The Library

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Programs inside the library branches have been curtailed to help minimize the impact of the coronavirus, so we're sending programs to you—virtually. Check out the Library's Virtual Programs page for details. This fall, the library is hosting both in-person and virtual programs.

Masks will be required at all in-person events.

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Tuesday, October 19, 2021

• Stories in the Park
  Offsite J.R. Martin Park, 300 E. Hines Street, Republic
  10 a.m. for infants-age 6
  Gather ‘round for a storytime in the park! Join your favorite children’s librarians for a weekly, outdoor storytime featuring stories, songs and activities. Meet at The Amp, we'll move to the pavilion in case of rain. Provided in partnership with the Republic Parks and Rec Department.
• Stories in the Park
  Offsite Jackson Street Park, 222 W. Jackson St., Willard
  10:30 a.m. for all ages
  Join your favorite librarians for a storytime near you!
• Ash Grove Bibliophiles
  Ash Grove community room
  1:30 p.m. for adults
  
  "1984" by George Orwell.
• Business Model Canvas and the Value Proposition for Strategic Planning
  The Library Center meeting rooms A and B
  7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. for adults
  A strong business model is a roadmap for your venture. It provides the business case that you need when meeting with investors and other experts, contributes to your long-term success and helps you avoid costly mistakes for your business. Learn about the Lean Canvas approach to creating a business model, including how to describe your business, ideal customers, product attributes, marketing and value proposition. This quick method of attacking business development will save you time and help you focus on critical assumptions. Hosted by Southwest Missouri SCORE. Visit the link below or call to register. Registration starts September 28; call 417-883-1974.
  Go to program page

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

• Exploring Genealogy
  10 a.m. for adults
  This event is offered in-person and virtually. Click on the link below to access the virtual event on the OGS Facebook page, facebook.com/ozarksgs. Sponsored by Ozarks Genealogical Society.
  • Library Center auditorium
    How DNA Clusters Can Help Your Genealogical Research. Patricia B. Coleman, PhD, describes what DNA clustering is, elements of a cluster and the various types of cluster analyses and their uses. She will also share examples of using clusters and their applications to research.
  • Virtual
    Go to program page
• Stories in the Park
  Offsite Ash Grove City Park, 300 W. Parkway St.
  10:30 a.m. for all ages
  Join your favorite librarians for a storytime near you!
• Virtual Brown Bag Travelogue
  Virtual
  noon for adults
  Sit back, relax and explore a new place from the comfort of your own home. A new video featuring a different adventure will be posted to the Library's YouTube channel, youtube.com/SpringfieldGreene, on the third Wednesday of each month.
  Cycling in Oxford. Substitute Library Assistant Tod Jackson spent two weeks on a cycling holiday in Oxfordshire, England, exploring Oxford, the surrounding countryside, local culture and world famous attractions such as the Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology.
  Go to program page

Friday, October 22, 2021

• Storytime at Doling Park
  Offsite Doling Park, 301 E. Talmage St.
  10 a.m. for infants-age 6 with an adult caregiver
  Gather ‘round for a storytime in the park! Join your favorite children’s librarians from the Library Station for a weekly, outdoor storytime featuring stories, songs and activities. Meet in the large pavilion located behind the Family Center near the playground. Provided in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

Saturday, October 23, 2021

• Harry Potter Yoga
  Offsite Ward Downtown YMCA, 417 S. Jefferson Ave.
  10:15 a.m. for grade 6-adults
  Wands at the ready! Ignite your patronus with this playful, Potter-themed yoga series. In partnership with the Ward Downtown YMCA, yoga instructor Amanda Davis will lead this free three-session class to help you build your flexibility, strength and mindfulness. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring their own yoga mat. Register once for the series. Registration starts October 1; call 417-831-1342.
• Houseplants How-To
  Midtown Carnegie upstairs meeting room
  1 p.m. for adults
  Learn how to harvest, propagate and display your houseplant cuttings.
  Plant Swap. Grow your indoor jungle! Bring one or more of your own houseplants, succulent or cactus plants or cuttings to swap with your neighbors. Remember to bring small containers or jars to carry your new plant pups home.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

• Stories in the Park
  Offsite J.R. Martin Park, 300 E. Hines Street, Republic
  10 a.m. for infants-age 6
  Gather ‘round for a storytime in the park! Join your favorite children’s librarians for a weekly, outdoor storytime featuring stories, songs and activities. Meet at The Amp, we'll move to the pavilion in case of rain. Provided in partnership with the Republic Parks and Rec Department.
• Stories in the Park
  Offsite Jackson Street Park, 222 W. Jackson St., Willard
  10:30 a.m. for all ages
  Join your favorite librarians for a storytime near you!
• Chainsaw Hearts: Chatting with Stephen Graham Jones
  The Library Center auditorium
  7 p.m. for adults
  New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones' "My Heart Is a Chainsaw" is both an ode to slasher flicks and a harrowing coming-of-age story about revenge and redemption. Jones will discuss his love for the horror genre, the way history haunts the present and how horrors can forge a heart as powerful as a chainsaw. Books will be available for sale and signing. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. An "Oh, the Horror!" event.
• Grow Your Business Through Google Tools
  The Library Center meeting rooms A and B
  7 p.m. for adults
  Join former Library staffer Krissy Sinor as we explore the free Google resources available for small businesses and start-ups. Tools like Google Workspace and Google My Business can help business owners make the most of their own time and resources. Hosted by Southwest Missouri SCORE. Visit the link below or call to register. Registration starts October 5; call 417-883-1974.
  Go to program page

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

• Stories in the Park
  Offsite Living Memorial Park, 4323 S. Nature Center Way
  6:30 p.m. for all ages
  Fall is the perfect time for Stories in the Park! Wind down your evening with park play, stories, music, movement and a take-home activity. Sack suppers and snacks are welcome. Provided in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

• SCORE E3 Business Book Club
  Virtual
  noon for adults
  E3 stands for Empowering and Educating Entrepreneurs. Join Southwest Missouri SCORE and The Library for a book club to inspire and motivate your work life, whatever it looks like. Discussion happens all month at facebook.com/groups/scoree3bookclub, with a live virtual discussion via Zoom near the end of the month. Register for the live discussion by clicking below; a link to the virtual event will be shared with registered participants.
  "Why Startups Fail: A New Roadmap for Entrepreneurial Success" by Tom Eisenmann. Registration starts September 30.
  Go to program page
• Afternoon Book Discussion
  The Library Station Santa Fe Room
  1:30 p.m. for adults
  
  "The Ghost Variations" by Kevin Brockmeier.

Friday, October 29, 2021

• Storytime at Doling Park
  Offsite Doling Park, 301 E. Talmage St.
  10 a.m. for infants-age 6 with an adult caregiver
  Gather ‘round for a storytime in the park! Join your favorite children’s librarians from the Library Station for a weekly, outdoor storytime featuring stories, songs and activities. Meet in the large pavilion located behind the Family Center near the playground. Provided in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
• "Scream" at The Moxie
  Offsite Moxie Cinema, 305 S. Campbell Ave. #101
  8 p.m. for adults
  A subversive sendup to the slasher subgenre, Wes Craven's "Scream," rated R, was credited with revitalizing the horror genre in the 1990s and spawned a series of sequels that follow final girl Sidney Prescott. Experience the terrifying classic on the big screen during this special free presentation. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. An "Oh, the Horror!" event.

Saturday, October 30, 2021

• Zoom Into Storytime
  Virtual
  10 a.m. for preschool-grade 2
  Join us for some very special virtual storytimes via Zoom for kids in preschool-grade 2. These interactive events encourage singing, dancing and some show-and-tell to keep little ones fully engaged with the storytime provider and each other. Registration for these Zoom storytimes must be made by a parent or guardian by emailing and providing their library card number. A link and a password to access the virtual event will be shared with registered participants.
  Halloween Costume Party! Show off your costumes, do the Monster Mash and read a spooky story. Parents and guardians will have a chance to turn on their cameras for kids to share their costumes. Registrations accepted October 15-October 30; email imagine@thelibrary.org.
• Harry Potter Yoga
  Offsite Ward Downtown YMCA, 417 S. Jefferson Ave.
  10:15 a.m. for grade 6-adults
  Wands at the ready! Ignite your patronus with this playful, Potter-themed yoga series. In partnership with the Ward Downtown YMCA, yoga instructor Amanda Davis will lead this free three-session class to help you build your flexibility, strength and mindfulness. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring their own yoga mat. Register once for the series. Registration starts October 1; call 417-831-1342.

Monday, November 1, 2021

• A Buddhist Path Through Grief and Loss
  6 p.m. for adults
  Buddhists have applied the Buddha's teachings to their encounters of dying and death for millennia, charting many compassionate and wise paths through the experiences of grief and loss. David Ketchum and members of the Dinh Quang Buddhist Temple will introduce some of the Buddha's teachings, share stories of how Buddhist practices have aided their own journeys, and demonstrate a traditional Vietnamese service for honoring loved ones who have passed away. Q&A will follow the presentation. This event is offered in person and virtually; registration is required to attend virtually. Register at the link below; a link to the event will be shared with registered participants. A Death & Dying event.
  • Library Center auditorium
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 18.
    Go to program page
• Exploring Genealogy
  Virtual
  7 p.m. for adults
  Click on the link below to access the virtual event on the OGS Facebook page, facebook.com/ozarksgs. Sponsored by Ozarks Genealogical Society.
  Preserving Your Ancestor's Textiles and Handmade Treasures. Heirloom textiles and handmade items need special care and consideration when it comes to preservation and storage. Melissa Barker, Houston County, Tennessee, archivist, shares the best practices for preserving your ancestor's textiles and handmade items .
  Go to program page

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

• On Angels' Wings
  6 p.m. for adults
  Giving birth can be such a joyous occasion, but nothing can prepare us for the death of a child. Michelle Cramer, founder and president of On Angels’ Wings, will discuss what her organization can offer to grieving families, and how we can help provide the support they need. Michelle will share stories from families she has worked with as well as her own experiences with bereavement and grief recovery. This event is offered in person and virtually; registration is required to attend virtually. Register at the link below; a link to the event will be shared with registered participants. A Death & Dying event.
  • Library Center auditorium
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 20.
    Go to program page

Thursday, November 4, 2021

• Reading Pals
  Republic community room
  4:30 p.m. for grades K-5
  Our friends from Pet Therapy of the Ozarks need your help – they love a good story but can't read. Practice your reading skills with these furry, loveable friends.
• Ask a Mortician: Live with Caitlin Doughty
  6 p.m. for adults
  Our favorite death acceptance advocate, best-selling author Caitlin Doughty ("Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "From Here to Eternity," "Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?"), returns to Springfield for a live session of her immensely popular YouTube series, "Ask a Mortician." Take your death education to a new level during this opportunity to ask Caitlin anything you want to know about death and dying. All questions must be submitted in advance for this facilitated Q&A. A link to submit your questions will be provided with your registration confirmation. Deadline to submit questions is October 25. Books will be available for purchase and signing. This event will be offered virtually and in person, with masking required and limited seating; registration is required for either option by clicking below. A link to the virtual event will be shared with registered participants. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the seated event at Relics; your confirmation is your ticket to the event. Please print it and bring it with you or show the confirmation on your EventBrite app. A Death & Dying event.
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 4.
    Go to program page
  • Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield Road, Suite E
    Registration starts October 4.
    Go to program page

Friday, November 5, 2021

• First Friday Art Walk
  Park Central
  6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. for adults
  Join us for First Friday Art Walk, including an art talk and the opening of a new exhibit.
  Whitney Mosley, a Missouri State University graduate with an undergraduate certificate in museum studies and degree in art history with a museum studies minor, presents "Portrayals of Power: An Examination of Isabella d'Este's Portraiture." On display: Paintings by Nancy Dornan.

Saturday, November 6, 2021

• Graphic Novel Book Discussion
  The Library Station Santa Fe Room
  10 a.m. for adults
  Whether you are new to graphic novels or a longtime fan, join our graphic novel book discussion for a chance to chat with others and discover a new favorite!
  "Lighter Than My Shadow" by Katie Green.
• FilmStubs
  Virtual
  2 p.m. for adults
  Both novice and seasoned cinephiles are welcome to join our virtual discussion of the monthly cult-classic film selection. Films are available to watch for free with your library card on Hoopla at thelibrary.org/digital, or find a DVD copy at thelibrary.org/catalog. Register by clicking below; a link to the virtual event will be shared with registered participants.
  "Rubber," rated R. Registration starts October 23.
  Go to program page
• Tombstone Bootcamp
  2 p.m. for adults
  You can gather a lot of knowledge from viewing tombstones in a cemetery, but that information isn’t always clear. Cemetery expert and author Abby Burnett will share tips for extracting data from grave markers including dealing with archaic language and misleading symbolism, using light (and other non-invasive methods) to read an inscription, and proper cleaning techniques. This event is offered in person and virtually; registration is required to attend virtually. Register at the link below; a link to the event will be shared with registered participants. A Death & Dying event.
  • Library Center auditorium
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 23.
    Go to program page
• Gone to the Grave
  3 p.m. for adults
  Historian Abby Burnett, author of "Gone to the Grave: Burial Customs of the Arkansas Ozarks, 1850-1950," will share stories about burial rituals and funeral customs in the Ozarks before the advent of the professional death-care industry. Books will be available for purchase and signing. This event is offered in person and virtually; registration is required to attend virtually. Register at the link below; a link to the event will be shared with registered participants. A Death & Dying event.
  • Library Center auditorium
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 23.
    Go to program page

Sunday, November 7, 2021

• Hazelwood Cemetery Tour
  Offsite Hazelwood Cemetery, 1642 E. Seminole St
  2 p.m. for adults
  Enjoy an afternoon stroll through one of Springfield’s oldest and most beautiful burial grounds, Hazelwood Cemetery, while learning about its history, landmarks, tombstone symbolism and the notable and notorious men and women who rest there. Meet inside the entrance on Seminole Street. Limited to 20 participants. A Death & Dying event. Registration starts October 24; email sarahr@thelibrary.org.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

• Flying Needles
  Ash Grove
  1:30 p.m. for adults
  Bring your knitting and crochet projects and join other fiber artists on the second Tuesday of every month. Work on your current projects, share patterns and ideas, and check out our knitting and crochet resources. All levels of experience are welcome.
• Mystery Book Club
  Midtown Carnegie upstairs meeting room
  1:30 p.m. for adults
  Join us to discuss all manner of mystery from current to classic, cozy to thriller, series and standalone.
  "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley.
• Green Burial Basics
  6 p.m. for adults
  In our pursuit of sustainable and eco-friendly lives, it is easy to overlook the impact that traditional burials have on the environment. Join Library staff member Krissy Sinor in a discussion of what constitutes a green burial and what options are available locally for those who are interested in going (out) green. This event is offered in person and virtually; registration is required to attend virtually. Register at the link below; a link to the event will be shared with registered participants. A Death & Dying event.
  • Library Center auditorium
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 26.
    Go to program page
• Minimalist Time Management for Sole Proprietors
  The Library Center meeting rooms A and B
  7 p.m. for adults
  Sole proprietors wear all the hats in their business. Amity Farr of Simple Fly Life will offer strategies to help you focus on your most important tasks, implement a focused plan of action and achieve the results you desire. Learn to avoid time pitfalls, ascertain what your most important tasks are and implement a plan to pursue those tasks. Hosted by Southwest Missouri SCORE. Visit the link below or call to register. Registration starts October 19; call 417-883-1974.
  Go to program page

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

• Book Discussion
  The Library Center meeting room B
  1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. for adults
  
  "The Night Tiger" by Yangsze Choo.
• "Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?" Resources to Help You Pass on Personal Possessions
  6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. for adults
  Dealing with a loved one's possessions following their death can be a quandary for family members. Who gets what? What should you do with the items no one wants? There are practical solutions that will help avoid conflicts and ensure treasured items are placed into the hands you intended. Amber Allen, field specialist in Human Development & Family Science with the University of Missouri Extension, will discuss recommendations and resources outlined in the book, "Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?" from the University of Minnesota Extension. Attendees will also receive a free copy of the book. This event is offered in person and virtually; registration is required for either option. A link to the virtual event will be shared with registered participants. A Death & Dying event.
  • Library Center auditorium
    Registration starts October 27; email sarahr@thelibrary.org.
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 27.
    Go to program page

Saturday, November 13, 2021

• Zoom Into Storytime
  Virtual
  10 a.m. for preschool-grade 2
  Join us for some very special virtual storytimes via Zoom for kids in preschool-grade 2. These interactive events encourage singing, dancing and some show-and-tell to keep little ones fully engaged with the storytime provider and each other. Registration for these Zoom storytimes must be made by a parent or guardian by emailing and providing their library card number. A link and a password to access the virtual event will be shared with registered participants.
  DiNovember Storytime! Join Republic Branch youth staffers Iggi & Amanda for a storytime filled with prehistoric fun! We’ll read dinosaur stories together along with fun rhymes and dinosaur dancing. Parents and guardians will have a chance to turn on their cameras for kids to share what their favorite dinosaur is. Registrations accepted October 29-November 13; email imagine@thelibrary.org.
• Houseplants How-To
  Midtown Carnegie upstairs meeting room
  1 p.m. for adults
  Learn how to harvest, propagate and display your houseplant cuttings.
  Plant Hanger Macrame. Bring an old T-shirt and a favorite small planter (or use ours) to create a macra-mazing plant hanger for your home or to give as a gift.
• Changes and Challenges in Funeral Folkways During Plagues and Pandemics
  2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. for adults
  Using history, anthropology and future studies, Jon Shafer, humanities scholar, chaplain and board member of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City, will discuss the public health crises, past, present and future, arising from plagues and pandemics. He’ll also lead a discussion with the audience on changes, desired and despised, in funeral rituals and ways of facing death. This event is offered in person and virtually; registration is required to attend virtually. Register at the link below; a link to the event will be shared with registered participants. A Death & Dying event.
  • Library Center auditorium
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 30.
    Go to program page
• Forensic Files: Real Life in the Medical Examiner’s Office
  4 p.m. for adults
  Chief Forensic Investigator Tom Van De Berg will share a behind-the-scenes look at the Greene County Medical Examiner’s Office and discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic affected work at the ME’s office. This event is offered in person and virtually; registration is required to attend virtually. Register at the link below; a link to the event will be shared with registered participants. A Death & Dying event.
  • Library Center auditorium
  • Virtual
    Registration starts October 30.
    Go to program page

Sunday, November 14, 2021

• Death Café of the Ozarks
  The Library Center auditorium
  2 p.m.-4 p.m. for adults
  Having open, honest discussions about death and dying can help alleviate our fears, make educated decisions and remind us to live life to the fullest. We’ll wrap up the Death & Dying series with casual conversations about death-related topics of interest in a safe, judgment-free environment. Refreshments will be provided. A Death & Dying event.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

• Ash Grove Bibliophiles
  Ash Grove community room
  1:30 p.m. for adults
  
  "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

• Exploring Genealogy
  10 a.m. for adults
  This event is offered in-person and virtually. Click on the link below to access the virtual event on the OGS Facebook page, facebook.com/ozarksgs. Sponsored by Ozarks Genealogical Society.
  • Library Center auditorium
    Hidden Internet Resources for Genealogical Research. OGS member John Rosenhammer shares some unexpected places on the internet to discover more information to expand your genealogical history .
  • Virtual
    Go to program page
• Virtual Brown Bag Travelogue
  Virtual
  noon for adults
  Sit back, relax and explore a new place from the comfort of your own home. A new video featuring a different adventure will be posted to the Library's YouTube channel, youtube.com/SpringfieldGreene, on the third Wednesday of each month.
  Galveston Then & Now. Library staffer Krissy Sinor shares a special family trip to Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula. Explore the history of the area and see how revolutions, pirates and hurricanes contributed to Galveston as it is today.

Thursday, November 18, 2021

• Afternoon Book Discussion
  The Library Station Santa Fe Room
  1:30 p.m. for adults
  
  "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" by Kim Michele Richardson.

Sunday, November 21, 2021

• A Symphony in the Stacks
  The Library Center
  1:30 p.m. for adults
  The Springfield Symphony Orchestra will perform Camille Saint-Saëns's "The Carnival of the Animals" live, on the Library Center main floor. This family concert with instruments representing various animals will be narrated by Grant Pickett. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Call 417-882-0714.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

• SCORE E3 Business Book Club
  Virtual
  noon for adults
  E3 stands for Empowering and Educating Entrepreneurs. Join Southwest Missouri SCORE and The Library for a book club to inspire and motivate your work life, whatever it looks like. Discussion happens all month at facebook.com/groups/scoree3bookclub, with a live virtual discussion via Zoom near the end of the month. Register for the live discussion by clicking below; a link to the virtual event will be shared with registered participants.
  "Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust & Connection, No Matter the Distance" by Erica Dhawan. Registration starts October 28.
  Go to program page

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Use the Browse Programs links to view more programs.

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