School's Out! Summer Celebration
2025-05-21 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for a refreshing root beer float and help us kick off summer with a bang at our “School’s Out! Summer Celebration”! Plan on an afternoon of fun and festivities as we bid farewell to the school year and welcome the sunny days ahead.
Get ready to indulge in a classic summer treat – root beer floats! Cool off with a delicious combination of creamy vanilla ice cream and fizzy root beer, served up just the way you like it (donated by Henderson’s IGA). But hurry – supplies are limited, so be sure to get yours before they’re gone!
While you’re sipping on your frosty float, why not challenge your friends and family to some friendly competition? Weather permitting, we’ll have yard games set up outside, including cornhole, giant Jenga, fat penny, ladder ball, and more. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors and celebrate the start of summer vacation!
So grab your sunglasses, gather your crew, and join us for a day of fun in the sun. Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, there’s something for everyone at our School’s Out for the Summer Celebration!
No RSVP required – just come on down and join the party! We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Craft Hour: Create Your Own Kaleidoscope! Grades K-5
2025-05-22 15:45 - 16:45
Explore light, color, and creativity at this exciting Craft Hour! Kids in grades K–5 are invited to build their very own kaleidoscopes using simple supplies and their imagination.
We’ll learn how mirrors and angles work together to create dazzling patterns—and then make our own mesmerizing kaleidoscopes to take home. This hands-on craft is both fun and educational, with a little science and a lot of sparkle!
All materials provided—just bring your curiosity! No registration needed.

Story-Time: Pre-K
2025-05-23 09:30 - 10:00
This Week’s Theme: Ice Cream!

Join us for some fun this May at the library! Our story time is designed for Pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after story time—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones here!

Memorial Day Closure Notice
2025-05-26 | Valentine Public Library, 324 N Main ST, Valentine, NE, 69201, United States
We will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, for Memorial Day. We will reopen on May 27th at 9:00 a.m.
In observance of Memorial Day, our doors will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025. We’ll be taking this time to honor and remember those who have served our country with bravery and sacrifice. Remember, even when our physical doors are closed, the world of books remains wide open. Dive into a new adventure or explore a captivating story right from the comfort of your home with our app, Libby. With just a few taps, you can access a vast collection of ebooks and audiobooks to satisfy your reading cravings.
So while we take this brief pause to pay our respects, don’t hesitate to explore the virtual shelves of Libby for your next literary escape. We’ll see you back at the library soon!

Craft Hour: Scratch Art Surprise! Grades 3-8
2025-05-27 15:45 - 16:45
Get ready to scratch your way to a masterpiece! Kids in grades 3-8 are invited to join us for a fun and artistic Craft Hour where we’ll be making scratch art using round paper plates and paint.
First, we’ll cover our plates in vibrant colors with oil pastels, then paint over them with black paint. Once they’re dry, the real fun begins—use scratching tools to reveal the bright colors underneath and create your own one-of-a-kind design!
All supplies provided—just bring your imagination! No registration needed.

Board Meeting
2025-05-27 16:30 - 17:30
The regular meeting of the Valentine Public Library Board will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in the Library Meeting room to conduct any business that may properly come before them. A current agenda will be on file at the public library.

Craft Hour: Ping Pong Ball Tealights! Grades K-5
2025-05-28 15:45 - 2025-05-29 16:45
Let your creativity shine at this Craft Hour! Kids in grades K–5 are invited to make glowing tealight lanterns using ping pong balls and battery-operated lights.
These fun and safe little lights are easy to decorate and perfect for adding a soft glow to any room. We’ll provide all the supplies—just bring your imagination and get ready to craft something that really lights up!
No registration needed—just drop in and join the glow-up fun!

Story-Time: Pre-K
2025-05-30 09:30 - 10:00
This Week’s Theme: Camping!

Join us for some fun this May at the library! Our story time is designed for Pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after story time—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones here!

VPL Summer Program: Grades K-5th
2025-06-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-18 10:00 - 11:00
📚🌈 Get ready for a summer of fun at VPL! Our Summer Reading Program: Reading Colors Our World will take place on Wednesday mornings in June from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
Each week, kids will enjoy stories, activities, and a special guest! 🌟Whether you’re exploring new books, building cool creations, or making colorful crafts, there’s something for everyone this summer at VPL!
Don’t miss out on this exciting and colorful summer adventure! Let’s read, imagine, and create together.
📖 Who can join? Kids completing grades K-5 in the 2024-2025 school year.
For more information, call us at 402-376-3160 or stop by the library.

SHHH! We're Reading Kid's Book Club
2025-06-16 16:00 - 17:00
They got lost. The world got scared. And the mud got fuzzy.
Join us this month as we dive into Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar—a suspenseful and thought-provoking story that blends science, mystery, and friendship.
When fifth grader Tamaya and seventh grader Marshall take a shortcut through the off-limits woods, they end up facing more than just a bully. What they stumble upon could change everything—not just for them, but for the whole world. This discussion will explore the choices we make, the risks of science gone wrong, and just how weird mud can get.
📖 Haven’t finished the book? No problem—come anyway! We’d love to hear your thoughts. Bring your curiosity and your questions!

Sidewalk Stained Glass at the Library: For kids and kids at heart!
2025-06-19 15:45 - 16:45
Get ready to turn our sidewalks into stunning stained glass masterpieces! ✨
Join us for a creative outdoor art activity where we’ll use painter’s tape to design our own “stained glass” patterns and fill them in with bright, colorful chalk. When the tape comes off—voila!—a beautiful mosaic effect that will make the whole library entrance shine!
Whether you’re a little artist or just young at heart, everyone is welcome to join the fun. No artistic experience required—just bring your imagination and a love for color! Chalk and supplies provided
Let’s brighten up the library, one square at a time! 🌈

Story Time: Pre-K
2025-06-20 09:30 - 10:00
This Week’s Theme: Sticks!

June is made for fun—come spend it with us at the library! Our story time is designed for Pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Music & Motion: Join the music fun with rhythm sticks, egg shakers, and more—perfect for wiggling and giggling!
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after story time—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones here!

Board Meeting
2025-06-23 16:30 - 17:30
The regular meeting of the Valentine Public Library Board will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in the Library Meeting room to conduct any business that may properly come before them. A current agenda will be on file at the public library.

Pinch & Paint: Part 1- Grades 3 & Up
2025-06-24 15:45 - 16:45
Get your hands messy and your creativity flowing at the library! Join us for Pinch & Paint, a two-part clay craft where young artists will learn how to shape and decorate their own pinch pots.
In Part 1 (today!), we’ll use modeling clay to form small, handmade pots using the pinch pot technique. These pots will be left at the library to dry and harden.
Then come back on Thursday, June 26 for Part 2, where we’ll bring your creations to life with paint! 🎨 We’ll provide all the supplies—just bring your imagination.

VPL Summer Program: Sandhills Leadership team
2025-06-25 10:00 - 11:00
📚🌈 Led by the Sandhills Leadership Team!Join us for the last Wednesday of our Summer Reading Program: Reading Colors Our World as the amazing young adults from the Sandhills Leadership Team take the lead! They’ll guide us through fun, creative activities that celebrate imagination, color, and community spirit.
🕙 Wednesday morning | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | K-5th grade📍 Valentine Public Library
This event is part of our exciting summer series where each week brings stories, hands-on fun, and special guests. Whether you’re painting the sidewalk, exploring new books, or crafting up a storm, there’s something for everyone!

Pinch & Paint: Part 2 – Time to Add Color!
2025-06-26 15:45 - 16:45
Your clay creations are ready! Join us for Part 2 of our Pinch & Paint craft event as we bring those pinch pots to life with color.
If you joined us earlier to make a clay pot, now’s your chance to finish your masterpiece. We’ll have all the paint and supplies you need to decorate your pot and make it uniquely yours.
Let your creativity shine and take home your finished work of art! 🎨

Story Time: Pre-K
2025-06-27 09:30 - 10:00
This Week’s Theme: Chameleons!

June is made for fun—come spend it with us at the library! Our story time is designed for Pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Music & Motion: Join the music fun with rhythm sticks, egg shakers, and more—perfect for wiggling and giggling!
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after story time—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones here!

Sand Painters Art Club Artist Reception: All ages welcome
2025-06-30 13:00 - 14:00
Art lovers of all ages are invited to join us for a special Artist Reception at the library! This month we’re featuring the work of Susan Reenders McNaught, DVM, an artist from Blunt, South Dakota, who uses multiple mediums to express her deep passion for the American West.
From bold brushstrokes to textured mixed media, Susan’s work captures the spirit, landscape, and life of the West in powerful and unique ways.
Come enjoy light snacks, connect with fellow art enthusiasts, and explore this inspiring display during this casual come-and-go event hosted by the Sand Painters Art Club.
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate local creativity and the beauty of the West through art!

Pre-K Take & Make: Patriotic Paper Popsicle Craft
2025-07-01 09:00 - 2025-07-03 17:00
Even though the library will be closed on July 4th, you can still celebrate with a festive craft! Stop by July 1–3 to pick up a patriotic paper popsicle Make & Take—a fun and simple activity perfect for little hands.
Celebrate the season with red, white, and blue creativity! 🧁✨Available while supplies last.

Craft Hour: Rockin’ Photo Holders (Grades 3 & Up)
2025-07-01 15:45 - 16:45
🪨📸 Get crafty and creative at the library during Rockin’ Photo Holders! Using rocks, wire, and colorful beads, we’ll design unique photo holders that are perfect for displaying your favorite snapshots, artwork, or notes.
This hands-on project is a fun way to explore design and sculpture—no two creations will be the same! Come show off your style and leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake. All supplies provided. Just bring your imagination! 🎨🧠

Craft Hour: Sand Necklaces (Grades 3 & Up)
2025-07-08 15:45 - 16:45
🏖️✨ Layer, pour, and create at this colorful Craft Hour: Sand Necklaces! Using decorative sand in vibrant hues, kids will fill clear pendants to design their own wearable works of art.
Choose your colors, create your pattern, and turn simple sand into something special. These eye-catching necklaces make great gifts or keepsakes—and no two will be the same! All materials provided—just bring your creativity! 🎨🧵

Resin Bookmark Workshop: Ages 15 and Up
2025-07-09 17:00 - 18:30
Join us at Valentine Public Library to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind resin bookmark using non-toxic resin and pressed flowers. This relaxing, hands-on craft is perfect for adults & young adults looking to unwind and get creative.

No registration needed — just walk in! All materials provided while supplies last. Drop in anytime between 5:00 and 6:30 PM. Ages: 15 & up.
Come craft with us and take home a lovely bookmark for your next read!

Craft Hour: Paper Pinwheels (Grades K–5)
2025-07-10 15:45 - 16:45
Let your creativity spin! Join us for Craft Hour and make your very own paper pinwheels—fun, colorful, and perfect for catching the summer breeze! 🌈🌀
We’ll provide all the supplies you need to fold, decorate, and assemble a spinning masterpiece that’s as fun to make as it is to play with.
Perfect for kids in grades K–5. Come craft, create, and watch your artwork twirl! ✂️💨

Pre-K Story Time: Theme Swimming Pool
2025-07-11 09:30 - 10:00
There’s excitement in the air this July at the library—don’t miss out! Our story time is designed for Pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Music & Motion: Join the music fun with rhythm sticks, egg shakers, and more—perfect for wiggling and giggling!
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after story time—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones here!

Craft Hour: Shrinky Dink Key Chains (Grades 3 & Up)
2025-07-15 15:45 - 16:45
Watch your art shrink into something amazing! Join us for Craft Hour: Shrinky Dink Keychains, where kids can design, color, and create their own keychain using special shrink plastic.
Draw your favorite characters, doodles, or initials—then watch the magic happen as we bake them into miniature masterpieces! Turn your shrunken art into a fun keychain to take home and show off. 🎨 All supplies provided. Just bring your creativity—and get ready for some shrinky fun!

Virtual Reality Game Truck: Grades 4-12
2025-07-17 14:30 - 17:30
Game Truck Take Over! 🎮🚛
Get ready for an epic gaming experience at VPL! VR Game Truck Nebraska is rolling into the library, bringing high-tech virtual reality gaming right to you. Step inside the truck, put on a VR headset, and immerse yourself in exciting virtual worlds—battle robots, explore galaxies, or test your skills in fast-paced games. It’s like stepping inside the game itself!
Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up by July 10, 2025, to reserve your spot! Kids will be assigned a time based on the grade they are entering into next year:
Kids entering grades 4-5 at 2:30, grades 6-7 at 3:30, & grades 8-12 at 4:30. Just give us a call at 402-376-3160. Please note—walk-ins won’t be available, so don’t wait!
VR Game Truck Nebraska has VR stations and several gaming systems that you will play during your hour. 🚀
👾 This event is for Valentine Public Library cardholders in good standing only. Limit of only one slot per kid for the day. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Pre-K Story Time: Theme Fish
2025-07-18 09:30 - 10:00

Hot Days...Cool Reads Book Sale
2025-07-21 - 2025-07-25
📚🔥 Looking for the perfect cool-down during the Nebraska Star Party or the Cherry County Fair? Step into the library, recharge your body (and your phone 📱❄️), and check out our Summer Book Sale—a week-long event full of great reads for all ages!
Browse a huge selection of gently used books available for free-will donation. From timeless classics to surprising new finds, there’s something for every reader—and every budget!
📅 Sale runs all week!Take your time, explore the tables, and bring home some hidden gems just waiting for a new shelf to call home. Whether you’re a seasoned bookworm or just browsing for beach reads, you’re sure to find something you’ll love.
So stop by, cool off, and stock up on stories to last you all summer long! ☀️📖❤️
