May events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Westlake Porter Public Library’s parking lot will be closed for resealing and striping on Sunday, May 25, and Monday, May 26. There will be no access to the drive-up book drops while the parking lot is closed. The library will be closed on May 25 and 26 in observance of Memorial Day, making it an ideal time for performing the annual maintenance. The re-sealing and re-striping will be done weather-permitting.

Friday, May 2 (10-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. OR 1-2 p.m.) Connecting for Kids "Teach Me to Play" – Experts from the Cuyahoga Board of Developmental Disabilities will lead this playgroup for children 3-6 years (siblings welcome). Its focus is teaching parents how to help their children engage in play and interact with peers, and positively discipline through hands-on modeling techniques. Caregiver must stay in the room. You must RSVP for the playgroup by calling 440-250-5563. Space is limited.

Friday, May 2 (4-5 p.m.) Weird Science – Learn science while having fun! Our interactive after-school science program teaches fundamental principles in an entertaining format. Students will participate in hands-on experiments that they can reproduce at home. Ages 8-12.

Saturday, May 3 (Siblings, ages 1-6: 9:30-10 a.m.) (Preschool, ages 3-6: 10:30-11 a.m.) Music Therapy & More – Connecting for Kids and the Music Therapy Enrichment Corps will teach parents and caregivers how to have a direct role in bringing music to life at home, at school, and in the community. You must RSVP for the session by calling 440-250-5563. Space is limited.

Saturday, May 3 (2-4 p.m.) Carryout Crafts – Stop by the Youth Services Department to see what each day’s featured craft is! Tables will be set up with all of the supplies needed.

Saturday, May 3 (2-3:30 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Parent Discussion Group – Parent discussion group led by a local pediatric expert. Childcare is offered but space is limited. You must RSVP by calling 440-250-5563. Topics are listed at www.connectingforkids.org.

Saturday, May 3 (3-5 p.m.) Mad 4 Manga – Each month we watch a different Anime series and talk about our favorite Manga. Sometimes we even throw in some crafts, Manga drawing or Japanese treats! Grades 7-12 only.

Monday, May 5 (4-5:45 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to WPPL's Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We've got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Monday, May 5 (7-8:30 p.m.) Monday Night Movie – "Gravity" starring Sandra Bullock. A gutsy astronaut struggles to stay alive after a disaster in space. Rated PG-13. Please register.

Tuesday, May 6 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Reinventing Yourself – What are you waiting for? What is getting in the way of your process? What do you have the most fun doing? This workshop explores questions that get you engaged and excited and will assist you with beginning to develop your own future.

Tuesday, May 6 (7-8:30 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Coffee & Chat – Parent support group for families who have a question or concern about their child's development. See topic at www.connectingforkids.org.

Wednesday, May 7 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Stop by for free genealogy help!

Wednesday, May 7 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow! Read to Uncle Chow Chow! – Stop by the Youth Services Department each Wednesday and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with Uncle Chow Chow, our reading dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Thursday, May 8 (1-7 p.m.) – American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Friday, May 9 (Siblings, ages 1-6: 9:30-10 a.m.) (Toddler, under age 3: 10:30-11 a.m.) (Preschool, ages 3-6: 11:30 a.m.-noon) Music Therapy & More – Connecting for Kids and the Music Therapy Enrichment Corps will teach parents and caregivers how to have a direct role in bringing music to life at home, at school, and in the community. You must RSVP for the session by calling 440-250-5563. Space is limited.

Friday, May 9 (10-10:45 a.m.) Come Play With Me! – Open playtime with age-appropriate toys. Teaches sharing and socialization. For children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome! Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, May 10 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Pokemon League – Bring your cards and accessories for a fun morning of play! For kids ages 6-12 only. Please, no younger siblings. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, May 10 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! All bricks provided. Ages 6-12.

Monday, May 12 (4-5:45 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to WPPL's Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We've got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Monday, May 12 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) The Fault in Our Stars Book Club – Read John Green's bestselling book before the movie’s out! We'll read and discuss the heartbreaking story of cancer patient Hazel Grace Lancaster that has become a worldwide phenomenon. Please register. Pick up your copy of the book at the Youth Services desk. Grades 7-12.

Tuesday, May 13 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Think Like an Entrepreneur – A little entrepreneurial zeal can give you a distinct advantage in your professional life, whether you think you would ever strike out on your own or not. Train yourself to think like an entrepreneur – learn to apply the process in daily life.

Tuesday, May 13 (7-8 p.m.) College Essay Writing – Learn how to write the best essay you can by honing your essay writing skills and getting expert tips from Patty Saddle of the College Planning Center. Open to students and parents. Please register starting May 6.

Tuesday, May 13 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In May we’ll discuss "The Storyteller" by Jodi Picoult.

Wednesday, May 14 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow! Read to Uncle Chow Chow! – Stop by the Youth Services Department each Wednesday and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with Uncle Chow Chow, our reading dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Wednesday, May 14 (7-8:30 p.m.) Introduction to Finding Funders – Learn how to use Foundation Directory Online, the database in which you can search for funders for your nonprofit organization. Please register.

Wednesday, May 14 (7-8 p.m.) Captain Underpants Tra La La Palooza – Join us for a Captain Underpants Tra La La Palooza! Experience trivia contests, games of skill, crafts and more! Ages 7-10. Registration begins May 7.

Thursday, May 15 (7-8 p.m.) College 101 – Patty Saddle of the College Planning Center will discuss the factors that go into finding the best college fit, including navigating college visits and interviews, standard vs. early admission, and more. Open to students and parents. Please register starting May 8.

Friday, May 16 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Parent Discussion Group – Parent discussion group led by a local pediatric expert. Childcare is offered but space is limited. You must RSVP by calling 440-250-5563. Topics are listed at www.connectingforkids.org.

Friday, May 16 (7-8 p.m.) A Family Concert with Laura Doherty – Laura will acoustically rock every kid's world with her breezy folk-pop tunes for the whole family! Tickets for this FREE concert will be available in Youth Services starting May 9 and are limited to six per adult, please.

Saturday, May 17 (10:30-11 a.m.) Mother Goose on the Loose! – Join Mother Goose for this interactive storytime featuring simple books, rhymes, songs and movement. For ages birth-3 with an adult caregiver.

Saturday, May 17 (2-3:30 p.m.) Origami Yoda SuperFolder Stookiness – Tweens are invited to show off their SuperFolder skills for a stooky afternoon of origami folding! We will recreate the Star Wars character-themed origami featured in Tom Angleberger's "Origami Yoda" series, along with discussing how to sketch in the style of the books. There will be prizes for the most stooktacular origami! Grades 4-7. Please register.

Sunday, May 18 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl, Josefina – Josefina will teach us about her Spanish culture and the settlement of the southwestern frontier in the early 1800s. Ages 6-10. Registration begins May 11.

Monday, May 19 (4-5:45 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to WPPL's Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We've got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Monday, May 19 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) Meet-Up Mondays – Interactive games and activities for socialization and play among children with special needs ages 7-11 with their caregivers. Registration begins May 12.

Monday, May 19 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors' Interest Group – Solving the Retirement Income Puzzle: Strategies and Vehicles to Help Maintain Your Income During Retirement. Discussion includes transitioning from accumulation to distribution so that you avoid running out of money. Presented by SOFA (the Society for Financial Awareness). Please register.

Tuesday, May 20 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Writing to Employers – Learn professional letter-writing techniques including how to write effective cover letters, marketing letters, follow-up letters and more. You’ll also gain information on preparing writing samples when employers request them.

Wednesday, May 21 (10:15 and 11 a.m.) Let’s Sing and Dance! – Sing and move to the music with Miss Nancy! For children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Please arrive early to receive a ticket at the Preschool Desk.

Wednesday, May 21 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow! Read to Uncle Chow Chow! – Stop by the Youth Services Department each Wednesday and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with Uncle Chow Chow, our reading dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Tuesday, May 20 (7-8:45 p.m.) Westlake Westshore Arts Council – St. Ed’s Trash Talkers

Wednesday, May 21(6:30-8:45 p.m.) – Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society

Thursday, May 22 (7-8:45 p.m.) Westlake Historical Society – Please join the Westlake Historical Society for a free program.

Friday, May 23 (10 a.m.-noon) Porter's Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems and show off.

Saturday, May 24 (10-11:30 a.m.) Boredom Busters – Are you bored? Drop by the Storytime Room and join in the fun! We will have different activities available each month! Join us for board games, crafts, puzzles and more! All ages welcome! No registration necessary. In accordance with library policy, children under the age nine must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, May 24 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensory Storytime – Join us for a storytime for children with special needs and their parents/caregivers. The program includes interactive stories, rhymes, songs and movement activities, followed by 30 minutes of play. Content is geared to ages 3-7. Please call the library with questions or to register.

Saturday, May 24 (10:30 a.m.-noon) Beginning Genealogy – Learn how to research your family history, including the available resources and where to find them. Bring along names and dates for hands-on research. Please register.

Sunday, May 24 (1:30-4 p.m.) Compeer Day – Join us during Mental Health Awareness month for a Community Open House to find out more about Compeer and mental health services.

Saturday, May 24 (2-3 p.m.) Junior Brick Builders! – Let's build with Duplos! Bring your imagination and we'll provide the bricks. Ages 3-5 only.

Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day: Library Closed

Tuesday, May 27 (1-7 p.m.) – American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Tuesday, May 27 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Improving Interviewing Skills – Preparation is the essential ingredient for a successful job interview. Learn how to discover what the employer needs so that your answers will differentiate you from other candidates.

Wednesday, May 28 (10:15 and 11 a.m.) Let’s Sing and Dance! – Sing and move to the music with Miss Nancy! For children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Please arrive early to receive a ticket at the Preschool Desk.

Wednesday, May 28 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The May selection is "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak.

Wednesday, May 28 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow! Read to Uncle Chow Chow! – Stop by the Youth Services Department each Wednesday and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with Uncle Chow Chow, our reading dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Saturday, May 31 (2-4 p.m.) Carryout Crafts – Stop by the Youth Services Department to see what each day’s featured craft is! Tables will be set up with all of the supplies needed.

Saturday, May 31 (2-4 p.m.) History of League Park – Authors of a new book about the storied Cleveland ballpark will share some of that history. Please register starting April 30.

Saturday, May 31 (3-5 p.m.) Mad 4 Manga – Each month we watch a different Anime series and talk about our favorite Manga. Sometimes we even throw in some crafts, Manga drawing or Japanese treats! Grades 7-12 only.

To register for any of the programs, please call 440-871-2600 or visit signup.westlakelibrary.org:8080.