July events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Tuesdays (2:30-3 p.m.) and Thursdays (10:30-11 a.m.) through July 24 – Book Buddies – Teen volunteers will help students ENTERING grades 1-3 retain their reading skills during summer vacation. This program is designed for those usually reading below grade level and in need of extra help practicing reading. Please note: the Book Buddies program is not a tutoring service. Teen Book Buddy volunteers are neither expected nor trained to correct learning problems or to teach children to read. Sign up weekly for the session that works best for you. Continues weekly through July 24.

Tuesdays (3-4 p.m.) and Thursdays (11 a.m.-noon) through July 24 – Summer Brain Games – Keep up your skills this summer vacation! Kids ENTERING grades 1-3 can drop in each week for grade-appropriate educational games and activities in four subject areas. Teen volunteers and staff from Westlake City Schools will be on hand to assist. Parents of children under age 9 are required to stay in the library while their children are participating in Brain Games. Drop-in program, no registration necessary! Continues weekly through July 24.

Tuesday, July 1 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Using Twitter for Job Search – With other job search resources, job seekers often have no way of directly connecting with the recruiter or the hiring manager. Twitter can help with this challenge. Take this quick introduction to Twitter and learn how to use it in your job search.

Tuesday, July 1 (7-7:45 p.m.) Sing and Dance Special Edition: Sweating to the Oldies! – This special edition of Sing and Dance will star Miss Nancy, and feature special guest, Miss Sarah! Get ready to shake your groove thing! Fun for the entire family – kids and their grown-ups!

Wednesday, July 2 (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, July 2 (1-7 p.m.) – American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Wednesday, July 2 (3-4:30 p.m.) Nerd Night! – Embrace your inner nerd and just have fun as we team up and compete in the ultimate geek relay! Get competitive in our socks & sandals relay race, Fitness for Nerds, and more! Grades 6-12. Please register starting June 25.

Wednesday, July 2 (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.

Friday, July 4 – Independence Day: Library Closed

Saturday, July 5 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! All bricks provided. Ages 6-12.

Monday, July 7 (3-4:30 p.m.) Teen Crafternoons – Bring out your creativity and kill some time in the Teen area every Monday throughout the summer for an afternoon of crafts. Drop in for a new craft each week! While supplies last.

Monday, July 7 (5-6 p.m.) Yoga For Teens – Inhale. Exhale. Warrior Pose! Bethany Springer will teach you yoga moves to develop your strength and flexibility. For teens entering grades 6-12. Please bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose/comfortable clothing. Grades 6-12. Please register starting June 30.

Monday, July 7 (7-8:30 p.m.) Monday Night Movie – "Blue Jasmine," starring Cate Blanchett in her Academy Award-winning role as a socialite whose life has fallen apart. Rated PG-13. Please register.

Tuesday, July 8 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In July we’ll discuss "Anonymous" by Christine Benedict.

Wednesday, July 9 (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, July 9 (2-3 p.m.) Survivor: Summer Edition – Celebrate summer reading with an afternoon of action-packed games! Grades 2-4. Registration begins July 2.

Wednesday, July 9 (3-4:30 p.m.) Giant Games – Looking for something to do? Stop by with your friends for an afternoon of GIANT GAMES! We've super-sized Jenga, Dominos, Chinese Checkers, and more of your favorite games for even more fun! We'll also have video games and snacks.

Wednesday, July 9 (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, July 10 (2-3 p.m.) Bouncing Polymers – Play with polymers (long chains of molecules) to make bouncing balls and slime. Ages 6-10. Registration begins July 3.

Thursday, July 10 (6:30-8 p.m.) Weird Science: Rocketry 201 – In this session, we will learn more about rockets by building Air Bottle Rocket Launchers and Kool Aid Squeeze Rockets and compete to see whose rocket launch will result in the longest and highest flights. Grades 4-7. Registration begins July 3.

Thursday, July 10 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The July selection is "Girls of Atomic City" by Denise Kiernan.

Friday, July 11 (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 with questions or to register.

Friday, July 11 (1-2 p.m.) SNAP Art Day – Use our materials and your imagination to create a masterpiece. This program is for adults with developmental disabilities (and their caregivers, if needed) as part of our Special Needs Adult Programming (SNAP) series. Please call Rebecca Shook at 440-250-5471 to register or with questions.

Friday, July 11 (2-4 p.m.) Movies @ Your Library! – Join us for fabulous Friday afternoon flicks! Based on availability; movie titles may change without notice. In accordance with library policy, children who are under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, July 12 (10–11:30 a.m.) TECH TALK: Pinterest – This is a lecture-based session focused on the basics of using Pinterest. No computer experience necessary. Please register.

Saturday, July 12 (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, July 12 (1-2 p.m.) Melted Crayon Art – We’ll be using old crayons to make something new: melted crayon art to decorate your walls. Grades 5-7. Registration begins July 5.

Saturday, July 12 (2–3:30 p.m.) TECH TALK: Email – This is a lecture-based session focused on common tasks and terms. No computer experience necessary to attend.

Sunday, July 13 (2-4:30 p.m.) American Girl, Saige – We’ll meet Saige, the 2013 Girl of the Year. Ages 6-10. Registration begins July 6.

Monday, July 14 (3-4:30 p.m.) Teen Crafternoons – Bring out your creativity and kill some time in the Teen area every Monday throughout the summer for an afternoon of crafts. Drop in for a new craft each week! While supplies last.

Monday, July 14 (7-8 p.m.) Fizz, Boom, Read with Mad Science in the Lead! – These Mad Scientists just love to make things pop, ooze, whoosh, spew, gush, burst, blare, blaze, blast and belch! A fire-breathing dragon might even appear for the grand finale! For kids in grades K-5. Free tickets are available on July 7 and are limited to 6 tickets per adult, please.

Tuesday, July 15 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Networking for Hidden Jobs – People are your single greatest resource in a job search, and networking helps you reach those people. Learn how to build and maintain business relationships that will assist you in your job search and beyond.

Tuesday, July 15 (11 a.m.-noon) Build a Bug House – Bzzzz! Attract bugs to your yard or garden with a new bug house made of recycled materials. Grades 2-4. Registration begins July 8.

Tuesday, July 15 (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. Please refer to the connectingforkids.org for the topic.

Wednesday, July 16 (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, July 16 (3-4:30 p.m.) Chocolate Olympics – Calling all chocolate lovers! Join us for our second annual chocolate-filled competition. Grades 6-12. Please register starting July 9. Please note: Some of the chocolate may contain nuts or other allergens.

Wednesday, July 16 (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, July 16 (6:30-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Researching Your Pre-1850 Ancestors with Margaret Cheney.

Friday, July 18 (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 July 11.

Friday, July 18 (2-4 p.m.) Movies @ Your Library! – Join us for fabulous Friday afternoon flicks! Based on availability; movie titles may change without notice. In accordance with library policy, children who are under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, July 19 (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 July 12.

Saturday, July 19 (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 with questions or to register.

Saturday, July 19 (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, July 20 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Board games, crafts, puzzles and more! All ages welcome. In accordance with library policy, children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Monday, July 21 (10 a.m.-noon) Become a Change-Maker – This inspirational and educational workshop breaks down the 4 keys to being a change-maker. Through interactive discussions and activities you'll identify how you can make a difference. Everyone will leave with a personal strengths assessment and knowledge of how she can change the world. This program is for girls entering grades 6-12 only! Please register starting July 14.

Monday, July 21 (3-4:30 p.m.) Teen Crafternoons – Bring out your creativity and kill some time in the Teen area every Monday throughout the summer for an afternoon of crafts. Drop in for a new craft each week! While supplies last.

Monday, July 21 (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 July 14.

Monday, July 21 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors' Interest Group – Investment Strategies: Building an Investment Portfolio. Learn which tools are needed to build, develop, and manage a strong portfolio. This knowledge will support your long-term investment strategies. Learn techniques for managing money including: diversification, re-balancing, re-allocation and reducing portfolio overlap. Presented by Szarka Financial. Please register.

Wednesday, July 23 (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, July 23 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The July selection is "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini.

Wednesday, July 23 (3-4:30 p.m.) Giant Games – Looking for something to do? Stop by with your friends for an afternoon of GIANT GAMES! We've super-sized Jenga, Dominos, Chinese Checkers, and more of your favorite games for even more fun! We'll also have video games and snacks.

Wednesday, July 23 (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.

Friday, July 25 (10 a.m.-noon) Porter's Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems, and show off.

Friday, July 25 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) iPad Users Group – Learn and share basic tips with other iPad users. Please bring your iPad with you. Registration required.

Friday, July 25 (2-4 p.m.) Movies @ Your Library! – Join us for fabulous Friday afternoon flicks! Based on availability; movie titles may change without notice. In accordance with library policy, children who are under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, July 26 (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, July 26 (10:30 a.m.-noon) Beginning Genealogy Research from Home – 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.

Saturday, July 26 (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.

Saturday, July 26 (2-4:15 p.m.) and Sunday, July 27 (2-4:30 p.m.) Summer Movie Weekend – Please join us for a movie duo:

• Saturday: The Academy Award-nominated film about the author of Mary Poppins and Walt Disney. Stars Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. Rated PG-13.
• Sunday: The classic movie about a magical nanny starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

Please register for both movies.

Monday, July 28 (6-8 p.m.) Friends’ Annual Ice Cream Social – Join the Friends of Porter Public Library for ice cream sundaes and family fun!

Tuesday, July 29 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Setting Up a LinkedIn Profile – LinkedIn offers many perks for users, particularly job seekers and entrepreneurs. Learn how to set up a great profile which you can use to meet people who can assist your search and to find companies that are hiring. You will leave with your profile draft. Bring a resume to view and a flash drive with your resume on it in Word to cut and paste from. Sign up early by calling Cynthia at 216-367-3011 to reserve your spot. Only 12 seats at computers – others can bring in their own computer.

Tuesday, July 29 (2:30-3:30 p.m.) Puzzling Plastics – Learn about the characteristics of plastics, then have fun creating shrinking plastic crafts out of plastic carry-out containers. Presented by Kathleen Rocco of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District. Grades 2-5. Registration begins July 22.

Tuesday, July 29 (6-8 p.m.) CD Replay – Drop in the Youth Services department and make some cool crafts from recycled CDs! Create a CD mobile or use your imagination to make your own special artwork to take home and enjoy. All ages.

Wednesday, July 30 (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, July 30 (1-7 p.m.) – American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Wednesday, July 30 (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, July 30 (3-4 p.m.) Explosive Science – Celebrate Science Week with some insanely fun experiments that are sure to include a few big bangs! Grades 6-12. Please register starting July 23.

Wednesday, July 30 (7-8 p.m.) Come Sail Away – Come sail away with us as you design, decorate and race your own origami boat! Ages 8-10. Registration begins July 23.

Thursday, July 31 (10 a.m.-noon) Science Experiments and Egg Drop – Check out our drop-in experiment stations for some hands-on excitement! Kids will also get a chance to participate in an egg drop. If their egg survives, they may get a prize! All ages welcome! While supplies last!

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