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 9th 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 2nd St
Rockwell Mystery Book Discussion
- Fourth Mondays
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9th St
Masters of Mystery Book Discussion
- Fourth Wednesdays
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian
Community Poetry Workshop
- Thursday, December 5, 2019
- 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
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.
New events on the schedule
See also: Big Read events in Wichita
Learn How with GoCreate: LED Lighting Small Projects
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Advanced Learning Library
711 W 2nd St
During this class, you will be shown how to create your own small LED light projects! You will learn the many different ways to implement LED lights into your own projects. These projects are cost-effective and easy to make which gives everybody the chance to create their very own LED light projects. Cosponsored by WSU’s GoCreate. Registration is required, beginning Oct. 1; call 261-8511 or register online.
NaNoWriMo Write-In
- Tuesday, November 19, 2019
- 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Join your fellow National Novel Writing Month authors to pound out a few of those 50,000 words while we write together and support each other.
NaNoWriMo Write-In
- Wednesday, November 20, 2019
- 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9th St
Join your fellow National Novel Writing Month authors to pound out a few of those 50,000 words while we write together and support each other.
Epistrophy 2019
- Saturday, November 23, 2019
- 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Music and poetry have much in common, and in this celebration of the two art forms, you will experience the simultaneous expression of poetry accompanied by music. Featured poets include: Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate 2019-2021; Kevin Rabas, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus; Paul Bowers, Northern Oklahoma College; Don Stinson, Northern Oklahoma College; Joey Brown, Missouri Southern State University; Annette Billings, Topeka poet; and Wichita poets Skyler Lovelace and Raylyn Clacher. Selected poets from the Kansas Authors Club Wichita District will also take part. Featured musicians include jazz ensemble Billy’s Bounce; guitarist Randy Zellers; and percussionist Bill Glenn. The event is supported by the Wichita Arts Council.
NaNoWriMo Write-In
- Monday, November 25, 2019
- 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
Join your fellow National Novel Writing Month authors to pound out a few of those 50,000 words while we write together and support each other.
Learn How with GoCreate: LED Lighting Small Projects
- Tuesday, November 26, 2019
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
During this class, you will be shown how to create your own small LED light projects! You will learn the many different ways to implement LED lights into your own projects. These projects are cost-effective and easy to make which gives everybody the chance to create their very own LED light projects. Cosponsored by WSU’s GoCreate. Registration is required, beginning Oct. 1; call 261-8511 or register online.
NaNoWriMo Write-In
- Tuesday, November 26, 2019
- 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Join your fellow National Novel Writing Month authors to pound out a few of those 50,000 words while we write together and support each other.
Learning Circle: Shakespeare Matters
- Tuesday, November 26, 2019
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Love Shakespeare but are intimidated by the language? Go beyond Romeo and Juliet and explore why The Bard is still as popular as ever! In this introductory course, we will explore the use of emotion in Shakespeare’s plays and why this still resonates with people today. Join us for this fascinating journey as we explore emotion through the plays of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, The Winter’s Tale and Henry V and discover why Shakespeare has remained popular for over 400 years.
Learning Circles are lightly facilitated study groups for learners who want to take online courses together in person. This Learning Circle meets weekly for five weeks, beginning November 5th. The series is free, but registration is required. Visit www.p2pu.org/wichita to register or call 261-8500.
Learn How with GoCreate: LED Lighting Installation
- Tuesday, December 03, 2019
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
This class will teach you how to install and use LED (light emitting diode) lights in your own projects. You will also learn when to use the different types of LED lights so your projects can truly shine! LED lighting is both cost-effective and easy to install which allows you to improve the look and feel of your home. Cosponsored by WSU’s GoCreate. Registration is required, beginning Oct. 1; call 261-8511 or register online.
The New ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program
- Wednesday, December 04, 2019
- 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
The new Volunteer Monitor program is a joint undertaking of ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). The program will monitor and survey the Amateur Radio bands both to detect improper activity and to recognize exemplary on-the-air behavior. Cosponsored by the Wichita Amateur Radio Club.
#ReadICT Book Swap
- Saturday, December 07, 2019
- 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Join your ReadICT book-loving online community for a real-life meetup and book swap. Bring your favorite book (or bag of books) to discuss and swap. Any leftover books will be donated to the Friends of the Wichita Public Library. Suzanne Tobias and library staff will be on hand to spark your reading interest. Come celebrate reading, books, and libraries with us!
Playing with FI/RE: Financial Independence and Retire Early
- Saturday, December 07, 2019
- 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Come and learn about the Financial Independence/Retire Early (FI/RE) community by looking at websites geared towards Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers. Discussion and Q&A will follow the review. Registration is required and is open Oct. 1; call 261-8500 or register online.
Learn How with GoCreate: Basic Electronics
- Tuesday, December 10, 2019
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
This class will teach you how to use some of the basic Ohms Law we will be covering the resistance, switches, and how a basic circuit works. This is a good building block for home projects or to troubleshoot projects around home or the garage. Cosponsored by WSU’s GoCreate. Registration is required, beginning Oct. 1; call 261-8511 or register online.
Watermark Author Event: Paul Hendrickson
- Tuesday, December 10, 2019
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Watermark Books & Cafe will host Paul Hendrickson for a presentation and signing of Plagued by Fire: The Dreams and Furies of Frank Lloyd Wright, an illuminating and pathbreaking biography that will change the way we understand the life, the mind and work of the premier American architect. Books will be available for sale; book signing will follow.
Leave a Reply