Visit the library to nerd out about your favorite fandom! Nerd out at the Library is a weeklong celebration packed with a variety of fandom programs for teens and families. We hope you will find your favorite (or maybe discover a new one!) Explore the world of cosplay, try out a role playing game, make a craft, check out a graphic novel, test your fandom knowledge and so much more! Programs are free. Some programs require registration. Please check the program schedule for more information.
This is a weeklong event filled with different programs and activities available throughout the week at multiple locations. It is not a comic con with vendors/ booths.
Click on the link below the event to register or visit our event calendar page.
Friday May 3rd
Blasco Library
Teen Cosplay Party | 6-8:30pm I Blasco Teen Space
Are you ready hang out and share your favorite cosplay? This free, teen only, after library hours, cosplay party is hosted by the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and supported by The Friends of the Erie County Public Library. Our theme is the Mad Hatter Tea Party, but you can dress up as your favorite character from comics, books, anime, video games or wherever your geeky heart lives. Costumes are not required but remember, it's not the costume that counts — it's the love and affection that went into dressing up. We will have craft stations, music, snacks, games, a photo booth, and more!
Teens will be expected to stay for the entire program and will not be permitted to re-enter if they leave early. Costumes are not required. You must be 13-18 years old in grades 8-12. Registration and permission slip are required to attend.
Saturday May 4th
Blasco Library
May the 4th be with You! I 10-11:30am I Storytime Room
Celebrate the fun fill Star Wars universe with crafts and games. Make a paper lantern, and hyperspace CD art. Be on the lookout for droids with our scavenger hunt. No registration required. Ages 6 to 12. Available while supplies last.
Meet other Pokémon trainers at the Erie County Public Library's Pokémon League! Come play games, trade cards, and make friends. If you don't know how to play, we will teach you! Trading Card Game, Nintendo Switch/DS, and Pokémon GO players are all welcome. This program is intended for trainers ages 6 and up. Registration is not required.
Painted Comic Book Bag I 2-3pm I Idea Lab
BOOM! POW! WOW! Make a decorative comic themed bag using a vinyl template cut with the Idea Lab’s Cricut Maker. Add color with fabric paint to make your own action packed bag! Registration is required. Ages 12 to Adult.
Lincoln Community Center Library
Let's Play Mahjong I 10am-12pm
If you know how to play mahjong, here's a chance to practice your skills and deepen your mastery. If you're in the learning phase, you are welcome to join in for the same reasons. All are welcome to enjoy the game and interaction, and you can attend as many Saturday sessions as you wish! If you already play, bring your set of tiles and some friends. Recommended for Adults.
Robot Rally I 1-2pm
Join us for some robot fun! Bee Bots, Sphero and Code-a-Pillar will all be available to try out. Learn how they work and challenge yourself or a friend to get them through a maze. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Adults need not register.
May the 4th be with You! I 3:30-4:30pm
Celebrate the fun fill Star Wars universe with crafts and games. Make a paper lantern, and space battle art. Be on the lookout for droids with our scavenger hunt. No registration required. Ages 6 to 12. Available while supplies last.
Edinboro Branch Library
May the 4th be with You! I 12-1pm
Celebrate the fun fill Star Wars universe with crafts and games. Make a paper lantern, and space battle art. Be on the lookout for droids with our scavenger hunt. No registration required. Ages 6 to 12. Available while supplies last.
Monday May 6th
Blasco Library
Cosplay Workshop: Shoulder Armor I 6-8pm I Idea Lab
Join local cosplayer John Fleming, Icons unlimited, for a series of cosplay workshops. Learn to make more complex templates using easy to access items to create more advanced pieces of armor. This class will assist with making a custom shoulder armor piece for you to learn advanced foam smiting techniques. Also learn how to properly fit and assemble armor and cosplay pieces. This is an intermediate level cosplay project. Ages 12 to Adult. Registration required.
Rubber Ducky Cosplay I 6-7:30pm I Teen Space
Lacking in time and funds to make your own cosplay. Join us for a unique cosplay competition. We will supply the ducks you supply the creatively. Prizes to be won. Registration preferred, available while supplies last. This program is for ages 13-18 years old in grades 8-12.
Millcreek Branch Library
Fantasy and Sci-Fi Bookmarks I 3-4:30pm
Stop in to make a fantasy or sci-fi themed bookmark using infusible ink marks and the Cricut heat press. Use stencils to make your bookmark design or draw your own from scratch. No registration required. Available while supplies last. Ages 6 and up. This activity takes 10-30 minutes to complete.
Cricut Comic Frames I 6-7pm
POW! BOOM! WOW! Make a decorative comic frame with vinyl cut with the Idea Lab’s Cricut! Make a collage of comic book pieces to place in your frame. Then choose an action packed word made out of vinyl to place on top of the glass. In this class, you will learn how to load the Cricut and weed vinyl. Ages 10 to Adult. Registration required.
Iroquois Avenue Branch Library
Afterschool Craft: Make your own Spell Book I 3-4pm
Stop in to make your own mini spell book notebook. Decorate the cover with stamps, paper cut outs, markers and more. Put it together using the Idea Lab’s book binder. Ages 6-17. No registration required. Available while supplies last.
Sci-Fi Tile Art (Teens & Tweens) I 6-6:45pm
Make your own Sci-fi themed decorative tile. Using permanent markers and a ceramic tile engraved with the Idea Lab’s Glowforge, you can make a colorful super design! Ages 10-17.
Sci-Fi Tile Art I 6:45-7:30pm
Make your own Sci-fi themed decorative tile. Using permanent markers and a ceramic tile engraved with the Idea Lab’s Glowforge, you can make a colorful super design! Ages 6-Adult.
Tuesday May 7th
Blasco Library
Evening Storytime: Nerdy Tales I 6-7pm I Children's Storytime Room
Join us for an evening of geeky fun for the whole family! This storytime is just like regular storytime, but nerdy! We will read books, sing songs, play with the parachute, and do a craft. All ages welcome. No registration required.
K-Pop Trivia I 6-7pm I Community Classroom
Join us to play some K-pop themed trivia games! Show off your bias know how and see how much you know about the world of k-pop. Everyone in the audience can participate and get prizes. Ages 13 to adult. No registration required.
Fantasy Silhouette I 6-7pm I Idea Lab
Stop in to make some fantasy themed art. Using a pre cut template from the Idea Lab’s Cricut, layer strips of colored paper to make a magical silhouette. Available while supplies last. All ages welcome.
Lincoln Community Center Library
Cricut Comic Frames I 6-7pm
POW! BOOM! WOW! Make a decorative comic frame with vinyl cut with the Idea Lab’s Cricut! Make a collage of comic book pieces to place in your frame. Then choose an action packed word made out of vinyl to place on top of the glass. In this class, you will learn how to load the Cricut and weed vinyl. Ages 10 to Adult. Registration required.
Iroquois Avenue Branch Library
Video Game Bingo I 6-6:45pm
Join us for a game of video game themed bingo. From Minecraft to Mario, play the classic BINGO game with your favorite video game characters. There are prizes to be won! Ages 6-17.
Video Game Controller Wall Hanging I 6:45-7:30pm
Join us to paint your very own video game controller wall hanging. These controller shapes were made with the Idea Lab’s laser cutter. Add some color to your game room with this personalized piece. Registration required. Ages 6-17
Wednesday May 8th
Blasco Library
Build and Paint: Fandom Wars I 6-7:30pm I Community Classroom
Stop by to assemble and paint a space ship themed 3D print. Choose from two fandoms: Star Wars or Star Trek. Learn a few 3D print painting tips and take home your own little ship. Registration not required. Available while supplies last. Ages 6 to adult.
Anime & Manga Fan Club I 6-7:30pm I Teen Space
Join us for a night of anime inspired fun! Make a manga origami butterfly. Play a few rounds of "Is It Anime?" Hear a plot line and try to guess if it is made up or a real anime plot. We will end the evening with the ultimate debate - subs or dubs! Registration preferred. Ages 13-18
Iroquois Avenue Branch Library
Afterschool Craft: Gotta Catch them All I 3-4pm
Stop in to make a Pokémon themed craft. Using a template, cut from the Idea Lab’s Cricut, fold the paper into a Poké ball that can open. Add a Pokémon of your choice inside. Available while supplies last. Ages 6 to 17.
Thursday May 9th
Blasco Library
Graphic Novel Bingo I 6-7pm I Storytime Room
Get your reflexes ready! Graphic novel bingo is here! Instead of numbers, we'll be calling out some of your favorite graphic novel titles, and maybe some potential favorites! Play for graphic novel themed prizes and bragging rights! Registration required. Ages 6-12. Adult supervision required for children under 12.
Map Making for Role Playing Games I 5-6pm I Community Classroom
Join Idea Lab staff to make your own gridded game map for any role-playing game. Learn how to use the free website Dungeon Scrawl to make your map. Print it out on the Idea Lab’s large format printer to take home with you. Registration required. Ages 13 to Adult.
Making Role Playing Game Accessories I 6:30-7:30pm I Community Classroom
Do you run a role-playing game such as dungeons and dragons or pathfinder? Learn how you can use Idea Lab equipment to create accessories for your game. Learn how the 3D printers, laser cutter and large format printer can be used to improve your game setup. No registration required. Ages 13 to Adult.
Iroquois Avenue Branch Library
Afterschool Craft: Fantasy Silhouette
Stop in to make some fantasy themed art. Using a pre-cut template from the Idea Lab’s Cricut, layer strips of colored paper to make a magical silhouette. Available while supplies last. Ages 6 to 17.
Friday May 10th
Blasco Library
Make your own Spell Book I 12-1pm I Idea Lab
Stop in to make your own mini spell book notebook. Decorate the cover with stamps, paper cut outs, markers and more. Put it together using the Idea Lab’s book binder. All ages welcome! No registration required. Available while supplies last.
Video Game Controller Wall Hanging I 2-3:30pm I Story Time Room
Join us to paint your very own video game controller wall hanging. These controller shapes were made with the Idea Lab’s laser cutter. Add some color to your game room with this personalized piece. Ages 6-12
Lincoln Community Center Library
Sci-Fi Tile Art I 2-3pm
Make your own Sci-fi themed decorative tile. Using permanent markers and a ceramic tile engraved with the Idea Lab’s Glowforge, you can make a colorful super design! Ages 6-Adult.
Sci-Fi Tile Art (Teens & Tweens) I 4-5pm
Make your own Sci-fi themed decorative tile. Using permanent markers and a ceramic tile engraved with the Idea Lab’s Glowforge, you can make a colorful super design! Ages 10-17.
Saturday May 11th
Blasco Library
Fandom Film Fest I 9am-4:30pm I Hirt Auditorium
Join us for some fandom fun films, playing in the Hirt Auditorium. No registration required.
Tabletop roleplaying games are designed to facilitate fun, cooperative storytelling between a group of people or on your own. Drop in between 10 and 4 in the Blasco Library's Community Classroom to check out our selection tabletop roleplaying games, learn what they're all about, and even try one for yourself! Whether you're completely new to tabletop roleplaying or you're a seasoned player looking to try something new, stop by to find the right game for you.
This event will feature a selection of tabletop games that require no preparation and no facilitator to play, so you can just sit down, read the rules, and get started like you would with any other board game. Bring your friends and play as a group, or bring yourself and try out a solo game. Games will be available to look through or play on a first-come-first-serve basis. Most games take between 1 and 4 hours to complete if you want to play them all the way through. Recommended for Ages 12 to Adult.
Miniature Painting I 10am-4pm I Idea Lab
Join us to paint your own miniature figure. Perfect for role playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons or Pathfinder. No registration required. All ages welcome. One miniature per person. Available while supplies last.
Dungeons and Derby 12-3pm
Join the local Erie Roller Derby team for some Dungeons and Dragons mini campaigns. Pick a character and role some dice! Experience the adventure of Dungeons and Dragons! Each session is 1 hour in length. Only one session per visitor due to limited slots. Ages 12 to adult. No registration required, seat are available first come first serve.
Face Painting I 12-2pm
Get your geek on with some fandom fun face paints by Taradoodles. All ages welcome. Free and no registration required. Face painting will end promptly at 2pm.
TEEN Fandom Book Bingo I 1-2pm I Teen Space
It is an easy and fun way to make new friends and win books! No registration required. This program is for ages 13-18 years old in grades 8-12.
Fandom Would You Rather? I 2-3pm I Teen Space
Would you rather fly on the invisible jet or take a ride in the Batmobile? Would you rather be trapped in an elevator with Jabba the Hutt or Jar Jar Binks? We have surveyed a bunch of people on what they rather do and now its your turn to guess which was the more popular answer! There are prizes to be won! This program is for ages 13-18 years old in grades 8-12.
Nerd Out Fun I 10am-3pm
Stop in from 10am-3pm for some geektastic activities. No registration required. All ages welcome.