Post Art Library

*The Library is closed for Labor Day. Our regular hours resume on Tuesday, September 8th.*

At the end of 1909, Joplin was home to at least 20 labor unions. Brewery workers, brick layers, carpenters, garment workers, and more were organized, though local miners were not. When the Missouri Federation of Labor held their annual convention here that year, Guy T. Humes delivered the opening address, representing both the City as the Mayor, and the Joplin Central Labor Union as a member/former secretary. Source: Joplin Globe, January 1910 (excerpt below and depicted in graphic)

1910-1-20
Joplin News Herald
“Organized labor makes advances” (excerpt)

"Twenty labor unions of Joplin, on the last day of last year, had 524 male members and 33 females. The miners of this section were not organized, but are ready to form unions, not that they have any grievance, but because of the mutual and benevolent effects of working together. Garment workers No. 168 had 29 women members and 1 male. The carpenters had the strongest union with 80 members. The brewery workers had a union of 50 men and the brick layers one of 46. In the summer enthusiasm over organization was very marked because of the annual convention in this city of the Missouri Federation of Labor. The mayor of Joplin, Guy T. Humes, former secretary of the Joplin Central Labor Union delivered the opening address. This city has a strong women’s auxiliary No. 19 with a $50 death benefit for each member. The officers of the trades assembly for 1909 were: President J.N. Phillips; vice president T.P. Hamilton; recording secretary, W.C. Bauer; financial secretary, E.E. Rowe; treasurer, Lon Troxel; sergeant-at-arms, J.H. Harlow; trustees Chas. W. Fear, J.H. Iahn and William H. Flippin."

We can't believe 2026 marks the TENTH Joplin Writers' Faire! Applications for booths opened August 1st and will close August 31st. Applying is free and open to the public. Successful applicants will receive a booth, at no cost to them, during the 2026 Joplin Writers' Faire (Saturday, October 3rd).

The Joplin Writers' Faire was established in 2017 to provide a space for writers to connect with one another and existing/new audiences, while encouraging community support of local and regional authors. JWF is a partnership between the Post Art Library, Joplin Public Library, and the Friends of the Joplin Public Library.

Applications for the 2026 Joplin Writers' Faire are now open starting TODAY! Apply to be part of this year's event, the 10th anniversary of the Writers' Faire!

Scan the QR code below to learn more and apply, or go to https://www.joplinpubliclibrary.org/writers-faire/

Look what's happening tomorrow at Joplin Public Library in the Bramlage & Willcoxon Foundation Gallery! In addition to viewing Rachel's paintings, you'll have the opportunity to peruse the booth she'll set up for the reception, where she'll have both originals and prints available for purchase. This is a free, all-ages event.

What does your pocket need? A poem! Join the fun and pick a pocket poem up from the library or one of these locations. Happy National Poetry Month, Joplin!

It's not everyday a nationally bestselling author visits Joplin! We invite you to join us tomorrow evening in welcoming Virginia Evans, the 2026 Joplin Reads Together author, to the library. This event includes a discussion of her book The Correspondent, Q&A, and a book signing.

Don't have a copy of the book? You needn't worry--Friends of the Joplin Public Library has you covered! Copies of The Correspondent will be on sale during the event for $22 apiece (though you are welcome to bring in your own copies to have autographed).

This is a FREE public event. Registration nor library card necessary.

The 2026 Joplin Reads Together program is a partnership between Joplin Public Library, Friends of the Joplin Public Library, Missouri Southern Spiva Library, and the Post Art Library.

Have you heard?! A nationally bestselling author is visiting Joplin Public Library!
We couldn't be more excited to welcome Virginia Evans to Joplin. She'll speak about her book, The Correspondent, answer audience questions, and follow with a book signing. Copies of The Correspondent will be for sale at the event thanks to Friends of the Joplin Public Library.

Thank you to our Joplin Reads Together Community Partners! Friends of the Joplin Public Library, Missouri Southern Spiva Library, Post Art Library.

Find the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DKbJawM2U/

Rachel Cabral's artistic creations allow her to explore a spectrum of human emotion along with her view of the world around her. Mostly, she paints portraits of women. Uniquely, she paints portraits of women in whimsical, surrealist styles, often incorporating elements of nature. As an award-winning watercolor artist, she specializes in portraiture, both realistic and cartoon.

A collection of her portraiture is on display in the Bramlage & Willcoxon Foundation Gallery inside Joplin Public Library now through Thursday, May 28th. The public is invited to join us in the gallery on that date for a free, all-ages closing reception, between 5:30-6:30pm.