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Activities

1000 Books Before Kindergarten (Youth)

The goal is to read 1,000 books before your child starts kindergarten. Visit the youth area anytime to pick up a booklet and get started. This is a work at your own pace program. Prizes will be awarded when you reach 500 and 1,000 books.
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Alphabet Adventures (Youth)

Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and more featuring the letter of the week in this new interactive program. You are welcome to bring an item starting with the week’s special letter!
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Arts & Crafts for Adults (Adult)

Explore your creative side each month with a different craft project. Bring your imagination and we will supply the rest. We are offering both in-person and take-home sessions for this program — so choose the right option for you when you register!
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Brown Bag History Series (Adult)

You are invited to the continuing "Brown Bag" series, hosted by the library, in partnership with the UNK History Department. Feel free to bring your lunch with you. Snacks and beverages are provided.
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Build, Connect, Create (Youth)

Let your imagination run wild as you build with our collection of STEM toys, including KEVA Planks, Straws & Connectors, Snap Circuits, Magna-Tiles, and much more!
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Card Crafting (Adult)

You're invited to a session of creative greeting card crafting. We are offering both in-person and take-home sessions for this program - so choose the right option for you when you register! Limited to 25 participants per session.
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Card Crafting: Healthcare Heroes (Youth, Teen, Adult, Family)

Show your appreciation and gratitude by creating handmade cards for healthcare workers in our community. Register to participate in our in-person program or register for our take & make kits that contain card-making supplies.
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Crafternoon (Youth)

Listen to Miss Shawna read a story and then learn how to create a craft based on the book. We are offering both in-person and take-home sessions for this program - so choose the right option for you when you register!
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Explore the Makerspace (Adult)

Come explore the Makerspace! Each month we will have a new introductory project that highlights the creative possibilities of different machines in the space. One staff-led demonstration session will introduce each project.
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Find Flurry (Youth)

Each day from December 1–15, youth are invited to come to the library and find Flurry the Snowman! Flurry will be somewhere different each day in our youth area. Using an entry form, list where Flurry is hiding the day of your visit.
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Food for Fines (Youth, Teen, Adult, Family)

Pay your overdue fees and help your community at the same time! For each non-perishable food item you bring in, we waive $1.00 in library fines from your account.
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  • Session Day(s) Times Location Age

Genealogy Quest (Adult)

If you love digging into your ancestral past, this is the study hall for you! Use the library's resources to help you in your quest. Come search with us!
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Get Crafty: Bats! (Youth)

We’re just batty about Halloween! Create two fun bat crafts to prepare for Halloween. We will be making paper straw bats and a tiny bat using a mini candy bar.
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Get Crafty: Cat Grass Growing Kit (Youth)

Organic cat grass kits are easy to grow and packed full of nutrition for your pet. Decorate your mug to look like a cat face, add soil, water, and seeds. The grass is so "meowth"-watering, your cats will leave your other plants alone!
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Get Crafty: Rudolph Ornaments (Youth)

Everyone loves Rudolph! Using glitter paper and a wood slice, we'll create a cute ornament for your tree! Once you pick up your kit, you can watch the instructional video to get started. When done, keep the project for yourself or give it as a gift!
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Intro to Digital Newspapers (Teen, Adult)

Learn how to access the library's digital newspaper collections! Join us on Zoom to get a basic introduction to the Historic Kearney Hubs, the Hubs in our NewBank collections, and the Access World News collection.
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Intro to Financial Ratings Series Database (Adult)

Paige Grillo from Weiss Financial Ratings will provide an overview, teach us how to create an account, set up a watchlist for your bank, insurance company, stocks and mutual funds, how to create research tools (screeners), and run a Medigap report.
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Jeff Barnes (Teen, Adult)

Jeff Barnes will present "Marking Nebraska: Our (Mostly) Hidden Historical Monuments." Enjoy this armchair tour of some of Nebraska's most interesting historical markers in this free event!
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Jerry Barlow in Concert (Teen, Adult)

We are pleased to welcome acclaimed Celtic guitarist and storyteller Jerry Barlow for a special concert. His repertoire is composed of traditional music from the British Isles and his own original Celtic-inspired compositions.
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Knot Just Knitting (Youth, Teen, Adult)

Love to knit, crochet, cross-stitch, or create other fiber arts? This is the group for you! Drop-in for fun, friends, and fiber! Registration is not required.
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Legos at the Library (Youth)

Come for some brick-snappin' fun! Design and build your own creations. The library will supply the legos.
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One Author Kearney (Adult, Teen)

Kearney Public Library Foundation and Kearney Public Library proudly present an evening with author Anne Hillerman. Join us for an evening of conversation and readings. A book signing will follow the presentation.
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  • Session Day(s) Times Location Age

Open Book Club (Adult)

The "Open Book Club" is library-sponsored and open to anyone ages 18+. Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday each month starting at 6:30 pm. We meet via Zoom until in-person meetings resume in September. We welcome everyone who is interested!
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Paws to Read (Youth)

Youth ages 3-13 can practice their reading by reading aloud to a dog! Registered Therapy Animals and their handlers will be listening to youth read. Read five books/chapters to the team and earn a prize!
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Preschool Storytime (Youth)

Come enjoy stories geared for ages 3-6. Registration is not required for this event, just come prepared for fun! Parents do not need to sit in on storytime but are welcome. Please stay in the building.
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Pub Quiz @ Cunningham's Journal (Adult)

Meet us in the upstairs area of Cunningham's Journal (15 W. 23rd St) and play our trivia game! Teams of one to six people will answer 30 trivia questions in one hour. The answers will be revealed in the second hour.
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Studio KPL (Adult)

Sign up today for a creative art workshop featuring an in-depth special project. Class size is limited to 20 participants age 18+. The session has a $10.00 fee. Registration required.
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Program Fee$10.00

Teen DIY: Boho Ombre Wallhanging (Teen)

This boho ombre wallhanging is just what you need to put the finishing touch on your favorite room! We are offering both in-person and take-home sessions for this program — so choose the right option for you when you register. For ages 12-18.
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Teen DIY: Cricut Mug Press! (Teen)

Try our Cricut Mug Press! Make the mug of your dreams…it’s fun and easy to use, with awesome results! Create your design, attach it to your mug, insert the mug into the press and let the press do the rest.
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Teen DIY: String Art Christmas Trees! (Teen)

Create a tabletop string art Christmas Tree using wood, nails, and string. It’s quite relaxing! Once you pick up your kit, you can watch the instructional video to get started. When done, keep the project for yourself or give it as a gift!
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Teen: Halloween Break-In Bags (Teen)

Think “escape room” except instead of trying to break out, you’re trying to break in! Solve three puzzles to find the numeric code that will open the lock on your bag so you can enjoy the Halloween treats locked inside!
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Teen: Ornament Guessing Jar (Teen)

Each day beginning Wednesday, December 1, and ending Wednesday, December 15, teens can try to guess the number of ornaments in the guessing jar. We will be giving away five $10 Target gift cards to the closest guesses. One entry, per day, per teen.
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Teen: Worst Candy Taste Test! (Teen)

Today we are going to taste test some of the worst candy! Like…black licorice. Or…circus peanuts! Ick! Does anyone really like this stuff? Come give it a try! Maybe, just maybe, you will find a new favorite candy! (food allergy warning)
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Tinker Tots (Youth)

Join us for a hands-on STEM program designed especially for you and your preschooler. Help your child develop important math, science, and learning readiness skills while having fun! An adult caregiver must remain with the participating child.
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Toddler Storytime (Youth)

This is a lap-sit program for youth and a caregiver to enjoy together. No registration is necessary, just be ready for fun! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Trick or Treat on the Bricks (Youth, Teen, Family)

Make the library a stop on your downtown trick or treating route and take home a treat! Register to win a Halloween book and take a chance at our guessing jar. The closest guess wins the contents! Then try our toss game for a treat!
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Trick or Treat Storytime (Youth)

Come dressed up in your costume for storytime this week! After listening to a couple of stories, we will parade through the library collecting treats from the librarians!
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Virtual Storytime (Youth)

Join us for storytime! Every Thursday at 10:30 am we will release a new virtual storytime with Miss Shawna and her library friends. You can watch whenever you want on our webpage, Facebook, or on our YouTube channel. Get ready for fun!
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Watercolor Wednesday (Adult)

Get your creative juices flowing in this watercolor class. Each month we'll brush up on our watercolor skills working with different themes. Registration required.
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Winter Reading Challenge (Youth, Teen)

Looking for something to do while it's cold outside? Try our Winter Reading Challenge! Complete five activities for a chance to win one of ten prizes. Forms are available in the Youth and Teen departments or can be found on our website.
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Writer's Block (Adult)

An informal writing group that meets twice a month. No experience necessary. Snacks and beverages are provided.
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Writing Workshop: Anne Hillerman (Adult)

Anne Hillerman, a New York Times Bestselling author, will lead a writing workshop for aspiring writers and fans of her work. Here is your opportunity to spend the afternoon with a master storyteller on the art of writing.
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  • Session Day(s) Times Location Age Participants
Workshop Fee$20.00

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