Now that summer is here and school is out, you may be wondering what to do with all your spare time. Fear not! Central Indiana libraries are here to bring some literary fun to your sunny days. Libraries are not just for peaceful contemplative book clubs, they are also here to provide fun family events. We, at F.C. Tucker, decided to highlight some of the fantastic events happening central Indiana libraries this summer in a two-part series. In this article, we discuss events happening at the Carmel Clay Public Library, Brownsburg Public Library, Avon-Washington Township Public Library, and Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library. In part two of the series, we will be discussing four different central Indiana libraries.
Carmel Clay Public Library – This library is putting on quite a few fantastic events this summer with everything from escape rooms to a multi-day Brontë sisters celebration. To get things kicked off, the Carmel Clay Public Library is hosting the Indianapolis Opera’s The Three Little Hoosier Pigs production. This is sure to be a fun family event, so bring the whole bunch. Later in the summer, the Library decided to hop on the escape room trend by creating its very own escape rooms. The first is themed around a volcano disaster and the second is around the Amazing Race.
Of course, many libraries offer family movie nights and Carmel Clay Public Libraries is no exception. On July 6, the Library will be showing the recently released film Peter Rabbit. Last but certainly not least, the Carmel Clay Public Library is hosting a whole multi-day celebration surrounding the Brontë sisters, as mentioned above. The event consists of various film screenings and book discussion groups for all literary fanatics.
Indianapolis Opera: The Three Little Hoosier Pigs
June 27, 7:00-7:45pm
Escape Room
June 28-30, various times – Volcano Disaster
July 19, various times – The Amazing Race
Family Movie Night
July 6, 6:30-8:30pm – Peter Rabbit
Get Bronttë-fied!
July 19, 6:30-8:30pm – Watch the 1942 version of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre
July 27, 6:30-8:30pm – Discussion and screening of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights
July 30, 7:00-8:30pm- Lecture by Dr. Joyce Huff, professor of Victorian and Gothic literature, Ball State
Brownsburg Public Library – Brownsburg certainly has a plethora of engaging events this summer at its main branch. Similar to Carmel Clay Public Libraries, Brownsburg is hosting the Indianapolis Opera’s The Three Little Hoosier Pigs production. This is sure to be a popular event across all the participating libraries this summer. On another note, throughout the summer the Library is putting together programing to keep people moving. The Library is well-known for its Zumba series with free adult classes every Monday and Wednesday and kid classes on Fridays.
Brownsburg also has two fantastic film series with the “Summer Movies for Kids” series for younger children and the “Teen Movie Matinee” series for teens. The names, dates, and times of these blockbuster family-friendly films are listed below. Perhaps the coolest event of all is the monthly Westside Wordsmiths event. At this event, writers can bring in their work to get feedback or practice their skills with the Wordsmiths’ writing prompts.
Indianapolis Opera: The Three Little Hoosier Pigs
June 27, 10:00-11:00pm
Free Zumba Classes
Mondays, 12:00-1:00pm, 7:00-8:00pm – Adult Zumba
Wednesdays 11:00-11:30am – Adult Zumba
Fridays, 10:00-11:00am – Kids Zumba
Summer Movies for Kids:
June 22, 9:30-11:30am – Paddington 2
June 29, 9:30-11:30am – Coco
July 6, 9:30-11:30am – Cars 3
July 13, 9:30-11:30am – Despicable Me 3
July 20, 9:30-11:30am – Beauty and the Beast
Teen Movie Matinee:
June 21, 1:30-3:30pm – The Greatest Showman
June 27, 1:00-3:00pm – Little Shop of Horrors
Westside Wordsmiths
July 10, 6:00-7:45pm
Avon-Washington Township Public Library – Avon-Washington Township Public Library has some exciting unique events coming your way this summer. Every Monday, they host “American Girl Mondays” an activity-filled few hours where children can play games, learn about American Girl Dolls, and make something of their own for their doll. Each Monday, the library highlights a different doll. Be sure to check the list below for specifics. This next event has a pretty unique and descriptive name. The “Rockin’ Together Musical Magic Show” is, you guessed it, a sing-a-long magic show.
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Speaking of unique events for kids, just two days later Avon-Washington Township Public Library is hosting Kevin Gregory’s Weather Camp. This weather-centered camp, hosted by RTV6’s Chief Meteorologist Kevin Gregory, is for 1st-4th graders interested in meteorology. While there are numerous events for children, there are also pertinent events for adults. On July 24, the library is hosting “ADHD: Debunking Myths,” an event centering on the misinformation surrounding ADHD. The event will be led by Dr. Rick Robertson, a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
American Girl Mondays (9:30-10:30, 11:00-12:00)
July 9, 9:30-10:30am, 11:00-12:00pm – Tenney’s Music Mania
July 16, 9:30-10:30am, 11:00-12:00pm – Wellie Wisher’s Summertime Party
Rockin’ Together: A Musical Magic Show
June 25, 2:00-3:00pm
Kevin Gregory’s Weather Camp
June 27, 11:00-12:00pm
ADHD: DeBunking Myths
July 24, 6:00-7:30pm
Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library – This place is certainly interested in food with multiple food events happening in the months of June and July. The first is two ice cream socials kicking off the beginning of the summer reading program. There will be free ice cream and live folk music – what is not to love? The second food event is a cookout with Famous Dave’s BBQ where library-goers can receive free samples and get expert grilling tips from the pros.
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Of course, the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library also hosts non-food events. One event that is sure to attract many is the ISO’s Teddy Bear Concert: Garden Symphony event. This event, “introduces children to the instruments of the orchestra by following a ladybug’s search through the garden for her own special song.” There is even an instrument “petting zoo” after the program. If music is not your thing, the Library also hosts a weekly “All Ages Chess” event where chess players of all ages can challenge other players.
All Ages Chess – all ages
Every Thursday except for Wednesday June 6, 6:30-7:30pm
Cookout with Famous Dave’s BBQ
July 10, 6:00-8:00pm
Be sure to let us know which fantastic library event you end up attending!
