Ready to Nerd Out? 40+ Events at Blasco, Library Branches

Visit the library to nerd out about your favorite fandom! 

Nerd out at the Library — formerly known as LibCon Erie —is an 8-day celebration happening May 4-11 featuring 40-plus events. It's planned by Erie County Public Library staff and packed with a variety of fandom programs for teens and families. During the week, you'll be invited to 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 all entirely FREE, but some require registration. When registration is required you'll find that noted in the event description, along with a registration link.

Please note: This is an 8-day event filled with different programs and activities at multiple locations. It is not a comic con with vendors/ booths.

Visit the event page for more info, and get ready to NERD OUT!

Nerd Out Event Schedule

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. Register here.

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.

Make this lantern at "May the 4th be with You!" events held at Blasco, Lincoln and Edinboro libraries.

Pokémon League I 2-4pm I Storytime Room: 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. Register Here.

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. Register Here 

 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. Register Here

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 (see image above), 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 (see image above), 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.

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. Register Here

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. Register Here

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. This activity takes 10-30 minutes to complete. Available while supplies last. Ages 6 and up. 

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. Register Here

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. Register Here

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. Register Here

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. Register Here

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. Register Here

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. Register Here

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! No registration required. 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.

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.  Register Here 

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. Register Here

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.

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 bookbinder. 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 Register Here

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. Register Here
 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. Register Here

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.

• 9:30am Detective Pikachu Film Overview: The story begins when ace private eye Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry's former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a hilariously wisecracking, adorable super-sleuth who is a puzzlement even to himself. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to communicate with one another, Tim and Pikachu join forces on a thrilling adventure to unravel the tangled mystery. Rating: PG Approximately 104 min.
• 12pm Black Adam  Film Overview: Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods-and imprisoned just as quickly-Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world. Rating: PG-13 Approximately 125 min. 
• 2:30pm Galaxy Quest Film Overview: The stars of a 1970s sci-fi show - now scraping a living through re-runs and sci-fi conventions - are beamed aboard an alien spacecraft. Believing the cast's heroic on-screen dramas are historical documents of real-life adventures, the band of aliens turn to the ailing celebrities for help in their quest to overcome the oppressive regime in their solar system. Rating: PG Approximately 104 min.

Nerd Out Fun I 10am-3pm: Stop in from 10am-3pm for some geektastic activities. No registration required. All ages welcome:

• Make your own nerdy button! Choose from a variety of designs and color them in however you wish. One per person. 
• Come adopt a small, fluffy, cute Tribble! A Tribble is an alien from the Star Trek universe. Select a Tribble, fill out an adoption certificate, and decorate a small carrier for your new friend to ride home in. One per person.
• Build a Droid, design your own droid using paper cutout cut with the Idea Lab's Cricut Maker. 
• Superhero masks, decorate your own mask to become a superhero. 
• Power up with a power flower. Make a paper power flower from the Mario games. 
• Make fantasy-themed magnets with infusible ink markers. Draw your design on a piece of paper with either stencils or freehand. Using the Cricut heat press, we will transfer your drawing to a magnet. One per person.

Visit the Erie County Public Library's event page for more information!