Meeting Room A

Join us for an afternoon of real-life narratives, where we share heartfelt and captivating experiences. Join us to connect, share, and embrace the beauty of real-life tales! Ages: Adults Location: Meeting Room A Time: 2pm-3pm NO Registration. Open to the Public. FREE.

Our book guide is Steve Holland. Here we will discuss the book. Step into a world of captivating stories and lively discussions at our Novel Idea Book Club! Whether you’re an avid reader or someone looking to discover new books and ideas, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers, share your thoughts, and dive deep into a wide range of genres. What makes our book club special? It’s not just about reading—it’s about engaging with others in thoughtful conversations, exploring different perspectives, and broadening horizons. Each meeting is a chance to discover books you might not have picked up on your own, all while enjoying a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Whether you agree or disagree with the book, it’s the lively debates and shared enthusiasm that make each session so enjoyable. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to build a sense of community! You’ll get to know new people who share your love of reading, make lasting friendships, and be part of a group where your opinions truly matter. So come for the book, stay for the conversation—and discover why our Novel Idea Book Club is so much more than just a group of people reading the same book. It’s a place where ideas come to life, connections are made, and your next great read is just a discussion away! The MAY book is Beautiful Country by Julie Wang. A Memoir of an Undocumented Childhood by Qian Julie Wang is a critically acclaimed memoir about her childhood as an undocumented Chinese immigrant in New York City detailing poverty, the struggle to survive in the shadows, and her family's experience with the America Dream. (summary from amazon.com) You Can Find a copy of the book for check out one the NOVEL IDEA BOOK CLUB display at the BMPL LIBRARY.   Ages: Adults Location: Meeting Room A Time: 1:30PM-2:30pm NO Registration.

Felting is one of the oldest forms of textile arts. Needle felting begins by rolling a small amount of wool and stabbing it with a needle. It is a quick hobby to learn, and many find it stress-relieving. We will be making a flower broach. This is a FREE program and all material will be supplied. Ages: 18+ (adults) Location: Meeting Room A Time: 1-3pm Registration is required. Please sign up below.

Join us for an afternoon of real-life narratives, where we share heartfelt and captivating experiences. Join us to connect, share, and embrace the beauty of real-life tales! Ages: Adults Location: Meeting Room A Time: 2pm-3pm NO Registration. Open to the Public. FREE.

Our book guide is Steve Holland. Here we will discuss the book. Step into a world of captivating stories and lively discussions at our Novel Idea Book Club! Whether you’re an avid reader or someone looking to discover new books and ideas, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers, share your thoughts, and dive deep into a wide range of genres. What makes our book club special? It’s not just about reading—it’s about engaging with others in thoughtful conversations, exploring different perspectives, and broadening horizons. Each meeting is a chance to discover books you might not have picked up on your own, all while enjoying a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Whether you agree or disagree with the book, it’s the lively debates and shared enthusiasm that make each session so enjoyable. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to build a sense of community! You’ll get to know new people who share your love of reading, make lasting friendships, and be part of a group where your opinions truly matter. So come for the book, stay for the conversation—and discover why our Novel Idea Book Club is so much more than just a group of people reading the same book. It’s a place where ideas come to life, connections are made, and your next great read is just a discussion away! The APRIL book is American Dirt by Jeannie Cummins. Lydia lives in Acapulco. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while cracks are beginning to show in Acapulco because of the cartels, Lydia’s life is, by and large, fairly comfortable. But after her husband’s tell-all profile of the newest drug lord is published, none of their lives will ever be the same. Forced to flee, Lydia and Luca find themselves joining the countless people trying to reach the United States. Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to? (summary from amazon.com) You Can Find a copy of the book for check out one the NOVEL IDEA BOOK CLUB display at the BMPL LIBRARY.   Ages: Adults Location: Meeting Room A Time: 1:30PM-2:30pm NO Registration.

Felting is one of the oldest forms of textile arts. Needle felting begins by rolling a small amount of wool and stabbing it with a needle. It is a quick hobby to learn, and many find it stress-relieving. We will be making a mushroom terrarium. A miniature, decorative woodland scene created by needle-felting wool mushrooms and placing them inside a glass container with moss or other natural elements. This is a FREE program and all material will be supplied. Ages: 18+ (adults) Location: Meeting Room A Time: 1-3pm Registration is required. Please sign up below.

Weigel's Funeral Home (from Batesville) will be here to tell their story. Join us for an afternoon of real-life narratives, where we share heartfelt and captivating experiences. Join us to connect, share, and embrace the beauty of real-life tales! Ages: Adults Location: Meeting Room A Time: 2pm-3pm NO Registration. Open to the Public. FREE.

Our book guide is Steve Holland. Here we will discuss the book. Step into a world of captivating stories and lively discussions at our Novel Idea Book Club! Whether you’re an avid reader or someone looking to discover new books and ideas, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers, share your thoughts, and dive deep into a wide range of genres. What makes our book club special? It’s not just about reading—it’s about engaging with others in thoughtful conversations, exploring different perspectives, and broadening horizons. Each meeting is a chance to discover books you might not have picked up on your own, all while enjoying a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Whether you agree or disagree with the book, it’s the lively debates and shared enthusiasm that make each session so enjoyable. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to build a sense of community! You’ll get to know new people who share your love of reading, make lasting friendships, and be part of a group where your opinions truly matter. So come for the book, stay for the conversation—and discover why our Novel Idea Book Club is so much more than just a group of people reading the same book. It’s a place where ideas come to life, connections are made, and your next great read is just a discussion away! The MARCH book is POPE JOAN by Donna Wooldfolk Cross. The Dark Ages are brought to life in all their brutal splendor and shares the dramatic story of a woman whose strength of vision led her to defy the social restrictions of her day. For a thousand years her existence has been denied. She is the legend that will not die—Pope Joan, the ninth-century woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to become the only female ever to sit on the throne of St. Peter. Now in this riveting novel, Cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. (summary from amazon.com) NO Registration. You Can Find a copy of the book for check out one the NOVEL IDEA BOOK CLUB display at the BMPL LIBRARY.

Gather each month with other like-minded family history enthusiasts. Each month we will explore a different topic. This month: Lori Samuelson will be in meeting room B via a Zoom call to talk about  "Migration Trails across the USA." Lori is a renowned genealogy speaker and has much family history wisdom to share. This topic will focus on tracing ancestors' movements, covering the 20th-century immigration, naturalization records, and navigating border entry documents to understand ancestral journeys and citizenship.  This FREE program is for Adults. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Sign up below.

Get ready for April Fools' Day with this fun spilled resin craft! Learn the basics of working with resin as a creative medium while designing a realistic "spill" using the container of your choice. Participants may bring an empty container (think wine glass, coffee cup, ketchup bottle) or use a disposable coffee cup provided. Ages: Adults 18+ Location: Meeting Room A Time: 1-3pm REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please sign up below.

Felting is one of the oldest forms of textile arts. Needle felting begins by rolling a small amount of wool and stabbing it with a needle. It is a quick hobby to learn, and many find it stress-relieving. We will continue to make wool dryer balls for your home dryer! This is a great time to try needle felting if you’ve never been before. What are "dyer balls"? Reusable natural balls that you toss in the dryer with wet clothes to naturally soften fabric, reduce static, decrease wrinkles, and shorten drying time. If you are already familiar with needle felting, you will be able to continue to expand your skills with new technique and design. This is a FREE program and all material will be supplied. Ages: 18+ (adults) Location: Meeting Room A Time: 1-3pm Registration is required. Please sign up below.

Join us for an afternoon of real-life narratives, where we share heartfelt and captivating experiences. Join us to connect, share, and embrace the beauty of real-life tales! NO Registration. Open to the Public. FREE.

Do you have a project that you need a little motivation to finish? Do you get lonely working on your projects at home? Just want a little company? Join your fellow crafters for an afternoon of crafting and chatting. Bring your craft project(s) from home and join us for a crafty social hour! Craft & Chat meets Tuesdays from 1-2 PM. NO REGISTRATION.

Our 1:30 – 2:30pm book guide is Steve Holland. Step into a world of captivating stories and lively discussions at our Novel Idea Book Club! Whether you’re an avid reader or someone looking to discover new books and ideas, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers, share your thoughts, and dive deep into a wide range of genres. What makes our book club special? It’s not just about reading—it’s about engaging with others in thoughtful conversations, exploring different perspectives, and broadening horizons. Each meeting is a chance to discover books you might not have picked up on your own, all while enjoying a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Whether you agree or disagree with the book, it’s the lively debates and shared enthusiasm that make each session so enjoyable. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to build a sense of community! You’ll get to know new people who share your love of reading, make lasting friendships, and be part of a group where your opinions truly matter. So come for the book, stay for the conversation—and discover why our Novel Idea Book Club is so much more than just a group of people reading the same book. It’s a place where ideas come to life, connections are made, and your next great read is just a discussion away! The FEBRUARY book is The Runaway Wife by Dee MacDonald. Connie is tired of solving one family crisis after another - usually involving her unruly grandchildren - while her husband Roger spends all day at his beloved golf course. Surely it must be time for her to shake off her apron and start living again? So Connie packs a bag, gets in her little green car and drives off... The Runaway Wife is an inspiring and joyously uplifting novel about being true to yourself. If you loved The Kicking the Bucket List and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry this book is for you. (summary from amazon.com) NO Registration. You Can Find a copy of the book for check out one the NOVEL IDEA BOOK CLUB display at the BMPL LIBRARY.

This program is cancelled for today. Do you have a project that you need a little motivation to finish? Do you get lonely working on your projects at home? Just want a little company? Join your fellow crafters for an afternoon of crafting and chatting. Bring your craft project(s) from home and join us for a crafty social hour! Craft & Chat meets Tuesdays from 1-2 PM. NO REGISTRATION.

Gather each month with other like-minded family history enthusiasts. Each month we will explore a different topic. This program will run from 1-3PM. This month is: Discover how to preserve memories and stories to create connections with those you love and reminisce about the past. Photos are powerful tools for bringing those memories to life. "Reminiscence therapy" is a therapeutic approach that uses guided conversations and photos to improve mood, communication and well-being. Rick Voight will talk with us over Zoom about this therapy. Jody will be here with two Vivid Pix Memory Stations. Bring in a few photos that you would like enhanced and share your stories. This FREE program is for Adults. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Sign up below.

Book: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Theme: Moral courage, community reflection. A short, powerful winter read suited to quiet reflection and meaningful discussion. Join the Mayor’s Book Club (Mayor John Irrgang), a new opportunity to foster community discussion around various topics. No rsvp expected, we’re happy to have you drop in! You can borrow a copy of any of these books at the Batesville Memorial Public Library. If you’d like your own copy, we encourage you to support our local bookstore, The Bookshelf, on Walnut Street. If you are an online shopper, you can order online and still support The Bookshelf by going to Bookshop.org. Our goal for these meetings is to unearth ideas and inspiration to take back to our neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and service organizations to build a better community. Remember, you do not need to RSVP. We’re excited to see you there!