Lowell Public Library May 2025 programs and events
LOWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY – 1505 EAST COMMERCIAL AVE – LOWELL, IN 46356 219- 696-7704
The Lowell, Shelby and Schneider Libraries will be closed Friday, May 9 and Monday, May 26
ORAL HISTORY WORKSHOP
The Three Creeks Historical Society and the Lowell Public Library is pleased to host a 6-part workshop series led by local writer and documentarian Samuel Love. This series is funded through the Lifelong Arts fellowship by the Indiana Arts Commission and will be held every Friday between May 2 and June 6 from 10:30 AM-12 PM.
Registration for each week’s session is available at our website.
This workshop will demonstrate how an oral history approach can be valuable beyond academic contexts. It will also appeal to genealogists, family historians, and podcasters, making it suitable for families and people of all ages. Love will stress preparation at every stage of the process: before, during, and after the interview. He'll share tips from over 25 years of practice, from shaping a project, ethical considerations, thoughts on being a better listener, the impact of technology, and strategies for publishing and archiving the results. "If you don't tell your history, someone else might."
Samuel Love is the editor of The Gary Anthology (Belt Publishing, 2020) and producer of the award-winning documentary shorts Calumet: The Region's River (2022) and Grown In Gary (2024) for Indiana Humanities.
45th ANNUAL STUDENT ART EXHIBIT
The Friends of the Lowell Library invite you to witness the creativity and imagination of elementary grade students from the Tri-Creek area. The library will host an art exhibition from May 5 to May 10, showcasing a wide range of artworks created by the young artists in acrylics, 3D, watercolors, chalks, and computer graphics.
The students will receive certificates of achievement for their efforts, which will be distributed the following week when their artwork is returned to their school.
A special reception will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at 6:00 PM to honor the young artists and their families. During the reception, Friends members will offer refreshments, and children from grades K-4 who attend the event can participate in a drawing for a chance to win art supplies. Special thanks to Aunt Nae’s for balloon donations.
Adults – Lowell
Knit & Crochet - Every Thursday in May, 9 AM.
Meet up to knit and crochet, and share patterns and tips.
Senior Social – Bird Houses - Thursday, May 1 at 11 AM.
It’s our last get-together until September. Join us to paint a birdhouse. Limit of 25. Pre-register.
Simple Stamping - Thursday, May 1 at 5:30 PM.
Make two cards with envelopes. A $7 fee, payable at class, will cover all materials. Limit 12. Pre-register at our website.
Book Club - Monday, May 12 at 1-3 PM.
Read, then meet to discuss Under the Southern Sky, written by Kristy Woodson Harvey.
Drop-In Tech Help - Wednesday, May 14 from 10 AM-12 PM.
Do you have a question about how to use your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer? Stop in during our drop-in hours and ask for Amanda—she will work with you to find the answer! (First come, first served)
Poetry - Saturday, May 17 from 10 AM-12 PM.
Aspiring poets can join the NW Indiana Poetry Society. Bring your work or that of your favorite poet.
Adult Coloring - Tuesday, May 20 at 10 AM.
Join the fun! Coloring helps us de-stress and stimulates brain areas related to motor skills. All supplies will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Library Board Meets - Tuesday, May 20 at 6 PM.
The regular meeting of the Lowell Public Library Board of Trustees will be held.
Canasta - Wednesday, May 21 at 12-3 PM.
Get together and play this fun card game. Don’t know how? We can teach you!
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY NEWS
Loven Oven Fundraiser - Thursday, May 8 at 4-9 PM
Order from Loven Oven 1000 E. Commercial Ave. (219) 696-6828. Every pizza order during those hours will benefit our library!
$3.00 Bag Book Sale - Saturday, May 31 from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
Get a bag of books for $3.00 a bag, the last Saturday of each month. You may bring your brown grocery bag or ask for one at the circulation desk.
Children’s (birth-5th grade) – Lowell
Tales for Tails Therapy Dog Visits - Tuesday, May 6,20 and 27 from 4 to 5 PM.
Read or just visit with a certified therapy dog! This is a fun program where children can practice their reading skills while cozying up with a loveable pup. Registration is required and opens on Monday, April 21.
Young Adult/ Teens (grades 5-12) – Lowell
Soap Making - Thursday, May 1 at 5:30 PM.
Make your own soap. Customize with a variety of colors and scents. Pre-register to ensure an adequate amount of supplies.
Fire Safety and Campfire Fun - Wednesday, May 14 at 5:30 PM.
Learn the ins and outs of fire safety and how to build, maintain, and properly extinguish a campfire.
Roast marshmallows and make s’mores while hearing spooky stories from local storyteller and author of Haunted Indiana, Mark Marimen.
This program is for students 5-12 grade ONLY. For safety reasons, DO NOT sign up younger children.
Registration opens on April 23. (Rain date Wednesday, May 21.)
SHELBY BRANCH LIBRARY – 23323 SHELBY ROAD –SHELBY, IN 46377 219-552-0809
Adults - Shelby
Over 18 Game Days - Monday, May 5, 12, and 19, all at 4 PM.
Get together to play cards or board games.
Coffee & Conversation - Saturday, May 10 and 24 at 10 AM.
Stop in for a cup of coffee. Stay for a chat.
Adult Book Discussion - Thursday, May 15 at 4 PM.
Read, then meet to discuss The Housemaid, written by Freida McFadden.
Movies for Grown-Ups - Saturday, May 17 at 10 AM.
Enjoy a morning movie at the library. Title to be determined.
Children’s – Shelby
Kids Independent Crafts - Tuesday, May 6 at 4:30 PM.
Make something amazing using your imagination and our craft supplies.
Kids Game Day - Tuesday, May 13 at 4:30 PM.
Play board games.
Kids Craft - Tuesday, May 20 at 4:30 PM.
Celebrate Amelia Earhart Day by creating and coloring paper airplanes.
Kids Wii Games - Tuesday, May 27 at 4:30 PM.
Play a variety of Wii games with your friends.
Young Adult /Teens (grades 5-12) – Shelby
YA Independent Crafts - Wednesday, May 7 at 4:30 PM.
Be creative with our supplies.
YA with Miss Emily - Thursday, May 8 at 4:30 PM.
Make soap with your choice of color and scent.
YA Movie & Cookies - Wednesday, May 14 at 4:30 PM.
Watch a fun movie. Enjoy chocolate chip cookies!
YA Craft - Wednesday, May 21 at 4:30 PM.
Paint a patriotic wooden star.
YA Games - Wednesday, May 28 at 4:30 PM.
Play board games.
SCHNEIDER BRANCH LIBRARY– 24002 PARRISH AVE – SCHNEIDER, IN 46376 219-552-1000
Adults – Schneider
Adult Ceramics - Monday, May 12 at 6 PM.
Paint a Highland Cow. You MUST sign up ahead of time to attend.
Garden Series - Sat. May 24 from 10 AM to 12 PM.
We will be giving away daylilies. Learn how to plant and care for them. Please sign up so we know how many to expect.
Children’s – Schneider
Kids Craft - Tuesday, May 6 at 4:30 PM.
Make a paper flower basket.
Kids Bird Feeder Craft - Tuesday, May 13 at 4:30 PM.
Make a bird feeder using craft sticks.
Kids Pick-A-Craft - Tuesday, May 20 at 4:30 PM.
Choose a craft using supplies we have on hand.
Young Adult /Teens (grades 5-12) – Schneider
Young Adult Craft - Wednesday. May 7 at 4:30 PM.
Make a string art flower jar.
Young Adult Pizza - Wednesday, May 14 at 4:30 PM.
Enjoy a free slice of pizza and stay for a chat.
Young Adult Game Day - Wednesday, May 21 at 4:30 PM.
Play board games with your friends.