Adult classes and events at the Wichita Public Library

Our awesome Wichita Public Library has great events and classes for adults on a regular basis. They include seminars and workshops on tons of topics, book discussions, crafting clubs, sessions to help you in your career or business, and more. You won’t believe how many things there are to do, and the best part is that they are almost always FREE.

Unbelievable! (But totally true.)

The Outdoor Reading Terrace on the library’s second floor level will soon have seating and can accommodate up to about 70 guests, possibly more. In the future, this space will be available to rent for events.

Be sure to check out our visit to the brand new Advanced Learning Library, and see these related articles:

Events for kids and teens at the Wichita Public Library

Free Technology Classes and Demos at the Wichita Library

Here we’ve listed the latest classes and events for adults in Wichita at the various library branches. We’ll keep it as updated as possible, but be sure to check out the library’s event calendar because they keep adding great new things.

Here are a few things you’ll want to know about classes at the library:

• Most of the library’s classes and events are free; if they aren’t, there will be a fee clearly listed on their website.
• Even if a class is free, you often need to register for it so they’ll know how many people to expect, and so that you can get notifications if any schedule changes happen.
• Our library has many different branches; before you register for a class or seminar, be sure you note which branch library will be hosting the event.
• People and organizations from our own community often present these classes and workshops, usually as volunteers. Be sure to thank them!
• A wide variety of topics are covered, including financial, technology, business and career, home, crafting, arts and music, legal, and more.

Events and Classes for Adults at the Wichita Public Library

These classes and events are held at various library branch locations in Wichita. Some of them do require pre-registration, so be sure to follow the links on those so you don’t miss out.  

Ongoing Events

(Double-check the library events calendar in case of schedule changes or cancellations.)

1 Million Cups

• Weekly on Wednesdays
• 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd St.

Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed 1 Million Cups in 2012—a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses.

Attendance is free. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Presentations run from 9-10 a.m. Each presentation ends with an audience Q&A where the last question is always “What can we as a community do to support you as a startup?”

Hook & Needle Friends

• Weekly on Wednesdays
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian

Bring knitting, crocheting, quilting, or other needlecraft supplies and share your ideas, questions, and love of needlecrafts.  Learn from the experience of others and advise those who are just beginning.

Creating Circle

• Second Wednesday of the month
• 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer

Love to craft? Enjoy interacting with others? The Westlink Branch Library is hosting a place for crafters of all sorts. Bring your small projects such as knitting, scrapbooking, or beading.

First Thursdays Book Discussion

• First Thursday of every month
• 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N Arkansas

First Tuesdays Book Club

• First Tuesday of every month
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N Arkansas

We Rock Book Discussion

• Second Wednesday of the month
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9^th St

Third Tuesdays Book Discussion

• Third Tuesday of the month
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer

Open Books, Open Minds Book Discussion

• Third Tuesdays
• 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2^nd St

Rockwell Mystery Book Discussion

• Fourth Mondays
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9^th St

Masters of Mystery Book Discussion

• Fourth Wednesdays
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian

New events on the schedule

Fall Gardening Workshops at the Wichita Public Library

Community Poetry Workshop

• Thursday, August 1, 2019
• 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2^ndSt

Poetry writing is great for self-expression and creativity, and it helps to have a community to learn and share with. Join us for a monthly gathering of poets who will offer a listening ear and support you in your journey. Each session will include a mini-lesson, a prompt and writing time, and time for reading and feedback.

Mindfulness for Stress Relief

• Saturday, August 03, 2019
• 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St

Looking for a way to de-stress after a long week? Join us for a relaxing workshop where you will learn how to use mindfulness (the state of being actively and openly attentive to the present), to help reduce stress, improve memory and concentration and become more emotionally resilient.

Learn How with GoCreate: Wood Lathe Pen Turning

• Tuesday, August 6, 2019
• 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd St.

During this class, you will learn all of the safety and operation requirements for running our mini wood lathe. You will be able to put these skills into practice during the class. This class is designed to introduce woodturning on a small lathe, so in the future you will be comfortable operating on a larger lathe. Pen turning is a fun and easy hobby that anybody can get into, and is a good way to make unique gifts for your family and friends. Cosponsored by WSU’s GoCreate. Registration is required, beginning May 1; call 261-8511 or register online.

Ham Radio Station Virtual Tour

• Wednesday, August 07, 2019
• 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St

This program will feature a virtual tour of several amateur radio stations with narration by the station owners. A range of station types and levels will be featured. Co-sponsored by the Wichita Amateur Radio Club.

The Pursuit of Endurance with Jennifer Pharr Davis

• Thursday, August 08, 2019
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a record-setting hiker, author, and speaker. She has covered more than 14,000 miles of trails, written articles for the New York Times, Outside magazine, and Backpacker, and has received numerous awards including being named a 2012 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

Join us as Jennifer shares stories, slides, and excerpts from her latest book The Pursuit of Endurance, which recently came out in paperback and has been called “a captivating narrative guidebook that will inspire readers to test their own limits, on the trail and off” (Kirkus Reviews). The program is co-sponsored by Friends of the Wichita Public Library.

Learn How with GoCreate: Wood Lathe Bottle Turning

• Tuesday, August 13, 2019
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2^nd St

During this class, you will learn all of the safety and operation requirements for running our mini wood lathe. You will also learn several techniques for creating your own wooden bottles. These bottles are unique and make great custom gifts for friends and family. Cosponsored by WSU’s GoCreate. Registration is required, beginning May 1; call 261-8511 or register online.

Senior Wednesday: Grimm for Grownups

• Wednesday, August 14, 2019
• 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2^ndSt

In the 19th century, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm – known as the Brothers Grimm – traveled Europe collecting folktales, most of which were never intended for children. Why did the Grimm brothers document odd stories, such as The Six Swans, Maid Maleen, and Nixie in the Millpond? This talk by Priscilla Howe explores the story of the Brothers Grimm and their folktales and discusses why collecting these stories can be important for understanding a community’s values and fears. Co-sponsored by Humanities Kansas.

Candid Conversations Book Club

• Friday, August 16, 2019
• 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Angelou Branch Library, 3051 E 21st St

Come to the Maya Angelou Branch Library for a special after-hours book discussion as part of our Candid Conversation series, programs looking at issues of race in our community and country. This month’s book discussion will be on Tommy Orange’s book There There, which tells the story of twelve urban Indians in Oakland, California, coming together to celebrate the “Oakland Big Powwow.” Each of them has come for different reasons, with unexpected results.

Registration is required, beginning July 19; call 688-9580 or register online. A limited number of books are available for checkout at the Angelou Library, first-come, first served. This event is a special after-hours book discussion; the Library closes at 6:00 pm, but will re-open the meeting room at 6:45 for this program.

Wichita Genealogical Society: Railroaded – The Industry That Shaped Kansas

• Saturday, August 17, 2019
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St

In the 19th century, the influence of the railroad industry was vast. Some claim that Kansas was created specifically to accommodate westward expansion of railroads. Railroads brought immigrant settlers, created jobs, and fed beef markets in the East. They enabled regular mail service and the adoption of standard time. Most Kansas towns were founded because of the railroad, and few survived without it. This progress came at a cost to the Plains Indians who were forcibly displaced by this westward expansion. This presentation by historian Leo Oliva, examines the complicated legacy of railroads. Co-sponsored by the Wichita Genealogical Society and Humanities Kansas.

Learn How with GoCreate: Soldering Basics

• Tuesday, August 20, 2019
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St

This class will cover all of the proper soldering techniques for circuit boards and other small projects. We will be discussing proper soldering techniques for preventing ESD’s (Electrostatic Discharges) which will help keep you and your electronics safe. You can use soldering for many reasons such as repairing a broken wire, like one from a speaker or charger, to creating your own circuit board. Cosponsored by WSU’s GoCreate. Registration is required, beginning May 1; call 261-8511 or register online.

Local Author Day at the Advanced Learning Library (Saturday, August 24)

Simple Steps to Start Your Small Business

• Saturday, August 24, 2019
• 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2^nd St

This Small Business Administration/SCORE program will show you the steps to starting up a business the right way. You will also learn about business start-up resources at the Library.  Registration is required, and is open between July 01 and August 22; call (316) 261-8500 or register online.

Learn How with GoCreate: Metal & Welding Round Table Discussion

• Tuesday, August 27, 2019
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St

If you have ever had any questions about any metal and/or welding projects you were thinking about creating, now is your chance to get them answered! During this session, we will have one of our expert metalworkers and welders in to answer any questions you may have. You will also learn the general safety and operation of running the different types of welders. By the end of this class, you will have the knowledge to continue your metal/welding projects confidently! Cosponsored by WSU’s GoCreate. Registration is required, beginning May 1; call 261-8511 or register online.