Friends of the Joplin Public Library

04/13/2026

In celebration of National Library Week, the Friends of the Joplin Public Library are hosting a Spring for a Book fundraiser now through Saturday, April 25.

The fundraiser focuses on adding more books to the Lucky Day collection – a selection of popular books that are in high demand. Here’s how it works:
-Donate $25 for the Friends group to purchase a single book.
-Donate $100 to purchase a stack of books.
-Donate $250 or more to purchase a shelf of books.

Donations can be made at the Library’s circulation desk or by visiting the Friends group’s website – https://friendsofthejpl.org

02/26/2026

Joplin Public Library has chosen THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans as the 2026 Joplin Reads Together selection! Bestselling author Virginia Evans will be visiting the Library on April 28 at 6 pm. Mark your calendar!

The Library added additional copies of The Correspondent to their catalog. The book can also be purchased from Friends of the Joplin Public Library on our lobby sale shelf for $22. Also new this year, Joplin Reads Together Free Library! The Free Library, located in the Library's lobby, has copies of The Correspondent to borrow (while available), no check out, hold, or library card required! Bring it back once you are done for the next person!

We are excited to announce The Correspondent by Virginia Evans as the 2026 Joplin Reads Together title! Published in 2025, The Correspondent is an epistolary novel that follows Sybil as she navigates life, aging, and the complexities of balancing love and grief.

See the full April program list, put the book on hold, and register to win a copy of the book at joplinpubliclibrary.org/joplinreadstogether

Joplin Public Library has added additional copies of The Correspondent to our catalog. The book can also be purchased from Friends of the Joplin Public Library on our lobby sale shelf beginning today. Also new this year, Joplin Reads Together Free Library! The Free Library, located in our lobby, will have copies of The Correspondent to borrow (while available), no check out, hold, or library card required! Bring it back once you are done for the next person!

Thank you to our Joplin Reads Together Community Partners: Friends of the Joplin Public Library, Post Art Library, and Missouri Southern Spiva Library.

01/27/2026

Join us tonight at 5:30 pm to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the Community Room of the Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th St.

January 27 is the day on which Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945. In 2005, it was designated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day by the United Nations General Assembly.

Dr. Bill Kumbier, retired Missouri Southern State University professor of English, and Dr. Paul Teverow, retired MSSU professor of history, have selected readings that explore the significance of the Holocaust, which will be read by volunteers from the community.

Admission is free and open to the public, though attendees are invited to make a donation to support the Friends of the Joplin Public Library.

01/03/2026

Join us tomorrow!

12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday! Generosity is uplifting, generative, equalizing, and connecting. We ask that you consider making a donation to the Friends of the Joplin Public Library as part of celebrating Giving Tuesday today.

Donations of any amount on Giving Tuesday will help us fund library improvements and programs over the coming year. You may donate through this link: https://joplinpubliclibrary.networkforgood.com/projects/265039-giving-tuesday-2025

or by mailing your check with “Giving Tuesday” in the memo line to
Friends of the Joplin Public Library
1901 E 20th St
Joplin, MO 64804

Thank you for considering Friends of the Joplin Public Library for your Giving Tuesday donations

11/24/2025

Giving Tuesday 2025 is almost here!

Generosity is uplifting, generative, equalizing, and connecting. We ask that you consider making a donation to the Friends of the Joplin Public Library as part of celebrating Giving Tuesday on December 2.

Donations of any amount on Giving Tuesday will help us fund library improvements and programs over the coming year. You may donate through this link: https://joplinpubliclibrary.networkforgood.com/projects/265039-giving-tuesday-2025

or by mailing your check with “Giving Tuesday” in the memo line to
Friends of the Joplin Public Library
1901 E 20th St
Joplin, MO 64804

Thank you for considering Friends of the Joplin Public Library for your Giving Tuesday donations.

10/17/2025

We are one week out from our Annual Membership Meeting. If you're a Friend of the Library or are interesting in becoming one, please make plans to join us at 5:30 pm next Thursday at the Joplin Public Library.

10/13/2025

Today's the day! Come learn to play Mahjong at 1:30 pm.

10/10/2025

Beginning October 13, Friends of the JPL will offer Mahjong on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Beginners will receive instruction starting at 1:30 pm and experienced players can play from 2:00 to 4:00.

Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the game, pull up a chair, shuffle the tiles, and join us—there’s always room at the mahjong table.

10/05/2025

RSVP for this year's annual membership meeting: https://forms.gle/sZ6MxXfWzveDenmr9

Thursday, October 23, at the Joplin Public Library. We would love to have a packed room of Friends and their families! Plus, we encourage you to stay after the meeting for a special Post Art Library author visit featuring Tim Scherrer at 6:30 pm.

10/02/2025

Congratulations to Flair Flops, the winning team during the Friends of the Library's "Smackdown Showdown, Trivia Throwdown" fundraiser on Saturday, September 27! Eleven teams filled the room for some friendly competition that put everyone's smarts to the test.

A huge thanks to everyone who helped make this event so successful. And special thanks to TrueNorth Wealth & Impact, our premier event sponsor.

In addition, thank you to our Tag Team Partners - Lazenby Eyecare & Protein Solutions - and Mid-Card Heroes - Patrick & Rachel Brennan & Carlson Chiropractic. Plus, our category sponsors Logan & Emily Stanley, Satterlee Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Cleo Copeland, Jim & Brenda Jackson, Steve & Mary Gaarder, Frank Wattelet LPL Financial, Norma's Diner, Mordica, Borum & Lesmeister Crew, Wood & Peterson LLC and Zimmer Marketing.

And last but certainly not least, thank you to Mr. Saturday Night, Barry Linduff, for serving as emcee for the evening. His energy and enthusiasm created a lively atmosphere for the event!

09/17/2025

Podcast Alert! 🤩
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smackdown-showdown-trivia-throwdown-newstalk-kzrg/id1472422625?i=1000727212010
Learn all about our upcoming Smackdown Showdown - Trivia Throwdown. Saturday, September 27, sign up your team today!
Photo credit - Newstalk KZRGLearn