Newton Public Library
type: channel
description: Newton Public Library, Newton, Kansas
date: 2026-05-20T20:48:11Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: June Book Clubs at Newton Public Library
items: Bestselling children’s author Gordon Korman to visit Newton Public Library
items: May Book Clubs at Newton Public Library
items: Library to mark America 250 with ‘Declaration Conversation’
items: MLK Day Escape Room Challenge
items: Music + Science = Inspiration! NPL presents STEMusic Live
items: April Book Clubs at NPL
items: March Kids Events at NPL
items: March Book Clubs at Newton Public Library
items: February Kids Events at NPL

June Book Clubs at Newton Public Library
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2026-05-20T20:48:10Z
subject: Blog Post
description: Join us for June 2026 book discussions at Newton Public Library! In June, we’re introducing a new “Breakfast Book Club” that will meet at 9:30 a.m. on fourth Saturdays, June through September. See below for more info! These friendly gatherings are open to the public, no registration needed. Books are available to borrow about a… Read More » The post June Book Clubs at Newton Public Library appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: Join us for June 2026 book discussions at Newton Public Library! In June, we’re introducing a new “Breakfast Book Club” that will meet at 9:30 a.m. on fourth Saturdays, June through September. See below for more info! These friendly gatherings are open to the public, no registration needed. Books are available to borrow about a month before each discussion. You’re welcome to check out any or all of the book club picks and read along with us, whether or not you can attend. To sign up for an email list with the latest book club announcements and reminders, click here and check “Book Discussions” when you fill out the form. Here’s what we’re reading in June. These selections are available now: Prime Suspects Book Club – 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 Jurassic Park, by Michael Crichton. An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now humankind’s most thrilling fantasies have come true. Creatures extinct for eons roam Jurassic Park with their awesome presence and profound mystery, and all the world can visit them—for a price. Until something goes wrong. . . . Nonfiction Book Club – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 The Lost City of Z, by David Grann. In 1925, the legendary British explorer Percy Fawcett ventured into the Amazon jungle, in search of a fabled civilization located deep in the deadly wilderness. He never returned. In this masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, journalist David Grann tells the epic story of Fawcett’s quest for this “Lost City of Z,” as he unravels the greatest exploration mystery of the twentieth century. Cozy Crimes Book Club – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11 Track of the Cat, by Nevada Barr. Anna Pigeon has fled New York and her memories to find work as a ranger in the country’s national parks. In the remote backcountry of West Texas, however, she discovers murder and violence. Fellow park ranger Sheila Drury is mysteriously killed, presumably by a mountain lion. But the deep claw marks Anna finds across Drury’s throat…

Bestselling children’s author Gordon Korman to visit Newton Public Library
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2026-04-20T17:28:20Z
subject: Blog Post
description: Gordon Korman, the bestselling author of “Swindle,” “The Fort,” “Ungifted” and more than 100 other books for young readers, is coming to Newton Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28. The event, in the library’s INTRUST Room, is free and open to readers of all ages — adults and children alike. Tickets are available… Read More » The post Bestselling children’s author Gordon Korman to visit Newton Public Library appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: Gordon Korman, the bestselling author of “Swindle,” “The Fort,” “Ungifted” and more than 100 other books for young readers, is coming to Newton Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28. The event, in the library’s INTRUST Room, is free and open to readers of all ages — adults and children alike. Tickets are available now at the library’s front desk. “We are thrilled to bring Gordon Korman to Newton,” said Sara Rickard, children’s librarian at Newton Public Library. “His books are funny, his characters are relatable, and he builds his stories around great ‘what if’ questions. What if your teacher were a robot? What if humans could be cloned? Our Korman book display has been hard to keep stocked for months.” Korman published his first novel, “This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall,” with Scholastic when he was 14 years old. His 30 million-plus books in print include the Swindle mysteries, The Hypnotists and titles in The 39 Clues series. Kansas readers may also know him from the William Allen White Children’s Book Award, chosen by student voters and administered by Emporia State University: his novel “The Fort” won the 2025 award in the grades 6-8 category, and “Restart” took the same category in 2020. The April 28 library event anchors a three-day Newton visit that also includes eight presentations at local schools. School librarians have been building toward the visit since last fall, using Korman’s books in read-alouds and book clubs, with additional copies purchased by Newton Public Library for both school and library collections. Korman’s visit is funded by the Florence Bessmer Foundation. Florence Bessmer, a lifelong Newton resident and former teacher, established the foundation on her 101st birthday to support the library’s work with children. The children’s library inside the current Newton Public Library building is named in her honor. Overseen by an independent board of trustees the foundation has donated more than $1.6 million for books and children…

May Book Clubs at Newton Public Library
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2026-04-14T16:24:25Z
subject: Blog Post
description: Join us for May 2026 book discussions at Newton Public Library! These friendly gatherings are open to the public, no registration needed. Books are available to borrow about a month before each discussion. You’re welcome to check out any or all of the book club picks and read along with us, whether or not you… Read More » The post May Book Clubs at Newton Public Library appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: Join us for May 2026 book discussions at Newton Public Library! These friendly gatherings are open to the public, no registration needed. Books are available to borrow about a month before each discussion. You’re welcome to check out any or all of the book club picks and read along with us, whether or not you can attend. To sign up for an email list with the latest book club announcements and reminders, click here and check “Book Discussions” when you fill out the form. Here’s what we’re reading next month (and on April 23). These selections are available now: Sugar & Spice Book Club – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23 Ready or Not, by Cara Bastone. Eve Hatch lives for surprises! Just kidding. She expects every tomorrow to be pretty much the same as today. She loves her cozy apartment in Brooklyn that’s close to her childhood best friend Willa, and far from her midwestern, traditional family who has never really understood her. While her job is only dream-adjacent, it’s comfortable and steady. She always knows what to expect from her life . . . until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand. TALK Book Discussion – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. Join us for the final discussion in our spring 2026 TALK series, led by special guest Rachel Epp Buller. Dr. Buller is professor of visual arts and design at Bethel College. Burdened with regrets, Nora finds herself in a space between life and death: The Midnight Library. Each book contains a version of Nora, a life story that could have existed if she had made different choices. Before her time runs out, Nora must decide for herself what is important, and why life is worth living. Prime Suspects Book Club – 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, by Benjamin Stevenson. Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, other…

Library to mark America 250 with ‘Declaration Conversation’
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2025-12-30T22:27:44Z
subject: Blog Post
description: July 4, 2026, will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. To kick off its observances of America 250 – the United States Semiquincentennial – Newton Public Library will host a public reading and discussion of the Declaration of Independence on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. Members of the community are invited… Read More » The post Library to mark America 250 with ‘Declaration Conversation’ appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: July 4, 2026, will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. To kick off its observances of America 250 – the United States Semiquincentennial – Newton Public Library will host a public reading and discussion of the Declaration of Independence on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. Members of the community are invited to attend and participate in this “Declaration Conversation,” made possible by Humanities Kansas. The event will be facilitated by Anne Hawkins, a Kansas historian who has published numerous articles and given hundreds of historical talks and presentations across the state. “America 250 is a chance to step back and ask what these words have meant, and what we want them to mean now,” said Sam Jack, Newton Public Library’s adult librarian. “By reading the Declaration together and talking about it in a respectful space, we’re inviting the community to reflect on the ideals it names and the challenges that have followed.” Following an introduction by Hawkins, Newton High School speech and debate students will read excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. Hawkins will then lead a community discussion about the Declaration, its meaning, and its impact. “Hearing the Declaration in the voices of students is a reminder that our country’s story belongs to the next generation, too,” said Jack. “Their participation will help bring the text to life and set the tone for a conversation that welcomes everyone.” The Declaration Conversation is free and open to the public; no registration is needed. It is part of Humanities Kansas’s “Declaration at 250” activities, which also include a statewide tour of the “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy” traveling exhibition. The exhibition will be on view at North Newton’s Kauffman Museum, Nov. 14 through Dec. 31, 2026. For more info on “Declaration at 250,” go to www.humanitieskansas.org. For more on America 250 programs and events across the state, visit www.travelks.com/kansas-250. The post…

MLK Day Escape Room Challenge
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2025-12-29T16:01:36Z
subject: Blog Post
description: In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Newton Community for Racial Justice (NCRJ) invites you to participate in two interactive escape room experiences exploring Dr. King’s life, legacy, and vision for justice. Participants will work together to solve puzzles, uncover hidden stories, and reflect on how Dr. King’s message continues to challenge and… Read More » The post MLK Day Escape Room Challenge appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Newton Community for Racial Justice (NCRJ) invites you to participate in two interactive escape room experiences exploring Dr. King’s life, legacy, and vision for justice. I Have a Dream: Unlocking the Vision focuses on the words, imagery, and hope of Dr King’s iconic speech. The Journey Toward Justice traces his life’s work – from early influences to civil rights action, including his historic visit to Bethel College. Participants will work together to solve puzzles, uncover hidden stories, and reflect on how Dr. King’s message continues to challenge and inspire us today. Though walk-ins are welcome, registration is recommended to reserve your preferred time. Families are encouraged to participate; best suited for ages 5 and up. Sign up for one or both escape rooms. Use the links below to register for your preferred time(s) on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. I Have a Dream: Unlocking the Vision 10-10:30 AM 10:45-11:15 AM 11:30 AM-12 PM 12:15-12:45 PM 1-1:30 PM 1:45-2:15 PM 2:30-3 PM The Journey Toward Justice 10-10:30 AM 10:45-11:15 AM 11:30 AM-12 PM 12:15-12:45 PM 1-1:30 PM 1:45-2:15 PM 2:30-3 PM The post MLK Day Escape Room Challenge appeared first on Newton Public Library.

Music + Science = Inspiration! NPL presents STEMusic Live
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2025-06-03T16:51:42Z
subject: Blog Post
description: At 1 PM on Monday, June 9, a Grammy-nominated artist will be in concert at Newton Public Library! Earlier this year, librarian Sam Jack interviewed Roy Moye III for a feature in East Wichita News & WestSide Story. Read on to learn more about Moye and his mission to inspire the next generation of scientists… Read More » The post Music + Science = Inspiration! NPL presents STEMusic Live appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: At 1 PM on Monday, June 9, a Grammy-nominated artist will be in concert at Newton Public Library! Earlier this year, librarian Sam Jack interviewed Roy Moye III for a feature in East Wichita News & WestSide Story. Read on to learn more about Moye and his mission to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers – then come to “STEMusic Live!” Kids ages 4+, and their grown-ups, are invited, no registration required. As a college student at Wichita State University, Roy Moye III had two big passions, in two disparate fields. One was aerospace engineering, his field of study. Born in Germany to a father serving in the U.S. Army, Moye took his first plane ride at three weeks of age and doesn’t remember a time when he wasn’t enthralled by aviation. The other was music, especially gospel and R&B. During college, he started to sing in talent shows and showcases, and he started to record himself and put his artistic creations out into the world. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://www.newtonplks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_123923953-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11120" style="width:283px;height:auto" srcset="https://www.newtonplks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_123923953-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://www.newtonplks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_123923953-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.newtonplks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_123923953-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.newtonplks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_123923953-1200x1800.jpg 1200w, https://www.newtonplks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_123923953-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://www.newtonplks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_123923953-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://www.newtonplks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image_123923953-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /> Soon after he earned his degree in 2015, Moye found a way to combine his artistic and scientific pursuits, starting down a path that led to h…

April Book Clubs at NPL
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2025-03-27T19:19:33Z
subject: Blog Post
description: Join us for book discussions during the month of April at Newton Public Library! These friendly gatherings are open to the public, no registration needed. Books are available to borrow about a month before each discussion. You’re welcome to check out any or all of the book club picks and read along with us, whether… Read More » The post April Book Clubs at NPL appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: Join us for book discussions during the month of April at Newton Public Library! These friendly gatherings are open to the public, no registration needed. Books are available to borrow about a month before each discussion. You’re welcome to check out any or all of the book club picks and read along with us, whether or not you can attend. To sign up for an email list with the latest book club announcements and reminders, click here and check “Book Discussions” when you fill out the form. Prime Suspects Book Club – 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 The Big Nowhere, by James Ellroy. Los Angeles, 1950 Red crosscurrents: the Commie Scare and a string of brutal mutilation killings. Gangland intrigue and Hollywood sleaze. Three cops caught in a hellish web of ambition, perversion, and deceit. Danny Upshaw is a Sheriff’s deputy stuck with a bunch of snuffs nobody cares about; they’re his chance to make his name as a cop…and to sate his darkest curiosities. TALK About Literature in Kansas – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3 Firekeeper’s Daughter, by Angeline Boulley. Join us for the second installment of our spring TALK series! Thanks to support from Humanities Kansas, the guest leader for our discussion of Firekeeper’s Daughter will be Linda Lewis. For more information on this spring’s TALK series, click here. Strange New Worlds Book Club – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 Record of a Spaceborn Few, by Becky Chambers. Centuries after the last humans left Earth, the Exodus Fleet is a living relic, a place many are from but few outsiders have seen. Humanity has been accepted into the galactic community, but those who have not yet left the fleet’s ships for alien cities fear that their carefully-cultivated way of life is under threat. When a disaster rocks the Exodan community, those who still call the fleet their home can no longer avoide the question: What is the purpose of a ship that has reached its destination? Nonfiction Book Club – 12 p.m. Friday, April 11 The Demon of Unrest, by Erik Lars…

March Kids Events at NPL
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2025-02-28T16:38:13Z
subject: Blog Post
subject: Uncategorized
description: Celebrate Florence Bessmer Day with a free concert for preschoolers and their families by award-winning musician Jim Gill, 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 4! Pick up your free tickets at the front desk starting March 17. Jim is well-known for celebrating active play. In concert, he strums energizing rhythms on his banjo while everyone sings, dances and… Read More » The post March Kids Events at NPL appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: Celebrate Florence Bessmer Day with a free concert for preschoolers and their families by award-winning musician Jim Gill, 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 4! Pick up your free tickets at the front desk starting March 17. Jim is well-known for celebrating active play. In concert, he strums energizing rhythms on his banjo while everyone sings, dances and spins along to his silly, inspiring musical games! The following morning, April 5, early childhood educators, librarians, and childcare providers are invited to a free workshop with Jim. KDHE approval pending. For more information and to register, click here. During the week of March 31-April 4, learn more about the resources available in the children’s area, thanks in part to the Florence Bessmer Foundation, with a scavenger hunt. Families can pick up a clue sheet at the front desk, and after completing the scavenger hunt, return it for a small prize. For Children Ages 0-5 Baby/Toddler Play Time (0-36 months) Wednesday, March 12, 9:30-11:00 AM, INTRUST Room Drop in for some fun with your babies and toddlers! A variety of play options will be set up around the room for you and your littlest ones to explore! No registration required. (There will be no Baby or Toddler StoryTimes on March 12). Winter StoryTime Session Ends March 14! Family (All Ages): Mondays, 6:30 PM Baby (0-18 months): Wednesdays, 9:30 AM Toddler (18-38 months): Wednesdays, 11 AM, & Thursdays, 9:30 AM Preschool (3-5 years): Thursdays & Fridays, 11 AM After a 2-week break, we will begin our Spring StoryTime Session on Monday, March 31. For Children in grades K-4 Read to a Dog with “Love on a Leash” (ages 5-9) Saturday, March 1, 11 AM-12 PM Stop by with your children to read a book or two with these therapy dogs (or just enjoy some pet-love). It’s a great way for early readers to practice reading aloud in a relaxed, comfortable environment. No registration required. Early Reader Book Club (for grades K-1) Thursday, March 6, 4-5 PM Children in grades K-1 investig…

March Book Clubs at Newton Public Library
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2025-02-21T15:17:19Z
subject: Blog Post
description: Join us for book discussions during the month of March at Newton Public Library! These friendly gatherings are open to the public, no registration needed. Books are available to borrow about a month before each discussion. You’re welcome to check out any or all of the book club picks and read along with us, whether… Read More » The post March Book Clubs at Newton Public Library appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: Join us for book discussions during the month of March at Newton Public Library! These friendly gatherings are open to the public, no registration needed. Books are available to borrow about a month before each discussion. You’re welcome to check out any or all of the book club picks and read along with us, whether or not you can attend. To sign up for an email list with the latest book club announcements and reminders, click here and check “Book Discussions” when you fill out the form. TALK About Literature in Kansas – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 There There, by Tommy Orange. Join us for the first installment of our spring TALK series! Thanks to support from Humanities Kansas, the guest leader for our discussion of There There will be Gene Chavez. For more information on this spring’s TALK series, click here. Prime Suspects Book Club – 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 Triptych, by Karin Slaughter. In the city of Atlanta, women are dying—at the hands of a killer who signs his work with a single, chilling act of mutilation. This cunning madman is bringing together dozens of lives, crossing the boundaries of wealth and race. And the people who are chasing him must cross those boundaries too. Among them is Michael Ormewood, a veteran detective whose marriage is hanging by a thread, and Angie Polaski, a beautiful vice cop who was once Michael’s lover, before she became his enemy. Strange New Worlds Book Club – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 Storm Front, by Jim Butcher. “My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. I’m a wizard. I work out of an office in midtown Chicago. As far as I know, I’m the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country. You can find me in the yellow pages, under Wizards. Believe it or not, I’m the only one there.” On the trail of a criminal, Harry ventures into Chicago’s dangerous underbelly, from mobsters to vampires, while he himself is under suspicion of crimes. Nonfiction Book Club – 12 p.m. Friday, March 1…

February Kids Events at NPL
type: item
creator: sjack
date: 2025-01-31T21:44:10Z
subject: Blog Post
description: It’s February! Here are some upcoming Newton Public Library children’s events to put on your calendar. Note: If you would like to get Sara Rickard’s monthly children’s library updates in your email inbox, fill out the form here and select “Children’s Services.” For School-Aged Children Winter Reading Challenge (ages 5-9) Children can still pick up… Read More » The post February Kids Events at NPL appeared first on Newton Public Library.
encoded: It’s February! Here are some upcoming Newton Public Library children’s events to put on your calendar. Note: If you would like to get Sara Rickard’s monthly children’s library updates in your email inbox, fill out the form here and select “Children’s Services.” For School-Aged Children Winter Reading Challenge (ages 5-9) Children can still pick up a book mark to keep track of their reading. Return it to the front desk by February 28 to be entered into a raffle for prizes. Read to a Dog with “Love on a Leash” (ages 5-9) Saturday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Stop by with your children to read a book or two with therapy dogs (or just enjoy some pet love). It’s a great way for early readers to practice reading aloud in a relaxed, comfortable environment. No registration required. Early Reader Book Club (for grades K-1) Thursday, Feb. 6, 4-5 p.m. Children in grades K-1 get to investigate a fun picture book and follow up with a related activity. This month’s book is “Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion,” by Stephen W. Martin. To ensure we have enough books for children to take home, registration is required. Click here to register. Kids in the Kitchen (Grades 2-4) Thursday, Feb. 13, 4-5 p.m. Facilitated by K-State Research & Extension, this program is designed to boost kids’ nutrition and fitness awareness while teaching them how to prepare healthy snacks. Our final session will be in March. Please register here. Stories and STEAM (Grades 2-4) Thursday, Feb. 20, 4-5 p.m. Participants enjoy hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, art and math! This month, we’ll work with Ozobots! Please register here. Also, check out this “Adult and Me” STEAM Workshop, hosted by Lori and Craig of SteamwSeniors, on Saturday, Feb. 1, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Newton Senior Center! First Chapter Book Chats (Grades 2-3) Thursday, Feb. 27, 4-5 p.m. On the fourth Thursday of each month, we’ll discuss a new book from the First Chapter Book collection. This month, we’ll read Rabbit’s Ba…