OPL 2026 FEB-MAR Program Guide

OPELIKA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Program Guide FEBRUARY - MARCH 2026

February 26-28 at Opelika Public Library Check inside or visit opelikabookfestival.com for more information!

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Blind Date with a Book

Fall in love with a

new book Collections available

throughout

the month of

February

March 16-20

Blast into fun all Spring Break with OPL!

PL A YDAT E

with a book

Story Times Yoga Story Time Mondays at 11:00. For ages 2-5.

Movin' & Groovin' Story Time

Drop-in Valentine Crafternoon

Appleseed to Apples: Game Night

February 11th at 4:00 Roses are red, violets are blue, we will be making crafts, and you should, too! Drop-in anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. to create some fun Valentinethemed crafts for you or your special someone.

March 11th at 5:00 Join us for a Johnny Appleseed inspired game night!

Come play Apples to Apples, and snack on some apple-y treats.

Tuesdays at 11:00. For ages 2-5.

Pokemon Club

Sleepy Story Time

February 25th & March 25th at 4:00 Do you love all things Pokemon? Join us for our monthly Pokemon meet-up. Play games, make connections, and have fun!

Tuesdays at 6:15. For all ages.

Baby & Me Story Time Wednesdays at 9:30. For ages 0-2.

Stuffed Animal Hospital Story Time

Messy Story Time

February 28th at 10:00 Join us for a special story time with your favorite stuffed animal! After the story, your stuff can visit the OPL Animal Hospital. There will be stations to weigh, x-ray, bandage your stuffy, and more!

Thursdays at 11:00. For ages 2-5.

Family Story Time Fridays & Saturdays at 10:00. For all ages.

Solar Oven S'mores March 17th at 2:00 Harness the power of the sun and let Mother Nature be your chef! Make and use your own solar-powered "oven" and enjoy some s'mores with OPL.

Kids Tween Tuesday February 10th & March 10th at 4:00 Join us the 2nd Tuesday of the month for a fun afternoon just for you! Bring a friend for crafts, games, and snacks.

Tween Tuesdays is only for students in 4th and 5th grade.

Fright Club th

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February 11 & March 11 at 4:00 Do you love spooky stories, creepy creatures, and thrilling adventures? Join us for Fright Club - stories just for 3rd–5th graders who dare to read on the scary side!

For students in 3rd-5th grade.

Jr. Robots 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 4:00 Join us to learn the how to control Dot and Dash through code! This is an introductory program, no prior coding experience necessary!

For students in grades 3-5

Tasty Tales February 18th & March 18th at 4:15 Part story time, part cooking class - all Fun! Join us as we read a food focused book and then sample the food from the story. You will also get to take home a recipe and tips for recreating the dish at home.

This program is for students in grades K-5. Food allergies cannot be accommodated. Food tasting items will be posted with advance notice.

Book Builders Lego Club February 4th & March 4th at 4:00 Unleash your creativity with LEGO bricks! Whether you’re building structures, vehicles, or entire worlds, this event is all about imagination and teamwork. Come show off your building skills, collaborate with others, and see what incredible creations you can come up with!

Bookworms with O Grows February 2nd & March 2nd at 4:00 Can you dig it? Books + Nature = Fun! Join us monthly for an outdoor adventure with our friends from O Grows. We will read a story and then participate in a nature/outdoor/garden-themed activity. Learn about the natural world around us and become a real-life bookworm! (Dress for mess)

Blast Off: Egg Drop Challenge March 19th at 2:00 Can your egg defy gravity? Join us to create your own "nest egg" and see if it can handle the drop with some help from our friends at the Opelika Fire Department. *All supplies will be provided.

Coca-Cola Space Science Center's Portable Planetarium March 20th at 11:00, 12:00, & 1:00 Take a journey to the stars in the Coca Cola's Space Science Center's Portable Planetarium. This is a 45 minute show that will be enclosed inside the planetarium. You must commit to the entire viewing.

This is strictly for 2nd graders and up. Registration required. No food or drink allowed inside the planetarium.

Teens Robots 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 5:00 Learn how to code with Dot & Dash!

Groundhog Games

Glow Beyond the Stars March 16th at 2:00 Come create your own glowing art—galaxy edition!

Create your solar system , take it home, let it charge in the sun, and when the lights go out… watch your galaxy light up the night!

Solar Oven S'mores March 17th at 2:00 Harness the power of the sun and let Mother Nature be your chef! Make and use your own solar-powered "oven" and enjoy some s'mores with OPL.

Chess League March 17th at 5:00 Hang out and play chess with other teens— beginners welcome.

Bouncing Moon Rocks March 18th at 5:00 Get ready to "bounce" into this hands on space craft, no space suit required! Come join us to make glow in the dark, bouncing moon rocks and turn the library into a mini moon lab!

Blast Off: Egg Drop Challenge March 19th at 2:00 Can your egg defy gravity? Join us to create your own "nest egg" and see if it can handle the drop with some help from our friends at the Opelika Fire Department. *All supplies will be provided.

Coca-Cola Space Science Center's Portable Planetarium March 20th at 11:00, 12:00, & 1:00 Take a journey to the stars in the Coca Cola's Space Science Center's Portable Planetarium. This is a 45 minute show that will be enclosed inside the planetarium. You must commit to the entire viewing.

This is strictly for 2nd graders and up. Registration required. No food or drink allowed inside the planetarium.

Adults & Teens

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February 2 at 4:00 Join in our groundhog games - you'll race the clock in these Punxsutawney Phil- inspired challenges.

Drop-in Valentine Crafternoon February 11th at 4:00 Roses are red, violets are blue, we will be making crafts, and you should, too! Drop-in anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. to create some fun Valentinethemed crafts for you or your special someone.

Mardi Gras Mosaics th

February 17 at 4:30 Let the good times roll! Join us on Fat Tuesday to create dot art, using paint and beads.

Disco Snail Inferno March 3rd at 4:00 Help keep disco Stayin’ Alive—come make a groovy snail with a disco ball shell!

Fiber & Fabric 1st Monday & 3rd Thursday of each month from 4:30-6:30 A time and place for those who love the fiber arts.

You are welcome to come and crochet, knit, cross stitch, quilt, or whatever you fancy.

Adults Dancercise Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 Join us for this fun dance class for adults! Our experienced instructor, Anita, will guide you through Zumba-style dance with easy-to-follow steps and techniques.

Dancercise meets at the Southside Center for the Arts directly across the street from the OPL parking lot.

Energized Exercise Wednesdays at 9:00 This class teaches how to blend flowing gentle movements and energizing exercise to awaken and revitalize your body. Participants cultivate balance, flexibility, and improved circulation through this hour long session. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Men’s Prostate Cancer Support Group March 10th at 7:00 Join other men navigating prostate cancer. This support group offers a safe space to connect, share experiences, learn about treatment and side-effect management, and build hope together. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information or to sign up, email Larry Thomas at Lthomas787@yahoo.com

Crafts & Drafts February 5th & March 5th at 6:30 Adults need craft time too! Join us at Whistle Stop Bottle & Brew to make a fun seasonal craft! All craft supplies will be provided, drafts are on you!

App-y Hour February 3rd & March 3rd at 2:00 Did you know that OPL offers audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines through our digital services? Join us to learn how to sign up, search for ebooks or audiobooks, and start reading when and where ever you want. All you need is your up-to-date library card and your phone or e-reader to get started!

Women's Self Defense presented

by Red Wolf Martial Arts February 4th, 11th, 18th & March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th at 6:00 Join Red Wolf Martial Arts for a women's self-defense class! These classes are designed to help you gain confidence in navigating a variety of situations not only for self-protection but for every day life. Learn how to use techniques to build your strength in mind and body in a fun, and safe environment. Please hydrate in advance, wear comfortable clothing, supportive undergarments, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the class.

Blind Date with a Book February 6th at 6:30 Blind Date with a Book is back! To kick it off we will have a fun celebration with snacks, crafts, and of course, wrapped books with clues to help you pick your next read.

Decorative Clay Hearts February 9th at 6:00 Its Make Stuff Monday and we will be using air dry clay to create an adorable clay heart, stamped and personalized to keep for yourself or gift to a loved one just in time for Valentines day!

Anime Club February 11th & March 11th at 6:00 Anime film lovers unite! Join Cashia Irons and other anime film fans to discuss anime films as a group, cosplay, and plan future meet-ups and events.

Pride and Prejudice Galentine's Party February 12th at 6:30 The Opelika Public Library requests the honour of your presence at the Pride and Prejudice Galentine's party!

Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday with Regencyera elegance featuring themed crafts, a movie viewing, and charming refreshments.

Crochet 101 th

February 19 at 6:00 Learn basic crochet stitches and how to incorporate them into a granny square. All supplies provided.

Registration required to ensure we have enough supplies.

Pop Art Pet Portrait

DIY Decor: Yarn Art March 26th at 6:00 Create a decorative piece of art with yarn and a canvas.

Similar to paint by numbers, you will fill sections of a sketch with colorful yarn to create a landscape or an abstract piece of art with this unique fiber art. All supplies provided.

February 23rd at 6:00 Bring in a headshot of your pet or you can "adopt" a pet headshot if you don't have one and we will use it to create a beautiful pop art portrait. All supplies provided.

All Ages

Technology Basics Course

Alabama Nature Center: Reptiles & Amphibians of Alabama

February 24th & March 24th at 9:30 Join us for a self-guided course that will help teach the basics of computer use, tablet use, cell phone use, and internet browsing.

Sarah Penner at Opelika Book Festival February 26th at 6:00 Join us for an evening with New York Times and internationally bestselling author Sarah Penner!

This event will include an Author Talk by Sarah Penner and a book signing following the talk.

Tickets can be found at opelikabookfestival.com

Opelika Book Festival: Writing Workshops February 27th from 8:00-4:00 Jump into the world of storytelling with our Opelika Book Festival Writing Workshops! These in-person sessions are perfect for anyone looking to sharpen their writing skills, share ideas, and have fun. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned writer, come and connect with fellow book lovers and creative minds.

Don't miss this chance to boost your creativity and bring your stories to life! Your $35 ticket includes a full day of workshops, breakfast, snacks, and lunch.

Tickets can be found at opelikabookfestival.com

Plant Rescue with the Lee County Master Gardeners March 7th at 10:00 Is your plant failing to thrive and you cant figure out how to save it? Now is your chance to get expert advice from the Lee County Master Gardeners! Bring your plant or a picture of your plant and get an expert evaluation on what can be done to rescue it. Slots are limited so registration is required to reserve a 15 minute slot during the time allotted for the program.

Once registration closes on March 4th, registrants will be contacted to select their time slot.

DIY Decor: Beaded Plant March 9th at 6:00 If keeping plants alive is a challenge for you, join us to "grow" one that will last much longer. We will be creating a beautiful beaded "string of pearls" succulent out of gorgeous beads in all shades of green.

All supplies provided.

February 16th at 1:00 Join us as we learn all about animals and reptiles that are unique to our state. The Alabama Nature Center will be bringing their mobile exhibit to OPL. Come join the animal fun!

Opelika Book Festival: Author Fair February 28th from 9:00-1:00 At the Author Fair you’ll have the chance to meet and engage with a wide variety of authors, including traditional and self-published writers, mystery authors, educators, illustrators, and creators of both fiction and nonfiction. Browse books, hear the stories behind the pages, and connect directly with the people who bring them to life.

Whether you’re an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or just curious, the Author Fair offers a vibrant, welcoming space to discover new voices and support authors from near and far.

For a list of participating authors, visit opelikabookfestival.com

Cooptastic: A Conference for Backyard Poultry Owners March 13th & 14th from 9:00-5:00 Cooptastic is coming to the library! Alabama Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a 2 day conference for seasoned and novice backyard poultry owners. This two day event will offer sessions on a variety of backyard-poultry topics, from food preservation to coop care and maintenance, chicken nutrition and much more. In addition to the educational sessions there will be vendors selling all things chicken.

The Science Lady: Rocket Science March 16th at 1:00 Our favorite scientist is back for a fun-filled session all about space! Join us for jam-packed science session full of out of this world fun!

Animal Tales March 18th at 11:00 Animals are out of this world! Join us as we learn about animals and their habitat and get a hands-on visit with some furry (and scaly) friends with the crew at Animal Tales.

Spring Bag Charm March 23rd at 6:00 Welcome Spring with a cute bag charm. We will have all the baubles and beads on hand to create a pretty charm for your favorite handbag. Feel free to bring any special beads you would like to make it uniquely yours.

No registration required for programs unless noted with icon

For more information on any of our programs, please visit opelikalibrary.com

Makerspace Safety Class Mondays at 5:30 Saturday Sessions: February 7th & March 7th at 10:00 Join us for an all-in-one Makerspace information and safety class to start your creative journey with OPL! In this 1-hour class, patrons will learn important safety information about our 3D Printers and Glowforge machine, become safety certified to use the machines, and learn about Makerspace Open Make and private appointment options. This class is required before you can make 3D Printer and Glowforge appointments or use the machines during Open Make days. Kids ages 8-15 must have their parent or guardian present to become certified.

Donation Days The first Saturday of each month from 10:00 - 12:00 Drop off your gently used books with the Friends of the Library! Books will be accepted on the side of the library near the outdoor book drop.

Donation Day Rules 2 boxes of books can be donated per person each Donation Day No textbooks, magazines, or encyclopedias will be accepted Books must be in good condition (Friends member will check condition of books before books are accepted) Person donating books is responsible for disposing of books that do not follow above rules For more information about joining the Friends of the Opelika Library, please visit opelikalibraryfriends.com

Current Machines 3D Printer* Glowforge* Button Maker Cricut Book Binder Laminator Sublimation Printer *requires safety class before independent use

Open Make Hours Wednesdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Anyone who has taken the appropriate safety classes can use Makerspace machines without appointment. Machines are first-come, first-served.

Cricut Class February 10th & March 10th at 4:00 The Opelika Public Library has a variety of Cricut machines available for use in our makerspace. In class, you will learn about the types of machines we offer and how to get started with Cricut's Design Space.

Drop In: Mini Make Thursdays from 3:00-5:00 Want to try out the Makerspace but don’t know where to start? Drop in on Thursdays to make a small project. Each month will feature a different small project that should take about 10 – 15 minutes to complete and are limited to one per patron.

February Mini Make: Holographic bookmarks with the Cricut!

March Mini Make: Use the button maker to make a button!

Library Board Meeting

The Makerspace is open by appointment only on Mondays & Fridays.

To book an appointment, visit opelika.librarycalendar.com.

Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday - Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Closed

Find Us Online!

February 23rd at 6:00 The Library Board is appointed by the City Council and meets at 6:00 pm at the Opelika Public Library. The meetings are open to the public and you are invited to attend.

Location

1100 Glenn Street Opelika, AL 36801

Contact Us Phone: 334-705-5380 Email: library@opelika-al.gov

Instagram: @opelikalibrary Facebook: Opelika Public Library Website: www.opelikalibrary.com

The Opelika Public Library does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.

To request an accommodation for any of the Library's programs, services, or activities, please email library@opelikaal.gov or call 334-705-5380 at least 72 hours in advance.