Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Kelly Hunt

Kelly Hunt & Beth Watts Nelson Musical Performance

Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Community Commons
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

Kelly Hunt will be returning, alongside a brand-new face and native Kansan, Beth Watts Nelson, on Thursday, August 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Schmidt Community Commons. This is Hunt’s 5th time performing at HPL.

Cookbook

Cookbook Club

Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11:00am - 12:00pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

This month's cookbook is Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten.

Adult Chess Club

Chess Club

Monday, August 18, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Community Commons
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Gaming
Forrest McCurren

Fall Art Walk/Forrest McCurren Performance

Friday, August 22, 2025 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Performance, Special Event
Event Details:

Forrest McCurren will provide entertainment during the Fall Art Walk. His music embodies Folk and Americana styles.

Bout & Corsage

How-To Series: Boutonniere and Corsage Making

Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Demonstration
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join HPL, FHSU Forsyth Library, and Chestnut Street Floral in this month's How-To Series. This month, we will learn how to make boutonnieres and corsages.

Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee

Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 8:30am - 10:00am
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Community Commons
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Engage in conversation with local legislators during this free event hosted by the Hays Chamber of Commerce. Coffee and scones from Breathe Coffee House will be served from 8-8:30am, and the forum will begin at 8:30. 

Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 8:30am - 10:00am
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Community Commons
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Engage in conversation with local legislators during this free event hosted by the Hays Chamber of Commerce. Coffee and scones from Breathe Coffee House will be served from 8-8:30am, and the forum will begin at 8:30. 

Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee

Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 8:30am - 10:00am
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Community Commons
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Engage in conversation with local legislators during this free event hosted by the Hays Chamber of Commerce. Coffee and scones from Breathe Coffee House will be served from 8-8:30am, and the forum will begin at 8:30. 

Filters
Age Group

Interactive Storytime

10:00am–10:30am
Birth to Pre-K
STEM, Storytime
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K
Program Type: STEM, Storytime

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Kansas Room Koffee Hour

10:00am–11:00am
Adult
History
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Kansas Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: History

Join us each Thursday morning for a laid back coffee hour with like-minded individuals. Patrons are welcome to discuss local history, genealogy, research, memories, and more! The Kansas Room Coordinator is available to answer questions and assist with Kansas Room resources.
 


 

Chess Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children, Tween, Young Adult
Gaming
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Upper Level Commons Area
Age Group: Children, Tween, Young Adult
Program Type: Gaming

Want to learn to play chess? Need to sharpen your skills? Chess Club is for you! Instructor Randy Brull will teach you everything you need to know about the game. Chess Club meets every Thursday. Please plan to attend each week. 
 


 

Teen Advisory Board

5:00pm–6:00pm
Young Adult
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Young Adult
Event Details:

Apply to be a volunteer to give back to your community and the library!

Storytime at Rainbow Stage near ARC Park

10:00am–11:00am
Birth to Pre-K, Children
Storytime
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Outside the Library
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K, Children
Program Type: Storytime

This Storytime will be at the Rainbow Stage near ARC Park.  Bring the family and enjoy some outdoor time together with stories, music, dance and more.  In case of rain, this event will relocate to the Storytime Room at HPL.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

STEAMWorks

1:00pm–2:00pm
Children, Tween, Young Adult
STEM
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Children, Tween, Young Adult
Program Type: STEM

Steamworks is a program for homeschool children on the first Friday of each month that focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
 

Board Games

4:00pm–5:00pm
Young Adult
Gaming
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Young Adult
Program Type: Gaming

Spend a relaxing hour defeating your enemies in board game tournaments. Become the undefeated Monopoly champion or show our staff how to play your favorite games.


 

Video Games

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children, Tween
Gaming
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Children, Tween
Program Type: Gaming

Challenge your friends in your favorite video games or try a new one!  

Early Active Reading

10:00am–10:30am
Birth to Pre-K
Storytime
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K
Program Type: Storytime

Exercise your brain and body in this active reading program. We will review letter sounds and combine early literacy skills with kinesthetic movement, art, and music. 


 

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

FOL Board Meeting

3:15pm–5:15pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room Requested: Conference Room

Movie Monday

4:00pm–5:30pm
Birth to Pre-K, Children, Tween
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K, Children, Tween
Event Details:

Relax on Monday afternoon with a movie and snacks!

This week, we are watching Willy Wonka.

Movie Monday

4:00pm–5:30pm
Young Adult
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Young Adult

Relax on Monday afternoon with a movie and snacks!

True Crime Book Club

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adult
Book Club
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Conference Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

Channel your inner "murderino" and discuss a new true crime book every month.

The September book is Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by John Krakauer. 

Sleepy Storytime

10:00am–10:30am
Birth to Pre-K
Storytime
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K
Program Type: Storytime

Ease into your day with this sleepy Storytime. Come in your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffie or blankie if you wish.  


 

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Bath Bombs

4:00pm–5:00pm
Young Adult
Arts & Crafts
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Young Adult
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Learn how to mix, mold, and customize your own colorful, fragrant bath bombs. All materials provided — just bring your creativity!

Fall Gnome

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children, Tween
Arts & Crafts
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Children, Tween
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Make a fall-themed gnome out of paper, glue, and markers.

How-To Series: Meeting Makeovers

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adult
Demonstration
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Outside the Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Demonstration

Trivia Night at the Paisley Pear

6:30pm–8:00pm
Adult
Gaming
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Outside the Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Gaming

Put your 4-person team together and head to the Paisley Pear for trivia with a new theme each month. 

Itty Bitty

10:00am–10:30am
Birth to Pre-K
Storytime
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K
Program Type: Storytime

Build early literacy skills from birth! Rhymes, fingerplays, music, and more await you and your child! Afterward, stay for playtime and visit with other parents and caregivers.
 

Older siblings are welcome at Itty Bitty. If you are looking for a Storytime geared for your older child, please join us on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Board Games

4:00pm–5:00pm
Children, Tween
Gaming
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Children, Tween
Program Type: Gaming

Spend a relaxing hour defeating your enemies in board game tournaments. Become the undefeated Monopoly champion or show our staff how to play your favorite games.


 

Mario Kart Tournament

4:00pm–5:00pm
Young Adult
Gaming
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Young Adult
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Challenge your friends in your favorite video games or try a new one!  We has a PS4, PS5, XBoxOne, Wii, and Switch! 


 

Race, drift, and battle for victory! Prizes, fun, and fierce competition await!

Crafter's Social Hour

5:30pm–7:00pm
Adult
Arts & Crafts
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Community Commons
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Arts & Crafts

Do you love to knit or crochet, or do you want to pick up a new hobby? Join us to work on your favorite crafts: cross-stitch, embroidery sewing, and more! Work on your projects, learn the basics, or just socialize with friends Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.  
 

Interactive Storytime

10:00am–10:30am
Birth to Pre-K
STEM, Storytime
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K
Program Type: STEM, Storytime

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Kansas Room Koffee Hour

10:00am–11:00am
Adult
History
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Kansas Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: History

Join us each Thursday morning for a laid back coffee hour with like-minded individuals. Patrons are welcome to discuss local history, genealogy, research, memories, and more! The Kansas Room Coordinator is available to answer questions and assist with Kansas Room resources.