Upcoming Events

Featured Events

trivia

Trivia Night at the Paisley Pear

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Outside the Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

April's theme is Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Contact the Paisley Pear to reserve a table. 

cozy mystery

Cozy Mystery Book Club

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Kansas Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
poetry contest

26th Annual Poetry Contest

Friday, April 17, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Young Adult, Adult
Program Type: Literary Event
Event Details:

Come join us for the Hays Public Library 26th Annual Poetry Contest! It's open to ages 16 and up. Please bring 4 copies of an original unpublished poem. Don't feel like competing, but still want to partake in the poetry?

Filters
Age Group

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.

HAC Watercolor Basics (Ages 9-13)

10:00am–11:00am
Children, Tween, Young Adult
Arts & Crafts
Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Children, Tween, Young Adult
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Event Details:

Exploration of watercolor, working in traditional methods, trying some new things, all inspired by famous artists! Register for this session by June 12th. 

Preschool Basics

10:30am–11:00am
Birth to Pre-K
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K
Event Details:

This class focuses on developing fine/gross motor skills, social/emotional skills, and phonics. Registration is required.

Cookbook Club

12:30pm–1:30pm
Adult
Book Club
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club

Read the book and prepare a recipe to share with the group!  


 

Readiness & Review - Pre-K-K

1:00pm–2:00pm
Birth to Pre-K, Children
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Birth to Pre-K, Children
Event Details:

This program is for students who will be entering kindergarten. We will be working on strengthening reading skills. Limited to 14 students, registration is required.

Video Games

2:00pm–3:00pm
Young Adult
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Young Adult

Movie Monday

2:00pm–3:30pm
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 Shark Tale.

Elder Financial Exploitation Workshop w/ Astra Bank

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adult
Presentation
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Presentation

Chess Club

6:00pm–7:30pm
Adult
Gaming
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Community Commons
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Gaming

Whether you are a master or a novice, you are welcome to join the Adult Chess Club.

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.

STREAM: Sternberg

10:30am–11:00am
Children, Tween
Presentation, STEM
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Children, Tween
Program Type: Presentation, STEM
Event Details:

Learn the difference between cartilaginous fish and bony fish, then do an activity involving shark teeth with Sternberg Museum!

Lunch & Learn

12:00pm–1:00pm
Adult
Presentation
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Presentation

Ocean Auras

2:00pm–3:00pm
Young Adult
Arts & Crafts
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Young Adult
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Create your own sun-catching, mystical jellyfish!

Underwater Sensory Bottle

2:00pm–3:00pm
Children, Tween
Arts & Crafts
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Children, Tween
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Create a sensory bottle with a prehistoric ocean theme!

Painting Class

6:00pm–7:00pm
Adult
Arts & Crafts
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Arts & Crafts

Enjoy an adults only painting class with a local teacher!  Participation is limited to the first 30 attendees.

Disclaimer(s)

Adults Only

This program is for adults only. Please do not bring children of any age.

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.

STREAM: KDWP

10:30am–11:00am
Children, Tween
STEM
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Schmidt Gallery
Age Group: Children, Tween
Program Type: STEM
Event Details:

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will teach you about the wetlands and pterosaurs in Kansas!

Readiness and Review, K-2

1:00pm–2:00pm
Children
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Children’s Storytime Room
Age Group: Children
Event Details:

This session is for children entering kindergarten, first, or second grade in August. This group will help the children maintain and build their skills during the summer months. This session will be limited to 14 students. An adult

TAB Time

2:00pm–3:00pm
Children, Tween, Young Adult
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Trish Davies Activity Room
Age Group: Children, Tween, Young Adult
Event Details:

Join our Teen Advisory Board for some fun! They are hosting an activity session with board games, crafts, and more for the younger youth. Oobleck will be our hands on activity!

HPL Board Meeting

4:00pm–5:30pm
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room Requested: Schmidt Gallery
Purpose of Meeting and Setup Desired - Please be specific. Vague responses may cause requests to be denied.

Hays Public Library Board of Directors monthly meeting. 

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.  
 

Cozy Mystery Book Club

6:30pm–7:30pm
Adult
Book Club
Library Branch: Hays Public Library
Room: Kansas Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club

If you enjoy murder mysteries like Murder She Wrote or Miss Marple, cozies are a great choice for you! These mysteries tend to feature an amateur sleuth, the murders happen behind the scenes, and so do any steamy scenes. We read either a stand alone title, or the first in a series, so you can explore more on your own. This Book Club has been offered at HPL for over 10 years, and we welcome you to join this fun-loving, mystery-solving group! We meet the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm.


 

Disclaimer(s)

Adults Only

This program is for adults only. Please do not bring children of any age.

Paws & Claws 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
Event Details:

Join us for a tail-wagging good time as local veterinarians visit for a special 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.