Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Unleashing Literacy

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)

Program Type:

General Programming

Age Group:

Elementary | Grades K-5
Library Branch: West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)
Age Group: Elementary | Grades K-5
Program Type: General Programming
Event Details:

Sit, stay, read. This family-friendly event is designed to help children improve their reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a trained dog. Children will take turns reading and doing other dog-gone fun activities.

The Bawk-ness Monster graphic novel book cover

Tote-ally Awesome Graphic Novel Club

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)

Program Type:

Book & Viewers' Clubs

Age Group:

Elementary | Grades K-5
Library Branch: West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)
Age Group: Elementary | Grades K-5
Program Type: Book & Viewers' Clubs
Event Details:

In the world of graphic novels, there is something for everyone! Come add flare to your tote bag while we discuss this months graphic novel, The Bawk-ness Monster! This group is designed for kids in grade 3 and up.

Modern Movie Monsters

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room A-Downtown Newark at Downtown Newark

Program Type:

Classes & Workshops, Exhibits, General Programming

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Meeting Room A-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Classes & Workshops, Exhibits, General Programming
Registration Required
Event Details:

Dr. Jamison Kantor explores how horror films and movie monsters are reactions to modern life. What makes a movie monster supernatural? Why are their opponents usually doctors and scientists?

Empowered Minds logo

Empowered Minds: Restoration of Notre-Dame

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A-Downtown Newark at Downtown Newark

Program Type:

Empowered Minds, Classes & Workshops

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Meeting Room A-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Empowered Minds, Classes & Workshops
Event Details:

Art historian and artist Sean Crum discusses the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. On April 15, 2019, a catastrophic fire broke out in the Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris.

Cozy Fantasy Night

Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)

Program Type:

Book & Viewers' Clubs

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book & Viewers' Clubs
Event Details:

Cozy up with a craft and heartwarming conversation about comforting and gentle fantasy books.

Friends of the Babcock Library Book Sale

Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 10:00am - 7:30pm
Large Meeting Room- Johnstown at Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)

Program Type:

Book Sale

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
Room: Large Meeting Room- Johnstown
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book Sale
Event Details:

Please support the Friends of the Mary E. Babcock Library by attending our annual book sale. The sale is located in the Large Meeting Room in the Library. Cash or check only. Book donations are accepted October 1 through October 19.

Filters
Age Group

ESL Speaking Club

4:30pm–5:30pm
Adults
Off Site
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Activity Clubs, Inclusive Programming
Event Details:

Practice speaking English in a relaxed environment. This is a conversation club for adults who do not speak English as their first language and want to improve their communication skills.

Board Game Bonanza

4:30pm–6:30pm
Elementary | Grades K-5
Downtown Newark
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Discovery Center-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Elementary | Grades K-5
Program Type: General Programming
Event Details:

Play board games with family and friends!

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Deer Trail Drive: Thornville

4:45pm–5:30pm
Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Mobile Library
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Mobile Library
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Event Details:

Visit our Mobile Library!

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Babcock Book Club

5:30pm–7:00pm
Adults
Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
Library Branch: Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
Room: Large Meeting Room- Johnstown
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book & Viewers' Clubs
Event Details:

Copies of The Crash by Freida McFadden are available at the Johnstown (Mary E.

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Jacksontown Road: Jacksontown

5:45pm–6:15pm
Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Mobile Library
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Mobile Library
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Event Details:

Visit our Mobile Library!

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Author Talk: Leigh Bardugo

7:00pm–8:00pm
Adults
Virtual
Virtual Event
Library Branch: Virtual
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book & Viewers' Clubs, General Programming, Speakers
Event Details:

Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.

Register and submit questions for the authors.

Maples & Manuscripts

7:00pm–8:30pm
Adults
Off Site
Open
Registration Required
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book & Viewers' Clubs
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us at the Octagon Earthworks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to discuss some of the best nature-themed nonfiction. We will also explore additional resources through activities to deepen our understanding of the natural world.

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Play by Play

11:00am–11:45am
Early Learners | Birth-5
Downtown Newark
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Discovery Center-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5
Program Type: General Programming
Event Details:

Find new ways to engage and play with your little one. Add new activities and games to your routine to lean on when you and your kiddo are both ready to try something new. Designed for ages 0-2.

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Into the Pages Celebration

10:30am–2:30pm
Elementary | Grades K-5
Downtown Newark
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Discovery Center-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Elementary | Grades K-5
Program Type: General Programming
Event Details:

Dress up as your favorite book character and participate in book-themed activities. All ages are welcome to this family-friendly event in the Discovery Center.

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Closed: Staff Development Day

All Day
Some Branches
Closing
Branches:
Buckeye Lake, Downtown Newark, Hebron, Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock), Utica, West Newark (Emerson R. Miller), Virtual, Off Site, Mobile Library

Family Story Time

10:30am–11:00am
Early Learners | Birth-5
Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
Library Branch: Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
Room: Large Meeting Room- Johnstown
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5
Program Type: Story Time

Enjoy stories, rhymes and songs that help develop early literacy skills! Designed for ages birth through 5.

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Sensory Story Time

10:30am–11:30am
Early Learners | Birth-5
Downtown Newark
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Discovery Center-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5
Program Type: Inclusive Programming
Event Details:

Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities leads a sensory story time! Use sensory bins and enjoy stories and movement activities! Designed for ages 3-5.

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Summit Ridge Estates: Pataskala

3:15pm–4:00pm
Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Mobile Library
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Mobile Library
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Event Details:

Visit our Mobile Library!

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Liberty Park: Pataskala

4:15pm–5:00pm
Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Mobile Library
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Mobile Library
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Event Details:

Visit our Mobile Library!

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Youth Classics Book Club

4:15pm–5:00pm
Elementary | Grades K-5
Downtown Newark
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Library Lab
Age Group: Elementary | Grades K-5
Program Type: Book & Viewers' Clubs
Event Details:

Whether you are an emergent or independent reader, sharpen your skills through discussion, vocabulary development and creative thinking with your peers. Participants can vote on the chapter book the group reads.

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Woodington Dr.: Pataskala

5:15pm–6:00pm
Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Mobile Library
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Mobile Library
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Event Details:

Visit our Mobile Library!

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Romantasy Book & Craft Club

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Downtown Newark
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Conference Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Book & Viewers' Clubs
Registration Required
Event Details:

Do you love fantasy mixed with your romance? This is a book club where discussions and making a craft go hand in hand. Materials are provided.

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Teen Craft & Chat

6:00pm–7:00pm
Teens | Grades 6-12
Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
Library Branch: Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
Room: Large Meeting Room- Johnstown
Age Group: Teens | Grades 6-12
Program Type: Activity Clubs, Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Bring your current crafting project to work on and chat with other crafty people. We'll have craft supplies available if you want to start a new project or learn a new skill.

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Modern Movie Monsters

6:30pm–7:30pm
Adults
Downtown Newark
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Meeting Room A-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Classes & Workshops, Exhibits, General Programming
Registration Required
Event Details:

Dr. Jamison Kantor explores how horror films and movie monsters are reactions to modern life. What makes a movie monster supernatural? Why are their opponents usually doctors and scientists?

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Tots and Twos

10:30am–11:00am
Early Learners | Birth-5
Downtown Newark
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Discovery Center-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5
Program Type: Story Time

Enjoy stories, rhymes and songs that help develop early literacy skills! Designed for ages birth through 2.

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Computer Basics

1:00pm–2:00pm
Adults
Off Site
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Tech
Event Details:

New to computers? Our Techspert explains the parts of a computer, the difference between hardware and software, how to open, close, and resize windows on a computer screen, and use a mouse with confidence.

Techsperts offer expert guidance and answers to common technology questions—for all skill levels! To schedule a free appointment at any of our locations call 740.349.5509 or email techspert@lickingcountylibrary.org. Zoom appointments are available.

Techsperts are made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the State Library of Ohio.

Empowered Minds: Restoration of Notre-Dame

1:00pm–2:30pm
Adults
Downtown Newark
Library Branch: Downtown Newark
Room: Meeting Room A-Downtown Newark
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Empowered Minds, Classes & Workshops
Event Details:

Art historian and artist Sean Crum discusses the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. On April 15, 2019, a catastrophic fire broke out in the Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris.

This free program is part of our lifelong learning series, Empowered Minds. The focus of this signature service is healthy aging and enrichment for the retirement-age citizens of Licking County. All adults are welcome. Empowered Minds is supported by a sustaining gift from Robert Trimble Jr., a lifelong learner, and, in part, by Licking County Senior Levy. Donations are appreciated.  

Additional Information

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Welcome Road: Newark

3:15pm–3:45pm
Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Mobile Library
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Mobile Library
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Event Details:

Visit our Mobile Library!

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.

Irish Lane: Newark

4:00pm–4:45pm
Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Mobile Library
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Mobile Library
Age Group: Early Learners | Birth-5, Elementary | Grades K-5, Teens | Grades 6-12, Adults
Event Details:

Visit our Mobile Library!

Additional Information

Photo Permission

On occasion, Licking County Library will photograph or take videos of patrons for educational or promotional purposes. If you wish to abstain from the use of your image or those of your dependents, please let a staff member know. Thank you.