Manitowoc, WI, January 15, 2026—Manitowoc Public Library’s February 2026 Adult Events are scheduled on the following dates and times.
 
2026 Winter Reading Program: Warm Up to a Good Book!      Through Saturday, February 28
The Winter Reading Program is open to All Ages! Read or be read to for a total of 10 hours from January 11 through February 28. Everyone who finishes receives a raffle ticket to enter to win one of a variety of fantastic prize baskets! Track your reading on the beanstack app or by visiting manitowoclibrary.beanstack.org, or by picking up a paper tracker at any service desk! This Winter Reading Program is generously sponsored by Manitowoc Public Library, Friends of Manitowoc Public Library, Green Bay Packers Give Back, Lake Michigan Carferry, On the Surface, Little Sips Play Cafe, and The Read Apple Toy Shoppe.
 
Great Decisions 2026                                                                      Mondays in February at 6 PM
Manitowoc Public Library is proud to present Great Decisions 2025, our twentieth year of hosting this preeminent eight-week grassroots lecture series that provides the citizens of the Lakeshore area with the opportunity to discover, discuss, and decide how to meet some of the world’s greatest challenges head-on. Increasingly, global events have become domestic concerns and Great Decisions takes you beyond the headlines with essential background information, relevant facts, ever-shifting policy options and impartial analysis.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Great Decisions 2026 will be presented in a hybrid format—offered in-person in MPL’s Balkansky Community Room, as well as livestreamed simultaneously online on both our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/manitowoclibrary) and YouTube channel.
 
The lecture schedule is as follows:
 
February 2    Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy, Pablo Toral, PhD, Beloit College
February 9    Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation, Martin Farrell, PhD, Ripon College (retired)
February 16  U.S.-China Relations, Shale Horowitz, PhD, UW-Milwaukee
February 23  Ukraine and the Future of European Security, Yoshiko Herrera, PhD, UW-Madison
 
The Great Decisions Series is FREE and open to the public. No registration is required. For a more detailed description for each of the above topics, please head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/events/great-decisions.
 
DWD Employment Assistance & Career Counseling               Tuesdays in February, 9 AM-4 PM
The Department of Workforce Development staff is providing onsite services in MPL’s Franklin Street Room for both Employment Assistance and Career Counseling. Here are some of the specifics:

• Drop-In Employment Assistance: Department of Workforce Development staff will provide onsite services, including resume writing, assistance with online applications, assistance registering in Job Center of Wisconsin, and more! No appointment needed.
• Career Counseling: Dealing with a Job Loss or considering a Career Change? Career and Employment Counseling may help! Our licensed career counselor can assist with providing support and encouragement, assisting with the exploration of career and self-assessments, assisting with reviewing labor market information, removing and overcoming obstacles, and creating an individualized employment plan to help you turn your career vision into a reality. Our Career Counselor can also provide you with the tools, feedback and resources you need to be successful in your job search. For in-person career counseling, contact Ellen Hope at 920-930-6553 or ellen.hope@dwd.wisconsin.gov to make an appointment.

 
To see all the hours and date specifics, head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/events/month/2026/02?keywords=DWD.
 
Genealogy Help with the Genealogical Society                             Tuesdays in February, 3-5 PM
Members of the Manitowoc County Genealogical Society can be found in MPL’s Manitowoc Collection every Tuesday from 3-5 PM to help people with their genealogy research.
 
Drop-In Chess Club @ MPL                                                    Wednesday, February 4, 6-7:30 PM
Want to improve your memory and concentration or practice logical thinking skills? Make a smart move and join us for Drop-In Chess Club at Manitowoc Public Library’s Second Floor Balkansky Community Room from 6-7:30 PM on Wednesday, February 4! The game of chess offers many brainy benefits—and it's just fun! Those of all abilities and ages (6-years plus, please) are welcome, but staff will not offer formal instruction. Chessboards are provided and library materials are available for further learning. No registration is required, but please remember that children under the age of 8 (even prodigies!) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
 

Check Out the Library: A Tour of MPL                                    Thursday, February 5, 6-7:30 PM

Manitowoc Public Library’s role in the community continuously evolves as we expand our collection, enhance our amenities, and provide unique programs. You may not be aware of everything MPL has to offer. Did you know MPL has a Makerspace, a Seed Library, and a Toy Library? To learn about these resources and others, come to Manitowoc Public Library on Thursday, February 5, for "Check Out the Library: A Tour of MPL”. This guided tour will introduce you to many of the wonderful features of Manitowoc Public Library. The tour includes:

• An overview of the various collections for Adults, Teens, and Kids.
• A preview of upcoming programs and special events.
• A walking tour of the building*

*The tour will consist of public areas only. It will not include administrative offices or processing areas. You will need to be able to withstand walking/standing for about an hour.
 
No registration required. If you are interested in learning more about your local library, join us on Thursday, February 5, at 6 PM for “Check Out the Library: A Tour of MPL”.
 
Space to Write                                                            Tuesdays, February 10 & 24, 5:30-7:30 PM
Do you have a novel or short story you want to write? How about a screenplay or a memoir? Poetry? Graphic novels? Then you need—Space to Write! Every second and fourth Tuesday evening of the month from 5:30-7:30 PM, the First Floor Teen Space will be open to writers of all descriptions, from professional to novice. Come find your people in a community of fellow adventurers. Sit in the Chair of Inspiration! Take a risk in the Forest of Dares! Browse for new directions in the Prompt Marketplace! Seek wisdom from occasional wandering speakers and guest presenters! Above all, get comfortable with your creativity. This is your Space to Write.
 
Glowforge Badging Session                                                     Tuesday, February 10, 6-7:30 PM
Join us in the Idea Box makerspace for a demonstration of our Glowforge on January 27. The Glowforge uses a laser to engrave designs into different material types like acrylic and wood. Library Staff will show you how to use our Glowforge and upon completion of the training, you'll be "Badged" so you can use the Glowforge at your leisure. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens on Monday, February 2, at 9 AM. Head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/glowforge-badging-session-25874 at that time to secure your spot! You must be 18-years old or older to participate in this program.
 

Free Life Skills Workshop—Heartwise: Healthy Relationships for Life

Thursday, February 12, 6-7:30 PM

Join Rogers Behavioral Health for a transformative series of free, monthly life skills workshops. Open to everyone in the community, you'll gain valuable life skills in a supportive, non-clinical environment. Registration encouraged, though not required through Rogers Behavioral Health.
 
Glowforge Badging Session                                                     Friday, February 13, 2-3:30 PM
Join us in the Idea Box makerspace for a demonstration of our Glowforge on January 27. The Glowforge uses a laser to engrave designs into different material types like acrylic and wood. Library Staff will show you how to use our Glowforge and upon completion of the training, you'll be "Badged" so you can use the Glowforge at your leisure. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens on Monday, February 2, at 9 AM. Head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/glowforge-badging-session-26336 at that time to secure your spot! You must be 18-years old or older to participate in this program.
 
Card Smart: Library Card Basics                                        Wednesday, February 18, 5:30-7 PM
Join Manitowoc Public Library staff member Tony, as he shows you how to get the most out of your library card. This session focuses on the basics of library cards and material checkouts.
Learn how to:

• Manage your Library Account
• Search the Library Catalogue
• Place Items on Hold
• Locate Materials in the Library
• Check Out Materials

 
This is a fantastic opportunity for those new to Manitowoc Public Library (or libraries in general) to learn how to access the thousands of books, movies, and other materials MPL has to offer. We'll also cover tips and tricks that even established library users will benefit from! No registration required. Join us on Wednesday February 18, at 5:30 PM and start maximizing what your library card can do for you!
 
Mental Health and Teens: A Primer for Adults                       Thursday, February 19, 6-7:30 PM
Today's teens have a lot of stressors—school, work, friends, social media. And that can lead to a dangerous slide into substance abuse, suicide, cyberbullying and more. How can parents and caregivers be cognizant of these dangers related to teens' mental health? Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Rachel Gordon, with Lakeview Psychological Associates and Rula Health will share tips on identification, prevention and treatment and answers parents' questions. 
 
Soundbooth Badging Session                                           Saturday, February 21, 11 AM-12 PM
Join us in the Idea Box for a demonstration of the Soundbooth. Our professional-grade Soundbooth is available for recording spoken media, mixing prerecorded musical and vocal tracks, and other sound recording. Library Staff will show you how to use the Soundbooth and upon completion of the training, you'll be "Badged" so that you can use the Soundbooth at your leisure. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens on Sunday, February 8, at 9 AM, online, at www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/soundbooth-badging-session-26633. You must be 15 or older to participate in this program. If registration is full, don't worry. We'll have more training sessions throughout the year.
 

3D Printer Badging Session                                                     Tuesday, February 24, 6-7:15 PM

Join us in the Idea Box for a demonstration of the Prusa Core One 3D Printer. MPL Staff Member, Tony, will show you how to use the 3D Printer and upon completion of the training you'll be "Badged" so you can use the 3D Printer at your leisure. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens Monday, February 16, at 9 AM. Head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/3d-printer-badging-session-25881 at that time to secure your spot. You must be 14-years old or older to participate in this program. Individuals who are 14-17 years old must have a parent or guardian present to complete a waiver to use the equipment.
 
Card Smart: Using Technology at MPL                               Wednesday, February 25, 5:30-7 PM
Join Manitowoc Public Library staff member Tony, as he shows you how to get the most out of your library card. This session focuses on the basics of Technology Usage at MPL.
Learn how to:
 

• Navigate Manitowoc Public Library’s Website
• Access our Digital Databases
• Sign into a MPL Public Computer
• Print, Copy, Scan and Fax Documents
• Access the Idea Box (MPL's makerspace)

 
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn what digital resources and in-house equipment are available to you as a MPL card holder. This demonstration will help give you the confidence to further explore these wonderful resources. No registration required. Join us on Wednesday, February 25, at 5:30 PM and start maximizing what your library card can do for you!
 
6^th Annual Lakeshore Area Seed Swap                             Saturday, February 28, 9 AM-12 PM
Join the Lakeshore Seed Collective in the Balkansky Community Room at Manitowoc Public Library for the 6^th Annual Lakeshore Area Seed Swap on Saturday, February 28, from 9 AM to Noon. A seed swap is a no-cost seed exchange. If you have extra seeds that you aren't planting or you are looking for something to plant in your own garden, stop by MPL! Think of a seed swap as a potluck—but with seeds! There is no cost to participate and you don't need to bring seeds in order to take some seeds. Any vegetable or flower seeds are fine. There is a box at the Library near the Main Service Desk on the First Floor where you can drop off seeds. We'd appreciate donations of seeds ahead of time so that we have a chance to organize them. If you have any questions about donations, please reach out to the Lakeshore Seed Collective through this email: lakeshoreseedcollective@gmail.com.