Free 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

In-person classes and events at the library are temporarily suspended, but curbside or drive-up window services are available at various library branch locations in Wichita. 

 Check back here for new events!

Learning Circle: Explore Filmmaking
Tuesday, February 02, 2021 | 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM
recurring event for six weeks
Online/Zoom

Over six weeks, a team of award-winning filmmakers will take you through their approach to telling stories. You will explore a variety of film production specialisms, from writing and directing to cinematography, editing and composing. Each week your filmmaker host will use examples from their work as well as films that have influenced and inspired them.

Learning Circles are lightly facilitated study groups for learners who want to take online courses together. This Learning Circle meets weekly for 6 weeks, beginning February 2. The series is free, but registration is required. Call (316) 261-8500 or visit p2pu.org/wichita to register. This program will be held online via Zoom. A link to the program will be sent to your inbox the day before and the day of the program.

Senior Wednesday: Kansas Legends and Folktales
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Online/Zoom

Grasshoppers so big that cowboys can ride them to herd cattle. Summers so hot that corn pops in the field. Rancher Henry Mudge wrecking pianos, shooting sheep, and fooling European dignitaries. Kansas is a place of big skies and tall tales, but these exaggerated narratives help us understand the character of our state and its people. This talk will explore some of the many Kansas legends and folktales and help audiences decipher between a myth (folk religion), legend (folk history), and tale (folk literature). When possible, local legends and folk tales—and what they say about that particular community—will be discussed. Speaker Jim Hoy is a folklorist who works with the Center for Great Plains Studies at Emporia State University. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas. Registration is required. Call (316) 261-8500 or visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register. This program will be held online via Zoom. A link to the program will be sent to your inbox the day before and the day of the program.

WGS Quarterly Meeting: Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore Sit-In
Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Online/Zoom

Don’t miss this presentation of an historical event the brought Wichita to the forefront of the country. In July 1958, Black students gathered at Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore to stage a peaceful protest against unequal practice of segregation. This presentation discusses the details of the sit-in, explores how these protests helped transform the struggle for racial equality, and considers contemporary non-violent protests. Co-sponsored by the Wichita Genealogical Society. Registration begins four weeks before the program.

Tuesday Topics: Renewable Energy & Land Use
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Online/Zoom

Renewable energy and land use – how can they exist together within the confines of a public policy? Should they both be considered together? How does that impact public policy and protect the environment? Where does citizen input and expert advice enter the picture? These are questions that Sedgwick County asked when writing a public policy on renewable energy. Come and hear both sides of the story from the Sierra Club and a Sedgwick County representative. Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro. Registration is required; call 261-8500 or visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register online. This program will be held online via Zoom. A link to the program will be sent to your inbox the day before and the day of the program.

Essentials of a Business Plan
Saturday, February 27, 2021 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Online/Zoom

This Small Business Administration/SCORE program will show you the steps to build your business plan. You will also learn about business start-up resources at the Library. Registration is required, and is open until February 27. Call (316) 261-8500 or visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register. This program will be held online via Zoom. A link to the program will be sent to your inbox the day before and the day of the program.