Johnson County Public Library, Kentucky

Explore Kentucky’s Dark Tourism Trail

Thurs, October 23 at 6pm

Join authors Marie Mitchell & Mason Smith for a thrilling presentation on haunted sites, alien encounters, cryptids, and infamous crime locations across Kentucky. Don’t miss this spine-tingling talk.

Books will be available for purchase!
Sponsored by Kentucky Humanities

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Passport to Your Community

Meet our Community Navigator for your passport to community services, meeting the needs of families of children from newborn through kindergarten age.
Community support strengthens families and we’re here to help!

Schedule your appointment in person, by phone, or virtually at your convenience.
Pamela Hereford – Community Navigator
Phone: (606)792-2980 | (606)789-4355
Email: jcnavigator@jcplky.org

“Connecting Families, Building Communities.”

See Passport to Community Services

Rocket Languages

Language learning online with your library card!

Featuring 14 popular languages, including English as a Second Language, American Sign Language, Spanish, French, and English as a Second Language for Spanish speakers.

Rocket Languages® is an award-winning online language-learning system that lets you learn at your own pace. Enjoy downloadable lessons, interactive games, and more — all at the best value in library language learning.

Access Rocket Languages

Educate Station

Educate Station is a full curriculum Pre-K through Second Grade. To access the curriculum the username is educate and the password is watermelon.

Check out Educate Station here

Technology Curriculum

Become a digitally savvy citizen with our new technology curriculum. Incentives are offered for attendance!

Visit our Technology Curriculum page

Johnson County BookMobile

Our beautiful new bookmobile is on the road! See below for our home visit schedule. In addition, we visit daycare centers, schools events, and more. If you’d like to learn more about Bookmobile service, contact the library by phone at (606)789-4355 or email HelpDesk@jcplky.org.

View Bookmobile Schedule

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Career Preparation

Welcome to LearningExpress Library
Make your work goals a reality—start a new career or advance in your current field.

Access LearningExpress

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Story Trail

Stroll along Thealka Park trail with family and friends, reading a beloved children’s book displayed on vibrant signs. It’s a fun way to enjoy the outdoors while fostering a love for books and nature for all ages. Every season, a new book awaits!

Johnson County Park and Recreational Area (commonly known as Thealka Park) is located at 2244 State Highway 581 in the community of Thealka.

For more information, contact us at (606)789-4355 or HelpDesk@jcplky.org.

Upcoming Events

Oct 18

Paintsville Historic Walking Tour

11:30am

- 1:30pm

We will be offering our guided Paintsville Historic Walking Tour throughout scenic downtown Paintsville on Saturday, October 18th, 11:30AM - 1:30PM and on Saturday, October 25th, 11:30AM-1:30PM. Call (606)789-4355 or email HelpDesk@jcplky.org to register.

Oct 20

Gentle Yoga

1:00pm

- 1:45pm

Gentle yoga is for any level of physical ability. We meet every Monday from 1 PM - 1:45 PM. You can also view previously recorded classes on our YouTube channel at this link:
Johnson County Public Library
444 Main Street, Paintsville, KY 41240
For more information, use (606)789-4355.HelpDesk@jcplky.org
www.jcplky.org

Oct 21

Homeschool Extracurricular: Pumpking Painting

11:00am

- 12:00pm

Homeschool families of all ages are invited to attend monthly meetings led by our library staff. It s a great way to meet new families and friends. Each month, a new craft or activity is introduced. All materials provided. This month s activity includes pumpkin painting. This month s meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, from 11AM-12PM. Call (606)789-4355 or email HelpDesk@jcplky.org for more information.

Oct 21

Teen Writers Meeting

4:00pm

- 5:00pm

Teens, join our monthly Teen Writers Meeting to talk with other aspiring writers about your projects and play some writing games. Our October meeting will be Tuesday, October 21st, from 4PM - 5 PM. Call (606) 789-4355 or ⁠E-Mail: HelpDesk@jcplky.org for more information. www.jcplky.org ⁠

Oct 21

Imagine, Learn, Grow Story Time

6:00pm

- 6:30pm

Enjoy stories, crafts and fun with friends every Tuesday evening from 6 PM-6:30 PM during our Imagine, Learn, Grow Story Time, running October 21st, 2025 through November 18th, 2025. Parents and caregivers are invited to participate with children in interactive storytelling - activities using books and other props to engage the children and foster their love of reading. Children develop language and social skills, as well as cultivate a lifelong love of reading and learning. You may drop in to any story hour, any time. All ages are welcome. Call (606) 789-4355 or E-Mail: HelpDesk@jcplky.org for more information. www.jcplky.org

Oct 21

Banking 101 for Teens

6:00pm

- 7:00pm

Bring a friend and join us at the library for a crash course in the banking basics on October 21st from 6PM-7PM. A free pizza party will be included for all that attend! This event is intended for our teen and young adult patrons.
Registration is required for this event. Register by contacting us at the library. Call (606) 789-4355 or E-Mail: HelpDesk@jcplky.org for more information.

Oct 22

Computer Class: Computer Basics

10:00am

- 12:00pm

This class is designed for those that are just learning to use a computer. If you are a beginner or if you have never touched a computer, this workshop is for you! The class will teach the basics starting with how to turn a computer on, then moving on to using Windows, and other programs. Come, ask questions! Remember the adage - “There is no stupid question.” Choose from Wednesday, October 22nd from 10 AM - 12 PM, or Thursday, October 30th from 3 PM - 5 PM. Contact us at (606)789-4355 or HelpDesk@jcplky.org for more information or to register.

Oct 22

Imagine, Learn, Grow Story Time

11:00am

- 11:30am

Enjoy stories, crafts and fun with friends every Wednesday from 11 AM-11:30 AM during our Imagine, Learn, Grow Story Time. Parents and caregivers are invited to participate with children in interactive storytelling - activities using books and other props to engage the children and foster their love of reading. Children develop language and social skills, as well as cultivate a lifelong love of reading and learning. You may drop in to any story hour, any time. All ages are welcome.
Call (606) 789-4355 or E-Mail: HelpDesk@jcplky.org for more information. www.jcplky.org

Oct 23

JCPL Book Club: The Keepsake

12:00pm

- 1:00pm

Grab a snack and chat with other readers about The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen on October 23rd from 12 PM - 1 PM. Zoom option available. Contact (606)789-4355 or HelpDesk@jcplky.org for the link. Book available at our help desk and as an Ebook and audio book on Libby.

Oct 23

Teen Meeting: Pumpkin Carving

4:00pm

- 5:00pm

All middle and high school students are welcome to join us for an hour of Pumpkin Carving. Get into the spooky spirit! Join us for an afternoon of creativity, laughs, and pumpkin guts as we carve our own jack-o -lanterns. We ll provide the pumpkins, tools, and snacks—you bring your imagination. Snacks and drinks provided.
Call (606)789-4355 or E-Mail HelpDesk@jcplky.org for more information.

Oct 23

Tied with Love

4:00pm

- 5:00pm

All middle and high school students are welcome to join our newest service project Tied with Love. Tied with Love is a project that allows our teens to make tie blankets for nursing home residents for their birthdays. This month s meeting will be October 23rd from
4PM - 5PM. For more information Call (606) 789-4355 or E-Mail: HelpDesk@jcplky.org.

Oct 23

Dark Tourism

6:00pm

- 7:00pm

On Thursday, October 23rd at 6PM, the Johnson County Public Library will host "Popular Sites Along Kentucky's Dark Tourism Trail" sponsored by Kentucky Humanities Speakers Bureau. Marie Mitchell and Mason Smith, authors of Paranormal Kentucky: An Uncommon Wealth of Close Encounters with Aliens, Ghosts and Cryptids (to be sold at the event for $35 hardcover, $25 softcover), will share about a trending travel opportunity that includes visits to sites of hauntings, alien encounters, bigfoot sightings, and/or locations where horrific crimes have taken place. These visits are part of a whole package being marketed by communities as "Dark Tourism." Among the sites the authors feature are haunted Talbot Tavern in Bardstown, a spaceship in Kelly, and the Louisville train trestle onto which the notorious Goatman lures people. This program is free and open to the public. The authors will also be selling their book for grade school readers, The Aliens Are Always Greener in Kelly, Kentucky, for $10.

Oct 25

Family Fun Day: Boo Bash

11:00am

- 1:00pm

Our “Boo Bash” Family Fun Day will be on Saturday, October 25th from 11 AM - 1 PM.
Join us at the library for a day of Spooky fun. Enjoy Halloween themed crafts, music, and activities. Our Boo Bash will feature a glow party, pumpkin crafts, and Halloween games complete with prizes. This program is free and open to all ages.
Call (606) 789-4355 or E-Mail: HelpDesk@jcplky.org for more information. www.jcplky.org

Oct 25

Paintsville Historic Walking Tour

11:30am

- 1:30pm

Oct 27

Gentle Yoga

1:00pm

- 1:45pm

Oct 28

Teen Movie Night: The Addams Family

5:00pm

- 7:00pm

Creep over to the library for a weirdly funny showing of The Addams Family on October 28th from 5 PM - 7 PM. If you are in middle school or high school, we welcome you to join us for this movie night. Snacks provided!

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