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Photos of teen and adult activities: crochet, books, craft supplies, computer work

Something to Do

While Staying Home

Stuck at home? We're here to make it a little better, because teens and adults need enrichment just as much as kids do.

This page will be updated periodically with new activities!

Just Added:

Check here for the newest activities just added to the page!

FYI: School Summer Reading Lists

Virtual Puzzle: Need Some Help Choosing?

Skip To:

Virtual Escape Room

Video Guides: Crafts & Activities

Genealogy Corner

Read This: LCPL Staff Picks

Virtual Jigsaw Puzzles

Other Things to Do (printables and more)

Virtual Escape Room

Can you make it to the end?

Tests of the Worthy Chapter 1: Trial of Cunning and Insight

Tests of the Worthy Chapter 2: Trial of Strength

 

Video Guides: Crafts & Activities

Check out our playlist of crafts and how-tos (designed specially to be done with materials you probably have at home - no need to run to the craft store). We've included some tutorials on how to use our lesser-known online collections, as well!

Virtual Jigsaw Puzzles

Tip: To make the puzzles more challenging, click the rotate icon when you first open them! Or, click the grid icon to give the puzzle more (or less!) pieces.

 Purple Trees at Merrillville Branch

Sign and books Practice Shelf Care

Gnome on top of a stack of gardening books Gnome Sweet Gnome

Black tote with neon green handles. Books are popping out the top LCPL Bag O' Books

A terrier reading the book Ivan the Terrier Ivan the Terrier

The Reader statue wearing a red mask Mask Up Hoosiers!

A bronze frog sitting cross legged under a rainbow with books on meditation, coping, and being happy Peace, Love, & Books

An open book sitting on a tray in the grass with a vase of purple flowers, a teapot, a cracker and cheese plate, and a mug that says bookmarks are for quitters Bookmarks are for Quitters

Two stormtroopers behind a library desk. One is on the phone, the other is offering a book for his inspection These are Not the Books You're Looking For

The display case at lake station new chicago branch with paper decorations of books and paper letters spelling Our Books Missed You Our Books Missed You

A book lying open on a table with two stacks of books in front of it, and beyond that library shelves filled with books So Many Books

Display case filled with paper cut out decorations: Balloons, letters spelling Glad You're Back, bookworms, and books Glad You're Back

A white dog wearing glasses sitting on an old school desk with an open book. Books are Fun

A dog wearing glasses reading a book at an old timey school desk No, You Can't Borrow My Book

A 3D owl made of the pages of a discarded book Bookworm Owl

A young man sits at a picnic table reading under a large tree with splendid orange, yellow, and green leaves. Many leaves already litter the ground around him. Take a Break

R2D2 pushes a star wars book into a book drop outside Munster Branch R2D2 Returns Books

A waypointing sign showing destinations like Camelot, Who-ville, Panem, The Shire Your Next Adventure

Funny DVDs like Shazam, Rookie of the Year, and Skate Kitchen set on fake snow with snowflakes in the background Chase Away the Winter Blues

Bronze statue of two children reading on a bench Reading Statue

A small brown and white dog looking at the children's book Harry the Dirty Dog Harry Reads

Image of Bernie Sanders from the 2021 inauguration sitting with crossed arms and legs and very large mittens. Text reads Get Your Mittens on a good book. Get Your Mittens on a Good Book

A lamp in the shape of an open book, its pages glowing. It sits on top of a DVD called Enlighten Up, a book called Think by Guy P Harrison, and a book called The Dark Side of the Enlightenment by John Fleming Enlightenment

A chess board mid-game with chess instructional books stood up behind the board, one open on the corner. The novel The Queen's Gambit with the Netflix adaptation cover is in the foreground  The Queen's Gambit

The brick wall above a short bookshelf is decorated with a paper cut out of a large popcorn bag and scattered popcorn pieces. Letters spell out Pop into the library and check out a good movie  Movie Time

A row of ducks on a ledge - a few rubber ducks, a ceramic one, and in the middle Rosella wearing a face mask that looks like a duck bill  Ducks in a Row

Photo of the branch taken from a low angle with flowering plants large in the foreground  A Beautiful Day at Lake Station-New Chicago Branch

Photo of people standing at different levels on stairs holding signs that say we heart our library  We Love Our Library

Photo of a bulletin board decorated with paper ocean cut outs  Check Out the Ocean

Photo of a bulletin board decorated with tropical forest trees and animal cut outs  Check Out the Tropical Forest

Display case with a map and settings of books marked with pins and yarn  Reading Can Take You Everywhere

Woman taking many books from a shelf  I Have No Shelf Control

Stack of books with a library card on top  Library Card Sign Up Month

A brown and white dog sits among stacks and stacks of books  Perdy's Collection

Wooden shelves stocked wtih horrow books and decorated with a black cat and flying bats. There is caution tape over the front  Cats, Bats, and Books

A bulletin board with flyers for genealogy tools and events  Genealogy Offerings

A display of books all with red covers  Warm Up to a Good Book

The New Release DVD section at Merrillville  New Releases

The Giraffe sculpture from the children's department  Cecily the Giraffe

Four library workers posing with mustaches attached to the front of their face masks  We Mustache You to Solve This

A book open on a table with its center pages folded in to resemble a heart  I Heart Books

A book with several pages folded in such a way that it looks like a heart is popping out  Book Heart

The exterior of Merrillville Branch taken from a distance  Merrillville Branch

Book spines arranged in a rainbow by color on a shelf with a stuffed cat  Rainbow Books

A huge brigantine made of paper and cardboard sitting atop a bookshelf  Sail into Summer Reading

A small typewriter paperweight. The paper in it says Help. Stacks of books stretch out behind it  Need Some Help Choosing?

Book growing a treeGenealogy Corner

Brushing up on your family history? We can help.

Online Genealogy Research Tools

How to Find Genealogy Webinars During Quarantine

Using City Directories for Genealogy (Video) 

Read This!

LCPL staff picks for teens and adults


Want more?

Try our Reader's Advisory Tumblr!

Upcoming Events
Medicare 101
Wed, Aug 17, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
This free class, offered by Linda Bolan, will focus on the four parts of Medicare, enrollment requirements, deadlines, and Medicare fees... more
This free class, offered by Linda Bolan, will focus on the four parts of Medicare, enrollment requirements, deadlines, and Medicare fees and benefits.
Off the Hook
Wed, Aug 17, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Bring your favorite yarn or thread project and enjoy some great company while you create! All crafters and crafts are welcome!
North by Northwest (1959)
Wed, Aug 17, 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
An ad executive is mistaken for a spy by foreign agents. Now hunted, he goes on a cross-country journey to avoid captured. Not Rated.... more
An ad executive is mistaken for a spy by foreign agents. Now hunted, he goes on a cross-country journey to avoid captured. Not Rated. 136 min.
Teen Advisory Board - New volunteers welcome!
Wed, Aug 17, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
All teens are welcome at the monthly TAB meeting to discuss upcoming programs while earning volunteer hours. Please register.
One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Cronin
Wed, Aug 17, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Lenni lives in the terminal ward at the hospital. The teenager has been told she’s dying, but still has plenty of living to do. She... more
Lenni lives in the terminal ward at the hospital. The teenager has been told she’s dying, but still has plenty of living to do. She meets an 83-year-old, pajama-wearing rebel, who helps her.
Maltese Falcon
Thu, Aug 18, 10:30am - 12:15pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Join us for this month's Classic Film Series selection starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor. Run-time: 101 minutes. Rated... more
Join us for this month's Classic Film Series selection starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor. Run-time: 101 minutes. Rated TV-PG Light refreshments will be served. Please register online.
Tech One-On-One: iPad Basics
Thu, Aug 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Book this session to learn the basic features of your iPad and how to access the library's free online catalog. Please remember to bring... more
Book this session to learn the basic features of your iPad and how to access the library's free online catalog. Please remember to bring in your device and your email address, Apple ID and passwords.
This event is full
Thursday Threaders
Thu, Aug 18, 11:15am - 1:15pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Like to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, or do any other craft? Every Thursday, bring and work on your own project while enjoying the... more
Like to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, or do any other craft? Every Thursday, bring and work on your own project while enjoying the company of others.
Ask Us About Genealogy - Genealogy Research Help Sessions
Thu, Aug 18, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Merrillville Branch - Genealogy Room
Ask library staff for help with basic genealogy questions and local genealogy research. We can only provide general research guidance... more
Ask library staff for help with basic genealogy questions and local genealogy research. We can only provide general research guidance for brick wall questions.
Adult Craft Night: Pour Painting
Thu, Aug 18, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Munster
Get ready to make a mess in our next adult craft night! This time we're experimenting with pour painting. No experience is necessary -... more
Get ready to make a mess in our next adult craft night! This time we're experimenting with pour painting. No experience is necessary - just wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on!
This event is full
Craft and Chat
Sat, Aug 20, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Bring your craft projects from home and join us to chat with fellow crafters and work on your project without the interruptions of home.... more
Bring your craft projects from home and join us to chat with fellow crafters and work on your project without the interruptions of home. All are welcome.
Teen Board Game Afternoon - Game On!
Sat, Aug 20, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Hobart - Programming Room
A selection of board games will be provided for you and fellow teens to play. Registration is required. Ages 12 - 18
Coloring for Adults
Mon, Aug 22, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
De-stress and relax with pencils and coloring sheets provided by the library -- or bring your own!
Board Games: An Afternoon of Fun
Mon, Aug 22, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Play Scrabble or other games with friends and meet new ones. Games will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Join the fun!
Arts & Crafts - Scarecrow Decoration
Mon, Aug 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library to create your own scarecrow decoration. Registration is required. Supplies will be provided. Ages 15 and up.
Today’s Interview - With WorkOne
Mon, Aug 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Discover how the interview process has changed. Also, learn what you can do to prepare for face-to-face, virtual, or phone interviews.
Paint'n Time
Tue, Aug 23, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Bring your current painting projects/materials for an opportunity to chat and create!
My Last Continent by Midge Raymond - Fact or Fiction Book Club
Tue, Aug 23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Join the Fact or Fiction Book Club in discussing "My Last Continent" by Midge Raymond. Copies are available at the Highland Branch.
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré - Virtual Between the Lines Book Discussion
Tue, Aug 23, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Dyer-Schererville Zoom Room
The Between the Lines Book Club reads "The Girl with the Louding Voice" by Abe Daré. Books for this Zoom discussion can be picked up at... more
The Between the Lines Book Club reads "The Girl with the Louding Voice" by Abe Daré. Books for this Zoom discussion can be picked up at the Dyer-Schererville branch a month prior to the event.
Crochet @ Your Library
Tue, Aug 23, 4:00pm - 5:45pm
Cedar Lake - Cedar Lake - Public Tables
Bring yarn and a size H crochet hook or size 7 knitting needles and cotton yarn ... or bring along a project you're already working on!
Calumet Astronomical Society - Galaxy Formation
Tue, Aug 23, 7:00pm - 8:15pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Using the latest research findings, Dr. Luke Leisman of the University of Illinois Chicago Circle will discuss if there are galaxies we... more
Using the latest research findings, Dr. Luke Leisman of the University of Illinois Chicago Circle will discuss if there are galaxies we can't see and how galaxies form.
Off the Hook
Wed, Aug 24, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Bring your favorite yarn or thread project and enjoy some great company while you create! All crafters and crafts are welcome!
Beginner Genealogy Class
Wed, Aug 24, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Learn the basic concepts to start your family tree research. This includes where do I start, what records do I need and how do I put... more
Learn the basic concepts to start your family tree research. This includes where do I start, what records do I need and how do I put everything together.
Thursday Threaders
Thu, Aug 25, 11:15am - 1:15pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Like to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, or do any other craft? Every Thursday, bring and work on your own project while enjoying the... more
Like to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, or do any other craft? Every Thursday, bring and work on your own project while enjoying the company of others.
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré - Between the Lines Book Discussion
Thu, Aug 25, 11:15am - 12:30pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
The Between the Lines Book Club reads "The Girl with the Louding Voice" by Abi Daré. Books for this discussion can be picked up at the... more
The Between the Lines Book Club reads "The Girl with the Louding Voice" by Abi Daré. Books for this discussion can be picked up at the Dyer-Schererville branch a month prior to the event.
Faith by Jennifer Haigh - Munster Book Discussion
Thu, Aug 25, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Join us for an informal and relaxed discussion of Jennifer Haigh's "Faith." Copies are available at the Munster branch.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Thu, Aug 25, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the Wizard of Oz's premiere with a family viewing in the large meeting room. Rated G. 1 hr 52 min
See all events