Adult Programs

Everyone needs a third place! There's your first place (home) and your second place (work or school). But when you're not at home or work, where can you go to spend time with others? And, where's a place you can go that doesn't put the squeeze on your wallet? The Library, of course, is a great third place, but it's not always open when young people want to get together. People ages 20-40 are invited to join us on the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the upper level of the Carnegie Building from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. We'll have some board games available, but you're welcome to bring your own favorite games and snacks. Meet friends there or stop in to meet new people! We have plenty of space with tables and chairs. Make the Carnegie one of your favorite third places! (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.) Are you curious about A Third Place but haven't been able to make it to one of the programs? Now you can get acquainted online ... A Third Place is also on the Geneva/BFF app! Follow the link or scan the code.

Join other Mac (Macbook, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch) users to share and learn from each other in a friendly environment. We will learn about peripherals, software, features, and how to use them properly. Mary Jean Meyerson, instructor and Apple enthusiast will lead the group on various topics and be available for most questions during the hour-long meeting or as time permits. (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.)

Want to learn more techniques for rubber stamping and paper crafting to make your own greeting cards? Join Chris Smith for an extraordinary card making class! At each class, you will create three cards that focus on a variety of techniques from coloring, generational stamping, die cutting, embossing and more! These classes will provide you with a variety of elements to get your creativity inspired. There are plenty of options for individual creativity and sentiment choices. No experience is necessary - you will receive all the support and inspiration needed to make beautiful cards! All supplies are provided. Registration is required for each class through the events calendar. (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.)

Get your creative juices flowing with local artist and illustrator Betsy Petersen during her recurring program at the Carnegie Building! This class is for you if you love to create, don't know how to prioritize your creativity, find yourself in a creative rut more than you like, are creating a lot but feel it is never good enough, or if you want to feel playful and expressive like a kid! We will be exploring creativity through art-based projects inspired by famous artists. Great for a "Date Night" or "Friends Night Out" to just have some fun being creative! Registration is required for each class through the events calendar. (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.)

Parlez-vous? Rejoignez-nous! (Do you speak? Join us!) If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to converse in French in a casual and friendly environment, please join us! This group is for anyone wishing to practice speaking French, from debutantes to fluent francophones – all are welcome. The group meets every Friday, from 5:00-6:00pm, in the Library’s Lower Level Classroom. Feel free to drop-in as your schedule permits.

Stop in and join our wonderful group of knitters and crocheters every Wednesday, from 1:00-3:00pm, in the Library’s Second Floor Large Meeting Room. This is for any age and level of expertise, though it’s best to have some basic skills. Bring your own supplies and enjoy some time knitting while sharing patterns, resources, questions, and ideas with others. New members are always welcome!

String players of all abilities are welcome to join our small orchestra. The Lake Street Ensemble meets every Thursday, from 11:00am-12:30pm, in the upper level of the Carnegie Building (across the street from the Library). Those attending play a variety of music and just have fun. Bring your instrument, a stand, and attend one of our practices to see if it’s right for you!

Looking to join in on the popular game of Mah Jongg? Every Tuesday from 1:00-3:00pm, we have the Lower Level Classroom set up for Mah Jongg games for players to drop in and join a game. This is open play without an instructor and those attending will be of various skill levels. Though most games follow guidelines of the National Mah Jongg League, the players agree on each tables' rules at the outset of play. (Beginners or new players welcome!)

The Page Turners Book Club typically meets on the second Tuesday of the month in the Second Floor Large Meeting Room. Titles are selected quarterly by the participants. Join us for a discussion and refreshments inspired by the story! If you have any discussion questions or thoughts you would like to share regarding our current read, please bring them with you to the meeting. New members are always welcome. (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.)

Book titles read and/or scheduled (so far) for 2025:

January 21: The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez

February 18: Colored Television by Danzy Senna

March 18: Small Things Like These and Foster by Claire Keegan

April 19: How it All Began by Penelope Lively

May 20: Five Little Indians by Michelle Good

June 17: Book and Dagger by Elyse Graham

July 15: Red Dog Farm by Nathaniel Ian Miller

August 12: What Maisie Knew by Henry James

September 9: Michigan’s Company K: Anishinaabe Soldiers, Citizenship, and the Civil War by Michelle Cassidy

October 14: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

November 11: I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger

December 9: Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray

January 13: to be determined later

Join the PUPs (Petoskey Ukulele Players), a group of amateur, self-taught musicians every Thursday afternoon from 12:30pm to 3:00pm in the Library's Lower Level Classroom. The program is open to new members of all ages and skill levels. This is a play-as-you-learn experience which is best suited to ages from young adult to senior citizens where those participating share advice, some instruction and lots of information and resources for newbies. Feel free to drop-in as your schedule permits. (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.)

If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to converse in Spanish in a casual and friendly environment, please join us! This program is for those wishing to practice speaking Spanish as well as those who are native Spanish speakers wanting to improve their English – all are welcome. Meetings occur on the second Tuesday of each month as well as on the fourth Saturday of each month in the Lower Level Classroom. Feel free to drop-in as your schedule permits. (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.)

The Straits Area Amateur Radio Club has existed since 1950, serving northern lower Michigan and southeastern upper peninsula. The SAARC is dedicated to providing reliable emergency communications and supporting local community events. In times of need, the SAARC repeater is used to assist partners in disaster services. PDL is proud to partner with SAARC as a library program to encourage the ongoing skill development in amateur radio operations. Club meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month, except December with business discussion taking about 30 minutes, followed by presentations related to radio communications. To learn more, stop by their next meeting and check out their website at www.w8gqn.org. New members always welcome! (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.)

Wild Ones (wildones.org) is a national organization promoting environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities. The local chapter of Wild Ones is now a program offered at the Petoskey District Library, meeting on the second Saturday of each month in the lower level classroom to share information and learn about native plants. The public is always welcome! (Check events calendar for upcoming dates.)