - 14:30 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Meet Miss Debbie with Elkhart County Parks naturalists for a book discussion and nature activity. Dress for the weather. Books are geared to ages 8-12, and advanced reading is not required.
Upcoming books:

March 13 – “Brighty of the Grand Canyon” by Marguerite Henry
April 10 – “Grand Teton Stampede” by C.R. Fulton
May 8 – “Heartwood Hotel: Family Forever” by Kallie George
June 12 – “My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George
July 17 – “The Perilous Performance at Milkweed Meadow” by Elaine Dimopoulos

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

Teen DIY: Moss Mirrors
2026-05-12 16:30 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Bring good vibes and a fairytale feel to your space with this mini mirror project.

Chapter Chasers
2026-05-13 17:00 - 18:30 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Grab a copy of the book to read before we meet. Then, discuss it with other readers and enjoy activities and socializing. Geared for kids ages 9 and up.
May 13 – “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown
June 10 – “Front Desk” by Kelly Yang
July 8 – “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry

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
An immersive storytelling program featuring players and coaches of the 2002 South Bend Golden Hawks, a professional women’s tackle football team. Narrated by longtime South Bend Tribune sportswriter and presented in partnership with The Acting Ensemble of Mishawaka, it provides first-hand accounts and reflections on learning the game, challenges they faced and what it means to them today.

Homeschool LEGO Bots
2026-05-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Build and create with others while learning coding skills to make LEGOs move, play sounds and more.
Registration for this program starts April 1.

Super Mario Wonder for Teens
2026-05-19 16:30 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Hang out and play Super Mario Wonder on the Nintento Switch.

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.

Finals Week Wind Down
2026-05-25 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-26 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-27 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-28 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-29 16:00 - 18:00 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Get away from the stress of finals week with different relaxing activities each evening.

Teen DIY: Painted CDs
2026-05-26 16:30 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Create colorful art using vintage CDs or DVDs. Bring your own discs or use ours.

Teen DIY: Yarn Wrapped Letters
2026-05-26 17:30 - 18:30 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Create a customized wrapped letter with colored yarn. These are a great way to decorate your space.

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).

Mid-Day Matinee
2026-05-28 16:00 - 18:00 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Enjoy free popcorn and a movie. We’re watching “Zootopia 2” (PG, 1:48).

Fun in the Sun
2026-06-01 15:30 - 17:00 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Join us at each neighborhood branch on Mondays in June for games, activities, the Book Bus, prizes and free Kona Ice. The Friends of EPL supports this program.
June 1 – Osolo
June 8 – Cleveland
June 15 – Pierre Moran
June 22 – Dunlap
