Best Gift Ever Book Drive @ Manitowoc Public Library November 2 through December 4

Help build a lifetime of reading enjoyment by giving the gift of reading! Manitowoc Public Library is running our "Best Gift Ever" campaign to collect new children's books for local families in need. From November 2 through December 4, you can donate new, unwrapped books by placing them in the donation box near the First Floor Service Desk. All book donations will be given to three local nonprofits for distribution over the holiday season:

· Incourage

· Lakeshore Foster Family and Friends

· Salvation Army of Manitowoc County

All types of books are welcome—picture books, board books, chapter books, young adult books, anything you feel a child or teenager would enjoy reading! You can also make a monetary donation that will go towards purchasing new children's books to be donated. For checks, please make it to the "Friends of the Manitowoc Public Library," with "Best Gift Ever" in the notes line. Make sure monetary donations are submitted by November 24, so we can have the books ready for delivery in December. Owning something as simple as a book can have a tremendous impact on a child’s self-esteem and help boost their spirits. We ask that you work with us to provide new children’s books for these needy kids. The benefits will last a lifetime.

DWD Employment Assistance & Career Counseling Tuesdays in November, 9AM-4PM

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 is 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, assist 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 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/2026/11?keywords=DWD.

Genealogy Help with the Genealogical Society Tuesdays in November, 3-5PM

Members of the Manitowoc County Genealogical Society can be found at MPL between the magazines and the Idea Box makerspace every Tuesday from 3-5 PM to help people with their genealogy research.

Life After Loss Tuesday, November 3, 5:30-7PM

Life After Loss is an informal grief support group for those wanting to partner with others as they work through the grief process. This support group is led by Steve Cornelius, a Bereavement Coordinator from Hospice Compassus. This group will meet in Manitowoc Public Library’s Second Floor Board Room. Life After Loss will be convened twice monthly. This is the first session taking place this week. It takes place later in the day for those who can’t make it to MPL for the earlier Friday session.

3D Printer Badging Session Wednesday, November 4, 5-6PM

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, October 26, at 9AM. Head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/3d-printer-badging-session-31094 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.

Drop-In Chess Club @ MPL Wednesday, November 4, 6-7:30PM

Want to improve your memory and concentration or practice logical thinking skills? Make a smart move and join us for Drop-In Chess Club in Manitowoc Public Library’s Second Floor Balkansky Community Room from 6-7:30 PM on Wednesday, November 4! 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. Please remember that children under the age of 8 (even prodigies!) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Wait. What Just Happened? A Conversation with Author Sara Biren Thursday, November 5, 6-7:30PM

The road to publication—and literary success—is long and winding. Most authors, however, don't talk about the detours and roadblocks along the way. Since her first novel was published in 2017, local author Sara Biren has both experienced amazing vistas and hit every single pothole along the way. What happens when an author is on the brink of success—from invitations to speak on a panel at the esteemed Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and phone calls with Hollywood producers—and the road washes out from underneath? Spend an evening with Sara and MPL's Tim Gadzinski for a sit-down conversation (with audience questions, of course) in MPL's Balkansky Community Room on Thursday, November 5, from 6-7PM and learn what it takes to keep moving forward in an unpredictable and capricious industry.

Cricut Badging Session Friday, November 6, 2-3PM

Join us in the Idea Box for a demonstration of the Cricut Maker, a machine that cuts and scores a variety of materials for hobby crafting. Library Staff will show you how to use our Cricut Maker and the Design Space software. Upon completion of the training, you'll be "Badged" and eligible to use it at your leisure. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration opens on Friday, October 23, at 9AM. Head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/cricut-badging-session-31630 then to secure your spot! You must be 18 or older to participate in this program.

Life After Loss Friday, November 6, 3-4:30PM

Life After Loss is an informal grief support group for those wanting to partner with others as they work through the grief process. This support group is led by Steve Cornelius, a Bereavement Coordinator from Hospice Compassus. This is the earlier-in-the-day, second session of the week.

Open Sew and Badging with Betty Monday, November 9, 2-3PM

Resident sewing enthusiast Betty will be in the Idea Box bimonthly to answer questions or badge individuals on the sewing machines. Bring your own project to work on or get badged on the library sewing machines. Space is limited. Can't make it at the scheduled time? Contact Betty in the Youth Department at 920-686-3030 to set up a badging session. Open to ages 13+.

Glowforge Badging Session Wednesday, November 11, 5:30-7PM

Join us in the Idea Box makerspace for a demonstration of our Glowforge on September 18. 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, November 2, at 9AM. Head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/glowforge-badging-session-31237 at that time to secure your spot! You must be 18-years old or older to participate in this program.

Adult Book Discussion—Unlikely Animals, by Annie Hartnett Thursday, November 19, 6-7PM

Unlikely Animals spins the tale of natural-born healer, Emma Starling, who once had big plans for her life, but she’s lost her way. A medical school dropout, she’s come back to small-town New England to care for her father, who is dying from a mysterious brain disease. Her father has been hallucinating small animals, as well as having visions of the ghost of a long-dead naturalist, once known for letting wild animals live in his house. Emma’s younger brother has also recently returned following a stint in rehab and her former best friend from high school is missing, with no one bothering to look for her because the police say they don’t spend much time looking for drug addicts. If this type of tragicomic fare appeals to you, meet fellow book lovers for an engaging conversation in MPL’s Second Floor Board Room from 6-7PM on Thursday, November 19. Pick up your copy of “Unlikely Animals” near the First Floor’s Service Desk.

Tales from the Taproom 8: A StorySlam for Adults (21+) at PetSkull Brewing Company Thursday, November 19, 6-8PM

With Thanksgiving being literally one week away from this installment of “Tales from the Taproom—sponsored by Seehafer News—the theme, quite naturally, is "Let's Talk Turkey!!" All the gobble-gobble will be taking place at PetSkull from 6-8PM on Thursday, November 19, and the same, basic rules still apply: no props, no notes, and five minutes to tell a favorite Turkey Day true story. Because let's face it—when family and/or friends are thrown together in a confined space with an adequate amount of available overindulgence and non-stop sporting events being broadcast, something memorable is bound to bubble-up! Talk about a ruckus that broke out over who was supposed to bring what or who had the superior yams-and-mini-marshmallow recipe. Maybe someone's brother-in-law got so worked up that they tossed the turkey across the room before anyone even got to have a taste! Or tell everyone about the absolute best Friendsgiving ever! Whatever made an impression that you'd like to tell people about! But, wait! There's more! As if sharing a ripping Turkey Feast yarn wasn't motivation enough, PetSkull Paul has generously agreed to provide one gratis beverage to every storyteller that steps up to the mic that evening! Sharing a story and enjoying a beverage—what could be better! And you don’t have to come to “The Taproom” to tell a story—you can come to just listen, enjoy, and experience the wonder of communal storytelling. We can't wait to hear your Thanksgiving story during November’s "Tales from the Taproom!"

Enchanted Evergleams at MPL November 25, 2026, through January 10, 2027

'Tis the Season for the “Gleam Team”—Manitowoc Aluminum Kitsch-Mas Inc., or MAKI, for short—to present "Evergleams on Eighth" in Downtown Manitowoc! Over 100 glittering aluminum Evergleam trees in over forty different styles, sizes, and colors will be featured in participating downtown businesses, with an impressive number showcased at MPL in Frankie’s Enchanted Evergleam Forest at Manitowoc Public Library! Give into the sparkle of the rare trees on display! Returning this year—an incredible custom-made 14-foot Evergleam marvel that has been donated to Manitowoc Aluminum Kitsch-Mas Inc. by a very generous pair of sisters from Kansas! And as always, a number of additional Mirro ephemera items on loan from Manitowoc County Historical Society will lend additional community resonance to the goings-on! The glitter, the glitz, the history, the kitsch! All in the comfy confines of Manitowoc Public Library!

Frameworthy: Free Family Photo Sessions with Photographer Ian Wilsmann Monday, November 30, 5:30-7:30PM

Let’s be honest—the holiday season can be so expensive, even when you don’t factor in hiring a photographer for a family photo. Well, we had an idea—what if the Library partnered with a fantastic local photographer to provide FREE mini photo sessions for folks? And that’s exactly what we did! Local photographer extraordinaire, Ian Wilsmann, will provide TEN families with the opportunity to get their holiday pics taken with the Enchanted Evergleams at MPL as a backdrop! SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED! Registration will open Monday, November 9, at 9AM. All interested parties must call 920-686-3010 at that time to reserve a spot. Slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each mini session will be around 10 minutes long. Participants will receive free digital copies of photos to do with what they wish, and Ian will have all photos ready for families within two weeks of the photoshoots. Happy Holidays, Everyone!