Mahjong Mornings
NMPL is hosting a new Mahjong Mornings program to provide time for open play! Mahjong is a strategic tile-based game originating in 19th-century China, played by 3–4 people, combining skill, strategy, and luck. Beginners are welcome to come play on a set provided by the library, or bring your own tiles and friends for a competitive round!
Whether you’re learning for the first time or looking for a regular group to play with, this relaxed morning gathering is a great way to sharpen your mind, build strategy skills, and connect with fellow players in a friendly, welcoming environment.
May the tiles be in your favor!
Program Cost: None
Program Age Requirements: 16+
Registration: No
Location: Blocher Room
Babytime is getting a fresh new look! Each week will feature a simple theme designed to engage little minds and support early development – from language and rhythm to movement, coordination, and sensory exploration. It’s the same warm, welcoming Babytime families love, now with a bit more structure to help our youngest learners grow.
The 4th week is Baby-Led Feeding, where caregivers can learn about this approach to introducing solid foods, focusing on safety, independence, and motor skill development.
This month, we’re making baby charcuterie boards, a hands‑on way for little ones to explore new textures and practice self‑feeding skills. Caregivers and little ones will learn how to arrange simple, baby‑friendly charcuterie boards that are sure to be a hit at meal times!
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: 0 -5 and their caregivers
Sponsored by: T-Mobile Hometown Grant
Registration: None
Location: Picture Book Room
Dirty Diggers is NMPL’s hands‑on gardening program for kids, where young gardeners dig in (literally!) as they prep garden beds, plant veggies, herbs, and flowers, and learn how to care for a growing garden from seed to harvest. Each week brings a new theme and a new chance to explore the natural world right outside the library doors.
This week, is all about soil! Dirt is great for our plants and for us! We’ll learn about the benefits of dirt for our microbiome and what kinds of soil are best for plants. We’ll work in our garden beds and play games as well. Join us for another awesome time in Dirty Diggers!
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: NA
Registration: None
Location: Library Lawn
Book Bedazzling invites readers of all ages to give their favorite book a sparkling, one‑of‑a‑kind makeover! Bedazzling is a craft where you decorate a book’s cover with tiny gems to create a personalized piece of bookish art. It’s simple, creative, and no experience is needed!
The library will provide beads, glue, and a selection of books that patrons are welcome to take and transform. Have a favorite book of your own you want to bedazzle? No problem! Patrons are encouraged to bring their own book to bedazzle as well (soft‑cover books work best), along with any extra decorations they’d like to add.
A $5 registration secures your spot and covers all provided supplies. Come ready to craft and sparkle!
Program Cost: $5 non-refundable fee
Program Age Requirement: Ages 10 and up
Registration: Yes, registration is required. Sign up a the front desk
Location: Blocher Room
Our Miniature Rooms program invites creators to design a tiny, detailed world tucked inside a small metal tin. In this relaxing, hands‑on craft program, participants choose from an assortment of miniature décor, like furniture, plants, books, artwork, and tiny objects, then arrange and assemble their own perfectly curated room!
Whether it becomes a cozy reading nook, an artist’s studio, or a plant‑filled retreat, each miniature room is a one‑of‑a‑kind creation, and we can’t wait to see what you make!
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: Ages 10+
Registration: Yes, registration is required. Sign up here: http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262&EventID=588711
Location: Blocher Room
Babytime is getting a fresh new look! Each week will feature a simple theme designed to engage little minds and support early development – from language and rhythm to movement, coordination, and sensory exploration. It’s the same warm, welcoming Babytime families love, now with a bit more structure to help our youngest learners grow.
The third week is Sensory Babytime. We will be playing with all different instruments from handheld bells, shaker eggs, rhythm sticks, to even a bongo drum for the first 15-20 minutes! From there, we will transition into the Playroom for some movements. Families with older children are more than welcome to bring them and they can play in the playroom!
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: 0-3 + caregivers
Registration: None
Location: Starting in the Picture Book Room, then moving into the Playroom
Looking to find a community of fellow readers, but intimidated by traditional book clubs? Put down your phone, pick up a book, and spend quality time with fellow book lovers – no homework or chit chat required!
Bring the book (and beverage) of your choice to the library for a quiet hour of reading in peace. (You can also choose a book from the library shelves!) We’ll have cozy blankets and comfortable seating for all attendees. Colored lanyards will be available for participants to wear, to help indicate who is down for some book chit chat and who is not. (Red lanyards = Please let me read in silence; Green lanyards = Let’s talk a little bit.)
Known as the introvert’s happy hour, NMPL’s Silent Book Club is the perfect place to retreat with your book for a designated hour of reading. This is the perfect activity for those whose social battery is low, but who still want company. Readers and introverts unite!
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: None
Registration: None
Location: NMPL Adult Department, by the computer area
Experience Encanto like never before as we bring this beloved film to life in an exciting interactive movie event for South America Week! This isn’t just any screening, this is a fully immersive celebration where YOU become part of the story.
At our Interactive Movie events, viewers don’t just watch the film – they participate! With hands‑on crafts, themed snacks, and engaging activities, you’ll step into the vibrant world of the Madrigal family as we explore Colombian culture through music, color, and magic.
Don’t miss this fun, noisy, and delightful experience as we continue our Summer Reading journey Around the World in 60 Days!
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: All ages
Registration: No
Location: Blocher Community Room
Dirty Diggers is NMPL’s hands‑on gardening program for kids, where young gardeners dig in (literally!) as they prep garden beds, plant veggies, herbs, and flowers, and learn how to care for a growing garden from seed to harvest. Each week brings a new theme and a new chance to explore the natural world right outside the library doors.
This week, we’re learning about worms and composting! Healthy soil helps us nourish herbs, fruits, vegetables and flowers from seedling to mature plant. Worms are the underground friends helping us keep our soil healthy. Come meet and feed the library worms, learn about vermicomposting, and spread compost on the library raised beds!
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: All ages
Sponsored by: Let’s Go Compost
Registration: None
Location: Library Lawn
Join us for A Taste of African Heritage, a seven‑week cooking series that invites kids to explore the vibrant flavors, traditions, and stories behind the African Heritage Diet Pyramid. Participants will sharpen their kitchen skills, learn about African cultures and traditions, and enjoy preparing and tasting traditional African foods.
The series is built on simple, brief recipes that allow children to safely work in the kitchen with adult supervision. Overall, the sessions demonstrate how to create an enjoyable, affordable, healthy way of eating that can be shared with family members. Kids will learn practical, replicable techniques, such as how to prepare various whole grains, how to experiment with herbs and spices, how to spice up beans, and more.
Because each week builds on the last, participants should plan to attend the full seven‑week series to get the most out of the experience. As they travel through A Children’s Taste of African Heritage, participants will find recipes, habits, and traditions to carry forward on their own journeys to good health!
Week 1: African Heritage
Week 2: Herbs & Spices
Week 3: Greens
Week 4: Whole Grains
Week 5: Beans & Rice
Week 6: Tubers & Mashes
Week 7: Fruits & Vegetables
Program Cost: Free
Program Age Requirements: 8 and up. Younger children are welcome to register if accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by: Oldways and the T-Mobile Hometown Grant.
Registration: Yes, registration is required. Sign up here: http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2262&EventID=587418
Location: Blocher Room