January events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Sunday, Jan. 4 (2-4 p.m.) Go Green in 2015 (Eco-Friendly Resolution Fair) – Discover ways that you can become green in 2015 and make some Eco-Friendly resolutions for the new year! For all ages. No registration required.

Monday, Jan. 5 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Monday, Jan. 5 (3:45-5:30 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.

Tuesday, Jan. 6 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Results-Oriented Resumes – In the current job market, competition is tough and employers are swamped with resumes. This workshop will teach you what catches employers’ attention and makes them want to call you.

Tuesday, Jan. 6 (7 p.m.) Connecting for Kids: Coffee & Chat – We will enjoy coffee and desserts as we laugh and discuss this month's topic, "New Year’s Resolution: Making Time for You!" This program is a combination book/article club and support group, facilitated by a professional. Registration is required for free child care at connectingforkids.org or 440-250-5563. 

Wednesday, Jan. 7 (10:15 & 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, Jan. 7 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department each Wednesday and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 7 (7-8 p.m.) Healthy Eating for the New Year – Heinen's Supermarkets will teach us about a variety of healthy food options to help reach and maintain our balanced eating goals. Please register.

Thursday, Jan. 8 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The January selection is "The World’s Strongest Librarian: A Book Lover’s Adventures" by Josh Hanagarne.

Friday, Jan. 9, and Saturday, Jan. 10 (see times below) Music Therapy & More – Join us as we play instruments, sing, move to music and discuss how to carry over the music therapy experiences into the home. This program is geared toward children struggling in an area of development. RSVP required; call 440-250-5563 or visit connectingforkids.org. Sessions: Jan. 9: Family Session: 9:30 a.m.; Toddler Session: 10:30 a.m.; Preschool Session: 11:30 a.m.; Jan. 10: Family Session: 9:30 a.m.; Preschool Session: 10:30 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 9 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) iPad Users Group – Listen to a brief iPad topic then share talk and share tips and techniques with other iPad users. Must bring your iPad with you. Registration required.

Saturday, Jan. 10 (9:30-11 a.m.) Sign Up for Kindlegarten! – Must bring your registered Kindle with you. Learn how to download eBooks to your Kindle and other basic techniques. Call the Popular Materials desk to sign up for this eLab. Space is limited for each session. 

Saturday, Jan. 10 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) SAT Practice Exam & Results – Get ready for the SAT with a practice exam. Study skills will be discussed and detailed results will be returned to students the following week. Signing up for this automatically gets you signed up for the results session on Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. Grades 9-12. Please register.

Saturday, Jan. 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. No registration required.

Saturday, Jan. 10 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! All bricks provided. Ages 6-12. No registration required.

Sunday, Jan. 11 (1-3 p.m.) Digital Photography Course – Join the Lakewood Photographic Society in learning all about your digital camera and taking better pictures. Experienced photographers will be available to answer your questions.

Sunday, Jan. 11 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Games, crafts, puzzles and more! All ages; children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, Jan. 11 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills (or learn how to play the game) through WPPL's Chess Club. The club is recommended for kids ages 6+, but all ages are welcome to attend. If you have a chess set, please bring it.

Sunday, Jan. 11 (3-4:30 p.m.) Magic and other TCGs – If you are a TCG fanatic, come and play Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon and other TCGs. Bring your own deck and be ready to battle. Players must furnish their own cards. Grades 7-12.

Monday, Jan. 12 (3:45-5:30 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.

Tuesday, Jan. 13 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Using Twitter for Job Search – With job boards, 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 and learn how to use it in your job search. Learn how to set up an account – bring your mobile phone or tablet with you if you want.

January 13, 14 and 15 (1-9 p.m.) Study Break Café – Need some refreshment during those long hours studying at the library? Students in grades 9-12 that are using the library to study for finals can stop by the Youth Services desk for a goody bag with snacks and a drink. Limit one per student, while supplies last!

Tuesday, Jan. 13 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In January we’ll discuss "The Giver" by Lois Lowry.

Wednesday, Jan. 14 (10:15 & 11 a.m.) Let’s Sing and Dance! – See Jan. 7 listing.

Wednesday, Jan. 14 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – See Jan. 7 listing.

Wednesday, Jan. 14 (7-7:45 p.m.) Family Storytime: Barnyard Fun – Down on the farm, that's where we'll be – to celebrate with friends and family! Activities will be geared for 3- to 6-year-olds, but the entire family is welcome to come! No registration required.

Friday, Jan. 16 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensory 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Jan. 17 (10–11 a.m.) Android Tablet Group: Touch Screen Skills – Must bring your Android-based tablet with you. Practice with touch screen motions and basic button functions. Please register.

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

Saturday, Jan. 17 (2 p.m.) Parent Discussion Group – Meet other parents as we discuss childhood development topics with a local expert. Free child care available, register at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563. Today's topic: "Fighting with your Elementary-Aged Child over Screen Time? Strategies and Resources."

Saturday, Jan. 17 (2-3 p.m.) DIY Snowman Kit – Build a great snowman with your homemade snowman kit. Ages 9-12. Registration begins Jan. 10.

Sunday, Jan. 18 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – See Jan. 11 listing.

Sunday, Jan. 18 (3-3:45 p.m.) Magic Foaming Snowmen – Come make your own magic foaming snowman then use a little chemical reaction magic to watch him melt! Grades 2-4. Registration begins Jan. 11.

Monday, Jan. 19 (2-4 p.m.) Movies @ Your Library! – Join us for a movie matinee in which a group of sympathetic humans help a dolphin with a damaged tail in a heartwarming sequel. (Rated PG). Based on availability; movie title may change without notice. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration begins one week before each session.

Monday, Jan. 19 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors' Interest Group: Impact of Events Upon the Markets and a Look Ahead – We take a look at how significant recent national and international events have impacted the various markets. Learn how the market responses to these events may affect certain asset classes and how to incorporate those changes into your investment strategies. Please register.

Tuesday, Jan. 20 (10–11 a.m.) Android Tablet Group: Touch Screen Skills – See Jan. 17 listing.

Tuesday, Jan. 20 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Applications That Get Noticed – Often, a computer scans applications looking for keywords for the skills, education, experience, or whatever else is important to the employer. Learn how to tackle questions on an employment application to be sure yours will be read.

Tuesday, Jan. 20 (7-8 p.m.) College Financial Aid – Whether you’re a high school student or parent, let us help you navigate the world of FAFSA, grants, loans, scholarships and work study with the help of Patty Saddle from the College Planning Center. Open to all future college students and parents! Registration begins Jan. 13.

Wednesday, Jan. 21 (10 a.m.-noon) Artists' Reflections...on the Human Condition – View large screen images of art treasures created over the centuries. Find out about the artists who created them, their inspirations and the symbolic references incorporated in their art, as well as the historical and cultural events during the time they worked. Presented by Bill Mannion, MBA, MFA, an award-winning artist. Please register.

Wednesday, Jan. 21 (10:15 & 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, Jan. 21 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department each Wednesday and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 21 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Club Emerging Technology Program – As a follow-up to the library's Make Event, this club will explore Maker Movement projects monthly. Please join us for an E-Tech Lab, bringing emerging technology to our club. Please register.

Wednesday, Jan. 21 (7-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society

Thursday, Jan. 22 (12-1:30 p.m.) Small Busine$$ Lunch & Learn – Thinking of starting a business? Take a guided assessment to find out if you have the right personality, skill set, tools, etc. to be an entrepreneur. This session will help you answer those questions, and provide you with tools and resources to get you moving in the right direction. Presented by SCORE. Please register.

Thursday, Jan. 22 (4-5 p.m.) Magic Tree House Book Club – Do you already love the "Magic Tree House" adventures or are you curious to find out what the fuss is all about? Join us for one of the "Magic Tree House" books, discussion and craft related to the book. Grades K-2. No registration required.

Friday, Jan. 23 (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 Jan. 16.

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

Friday, Jan. 23 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) iPad Users Group – Listen to a brief iPad topic then share talk and share tips and techniques with other iPad users. Must bring your iPad with you. Registration required.

Friday, Jan. 23 (11:30 a.m.) Parent Discussion Group – Meet other parents as we discuss childhood development topics with a local expert. Free child care available, register at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563. Today's topic: "Social Skills for Preschoolers."

Friday, Jan. 23 (1-2:30 p.m.) Fantastic Fridays for Homeschoolers – Calling all homeschoolers! Join us for our homeschool Fridays. We will cover a different library-related topic every month. Ages 6-12. Registration begins Jan. 16.

Saturday, Jan. 24 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensory 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Jan. 24 (1-2 p.m.) Simple Steps to Organizing & De-cluttering Your Home – Professional organizer Kandi Walker Sartori will show you how to control the chaos in every room of your home to create a tranquil space for you and your family. Please register.

Saturday, Jan. 24 (2-3 p.m.) Junior Brick Builders! – Let's build with Duplos! Bring your imagination and we'll provide the bricks. Ages 3-6.

Saturday, Jan. 24 (3-5 p.m.) Who-vian Haven (Dr. Who Club) – Who-vian Haven is a place for Who-vians to get together, watch episodes of Doctor Who, and talk about Doctor Who and all other Timey-Wimey things. Grades 9-12. Please register.

Sunday, Jan. 25 (2-3 p.m.) Friends' Annual Meeting – Includes a historical look at fashion.

Sunday, Jan. 25 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills (or learn how to play the game) through WPPL's Chess Club. The club is recommended for kids ages 6+, but all ages are welcome to attend. If you have a chess set, please bring it.

Monday, Jan. 26 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Monday, Jan. 26 (3:45-5:30 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, Jan. 26 (7-8 p.m.) Accidental Art – Mistakes can often be turned into beautiful art – come make your own accidental artwork by staining paper with everyday things! Grades K-5. For typical peers and students with special needs with a caregiver; siblings welcome. Registration begins Jan. 19.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Networking Effectively – People are your single greatest resource in a job search and networking helps you reach those people. Learning how to build a network of “business friends” is essential to uncovering hidden job opportunities and to learning more about companies and their cultures. Learn how to build and maintain business relationships that will assist you throughout your career.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 (7 p.m.) Parent Discussion Group – Meet other parents as we discuss childhood development topics with a local expert. Free child care available, register at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563. Today's topic: "Strategies to Deal with Challenging Behaviors in Elementary-Aged Children."

Wednesday, Jan. 28 (10:15 & 11 a.m.) Let’s Sing and Dance! – See Jan. 21 listing.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The January selection is "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – See Jan. 21 listing.

Thursday, Jan. 29 (All Day) Celebrate National Puzzle Day! – Puzzles of all types will be available for your solving pleasure! Crossword, sudoku, word search, jigsaw, jumbles and more! No registration required.

Thursday, Jan. 29 (4-5 p.m.) Magic Tree House Book Club – See Jan. 22 listing.

Thursday, Jan. 29 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Coffee with Linda – Join us for the second in our small group discussion series with spiritual teacher, intuitive, and author Linda Street. Ask questions and relate experiences in a casual, friendly atmosphere and get Linda's answers and input. Registration required.

Thursday, Jan. 29 (7–8 p.m.) Android Tablet Group: Touch Screen Skills – Must bring your Android-based tablet with you. Practice with touch screen motions and basic button functions. Please register.

Friday, Jan. 30 (9:30-11 a.m.) Sign Up for Kindlegarten! – Must bring your registered Kindle with you. Learn how to download eBooks to your Kindle and other basic techniques. Call the Popular Materials desk to sign up for this eLab. Space is limited for each session.

Friday, Jan. 30 (4-5:30 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Jan. 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, Jan. 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.