Reading isn’t the only thing going on at the library. From gun-slinging preachers to swooping owls, your library provides lively and educational events and classes. From birth to car keys to bifocals, there’s always something for everyone happening here at your library.
Have an idea for a program you would like to see? Fill out the programming suggestion form.
On January 18th, 2012 the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library hosted a Senior Information Fair. Our goal was to inform older adults and their family members in our community about the variety of local services and businesses that cater to the needs of aging populations. The 250 attendees explored booths that focused on numerous topics ranging from health, nutrition, veterans’ benefits, legal, finance, volunteering, realty, tax assistance, athletics, and in-home care to maintain one’s independence.
If you missed the fair, you can still check out the list of exhibitors below and see what products, services, and information they offered to the attendees.
More than 300 individuals each month use the library to sharpen or to learn computer skills. For Kay Coward and her husband, Terry, it’s a little bit from column A and a little bit from column B. Kay has been using a computer for years, but her husband has not. The couple was motivated to [...]
Eight state championships, a 79-game winning streak, an .825 winning percentage, and over 300 career wins. Amazingly, these aren’t the most important things Coach Roger Barta has brought to the football program at Smith Center High School in Smith Center, Kan. His philosophy – of always putting forth your best effort, striving to improve every [...]
Judy Blume’s, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, from the Fudge series, is the book upon which our next Read the Book, See the Show event is based. The Fudge series is a favorite with young readers. But even if you’re family isn’t familiar with it, bring the kids in to our event Feb 1 [...]
Join author Patsy Redden on Tuesday, January 24, 7-8pm in the Library’s Marvin Auditorium (101B) for a lively program about Kansas History. The true story of the life of Russell Scott Osborn, Civil War soldier, stonemason, Congregational minister, and Populist Party leader who was elected Kansas Secretary of State, therefore becoming an integral part of the [...]
In this edition of ConnectNow magazine, read up on what’s happening at your library in February and March. Flip through the pages to find a schedule of events and classes the library offers in those months. Find some new gardening books to check out Learn how the library’s helping pre-readers and find out about an [...]
Join author Eleanor Liu in the Topeka Room (204) on Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 2-3pm as she talks about her biography, The Red Thread, and her new children’s book Lao Li and His Beancurd which was illustrated by her granddaughter Melisande Liu. The Red Thread recounts events and circumstances that shaped and determined the course [...]
The Senior Information Fair offers a one-stop-shopping experience for older adults and their caregivers who want to learn more about what the library and the community has to offer senior citizens. The Senior Information Fair, Jan. 18 from 10am-2pm, is a perfect time to ask about how we can bring the library to you. Our [...]
Keeping morale up was critical: the music speaks of hope, of dancing, of forgetting the dangers the world was in.
Sunday, December 11, 3:00–5:00 pm join over 30 local and regional poets as they share poems, stories and passions relating to our inspiring state.
Enjoy a the enchanting and delicate sounds of olden times during a holiday-inspired concert Dec. 4 from 3-4pm in Marvin Auditorium during A Renaissance Music Christmas. Castle & Cross Consort, Topeka’s early music ensemble, performs holiday tunes on the recorders and folk harp, as well as the krumhorn, a capped-double reed (similar to a bag pipe) [...]
Sat Dec 3 10:30 am–12:00 pm
Learn how to get terrific shots of your family that you’ll treasure for a lifetime. David Mathias professional photographer, owner of Photo-1 will give you tips on taking pictures that truly capture your family’s personality. Bring your own photos and see how small changes can improve them.
Anton Room 202
Join Special Collections staff member Charity Rouse in the Topeka Room on Saturday, December 3, 2-3pm for a discussion of holiday traditions and how they changed during World War II with rationing, men overseas, and all the complications the war brought on the home front. The program includes caroling around the piano, advertisements from the [...]
Eric McHenry, local poet and Washburn University professor, shares poems and stories inspired by the witticisms of his two kids on Dec. 3 at 1-2:30 pm in Marvin Auditorium. The poems, along with charming woodcuts depicting scenes from each piece, are published in his latest book titled Mommy, Daddy, Evan and Sage. In it Evan, [...]
In this edition of ConnectNow magazine, read up on what’s happening at your library in December and January. Flip through the pages to find a schedule of events and classes the library offers in December and January. Find some new holiday books and DVDs to check out. Research your family tree. The holiday time is [...]
Books make the best Christmas gifts – at least we think so. And our Friends at the Chandler Booktique want to make sure the best gifts come with the best price tags. Shop the booktique’s upcoming 1/2 price book sales scheduled for Nov. 30 and Dec. 30. (Store hours.) The library’s rotunda is a wonderful [...]
Begin the holiday season with an old-fashioned prairie evening Dec. 1 at 7pm in the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library’s Marvin Auditorium. Learn about Laura Ingalls Wilder from Laura McLemore, a Wichita educator and re-enactor, who will be assisted by volunteers from Old Prairie Town in Ward-Meade Park. Hear about Laura’s travels, the toys [...]
Starting December 1, enjoy the sounds of school choirs, instrumental groups and local talent filling the library’s rotunda. Stop by during your lunch hour for a musical treat as the holiday season approaches. Go to www.tscpl.org for the most up-to-date complete schedule.
Did you know that many of our area veterans struggle to afford toothpaste, winter gloves and shampoo? I didn’t.
Join Kansas Author Helen Alley-Taylor as she talks about her fictional memoir East Toward Home on Sunday, November 13, 2011, 2:00-3:00pm in the Topeka Room (204). This fictional account of the lives of Eddy & Jessie who lived in Melvern, KS looks back over their relationship beginning during the great depression and lasting for almost [...]
Take a journey back to the days of World War II through music from that era during Honoring Our Veterans through Song, a 1940s radio-style show on Nov. 9 at 3:30pm in The Edge. Live music will be interspersed between oral history reports including one on the Pearl Harbor bombing, which happened 70 years ago. [...]
Come to the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library’s 14th annual Silents in the Cathedral Friday, Oct. 28 at 7pm. This year we feature The Magician, a screenplay adapted from a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Funny and thrilling, The Magician follows a beautiful female spellbound by a magician seeking artificial life and the doctor who [...]
The only librarian with her own action figure, Nancy Pearl will dazzle the audience with her insight about literature and her love of books and libraries. Bibliophiles will not want to miss Nancy Pearl Nov. 3.
Sunday, October 30 – 2:00-4:00 pm, Marvin Auditorium 101BC
Join Tom Averill, author and Kansas scholar to learn about Kansas in film.
Islam in the Heartland of America by Imam Omar Hazim offers readers curious about the world’s fastest growing religion a close-up look at how Islam is taught and experienced in a mosque in Topeka, Kansas, America’s heartland. He will speak as part of the library’s Sunday Afternoon with Kansas Authors Series on Sunday, October 23 [...]
Cello Virtuoso Steven Elisha will delight audience members this Sunday with the sounds of Sabastian Bach and Zoltan Kodaly – and an Elisha original composed for the Kansas Sesquicentennial. Hear Elisha’s beautiful cello music starting at 3pm.
Find out about the Ghosts of Kansas in Beth Cooper’s book and this talk about ghosts and paranormal events in Kansas. Do you think your house is haunted? Learn about ways to research and document your experiences. The book tells the stories of Ghosts in Atchison, Holton, Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Shawnee, and Topeka. [...]
On October 22, social media movers and shakers, bloggers, podcasters, marketers and others will convene on the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library for a day of networking and information sharing – and some fun and food too. Sign up at podcamptopeka.org. The conference is a value at just $10, and that covers breakfast and [...]
Join us Saturday October 8th from 10am to 3pm at the Kansas State Historical Society 6425 SW 6th Ave for meet Christia Cowan from Ancestry.com and learn about genealogical research and resources.
Wednesday, September 28 7:00-8:00 PM Marvin Auditorium Witches come one, come all and be automatically entered into the costume contest. The Witches, by a favorite children’s author, Roald Dahl, is the basis of a Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy Theatre for Young Audiences production. The cast will preview the show with a teaser at [...]
For decades, Gary K. Clarke led photography safaris all over Africa. He collected thousands of photographs, and presents them in a limited-edition, coffee-table size extravaganza, premiering in the Library’s Marvin Auditoriu. As Director Emeritus of the World Famous Topeka Zoo, and later as President-for-Life of Cowabunga Safaris, Clarke has built a wealth of knowledge about [...]
Kansas has inspired many songwriters through the years. On Sunday, September 25, 3:00-4:00pm, join us in the Marvin Auditorium for a program highlighting just a few of the songs written in Kansas, including a number of songs written right here in Topeka. As part of our Kansas 150 program series, library staff members and musicians [...]
Go to the outer limits of literature with us this fall during Fall Reading. Read 8 hours – in a book, magazine, even a web page – between now and Nov. 13 and reap the sweet rewards. Details inside.
From interviews with authors to information on teaching children to read, this edition of connectnow magazine is a real page-turner. See stories and a complete calendar of library events inside.
Come meet author Jean Grant, from Lawrence, who will talk about her book The Burning Veil on Sunday, September 18, 2011, 2-3pm in the Topeka Room (204). The Burning Veil is a story of love and colliding cultures as American Sarah Moss travels to Saudi Arabia to discover more about the man she loves, his [...]
Multi-published historical romance author Cathy Maxwell will speak about the process of writing and publishing romance novels. Her latest novel, in stores on August 30, 2011 is The Seduction of Scandal. This is a participating book in the k.i.s.s. and teal campaign to fight ovarian cancer. Maxwell grew up in Olathe, KS and now lives [...]
Come meet the author on Sunday, August 21, 2-3pm in the Topeka Room (204). You will hear about these adventures and find out more about how to become a published author. The memoir “It’s Within” tells the story of one Brown County, Kansas girl and her family during and after the great depression. The 5th [...]
(For ages 2-4 with an adult)
Saturday, August 20
10:00–11:00 am – Marvin Auditorium
Join “Miss Carole”,Dubbed “the Pied Piper of children’s music”, as she shows how songs, stories, fingerplays, rhythmic movement and instrument play will expand a child’s musical experience in a fun way.
Kansas has many wonders, and Kansas author and explorer Marci Penner has seen them all. Hear about her 8 Wonders of Kansas project Aug. 23 at 7pm.
Dennis, from the Topeka Zoo, brought a variety of snakes and reptiles to the August Zoo Animals Live. The Blue Tongue Skink is one of 300 reptiles that live in Australia. They do have a blue tongue that they use to discourage predators. Also, from Australia, Dennis brought a Bearded Dragon. They have adapted well [...]
We have had several Saturday morning make & take crafts programs in 2011. Lots of themes were covered from bugs to pizza. Read more for links to all the handouts for these programs.
More than 7,000 readers in our community spent part of their summer enjoying good books. And for doing so, some of them reaped really cool rewards, including free chocolate, free ice cream, gift certificates to businesses around town and Nook e-readers. Our reading incentives were a hit! Special thanks to the Friends of the Library [...]
Wow, it’s official! 5,565 children, 718 teens and 1,326 adults signed up for summer reading, which is the largest enrollment since the library started keeping stats. The library sends a big thank you to those who read thousands of hours during summer break. Keep reading because prizes can still be had! Hours can be tracked [...]
So what if you can’t play an instrument – here’s your chance to pretend you’re a real rock star! Learn more about the Art of Air Guitar and how you could win $50 and get your picture in Topeka Magazine.
Breathe new life into damaged or out-of-date books by altering them into a work of art.
Starting this week, library card holders will receive our connectnow magazine in the mail. This makes planning your time at the library more convenient and helps you become a walking encyclopedia of library activities and news. Keep an eye out for your copy. At-home deliver isn’t the only change to our bimonthly magazine. It’s now [...]
Have a prairie adventure with Noco, a young prairie dog who travels across Kansas with her Papa. Topeka artist and author Justin Marable wrote and illustrated this story highlighting scenic views and memorable places from around Kansas. This talk will be in the Marvin Auditorium, Room B at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library [...]
You can check here to see how your school is measuring up against the schools in your district and county for the SummerFest school competition.
It all started in Africa. At this upcoming program learn about gourds and their uses in many countries. See amazing gourd art influenced by different cultures. Thursday, July 28, 7:00–8:30 pm
For all of his life Gary K Clarke has had a mystical affinity with Africa–animals, people, geography, exploration with an emphasis on wildlife. Starting in the 1970s he led numerous groups on photographic safaris through the east, central and southern regions on the continent. Gary emphasizes his upcoming program, On Safari with Gary K Clark, [...]
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Saturday February 4 2012
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM - Main Gallery 110B
Saturday February 4 2012
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM - Exhibit Cases - 2nd Floor Center
Saturday February 4 2012
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Saturday February 4 2012
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - The Story Zone 121C west
Saturday February 4 2012
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101BC
Saturday February 4 2012
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Information Desk 118
Saturday February 4 2012
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101A
Saturday February 4 2012
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101BC
Sunday February 5 2012
12:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Main Gallery 110B
Sunday February 5 2012
12:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Exhibit Cases - 2nd Floor Center
Sunday February 5 2012
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - The Story Zone 121C west
Sunday February 5 2012
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Monday February 6 2012
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Monday February 6 2012
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Exhibit Cases - 2nd Floor Center
Monday February 6 2012
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Main Gallery 110B
Monday February 6 2012
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101BC
Monday February 6 2012
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM - The Edge - Teen Room 114
Monday February 6 2012
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Monday February 6 2012
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM - Lingo Story Room 121
Monday February 6 2012
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101ABC
Monday February 6 2012
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Tuesday February 7 2012
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Tuesday February 7 2012
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Exhibit Cases - 2nd Floor Center
Tuesday February 7 2012
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Main Gallery 110B
Tuesday February 7 2012
9:30 AM to 10:00 AM - Lingo Story Room 121
Tuesday February 7 2012
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Tuesday February 7 2012
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM - The Story Zone 121C west
Tuesday February 7 2012
10:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Lingo Story Room 121
Tuesday February 7 2012
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Tuesday February 7 2012
3:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Tuesday February 7 2012
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - The Story Zone 121C west
Tuesday February 7 2012
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Tuesday February 7 2012
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Information Desk 118
Tuesday February 7 2012
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Tuesday February 7 2012
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - The Edge - Teen Room 114
Tuesday February 7 2012
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101A
Tuesday February 7 2012
6:30 PM to 7:00 PM - Lingo Story Room 121
Tuesday February 7 2012
6:30 PM to 8:45 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101BC
Wednesday February 8 2012
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Wednesday February 8 2012
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Exhibit Cases - 2nd Floor Center
Wednesday February 8 2012
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Main Gallery 110B
Wednesday February 8 2012
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Wednesday February 8 2012
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM - The Story Zone 121C west
Wednesday February 8 2012
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Wednesday February 8 2012
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Wednesday February 8 2012
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - The Story Zone 121C west
Wednesday February 8 2012
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101BC
Thursday February 9 2012
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Thursday February 9 2012
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Exhibit Cases - 2nd Floor Center
Thursday February 9 2012
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Main Gallery 110B
Thursday February 9 2012
9:30 AM to 10:00 AM - Lingo Story Room 121
Thursday February 9 2012
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM - The Story Zone 121C west
Thursday February 9 2012
10:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Lingo Story Room 121
Thursday February 9 2012
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM - Computer Training Center 112AB
Thursday February 9 2012
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Information Desk 118
Thursday February 9 2012
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101B
Thursday February 9 2012
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101A
Thursday February 9 2012
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM - The Edge - Teen Room 114
Thursday February 9 2012
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Homework Center 121D
Thursday February 9 2012
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Anton Room 202
Thursday February 9 2012
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Lingo Story Room 121
Thursday February 9 2012
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101A
Thursday February 9 2012
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - Menninger Room 206
Thursday February 9 2012
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Anton Room 202
Thursday February 9 2012
7:00 PM to 8:15 PM - Marvin Auditorium 101B
Thursday February 9 2012
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Computer Training Center 112AB
We are upgrading our calendar. Please go To the Calendar to view events.
