The Frankfort Community Public Library is rolling into March with a packed slate of free and low‑cost programs ranging from a Spider‑Man movie night to genealogy workshops, a dark‑pop concert and a women’s expo. Arts and Education Coordinator Lori Brubaker said the goal is to connect local residents with a wide variety of creative and educational opportunities throughout the month.
Brubaker, who has served in her role a little over two years, said the library’s programming is intentionally broad. “I love working with the community and putting on a whole bunch of different programs that benefit the entire community,” she said. Those offerings include gallery exhibits, art programs, the annual art show, a women’s expo and multiple special events scheduled for March.
Movie night and genealogy workshop this week
The month kicks off with a free family movie night on Wednesday, March 4, featuring “Spider‑Man: Across the Spider‑Verse” in the Skanta Theatre from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The showing is open to all ages; no advance ticket purchase is required. During an intermission midway through the film, the library will serve popcorn and water at no charge.
On Saturday, March 7, the library will host “Who’s the Mamma?,” an intermediate‑level genealogy program that runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants must register by the end of the day Tuesday to receive a research packet for the class. The workshop will be led by Jennifer Van Horn, a genealogy volunteer with a cultural center in Zionsville, and will focus on using historical records to correctly identify mothers in family groups. Registration by March 3rd is required to get your packet at the event. The cost to attend is two dollars.
Brubaker said the session is geared toward patrons who already use tools such as Ancestry, FamilySearch and MyHeritage but need help untangling challenging branches in their family trees. “If you’re having issues with your family line way back on making sure you have the correct mother, you can show up, get a packet and come on Saturday and learn how to figure it out,” she explained.
Storytellers and concert highlight local and emerging talent
On Thursday, March 12, the library’s popular “Hoosier Storytellers” series returns at 6 p.m. with a culinary theme. This installment will feature Keltie Sullivan of The Angry Donkey and Stephanie Meadows of Little Miss Cupcakes sharing their backstories and talking about their Clinton County food businesses. The program, held at the library, is free and open to the public.
The following night, Friday, March 13, the Friends of the Frankfort Community Public Library concert series continues with a performance by GIZA at 7:30 p.m. in Skanta Theatre. Tickets are 12 dollars and may be purchased at the circulation desk, by phone or at the door the night of the show. Brubaker said the singer‑songwriter will bring a new sound to the series.
“She is an upcoming artist, so she hasn’t done a huge amount of performances yet,” Brubaker said. “Her set list is all original music.” Describing GIZA’s style as “dark pop,” Brubaker added, “All of her stuff she writes herself and it’s emotionally raw, so she kind of dives into personal struggle, insecurity, things of abuse – a lot of things that unfortunately a lot of people can relate to.”
Women’s Expo and ongoing arts focus
In recognition of Women’s History Month, the library will cap that busy week with its Women’s Expo on Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second floor of the library. The event is free and will feature a women’s art exhibition in the Hubbard Gallery and hallway areas, with work by Rena Brouwer, Janelle Driggs, Terri Duncan, Beth Hullinger and Lisa Walsh. Multiple rooms upstairs, including Skanta Theatre and the art room, will host vendors and community organizations during the expo. The theme of the Expo this year is “Women Who Shape Tomorrow.”
Thanks to support from Frankfort Zonta Club, this year’s expo will also include a women’s speaker series. Erin Popovich will speak at 11 a.m., Krista Stillwell at 1 p.m., and Esmeralda Cruz at 3 p.m. Brubaker said the week is designed to showcase women in many roles. “We kind of amp up the week with having the women culinary experts of Clinton County with the Hoosier Storytellers, the Giza concert, and then we want to top off the week with our Women’s Expo,” she said.
An artist herself, Brubaker said she remains personally invested in the library’s mission to make the arts accessible. She works in screen printing, printmaking and wood‑based sculpture and said she enjoys seeing patrons discover their own creative outlets. “Between that, being an artist myself, I’m completely immersed in it and I love it,” she said.
Craft swap and additional activities later in March
The following week, the library will hold its third annual “Craft Swap,” giving residents a chance to clear out unused art and craft supplies and pick up materials for new projects. Donations of unused or unwanted craft and art supplies will be accepted Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 219. Donors will receive a ticket that grants early access to the swap on Wednesday, March 18, in the same room.
“It’s great for spring cleaning,” Brubaker said. Donors with tickets get first choice of the items on Wednesday; the remaining supplies will be available free to the general public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, March 19 and 20.
Brubaker said March also includes a teen and tween game night, quarterly “Music Bingo” starting with a Taylor Swift‑themed edition, and other regular programs throughout the building.
Residents can find full details, registration links and ticket information on the library’s online event calendar at myfcpl.org/calendar or by calling 765‑654‑8746.
Brubaker was a guest with host Shan Sheridan Tuesday morning on the WILO Party Line program and this library can be heard again on WILO Tuesday March 3rd at 5pm and Midnight and on-demand at the Hoosierland TV archive.
