Messy Masterpieces is a time to make something beautiful…and get a little dirty! Register for a 4-week session, dress for a mess, listen to stories, and create some unconventional art projects. Messy Masterpieces is for children ages 7-12. This is an outdoor program, meeting in the Queset Courtyard and the Walled Garden on every Tuesday, starting July 5 at 2:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, Messy Masterpieces will be canceled.

Block Party is a weekly, drop-in program for Lego lovers, which takes place every Wednesday at 2 p.m. No invitation, RSVP, or registration required. Meetings will be in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at the Queset House. Enjoy quick-build challenges, themed builds, and get those fingers and brains firing! Families and children of all ages are welcome to attend.

This Summer, we’ve got the ulti-mutt program for animal lovers: Paws to Read! Each week in July & August, Regan and her therapy dogs, Cali and Laddie, will be visiting the Library. Register in advance for a 15-minute session with a furry friend and practice your reading skills. This program is for independent readers.

Coming soon…from Off the Beaten Path Productions: Teen Summer Movie Nights at the Ames Free Library! We’re offering a series of eight movies on Thursday nights at 5:30pm in the Queset House. Come for the snacks, stay for fun films featuring oddballs, rebels, and weirdos. Some films will be rated PG-13. This is a drop-in program for teens (ages 13-18). No registration is required.

Join the Queset House board games club and be board out of your mind on Thursday, July 7 at 5:30 p.m.! Roll dice, draw cards, take damage, and immerse yourself in so many fun board games. Different games will be played and continued every time we meet. The club is for players of any level of experience so have fun and play with the Games Free Library!

The Ames Free Library is delighted to present a writing workshop with our 2022 Author-in-Residence, Joseph Davis! Mr. Davis is a native of Easton who now lives in Sweden. This not-to-be-missed workshop is open to all who are interested in writing, regardless of experience. The workshop will take place on Thursday, July 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Queset House. The event is free and open to everyone.

The Friends of the Ames Free Library is a nonprofit organization integral to promoting and supporting Library activities and programs, and purchases items not included in the Library’s budget.The Friends' Book Sale Room at Queset House gladly accepts donations of good quality books the first and third Saturdays of the month from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please see this page for complete information about the criteria for donations.  

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system benefiting the body and mind, similar to Tai Chi. It integrates slow movements, breathing techniques and focused intention. Qigong practice is suitable for all levels of ability and any age. Classes will take place each Monday and Wednesday, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Participants are welcome to join at any time.

In July, Storytime will be meeting outside in the Garden! Our Wiggleworms, Babytime, and Family Storytime programs will continue to run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. No registration required and we look forward to seeing you and your children. If there is heavy rain, Storytime will be cancelled. Check our website and Facebook page for updates. For more information, visit our blog or email 
kids@amesfreelibrary.org.

We are a group of fiber enthusiasts of all abilities who meet every Tuesday afternoon from 1 - 2:30 p.m. Come when you can and with whatever project you're currently working on or hoping to start. Sit, stitch, and enjoy great conversation! Free, and open to all. Equipment and supplies can be provided.

Every Wednesday at 3 p.m., learn basic photography with award winning photographer Eric Lothrop. Put down that iPhone and shoot like a pro. Eric will teach you everything you need to know for taking great photos in no time. All you need is DSLR camera to get started (Point and Shoot cameras such as Power Shot, Cyber-Shoot and Coolpix are not covered in these sessions). Sessions with Eric are for 1 hour, and are by appointment only.

Have you always wanted to research your family tree? Did you have your DNA tested and want help understanding the results or how to use the DNA results in your family search? Would you like support from others who are also working on their genealogy? Every Friday at 11 a.m., get help understanding the basics of DNA and genealogy. Share helpful hints; find new resources; share successes and brick walls!

Get "A Glimpse of Nature" on the library's Facebook page and blog! This blog series features a photo or video clip of plants, animals and seasonal natural events, along with a few interesting facts. Offered by Lorraine Rubinacci, the library's resident naturalist, "A Glimpse of Nature" is a gentle reminder to enjoy the wonders that surround us.