Elkhart Public Library

Sensory Playdate
2025-10-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-02 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Come in play clothes and let little ones explore and learn through sensory play.

Manhattan SHORT Film Festival
2025-10-03 18:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-04 15:00 - 18:30 | IN
You get to be the judge at this short film festival. Watch 10 movies from around the world and vote for a favorite. Movies are unrated but intended for an adult audience. Click here to find out more about each of the films.
Friday, Sept. 26 – Dunlap, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27 – Downtown, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 1 – Pierre Moran, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3 – Osolo, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Cleveland, 3 p.m.

Stories and Songs
2025-10-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Songwriters and libraries have one thing in common — too many stories to tell. Experience the music of the area’s best creative talents and their friends in a new way. Beverages will be available for purchase, no cover charge.
This event is Well Crafted with the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau and is supported by Pillars of Elkhart.
Oct. 3 – Nate and Amber Butler (“Shiny Shiny Black”) with Mike Vial and Noraa Hazlett
Nov. 6 – Eli Kahn (“After Ours”) hosting with three local guests:
Nov. 7 – Jim Van Dyck (“The Hatchbacks”) hosting, joined by Devin Vargo, Nick Wort and Landon Grwinski

Tons of Trucks
2025-10-08 16:30 - 17:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Get up close with the trucks kids love. Big trucks take over the library parking lot and you can ask drivers questions and sit in their rigs.

Behold! The National Ambassador for Young People's Literature is Coming to Elkhart!
2025-10-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Concord Junior High, 59397 C.R. 11, Elkhart, IN, 46517, United States
Award-winning author Mac Barnett is excited to share his passion for picture books with children and adults in Elkhart and the surrounding community. The tradition of the picture book is a tradition of experimentation, just like childhood itself. Every page turn contains infinite possibilities – a journey of discovery and connections. On his nationwide tour as national ambassador, Mac invites readers of all ages to join him in celebrating what’s vibrant, joyful and inspiring about this quintessential American art form.

“What excites me is the living, thinking, feeling kid who exists right now and needs a good story. Magic is what happens at that moment in childhood.”

— Mac Barnett, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

This free event is open to all ages. On site book sales and a book signing will take place following the program.

This event is free. Registration is required.

Click here to register for this event as space is limited.

Preschool Bluey Party
2025-10-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Celebrate all things Bluey with games and activities. Plus, a special prize drawing.

Genealogy Watch Party
2025-10-17 12:00 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Celebrate Family History Month with genealogical presentations from the Genealogy Network of Texas. Plus, EPL staff share local resources and tips for your genealogical journey.
Watch remotely or in person at the downtown library. Register to receive a link for remote viewing.
Registration for this program opens Sept. 1.

Trunk-or-Treat at Pierre Moran
2025-10-29 16:00 - 18:00 | Pierre Moran Branch, 2400 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN, 46517, United States
Drop in for a free, fun afternoon of trick-or-treating in a family-friendly and safe environment. Wear a costume and pick out candy. Plus, face-painting, games, crafts and snacks.
If you’re interested in participating in the festivities, call Angie at 574-294-6418 by Oct. 17. Prepare for 200 participants. You should have pre-wrapped candy or alternative treats (such as small toys) and no vehicles larger than a pickup truck or van.
The Friends of the Elkhart Public Library support this program.

What to Watchlist
2025-10-30 17:30 - 18:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Share the latest on your favorite TV shows and movies. Discuss fan theories and hidden gems. Plus, we’ll watch trailers for what’s coming up.

Halloween Parade
2025-10-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Come in costume for stories and games before we walk around the library to collect candy.

Scooby Doo Halloween Party
2025-10-31 16:00 - 17:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Come in your costume for games and treats. Plus, we’ll have a costume contest with a prize for the winner.

WWII Stories with author Barbara Morrow
2025-11-01 11:00 - 14:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Join an immersive talk with Barbara Morrow, author of Army Guy, Red Cross Girl: The Lives and Letters of Two Small-Town Hoosiers who Helped Win WWII. Through letters and photos of two Auburn, Ind. natives, it tells their stories of service in the Army and Red Cross. From preparing for D-Day to comforting troops fighting in Italy, these were just two of the people helping win the war.

¡Esqueletos en la Biblioteca!
2025-11-01 12:00 - 14:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
¡Concurso de Disfraces de Esqueletos por el Día de los Muertos en la Biblioteca! Celebra con nosotros esta tradición especial y participa en nuestro concurso de disfraces de esqueletos, Habrá premios en tres categorías:
Mejor disfraz tradicional
Más creativo
Mejor grupo
¡Ven a honrar el Día de los Muertos con estilo, imaginación y alegría! ¡Regístrate ahora!

Stories and Songs
2025-11-06 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Songwriters and libraries have one thing in common — too many stories to tell. Experience the music of the area’s best creative talents and their friends in a new way. Beverages will be available for purchase, no cover charge.
This event is designated Well Crafted by the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau and is supported by Pillars of Elkhart.
Nov. 6 – Eli Kahn (“After Ours”) hosting with three local guests: Abbie Thomas, Heyzeus and Trevor McDonald
Nov. 7 – Jim Van Dyck (“The Hatchbacks”) hosting, joined by Devin Vargo, Nick Wort and Landon Grwinski

Stories and Songs
2025-11-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Songwriters and libraries have one thing in common — too many stories to tell. Experience the music of the area’s best creative talents and their friends in a new way. Beverages will be available for purchase, no cover charge.
This event is designated Well Crafted by the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau and is supported by Pillars of Elkhart.
Oct. 3 – Nate and Amber Butler
Nov. 6 – Eli Kahn (“After Ours”) hosting with three local guests:
Nov. 7 – Jim Van Dyck (“The Hatchbacks”) hosting, joined by Devin Vargo, Nick Wort and Landon Grwinski

Pick the Right Medigap Plan
2025-11-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Heading into enrollment season, learn how to pick the right supplemental policy that fits your needs with experts from Weiss Financial Ratings. You can find a customized policy for free with your library card.

Preschool Playdough Party
2025-11-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Stations of playdough fun and creation to explore and play with. Make something to take home.

Noche de Lotería
2025-11-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Pierre Moran Branch, 2400 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN, 46517, United States
Play the Mexican bingo-like game that’s easy to learn and fast to play. Practice Spanish words while winning prizes and eating snacks.
Divértete y juega a la lotería, come deliciosos aperitivos y gana permios!

Christmas Card Stampin'
2025-12-01 16:30 - 17:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Design your own holiday cards with our stamps and materials. We’ll snack on cookies and cocoa while we create.

Winterfest at the Library: Holiday Crafts and Music
2025-12-06 12:00 - 14:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Bring the whole family to the downtown library between noon and 2 p.m. during downtown Winterfest to make an ornament. Kids can also make a candy cane mouse. Plus, live music from Shiny Shiny Black from noon to 2 p.m., including selections from their new seasonal EP.

Christmas Party with Santa Claus
2025-12-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Celebrate the season with games, activities, prizes and a gift while supplies last. Plus, Santa will be in the atrium for free pictures.

Elizabeth Klehfoth: The Lost Heiress
2025-12-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Elizabeth Klehfoth, an Elkhart native, is back with her second novel. During this author event, she’ll be reading selections of “The Lost Heiress” and talking about her career. She’ll also sign copies of her book, which can be preordered from Fables Books and picked up at the Goshen store or at the library event.
