July events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Tuesdays, July 7, 14 and 21 (2:30-3 p.m.) Book Buddies – Teen volunteers will help younger students retain their reading skills. This program is designed for children entering grades 1-4 who need extra help practicing reading. Please note: Book Buddy volunteers are neither expected nor trained to correct learning problems or to teach children to read. Registration begins one week before each session.

Tuesdays, July 7, 14 and 21 (3-4 p.m.) Summer Brain Games – Keep up your skills during summer vacation! Kids in grades 1-4 can drop in each week for grade-appropriate educational games. Teen volunteers and staff from the Westlake City Schools will be on hand to assist.

Tuesday, July 7 (7 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Coffee & Chat – We will laugh and discuss an article or book related to parenting children who struggle. The group discussion is facilitated by a professional. Tonight’s topic: Coping with Fear of the Future. Register for free child care at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563.

Wednesdays, July 8 and 15 (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.

Wednesdays, July 8 and 15 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, July 9 and 16 (6:30-8 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department 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. and each Thursday at 6 p.m.

Thursday, July 9 (6-7:30 p.m.) Rolled Paper Collage – One more way to Go Green! Make an 8"x10” collage out of recycled paper to decorate your room or use as a gift. Grades 5-7. Please register.

Thursday, July 9 (6-9 p.m.) Teen Movie Night: Mock the Movie! – This is not your typical, quiet movie-watching experience! In this MuVChat showing you'll be invited to text jokes and comments and they’ll appear onscreen during the movie (a popular teen vampire film). Bring your phone and a sense of humor and let the hilarity ensue! We'll provide the pop and popcorn! Grades 7-12. No registration.

Thursday, July 9 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The July selection is "The Universe Within: Discovering the Common History of Rocks, Planets, and People" by Neil Shubin.

Friday, July 10 (10-10:45 a.m.) Come Play With Me! – Open playtime with age-appropriate toys. For children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome! Please register.

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

Fridays, July 10 and 17 (2-4 p.m.) Movies @ Your Library! – Join us for Friday afternoon movie matinees! Registration begins one week before each movie. Rated PG. Based on availability; movie titles may change without notice. To be shown:

  • July 10: Grace is an American Girl with a real talent for baking and a passion for making delicious dreams come true. Now she’s heading to Paris where she’ll get to work with her relatives in a real pastry shop!
  • July 17: A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.

Saturday, July 11 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Superhero Day! – It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superhero Day at the library! Feel free to dress as your favorite superhero, and bring along your super powers to enjoy crafts, games and an assortment of fun activities!

Saturday, 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, July 11 (2-3 p.m.) Junior Brick Builders! – Let's build with Duplos! Bring your imagination and we'll provide the bricks. Ages 3-6. No registration required.

Mondays, July 13 and 20 (2-4 p.m.) Teen Lounge: Summer Edition – Looking for a fun place to hang out? Each week there will be different activities – Bleach T-Shirts on July 13, Comic Book Crafts on July 20. Grades 7-12.

Tuesday, July 14 (1-4 p.m.) We Can Code It: Make a Roller Coaster in Minecraft – Learn how to make a roller coaster in Minecraft! You'll build your programming and engineering skills as you play.Ages 10-12. Please register.

Tuesday, July 14 (2-3 p.m.) Shark Awareness Day – Celebrate Shark Awareness Day with some jawsome activities! Drop by the Youth Services Department between 11:30-1:30 for a fun craft, hang out any time during the day to play games, and/or register for a special 2 p.m. preschool shark-themed storytime! Ages 3-5.

Tuesday, July 14 (2-3:30 p.m.) Zentangle Doodle Club – Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful works of art! In this club, we'll learn all about Zentangle, try a few patterns, work on a sketchbook cover and make shrinky-dink charms. Grades 7-12. Please register.

Tuesday, July 14 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In July we’ll discuss "The Husband’s Secret" by Liane Moriarty.

Wednesday, July 15 (6:30-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Roundtable sharing, "Tribute to Our Veteran Ancestors."

Wednesday, July 15 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Club Emerging Technology Program: Arduino – This club explores Maker Movement projects monthly. This month we’ll learn what you can do with the Arduino, a microcontroller board that people all over the world have programmed to create some fascinating things! Please register.

Thursday, July 16 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensation Stations – Drop in for sensory fun! Engage your child's senses by scooping, pouring and sorting a variety of materials. This session is specifically for children with special needs and their typical peers. No registration required.

Thursday, July 16 (1-3 p.m.) Recycled Jewelry and Crafts – It doesn't take much to turn simple things around your house into beautiful works of art. Crafting guru Jenn Cline will show us how to make washer pendants, bottle cap earrings, paper beads, cardboard tube art and more! Grades 5-8. Registration begins July 9.

Thursday, July 16 (3:45-5:45 p.m.) Tabletop Gaming Group – Stop by for an afternoon of playing tabletop games with other gamers! Games will include Munchkin, Settlers of Catan, Forbidden Island and more! Grades 7-12.

Thursday, July 16 (7 –8 p.m.) Beginning Prezi – Similar to PowerPoint, Prezi is a presentation tool. Learn the differences and similarities and how to incorporate a PowerPoint presentation into a Prezi. Learn the fundamentals of the canvas and what makes Prezi unique from PowerPoint. See a demonstration and find out why Prezi is gaining in appeal for business-minded people and educators. 

Friday, July 17 (4-5:30 p.m.) Weirder Science – Learn science while having fun! Our interactive program teaches fundamental principles in an entertaining format. Students will participate in hands-on experiments that they can reproduce at home. Grades 5-8. Registration begins July 10.

Saturday, July 18 (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 18 (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, trivia or Japanese treats! Grades 7-12. No registration.

Sunday, July 19 (2-3 p.m.) Super Hero Training Camp – Exercise your super hero skills. Ages 4-7. Registration begins July 12.

Monday, July 20 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors' Interest Group – Your Social Security benefit is one source of income on which you can build a secure retirement. Let us help you better understand your Social Security benefits as you plan for your financial future. Please register.

Tuesday, July 21 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Communicating Effectively with Employers – Learn tips for successful conversations and find out how prospective employers perceive you so you can make the right impression.

Tuesday, July 21 (7-8 p.m.) Who Lived Here? – Karen Lakus, historical interpreter for the Cleveland Metroparks, will present a program on the prehistoric people who once inhabited Northeast Ohio.

Wednesdays, July 22 and 29 (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, July 22 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The July selection is "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See.

Wednesdays, July 22 and 29 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, July 23 and 30 (6:30-8 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department 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. and each Thursday at 6 p.m.

Thursday, July 23 (7-8:30 p.m.) Out of the Ordinary Picnic Foods – Susan Aldrich will demonstrate blender skills making a cold gazpacho soup. She will also make an out of this world PB granola bar and an elegant Hawaiian chicken salad suitable for summer picnics. Come to learn and taste! Registration begins June 21.

Friday, July 24 (10 a.m.-noon) Porter's Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems, and show off.

Friday, July 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Friday, July 24 (1-4 p.m.) Super Smash Bros Wii U Tournament – We're going head-to-head in an epic brawl! Test out your skills in the new Super Smash Bros for Wii U to see who will claim the ultimate prize! Pizza, pop and snacks will be provided. Grades 7-12. Registration begins July 17.

Fridays, July 24 and 31 (2-4 p.m.) Movies @ Your Library! – Join us for Friday afternoon movie matinees! Registration begins one week before each movie. Rated PG. Based on availability; movie titles may change without notice. To be shown:

  • July 24: A diverse band of crayons strive to protect their magical, multi-hued homeland from a terrifying monster.
  • July 31: Maya is a little bee with a big heart. When the Queen’s royal jelly is stolen, it will take Maya and all her bug buddies to save the day!

Saturday, July 25 (9:30-11 a.m.) Kindlegarten E-lab – Must bring your registered Kindle with you. Learn how to download ebooks to your Kindle and other basic techniques. Please register.

Saturday, July 25 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Pokemon League – Bring your cards and accessories for a fun morning of play, crafts, prizes and more! For kids ages 6-12 only. No registration.

Saturday, July 25 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! All bricks provided. Ages 6-12. No registration.

Sunday, July 26 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Games, crafts, puzzles and more! All ages welcome. No registration necessary. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Monday, July 27 (2-4 p.m.) Teen Lounge: Summer Edition – Looking for a fun place to hang out? Each week there will be different activities. This week: Experiments. Grades 7-12.

Monday, July 27 (6-8 p.m.) Ice Cream Social – Join the Friends of the Library for their annual ice cream and family entertainment extravaganza!

Tuesday, July 28 (2:30-3 p.m.) Book Buddies – Teen volunteers will help younger students retain their reading skills. This program is designed for children entering grades 1-4 who need extra help practicing reading. Please note: Book Buddy volunteers are neither expected nor trained to correct learning problems or to teach children to read. Registration begins one week before each session.

Tuesday, July 28 (3-4 p.m.) Summer Brain Games – Keep up your skills during summer vacation! Kids in grades 1-4 can drop in each week for grade-appropriate educational games. Teen volunteers and staff from the Westlake City Schools will be on hand to assist.

Tuesday, July 28 (7-8:30 p.m.) Geocaching Treasure Hunt (Intro) – To help kick off Science Week, we're hiding a geocache at the library! Use your phone's GPS and solve clues to find a "treasure." If you've never been geocaching before, attend this introductory program to find out how it’s done! Please register.

Wednesday, July 29 (10-11 a.m.) Android Tablet Group: Overdrive – Learn how to use Overdrive to check out and download ebooks onto your Android tablet. Must bring your Android-based tablet with you. Must also have an email account, WPPL library card, and access to Google Play. Please register.

Wednesday, July 29 (2:30-4 p.m.) Science Week: Drop-in Experiments – Please join us in the Porter Room for some drop-in experiments.

Wednesday, July 29 (7-8:30 p.m.) Alien Abductions – Tom Wertman, director of MUFON Ohio and co-director of the Cleveland Ufology Project, returns with another gripping presentation on Alien Abductions. Because of the sensitive nature of the material, this presentation is recommended for adults only. Please register.

Thursday, July 30 (All Day) Makerspace Technology – Check out our Makerspace technology back by the Reference Area! We have Raspberry Pis, littleBits, Squishy Circuits, wearables, augmented reality devices and much more!

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

Friday, July 31 (11 a.m.-noon) Science Week: Egg Drop – Come at 11 a.m. to prepare your egg for the drop at noon in the lobby.

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

Elaine Willis

Elaine Willis is the Public Relations Associate at Westlake Porter Public Library.

Read More on Libraries
Volume 7, Issue 13, Posted 9:58 AM, 07.07.2015