As part of our commitment to keep patrons safe and healthy, we are offering two exciting socially distant events next week!
Have you been enjoying our online Family Storytimes or Babies & Books Storytimes? Then we hope you’ll join us on Wednesday, July 15, for an Outdoor Storytime around our beautiful fountain! Our friends from both storytimes are invited to join us at 10 a.m. for fun stories, songs, and rhymes. Blankets for families to sit on will be laid out ahead of time and spaced apart to help us remain socially distant, but enjoy each other’s company.
We’ll also be having a special edition of our Teen Magic: The Gathering group on Thursday, July 16, beginning at 4 p.m. Teens can gather outside the main library to play this thrilling fantasy card game with friends! Never played before, or don’t have your own deck? No worries – our group can teach you how to play and will have decks to help you get started. We’ll be keeping this event safe and socially distant with extra wide table setups and limited players per table.
We hope we’ll see you at one of these fun events as we find ways to safely return to in-person programming!
Have you taken a moment to complete the Auburn 2040 Community Survey? Your answers can help shape the future of Auburn! Click here to share your thoughts.
Eckhart Public Library’s summer program, Read. Do. Explore, is in full swing with their fun theme, Imagine Your Story! Each day through July 25, participants can join us for fun virtual programs, hunts around Union Township, and chances at awesome grand prizes! To learn more or get started, visit epl.lib.in.us/rde
Events this week:
EckhartQuest – The adventurous minds of EPL bring you EckhartQuest: a fantasy-themed scavenger hunt throughout Union Township! Can you find all five elements hidden in our domain? Using a map, your curiosity, hints and riddles hidden in books, and your iron will, you will seek Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Pearl, and Opal elements hidden. What green groves, watery realms, shadowed haunts, or stoic plazas might you discover along the way? EckhartQuest brings together community partners to challenge your determination, knowledge, exploration, and skill! Visit epl.lib.in.us/eckhartquest to get started! All Summer Long, Union Township.
Babies & Books Storytime to Go Bags – This fun bag will contain manipulatives for our youngest library friends that will correspond with the folk tale storytime from last week This bag will feature an item from The Three Little Pigs story! Monday, June 8, Pick up begins at 9 a.m., Main Library.
Imagination to Go Bags – Imagination to Go bags for our youngest library friends will have all the necessary supplies for an activity or two tied to the fairytale or folk tale shared last week. Even if you can’t catch the video online, this is a fun way to get involved! This bag will feature an item from our Stone Soup story! Monday, June 8, Pick up begins at 9 a.m., Main Library.
Babies & Books Storytime – These storytime sessions are geared toward babies and toddlers 0-2 years and their caregivers. We will be retelling some familiar folk tales using the felt board and adding songs, rhymes, and movement activities to complete the storytime sessions. Today we’ll be telling the story of Jack and the Beanstalk! Wednesday, June 10, 10 a.m., Eckhart Public Library Facebook Page.
Learning STEAM, Wherever You Are – Explore the concepts of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics with Emma and Zach! We’ll meet each week to discuss a different aspect of STEAM, as well as an activity for you to do from home. This week’s theme is exploring the definition of technology (which isn’t just computers)! Wednesday, June 10, 4 p.m., Eckhart Public Library Facebook Page.
Imagine Your Storytime: a Family Storytime – Virtual storytimes for families, aimed at preschool and younger elementary children. Each week we will explore a new folk tale. Today, we’ll discuss the story of Little Red Hen! Wednesday, June 10, 7 p.m., Eckhart Public Library Facebook Page.
Kids in the Kitchen Online – An online activity kids and their families can do at home, with recipes provided in each video post. Today we’ll be making Fruit Piroshki from Russia. Thursday, June 11, 11 a.m., Eckhart Public Library Facebook Page.
Brews+Books Book Club – Love an interesting read, great company, and a refreshing beer? Be sure to join us at brews+books book club the second Thursday of each month from 6-7 p.m.. We’ll be discussing “The Year We Left Home” by Jean Thompson. Eckhart Public Library was chosen as a recipient for the One State/One Story Community Read program, which invites Hoosiers to read this book as part of the Indiana Humanities’ INseperable initiative. We’ll be discussing the real and perceived differences between rural, suburban, and urban areas, as well as what “home” really is. Thursday, June 11, 6 p.m., Eckhart Public Library Zoom Meeting (more information on Brews+Books Facebook Event Page).
While Eckhart Public Library is closed, we are committed to bring you fun programming right at home! Find us on Facebook to check out our growing virtual programming for all ages, including: Babies & Books Activities, Family Storytime, Learning STEAM, Kids in the Kitchen, and more! Click here to see all the digital programming we have to offer!
Our digital collections on Libby/Overdrive, Hoopla, and Kanopy are available to you 24/7 – all you need is your library card and your 4-digit PIN number to get started on any of these great apps! If you are having trouble getting logged in or need additional assistance, please email info@epl.lib.in.us
Eckhart Public Library is thrilled to officially be reopening to the public on Sunday, March 15, with an open house from 1-5 p.m. After this event, many library programs will be moving to the main library. Please make sure if you attend a library event that you check out below to see if your event has moved.
The Eckhart Public Library staff have dedicated the entire week of March 9-14 putting the finishing touches on the main library. Since the Willennar Genealogy Center has been such a high traffic building over the last few months, it will need a few extra days to get cleaned and reorganized! As such, only the Willennar Genealogy Center will be closed on Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17. They will reopen with their new hours on Wednesday, March 18. Thank you for your understanding as we make all our library locations the best they can be!
Beginning on the main library’s reopening date, March 15, through April 15, Eckhart Public Library will be offering a clean slate opportunity for library users. During this month, the library will forgive overdue fines and fees. To quality, items must have been checked out at an Eckhart Public Library location. Other fees, such as lost or postage fees, will not be eligible. If you have questions or would like to know more, please stop by any Eckhart Public Library location and ask us for a clean slate!
Weekly Events
Clean Slate Program: For one month, Eckhart Public Library will be offering a clean slate opportunity for library users. During this month, the library will forgive overdue fines and fees. To quality, items must have been checked out at an Eckhart Public Library location. If you have questions or would like to know more, please stop by any Eckhart Public Library location and ask us for a clean slate! March 15-April 15, All Eckhart Public Library Locations.
Historic Main Library Reopens: Eckhart Public Library will reopen its historic landmark building starting on March 15. Parking will be available at McKenney Harrison Elementary School and Auburn First Presbyterian Church. The event will be sponsored by the Eckhart Library Foundation. Sunday, March 15, 1-5 p.m., Main Library.
Eckhart Envoys Homeschool Program: Every Monday morning, take part in this opportunity for homeschool students in grade school or middle school to learn about countries and cultures from around the world. Monday, March 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Main Library Children’s Activity Room.
Learning STEAM Through LEGOS: Explore science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM), and interact with your peers during Learning STEAM Through LEGOs! Monday, March 16, 1-2 p.m., Main Library Children’s Activity Room.
Friends of Eckhart Public Library Annual Meeting: The Friends of the Eckhart Public Library will hold its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 17. Yearly business will be presented, followed by a program by Chuck Knox on the Eckhart Public Library’s renovation and restoration. Tuesday, March 17, 6:30-8 p.m., Main Library Assembly Room.
Babies and Books – A Little Listeners Storytime: Babies and Books, one of Eckhart Public Library’s Little Listeners Storytimes, is a fantastic opportunity for our youngest library friends to access a world of creativity and discovery. Together, we’ll explore new themes and ideas through reading, play, creating, and more to help each child learn and grow, encourage early literacy skills, and engage with peers. Babies and Books is aimed for children ages 0-2 years, but please come to whichever storytime best fits your schedule and child! No registration necessary. Wednesday, March 18, 10-10:30 a.m., Main Library Secret Garden.
Classic City Readers: Join us as we dive into a new book coupled with conversation and ideas. Classic City Readers will be reading a diverse variety of titles and topics on our journey through books. We’ll be discussing “Commonwealth” by Ann Patchett. Wednesday, March 18, 12-1 p.m., Main Library Close Community Room.
LEGO Club: Explore science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) and interact with your peers at LEGO Club! Wednesday, March 18, 4-5 p.m., Main Library Children’s Activity Room.
Family Storytime – A Little Listeners Storytime: Family Storytime, one of Eckhart Public Library’s Little Listeners Storytimes, is a fantastic opportunity for children of all ages to access a world of creativity and discovery. Together, we’ll explore new themes and ideas through reading, play, creating, and more to help each child learn and grow, encourage early literacy skills, and engage with peers. Family Storytime is open to all ages, but please come to the storytime that best fits your schedule and child. We also offer Babies and Books (aimed for ages 0-2 years) and Story Explorers (aimed for ages 2-6). No registration necessary. Wednesday, March 18, 6:30-7 p.m., Main Library Secret Garden.
Creative Writing Group: All writers, no matter what genre, are encouraged to attend. Group members share their writing and participate in writing exercises. This group is for adults 18 and up. Wednesday March 18, 6:30-7:45 p.m., Main Library Close Community Room.
Story Explorers – A Little Listeners Storytime: Story Explorers, one of Eckhart Public Library’s Little Listeners Storytimes, is a fantastic opportunity for our growing and learning library friends to access a world of creativity and discovery before heading to preschool. Together, we’ll explore new themes and ideas through reading, play, creativing, and more to help each child learn and grow, encourage early literacy skills, and engage with peers. Story Explorers is aimed for children ages 2-6 years, but please come to whichever storytime best fits your schedule and child! No registration necessary. Thursday, March 19, 10-10:30 a.m., Main Library Secret Garden.
Knifty Knitters: Beginning and experienced knitters and crocheters welcome. Struggling with a problem pattern? Help is available from this group. Thursday, March 19, 6-7:45 p.m., Main Library Close Community Room.
Teen Magic The Gathering Club: Teens are invited to join a Magic: The Gathering Club each Friday at the Teen Library. Participants, both beginners and experts alike, are invited to play, learn, and discuss this exciting card game! Most games are played in Commander format, but Standard games are also played as well. Don’t have any Magic cards? No worries; we have some decks you can borrow while at the club so you can learn! There will also be a Cube Draft (a special format to create random decks) on the first Friday of each month, so hopeful players are encouraged to stop by a little earlier! We hope to see you there with your creatures, spells, and lands! Friday, March 20, 5-7 p.m., Teen Library.
