Skip to main content
Homepage of Manitowoc Public Library

Manitowoc Public Library

9:00am-8:00pm
(920) 686-3000

707 Quay St.
Manitowoc, WI 54220
United States

View on Google Maps
Sun: 12:00pm-4:00pm
Mon: 9:00am-8:00pm
Tue: 9:00am-8:00pm
Wed: 9:00am-8:00pm
Thu: 9:00am-8:00pm
Fri: 9:00am-6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-3:00pm
Donate My Account

Main navigation

  • Events & Activities
    • Calendar
    • By Age
      • Kids
      • Teens
      • Adults
    • Popular
      • December-January-February Event Guide (Printable)
      • Great Decisions 2026
      • Storytimes
      • Family Activity Night
      • Idea Box Badging Sessions
    • Reading Challenges
      • 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
      • Winter Reading Program
  • Research & Learn
    • All Resources
    • By Type
      • Premium Online Resources
      • eBooks & More
      • Community Resources
    • By Topic
      • Business & Consumer
      • Genealogy & Local History
      • Homework Help
  • Books & More
    • Search Catalog
    • Find a Good Book
      • New Books
      • New Movies
      • Download eBooks
      • Staff Picks
      • Book Discussion Kits
      • Materials Request Form
    • Special Collections
      • Adventure Pass
      • Toy Library
      • Cake Pans
      • Seed Library
      • Technology to Borrow
      • Technology to Use in the Library
      • See All
  • Services
    • All Services
    • For
      • Kids
      • Teens
      • Adults
      • Teachers
      • Notary
      • Homebound
    • Popular
      • Meeting & Study Rooms
      • Print, Copy, Scan & Fax
      • Wi-Fi and Public PCs
      • Idea Box Makerspace
      • Outreach
      • One-to-One Literacy
      • Test Proctoring
  • Library Information
    • FAQ
    • Using the Library
      • Hours & Location
      • Checkout Guidelines
      • Returns & Book Drops
      • Policies
      • Accessibility
      • Fee Schedule
    • About Us
      • Library Board
      • Management Team
      • Mission & History
      • Reports & Strategic Planning
      • Jobs & Internships
      • Library News
      • Photos & Art
    • Support Us
      • Donate Financially
      • Donate Used Books
      • Memorial & Gift Donations
      • Volunteering
      • Library Foundation
      • Friends of the Library
  • Winter Reading Program
  • Teen Shelf Care Boxes
  • Big Kids' Valentine Party
  • Great Decisions 2026
  • Minute-to-Win-It Winter Olympics (Ages 10-18)
  • Check Out the Library: a Tour of MPL
Previous
Next
Calendar quick link icon
Calendar quick link hover icon

Calendar

Get a Card quick link icon
Get a Card quick link hover icon

Get a Card

Meeting Rooms quick link icon
Meeting Rooms quick link hover icon

Meeting Rooms

Resources quick link icon
Resources quick link hover icon

Resources

Services quick link icon
Services quick link hover icon

Services

Kids landing page link
Kids landing page link hover
Kids

Teens landing page link image
Teens landing page link hover image
Teens

Adults landing page link image
Adults landing page link hover image
Adults

Staff Picks

  • Image for "Timmy Failure: Now Look What Mistakes Were Made"

    Timmy Failure: Now Look What Mistakes Were Made

    The first two hilarious tales in the New York Times best-selling Timmy Failure series — together in one volume!

    Meet Timmy Failure, the clueless, comically overconfident detective. Add his impressively lazy business partner, a very large polar bear named Total, and what do you get? Total Failure, Inc. — the best detective agency in town, perhaps even the nation. Perfectly paced and full of visual humor, this bind-up of Timmy’s first two adventures combines hilarity and heart for a deceptively sweet and outrageously funny read.

  • Image for "When Dad's Hair Took Off"

    When Dad's Hair Took Off

    One day, Dad's hair decided it was tired of being brushed and combed. It wanted a life of its own, to see the world. It took off.

    Out of the bathroom, into the kitchen, and before you could say, "Hairsta la vista, baby!" it was gone.

    Dad gives chase around the town. He spots his hair hiding in the lawn, on the road, at the zoo—it's amazing how many things look like hair. He gives up and tries to accept life without hair. Then the postcards arrive. The hair is on a round-the-world trip, and Dad is still bald. Will his hair ever come back?

    A fast-paced, wonderfully absurd story packed with wordplay and hilarious illustrations.

    When Dad's Hair Took Off is a comical chapter book for early readers or for any child to enjoy reading aloud with a grownup who relates! A fun book to celebrate and share with Dad on Father's Day or any day.

    Translated from the German edition by Melody Shaw, which was shortlisted for multiple awards.

    Jörg Mühle studied illustration in Offenbach and Paris. He has been illustrating for books and magazines since 2000. He is the author and illustrator of worldwide bestselling interactive bedtime book for toddlers, Tickle My Ears.

    Praise for When Dad's Hair Took Off

    “[A]ll the relish of a tall tale, deadpan timing, and choice vocabulary."—starred, Foreword Reviews

    "Get ready for a hair-raising—or should we say hair-racing?—chase and an abundance of absurdity and witty wordplay.”—Kirkus Reviews

    "An early chapter book—the kind Gecko Press excels at."—Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production

    "When Dad's Hair took Off is the perfect book to read when you feel like a good dollop of humour sprinkled with imagination and steeped in word play, I mean horse play, I mean HAIR play.”—NZ Poetry Box

  • Image for "Zip Zap Wickety Wack"

    Zip Zap Wickety Wack

    New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee makes his children's book debut with this laugh-out-loud twist on the classic animal sound book.

    One of the Wall Street Journal's Best Books of the Year!
    A New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year

    The cow says "moo." The horse says "neigh." Everyone can agree on these. 

    But when the sheep says "baa," the goat cuts in. The goat also says "baa." Now what? No one wants to share their sound!

    The sheep has an idea--he'll just say something no one's ever said before: "zip zap wickety wack bing bang walla balla flip flap yackety yack." But an otherworldly visitor shows up to lay claim to this sound, too--and the alien doesn't want to share his identity either.

    When the alien proposes a radical new way forward, the sheep and the goat find a compromise--and it may sound familiar to adult readers . . . 

    New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee's hilarious wit will be an immediate hit with young readers in his first picture book. Sure to inspire boisterous read-alouds and threaded with a sneaky message about sharing, Zip Zap Wickety Wack will inspire new nonsense and new values in homes, classrooms, and farmyards around the world.

    A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

  • Image for "All the Books"

    All the Books

    Join this adorable chipmunk as she gets her first library card and unlocks a world of books! This charming ode to reading, sharing, libraries, and librarians everywhere is the perfect gift for fans of Once Upon a Book and Knight Owl.

    Piper Waterstone loves her books. So much so, that she cannot, will not, share them with anyone. That is, until a friendly librarian presents Piper with a magical card that will give her all the books she could ever dream of . . . as long as she shares them with all her book-loving neighbors.

    From award-winning author Hayley Rocco and Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, this lavishly illustrated picture book reminds readers of all ages just how special it is to have access to ALL the books.

  • Image for "Wally Mammoth: the Sled Race"

    Wally Mammoth: the Sled Race

    Wolf wants to win the sled race. He loves winning. Otto wants to win, too. Wally Mammoth is . . . not so sure. A giggle-inducing, unjacketed, lower-priced hardcover picture book about friendship and cupcakes that is perfect for emerging readers by multiple Geisel Award winner Corey R. Tabor and illustrator Dalton Webb. For fans of Elephant and Piggie and Narwhal and Jelly.

    Wally Mammoth lives in the Ice Age, where his huge heart warms even the coldest of days. And it has to be cold to have a sled race! Wally and his friends Otto the great auk and Wolf the (you guessed it!) gray wolf are all hot cocoa'd up and ready to compete. Otto and Wolf both really want to win, but sweet Wally is happy as long as everyone has fun.

    Naturally, the competition goes downhill quickly. If the three friends careen toward the finish line in a giant snowball, how will they determine first, second, and third place It doesn't matter--there will be cupcakes for everyone regardless.

    Wally Mammoth and the Sled Race is the first installment in a vibrant, laugh-out-loud, comic-inspired series about a group of unforgettable friends--created by friends themselves, illustrator Dalton Webb and Geisel Award-winning author Corey R. Tabor. These unjacketed, lower-priced picture books make reading fun and are a perfect choice for emerging readers, for developing visual literacy, and for sharing together.

  • Image for "Nunu and the Sea"

    Nunu and the Sea

    In this whimsical picture book, a misunderstood girl with overwhelming emotions creates an origami boat and journeys to sea where she can feel free. Fans of Where the Wild Things Are will adore this fantastical tale of big feelings and boundless imagination.

    A BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

    "Nunu reminds all of us that emotions can feel as big and as vast as the sea--if we hold tightly and sail on, the way forward becomes clear."--Cori Doerrfeld, author-illustrator of The Rabbit Listened

    "A powerful journey through the highs and lows of emotions, reminding us all of the strength found in rebuilding ourselves."--Cindy Derby, Caldecott honoree

    Nunu doesn't understand, so when her emotions feel too big for her, she makes her boat out of paper origami and sails away. Out at sea, she navigates somewhere new and with the help of her origami friends, she is able to mend what is broken and find her way home.

    With exquisite, immersive illustrations, this near-wordless picture book is an ode to big emotions, origami, and the hope inside all of us.

  • Image for "The Old Sleigh"

    The Old Sleigh

    On winter nights, an old sleigh delivers firewood, bringing warmth and light to a small town. But small towns get bigger and families grow. When the old sleigh is overwhelmed, a new sled and a new generation carry on the custom and ensure the town is warm and bright.

    This enchanting picture book from the creators of the acclaimed The Old Truck celebrates tradition, community, and simple acts of giving.

  • Image for "Shmoof"

    Shmoof

    Floof the cat befriends a dog named Shmoof in this adorable and funny picture book perfect for anyone who has or wants a floofy, shmoofy pet!

    This is Shmoof.

    Shmoof is VERY Shmoofy.

    Shmoof is the SHMOOFIEST!

    Today is a very special day because it's when Shmoof meets Floof! But Floof isn't ready to be best friends. They don't have anything in common. Until...their fear of a very scary household item is the only thing they can agree on!

    This floofy, shmoofy, irresistible follow up to Floof will appeal to cat-lovers, cute-lovers, and anyone who has ever questioned if dogs and cats can be BFFs.

    Don't miss the companion title, Floof!

  • Image for "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science"

    The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science

    The #1 New York Times bestseller!

    From beloved Saturday Night Live legend Kate McKinnon comes a madcap adventure about three sisters, a ravenous worm, and a mysterious mad scientist!

    So, you want to be a young mad scientist. Congratulations! Admitting it is the first step. The second step is reading the (definitely true) tale of the Porch sisters...

    Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee Porch do not belong. They don't belong in the snooty town of Antiquarium, where all girls have to go to etiquette school and the only dog allowed is the bichon frisé. They don't belong with their adoptive family, where all their cousins are named Lavinia and their Aunt has more brooches than books. And they certainly don't belong at Mrs. Wintermacher's etiquette school--they're far more interested in science. After getting kicked out of the last etiquette school that would take them, the girls expect to be sent away for good... until they receive a mysterious invitation to new school.

    Suddenly the girls are under the tutelage of the infamous Millicent Quibb--a mad scientist with worms in her hair and oysters in her bathtub. At 231 Mysterium Way, the pizza is fatal, the bus is powered by Gerbils, and the Dean of Students is a hermit crab. Dangerous? Yes! More fun than they've ever had? Absolutely! But when the sisters are asked to save their town from an evil cabal of nefarious mad scientists, they must learn to embrace what has always made them stand out, and determine what side they're on--before it's too late!

  • Image for "Hide and Sheep"

    Hide and Sheep

    Farmer McFitt’s mischievous sheep have escaped! Who wants to stay on the farm when they could be shot out of a cannon at the circus or go surfing at the beach—they even pose as art in a museum! Can Farmer McFitt round up this rowdy bunch in time for a wooly surprise? 

    This rollicking, rhyming read-aloud will become a favorite counting and bedtime book for parents and kids. Bill Mayer’s energetic, expressive sheep are adorably silly, and his pictures are chock-full of hilarious details kids will love.

  • Growing Home

    Growing Home

    An instant New York Times bestseller!
    “A meditative, charming delight.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

    An unlikely team of talkative plants, a curious spider, and a grumpy goldfish use their newfound magical abilities to defend their family from a greedy human in this charming middle grade novel from New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry, with illustrations from the award-winning Fan brothers.

    Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet—swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank—and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie (or cheese puffs, in Toasty’s case) crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever.

    First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things—like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible!

    It turns out Toasty’s fishtank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?

  • Image for "Snoop"

    Snoop

    From Gordon Korman, the bestselling author of Restart, the story of a boy who's stuck at home with two broken legs... and who starts using cameras and a drone to spy on his classmates, neighbors, and a possible criminal who's come to town.

     

    If Carter hadn't been checking his phone, he might have seen his brother coming down the ski slopes in his direction. And if Carter had seen his brother in time and avoided the crash, he might not have two broken legs right now.

    Oops.

    Now Carter is stuck at home for weeks, with both his legs in casts. Bored, he starts checking out the live feeds from police cams around his town. Before he knows it, he's obsessed -- watching his classmates when they don't know he's looking, and discovering some other VERY STRANGE things going on that no one else is noticing.

    But what happens when Carter is found out... and the people he's watching know where he lives?

     

    Accelerated Reading Level 5.3

  • Image for "The Bletchley Riddle"

    The Bletchley Riddle

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A thrilling mystery and collaboration between award-winning and bestselling authors Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin! This historical adventure follows two siblings at Bletchley Park, the home of WWII codebreakers, as they try to unravel a mystery surrounding their mother’s disappearance.

    "Break out your Enigma machines! Sepetys and Sheinkin have written a thrilling World War II code-breaking adventure filled with ciphers, secrets, and spies."—Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee

    Remember, you are bound by the Official Secrets Act…

    Summer, 1940. Nineteen-year-old Jakob Novis and his quirky younger sister, Lizzie, share a love of riddles and puzzles. And now they’re living inside of one. The quarrelsome siblings find themselves amid one of the greatest secrets of World War II—Britain’s eccentric codebreaking factory at Bletchley Park. As Jakob joins Bletchley’s top minds to crack the Nazi's Enigma cipher, fourteen-year-old Lizzie embarks on a mission to solve the mysterious disappearance of their mother.

    The Battle of Britain rages and Hitler’s invasion creeps closer. And at the same time, baffling messages and codes arrive on their doorstep while a menacing inspector lurks outside the gates of the Bletchley mansion. Are the messages truly for them, or are they a trap? Could the riddles of Enigma and their mother's disappearance be somehow connected? Jakob and Lizzie must find a way to work together as they race to decipher clues that unravel a shocking puzzle that presents the ultimate challenge: How long must a secret be kept?

  • Image for "Deeply Dave"

    Deeply Dave

    "The delight of this book — a vertical rectangle bound at the top — is its format: Each flipped page takes you deeper, as if you’re scrolling down a screen." –New York Times Book Review

    "Funny and mysterious." –Kazu Kibuishi, New York Times–bestselling creator of the Amulet series 

    A New York Magazine and New York Public Library Best Book of the Year!

    For fans of Adventure Time, Deeply Dave is a madcap, hilarious adventure graphic novel about a young deep sea diver who heroically plunges into the abyss to save his astronaut mom from the monsters that lurk below. 

    Immerse yourself in this unique reading experience, where you flip the pages up and read downward as you descend into the ocean's depths! 

    Dave's mom is missing...and he’s going after her. 

    She’s lost somewhere at the bottom of the ocean, stranded in the wreckage of her sunken spaceship. Only Dave can save her from the alien monsters and bizarre sea creatures that lurk in the depths. 

    So Dave is going deeper...
    and deeper...
    and deeper...
    and deeper...
    and deeper...
    and deeper...
    and deeper...
    and deeper...

    Based on an Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated webcomic

    “One of the most original and entertaining graphic novels I've read in a while." –Mike Lowery New York Times–bestselling creator of the Bug Scouts and Everything Awesome series

  • Image for "Dream Snow"

    Dream Snow

    This board book edition of Eric Carle's classic Christmas book is perfect for holiday gift-giving and stocking stuffing! 

    It's December 24th, and the old farmer settles down for a winter's nap, wondering how Christmas can come when there is no snow! In his dream he imagines a snowstorm covering him and his animals—named One, Two, Three, Four and Five—in a snowy blanket. But when the farmer awakens, he finds that it has really snowed outside, and now he remembers something! Putting on his red suit, he goes outside and places gifts under the tree for his animals, bringing holiday cheer to all.

    Clever lift-the-flaps reveal the animals hidden under the snow in the farmer's dream, making this board book edition a treat for all ages.

    Praise for Dream Snow:

    "Few in number are the parents who have made it through their toddler's years on just one copy of Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Dream Snow has similar ingredients: a simple story, lively collage-like illustrations and a fun gimmick for little hands . . ." —TIME
     

View All

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "All Ages" group
Jan-Feb 2026

2026 Winter Reading Program: Warm Up to a Good Book!

All Day 1/11–2/28
All Ages
This event is in the "All Ages" group
Jan-Feb 2026

2026 Winter Reading Program: Warm Up to a Good Book!

All Day 1/11–2/28
All Ages
Program Location: Manitowoc Public Library
Room: No Space
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Reading Program, Special Event
Event Details:

The Winter Reading Program is open to all ages! Read or be read to a total of 10 hours from January 11 through February 28. Everyone that finishes receives a raffle ticket to enter to win one of a variety of fantastic baskets!

This event is in the "Teens" group
Feb 1
-
15
2026

Teen Shelf Care Box Registration

All Day 2/1–2/15
Teens
This event is in the "Teens" group
Feb 1
-
15
2026

Teen Shelf Care Box Registration

All Day 2/1–2/15
Teens
Program Location: Manitowoc Public Library
Room: No Space
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Grab & Go
Event Details:

Ready to explore the shelves? Ages 11-18 are invited to sign up for March's Shelf Care box, February 1 - February 15!

This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Preschoolers" group
This event is in the "Elementary-Age" group
Feb 3 2026 Tue

Family Activity Night - Blanket Forts

6:30pm–7:15pm
Families, Preschoolers, Elementary-Age
This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Preschoolers" group
This event is in the "Elementary-Age" group
Feb 3 2026 Tue

Family Activity Night - Blanket Forts

6:30pm–7:15pm
Families, Preschoolers, Elementary-Age
Program Location: Manitowoc Public Library
Room: Balkansky Community Room ABC
Age Group: Families, Preschoolers, Elementary-Age
Program Type: Family Activity Night
Event Details:

There’s nothing better to do on a cold winter day than to crawl into your very own blanket fort with a good book! Bring your blankets, pillows and maybe even your best stuffed buddy and get cozy.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

Individuals requesting accommodation for disabilities should contact the Library's ADA Manager. Reasonable accommodations will be made as quickly as possible, often within a week.

Unattended Children

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group
Feb 4 2026 Wed

Baby Storytime

9:30am–10:15am
Families, Babies & Toddlers
This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group
Feb 4 2026 Wed

Baby Storytime

9:30am–10:15am
Families, Babies & Toddlers
Program Location: Manitowoc Public Library
Room: Balkansky Community Room BC
Age Group: Families, Babies & Toddlers
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Storytime

You’re never too young for a great story!

Join us for 20 minutes of stories, songs, rhymes, bounces, parachute activities, and bubbles, followed by 20 minutes of playtime! Baby Storytime is recommended for developmental ages 0-2 and siblings are always welcome.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

Individuals requesting accommodation for disabilities should contact the Library's ADA Manager. Reasonable accommodations will be made as quickly as possible, often within a week.

Unattended Children

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Preschoolers" group
Feb 4 2026 Wed

Preschool Storytime

10:30am–11:15am
Families, Preschoolers
This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Preschoolers" group
Feb 4 2026 Wed

Preschool Storytime

10:30am–11:15am
Families, Preschoolers
Program Location: Manitowoc Public Library
Room: Balkansky Community Room BC
Age Group: Families, Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Storytime

You’re never too young for a great story!

Join us in singing, talking, reading, creating, and playing at this inclusive Storytime for families with preschoolers. Storytime focuses on concepts such as life skills, counting, colors, emotions, patterns, and the alphabet.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

Individuals requesting accommodation for disabilities should contact the Library's ADA Manager. Reasonable accommodations will be made as quickly as possible, often within a week.

Unattended Children

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

This event is in the "All Ages" group
Feb 4 2026 Wed

Drop-In Chess Club

6:00pm–7:30pm
All Ages
This event is in the "All Ages" group
Feb 4 2026 Wed

Drop-In Chess Club

6:00pm–7:30pm
All Ages
Program Location: Manitowoc Public Library
Room: Balkansky Community Room BC
Age Group: All Ages
Event Details:

Want to improve your memory and concentration or practice logical thinking skills? Make a smart move and join us for Drop-In Chess Club! The game of chess offers many brainy benefits and -- it's just fun!

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

Individuals requesting accommodation for disabilities should contact the Library's ADA Manager. Reasonable accommodations will be made as quickly as possible, often within a week.

Unattended Children

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

  • View More

Stay Up To Date!

Get updates about the Library in our e-newsletter! Sign up today.
Sign Up

Contact Us

Manitowoc Public Library
707 Quay Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220

Main Line: (920) 686-3000

Questions & Comments

Important Links

Employment
Library Board
Policies
Accessibility
Curbside

Connect with Us!

   
Back To Top