Large Games & Activities!

Throughout the summer, there will be a variety of large games and fun activities for kids to enjoy on the children’s side of the library!

Jay County Public Library, 315 N Ship St, Portland, IN, 47371, United States

Superhero Reading League

Calling all superheroes and readers! Join JCPL on a reading adventure for all ages, June 2-July 19! Pick up a reading log on or after June 2 and color in a bubble for each 10 minutes that you read this summer. On the back of the sheet, complete at least one hero task fo......More

Calling all superheroes and readers! Join JCPL on a reading adventure for all ages, June 2-July 19! Pick up a reading log on or after June 2 and color in a bubble for each 10 minutes that you read this summer. On the back of the sheet, complete at least one hero task for your superhero reading league training. With both sides complete, turn in your form at the library’s front desk to receive an entry for prizes and a badge for the hero task you completed (try to collect all 6). Kids ages 0-12 will also receive a free book for each reading log they complete and will have a chance to win a bicycle, a 3D-Pen, a remote-control robot, and more! Teens and adults will have a chance to win prize baskets. You may complete as many forms as you would like. All forms must be turned in by 1:00 p.m. on July 19. In addition, join us for our Community Hero Celebration at the library on Thursday, July 10 from 5-7 p.m. to get a Superhero Reading League completion prize, while supplies last.

Jay County Public Library, 315 N Ship St, Portland, IN, 47371, United States

Stranger Things @ JCPL: An Interactive Scavenger Hunt Experience

A new gate to the Upside Down has opened at the library, and strange things are happening. You must solve the mystery, navigate Hawkins and the Upside Down, and ultimately face Vecna to prepare for the final season of Stranger Things. This fun program on Monday, July 7 ......More

A new gate to the Upside Down has opened at the library, and strange things are happening. You must solve the mystery, navigate Hawkins and the Upside Down, and ultimately face Vecna to prepare for the final season of Stranger Things. This fun program on Monday, July 7 is a major mash-up of a scavenger hunt and escape room with elements of Dungeons and Dragons mixed in. Participants may do the experience alone, with a friend, or as a small group, but registration is required and there is a strict age limit of 13+, due to the nature and content of Stranger Things. The following time slots are available for you to participate in the challenge: 5:00, 5:20, 5:40, 6:00, and 6:20 p.m. The experience will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. We will be running the sessions in a timely manner, so we kindly request that you show up a few minutes early for your admittance into the experience. Space is limited and time slots will fill up fast, so please call or visit the library to register for this fun and unique event.

Jay County Public Library, 315 N Ship St, Portland, IN, 47371, United States

Community Hero Celebration

“Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” — Iron Man Superheroes assemble! Come celebrate our community heroes with an outdoor family fun program on Thursday, July 10 from 5-7 p.m. Held in partnership with the Jay County Farm Bureau......More

“Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” — Iron Man Superheroes assemble! Come celebrate our community heroes with an outdoor family fun program on Thursday, July 10 from 5-7 p.m. Held in partnership with the Jay County Farm Bureau, Inc., this program will give families a chance to meet local first responders and see their vehicles. Families will have a chance to meet representatives from the Museum of the Soldier, the Portland Police, the Portland Fire Department, and chat with local health providers. In the library’s Community Room, the Jay County Farm Bureau will be providing a Taste of Jay County experience, celebrating our local farming community heroes and giving an opportunity to try the variety of foods produced here. Outside, families will enjoy a superhero training camp with a variety of superhero games and activities. Children will get to make their own superhero cape and accessories and visit a petting zoo. In addition, participants in the library’s Superhero Reading League will receive their participation prize during this program. Come on out to the library for a fun evening celebrating our local heroes! For questions you can call 726-7890 or stop by the library at 315 North Ship Street in Portland, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jay County Public Library, 315 N Ship St, Portland, IN, 47371, United States

Enchanted Book Gardens

Come for a calm and relaxing hour on Tuesday, July 15 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m., and turn an ordinary book into a miniature magical habitat, similar to a fairy garden. Refreshments will be provided. For ages 3rd grade and up, including teens. Sign up is requ......More

Come for a calm and relaxing hour on Tuesday, July 15 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m., and turn an ordinary book into a miniature magical habitat, similar to a fairy garden. Refreshments will be provided. For ages 3rd grade and up, including teens. Sign up is required. Call or visit the library to sign up.

Jay County Public Library, 315 N Ship St, Portland, IN, 47371, United States

Enchanted Book Gardens

Come for a calm and relaxing hour on Tuesday, July 15 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m., and turn an ordinary book into a miniature magical habitat, similar to a fairy garden. Refreshments will be provided. For ages 3rd grade and up, including teens. Sign up is requ......More

Come for a calm and relaxing hour on Tuesday, July 15 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m., and turn an ordinary book into a miniature magical habitat, similar to a fairy garden. Refreshments will be provided. For ages 3rd grade and up, including teens. Sign up is required. Call or visit the library to sign up.

Jay County Public Library, 315 N Ship St, Portland, IN, 47371, United States

Bookmobile Pop-Up: Redkey Health Fair

Summer Reading Road Trip: Bookmobile Pop-Up Events JCPL is excited to announce the return of our summer bookmobile that will be out on the road at several stops during June & July! During our appearances, you can visit us at the bookmobile to check out and return materi......More

Summer Reading Road Trip: Bookmobile Pop-Up Events JCPL is excited to announce the return of our summer bookmobile that will be out on the road at several stops during June & July! During our appearances, you can visit us at the bookmobile to check out and return materials, register or renew your library card, learn about the library and everything we have going on, participate in a fun and educational activity outside the bus, and pick-up a FREE family literacy kit that includes a picture book and other fun activities inside. During our summer bookmobile events, we are offering fresh starts for all current and past cardholders and will be doing fine forgiveness on all Jay County Public Library cards, but this deal is ONLY AVAILABLE this summer if you visit us on the bookmobile during one of our scheduled stops. We will waive all fines and fees on your account, EXCEPT for fines and fees (lost and damaged items) owed to other libraries. We hope to see you visit us at one of our location stops below (weather & bookmobile operation permitting): Monday, June 16 @ Portland Pizza Hut from 2-6 PM (pizza deals for new and current library cardholders will be announced soon!)(CANCELED!!) Tuesday, June 24 @ Portland Walmart Parking Lot from 2-6 PM (CANCELED!!)Tuesday, July 15 @ Redkey Health Fair from 5-7 PM (this was rescheduled)Keep an eye out on our Facebook page and website for any updates, as well as weather cancellations.

Redkey Church of the Nazarene, 801 W High St #9246, Redkey, IN, 47373, United States

JCPL Book Club

The JCPL Book Club meets on the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m.  On April 17, we’ll be reading The Bookwoman’s Daughter by Kim Michelle Richardson. Anyone who loves to read may join!

Jay County Public Library, 315 N Ship St, Portland, IN, 47371, United States

JCPL's Pop-Up Food Pantry & JCHD's Back-to-School Bash

JCPL is excited to announce the return of our Pop-Up Food Pantry event, in partnership with American Structurepoint, Tyson Foods, the Jay County Farm Bureau, Inc. and the Friends of the Jay County Public Library, on July 31 from 3-6 p.m. in the Community Room. Any and a......More

JCPL is excited to announce the return of our Pop-Up Food Pantry event, in partnership with American Structurepoint, Tyson Foods, the Jay County Farm Bureau, Inc. and the Friends of the Jay County Public Library, on July 31 from 3-6 p.m. in the Community Room. Any and all members of our community will be able to come in and shop for some free food items! Shopping will be on a first-come, first-served basis, while our supplies last. Tyson Foods will be giving out free bags of chicken and chips for anyone who goes through the food pantry, and grilling hot dogs for free. Pizza Hut will be on-site giving out free pizza and other items, while supplies last. Meanwhile, in the library’s parking lot, the Jay County Health Department will be hosting their Portland Back-to-School Bash, giving out free school supplies, hygiene products, and more! You are invited to attend both events happening at the same time. IMPORTANT: The street block will be CLOSED during this event, but parking for the event will be available in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot beside the library and street parking surrounding the block. Public donations for canned food and non-perishables for pantry day are being accepted at the library June 2-July 26.

Jay County Public Library, 315 N Ship St, Portland, IN, 47371, United States