Westlake Porter Public Library's April calendar of events

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s April 2023 calendar of events. All programs are subject to change. Please check westlakelibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook and Twitter (@WestlakePorter) for the latest updates.

Saturday, April 1 (10:30-11 a.m.) and Wednesday, April 5 (7-7:30 p.m.) Family Storytime – Join us for rhymes, songs and play! For families with children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Siblings are welcome.

Monday, April 3 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Financial Literacy Kit for Kids – Celebrate Financial Literacy Month with The Money Monsters! They want to help you learn about money with a Financial Literacy Kit filled with books, bookmarks, stickers, and posters. Geared for children aged 3-8. Kits are available for pick up through 5 p.m. on April 10 unless other arrangements are made. Registration begins March 27.

Monday, April 3 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Teen Craft Pick-Up – Get supplies for making your own cactus rock garden! For teens in grades 7-12. Registration begins March 27.

Monday, April 3 (9:30-10 a.m.) My First Spring – Celebrate your baby's first spring with a simple finger paint flowerpot craft. For babies 0-18 months with a caregiver. Registration begins March 27.

Monday, April 3 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang after school? Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! Video games, board games, snacks and more!

Monday, April 3 (7-8 p.m.) All About Asset Types – Explore the different types of assets, how they may perform in different market situations and how they’re typically obtained by people looking to prepare an investment portfolio. Please register.

Tuesday, April 4 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) In Vogue Jewelry Making – Design and make two fashionable jewelry items of your choice. Many colors and sizes available. All materials and tools provided. No jewelry making experience required. Registration begins March 28.

Tuesday, April 4 (7-8:30 p.m.) World at War Forum: Hitler’s War Aims and the Holocaust – How do the Holocaust and crimes of the Third Reich relate to Hitler’s war aims? Librarian Chad Statler will show how the goals of the Holocaust impacted the direction of the war and sometimes superseded military considerations. Please register.

Tuesday, April 4 (7-8 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Kate Beaton – Join us for an enlightening hour online with highly-acclaimed Kate Beaton, the New York Times bestselling author of "Hark!: A Vagrant and Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands." Streamed live. Please register.

Wednesdays, April 5 and 12 (4:30-6 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a therapy dog. Sign up starts at 4 p.m. Recommended for grades K-4.

Wednesday, April 5 (6-8:30 p.m.) HeartSaver CPR/AED – Get certified for adult, child, and infant CPR and AED. Class led by certified instructors from UH St. John Medical Center. Visit uhems.org/event-search to register. Email account required. Participants under the age of 14 must have a parent or legal guardian in class. If any questions, contact the instructors at uh4cpr@gmail.com. 

Wednesday, April 5 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Horror Film Club – Join us for another creepy classic from the Vault! New members are welcome, but children under 13 must be with an adult. Please register.

Thursday, April 6 (10-11:30 a.m.) Microsoft Word & Introduction to Northstar – Learn the basics of Microsoft Word and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Please register.

Thursday, April 6 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Friday, April 7 (4-4:30 p.m.) Read it, Make it @ the Library – Make a craft based on a story, read aloud. For children in PreK-1st grade, siblings welcome. Please register.

Saturdays, April 8 and 15 (10:30-11 a.m.) and Wednesday, April 12 (7-7:30 p.m.) Family Storytime – Join us for rhymes, songs and play! For families with children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Siblings are welcome.

Saturday, April 8 (1-2 p.m.) Pokémon Fun! – This will be a time to view and trade cards, do a craft (if desired), and play a Pokémon Bingo game. Feel free to bring your cards! Ages 6-11.

Saturday, April 8 (2-3 p.m.) Spring Into Organic Lawns – Learn about safe, chemical-free and earth-friendly approaches to lawn care with Mel Hauser of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care. Please register.

Monday, April 10 (7-8 p.m.) Financial Planning Basics – Do you have a tailored financial plan in place? Dave Herwerden of WestPoint Wealth Management will share how a financial road map can motivate you to share money, help you to meet your financial goals and improve your overall financial security. Please register.

Tuesday, April 11 (10-11:30 a.m.) Internet and Email Basics with Introduction to Northstar – Learn the basics of the Internet, using email, and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Please register.

Tuesday, April 11 (4:30-5:15 p.m.) STEAM Club: Happy Earth Day – Join Mrs. K as we celebrate Earth Day by investigating nature’s best recyclers – earthworms! Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Grades 1-2. Please register.

Tuesday, April 11 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Club (In Person AND Virtual) – Join us in person or on Zoom to discuss "Bride of the Sea" by Eman Quotah. The discussion will be held in person and on Zoom simultaneously. Please register. If you register for the Zoom option you will receive an invitation and instructions by email.

Thursday, April 13 (4-5 p.m.) Roblox Arcade (Virtual) – Love Roblox? We have some private servers set up for Tweens in grades 4-6 to hang out with their friends and enjoy some of the most popular games via Zoom. Please register. Participants must provide an email address to receive Zoom instructions, which will be sent the day of the program.

Thursday, April 13 (6:30-7:15 p.m.) Adapted Storytime – Join us for this storytime designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime. Content is geared toward ages 3-7. Please register.

Friday, April 14 (1-3 p.m.) Movies @ Your Library – Enjoy a feature-length newly released DVD or favorite family classic. Contact Youth Services for specific title.

Sunday, April 16 (2-4 p.m.) Tapestry Weaving – Learn the basics of weaving while experimenting with color and texture. Each student will get a loom made from recycled materials to keep. Grades 1-5. Caregivers are encouraged to stay for the program to learn the weaving techniques and assist their child(ren). Weaving helps kids develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, self-confidence, patience, and focus – skills used in reading and writing. Registration begins April 9.

Monday, April 17 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Fine Motor Fun Kit Pick-Up – Pick up this fun kit and practice fine motor skills at home! For children ages 3-7 with disabilities. Registration begins April 10.

Monday, April 17 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Look Up at the Sky Craft Kit Pick-Up – Create celestial crafts inspired by things that float and fly. Kits are available for pick up through 5 p.m. on April 23, unless other arrangements are made.

Monday, April 17 (1-2:30 p.m.) True Crime Book Club – "The Killer Across the Table" by John E. Douglas. A great way to discover new and classic true crime writing. Please register.

Monday, April 17 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang after school? Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! Video games, board games, snacks and more!

Monday, April 17 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors' Interest Group: Using Library Resources for Investment Analysis – Join Lisa Braun to learn how to use business resources available at Porter Library, including Morningstar, Value Line, Global NetAdvantage, and Financial Ratings Series online by Weiss Ratings and Grey House Publishing. Please register.

Monday, April 17 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday:Smart Home Devices – Learn what you can use in-library or check out from WPPL’s Non-Traditional Materials Collection to transfer your VHS tapes to DVD, cassettes and records to MP3, and more. Please register.

Tuesday, April 18 (7-8:30 p.m.) Author Visit: Jane Turzillo – "Wicked Cleveland" by Jane Turzillo delves into the darker history of Cleveland. Join the author as she discusses this history at the library. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Please register.

Tuesday, April 18 (7-8 p.m.) Young Adult Book Club – "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds. Those unable to attend in person can join us simultaneously via Zoom. Please register. Books available in Youth Services. Please register.

Wednesday, April 19-26 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Discovery Box (Sign-Up) – Register for WPPL’s personalized subscription box service. For teens in grades 7-12. Registration begins on April 19 and must be done by April 26. Pick-up begins May 3.

Wednesday, April 19 (2-3 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The Wednesday Book Group meets the third Wednesday of each month. A limited number of books are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. This month’s title is "Rock Paper Scissors" by Alice Feeney.

Wednesdays, April 19 and 26 (4:30-6 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a therapy dog. Sign up starts at 4 p.m. Recommended for grades K-4.

Thursday, April 20 (10-11:30 a.m.) Android Smartphone & Tablet User Group – Do you own an Android smartphone or tablet? Bring it with your questions (or tips!) to this guided user group. Please register.

Friday, April 21 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday: Happy Earth Day – Join Mrs. K as we celebrate Earth Day by investigating nature’s best recyclers – earthworms! Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Ages 4-6, up to Kindergarten. Please register.

Saturday, April 22 (11-11:45 a.m.) Adapted Storytime – Join us for this storytime designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime. Content is geared toward ages 3-7. Please register.

Saturday, April 22 (2-4 p.m.) Make It, Take It! – Stop by the Youth Services Department to complete a featured craft. Grades PreK-2. While supplies last.

Saturday, April 22 (3-4 p.m.) Illustration Creation – Learn about a featured illustrator and then create a project inspired by their art. Grades 1-3. Please register.

Saturday, April 22 (4:15-5 p.m.) Sensory Workshop – Let's make ... connections, friends, cool stuff! In each session of Sensory Workshop you'll make something to take home with you! Ages 8-12. For children with disabilities and typical peers. Please register.

Monday, April 24 (10-10:30 a.m.) Music Monday – Develop pre-reading skills with music, movement and rhythm through stories, songs and rhymes. Ages 2-6.

Monday, April 24 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang after school? Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! Video games, board games, snacks and more!

Monday, April 24 (7-8 p.m.) Estate Planning Basics – Have you created an estate plan for your family? Dave Herwerden of Westpoint Wealth Management will share how to create an effective estate plan that will ensure that your family’s financial needs are taken care of and that your personal wishes will be carried out in the manner you intend. Please register.

Tuesday, April 25 (9:30-9:55 a.m.) Stories and Signs – Enjoy an interactive storytime while learning a few words in sign language! Ages 0-3, siblings welcome.

Tuesday, April 25 (11-11:30 a.m.) Adult Storytime in the Garden – Join us in the reading garden for stories, songs, and fun! For adults with developmental disabilities. In the event of poor weather, this event will be held in the storytime room. No registration required.

Tuesday, April 25 (11 a.m.-noon) Successful Strategies for Sitting, Standing, and Stooping – Learn ways of getting in and out of a chair more easily and stooping to pick items up from the floor with more confidence and without pain. Presented by FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers of Westlake. In addition, have your balance assessed by Dr. Jamie Meyers, PT and Clinical Director. Please register.

Wednesday, April 26 (7-8 p.m.) Adult Creative Writing Group – Join us for an hour of creative writing prompts to inspire you to start and keep writing. Creativity is more than putting pen to paper. It’s about breaking away and trying something new! Please register.

Thursday, April 27 (4-5 p.m.) Roblox Arcade (Virtual) – Love Roblox? We have some private servers set up for Tweens in grades 4-6 to hang out with their friends and enjoy some of the most popular games via Zoom. Please register. Participants must provide an email address to receive Zoom instructions, which will be sent the day of the program.

Tuesday, April 27 (8-9 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: William Kent Krueger – You are in for a riveting hour with New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger! Join us as he discusses his newest book in the Cork O’Connor series, "Fox Creek," and his other works. Streamed live. Please register.

Friday, April 28 (4-5 p.m.) Brick Builders – Do you love Legos? Bring your ideas and imagination to Brick Builders! Bricks provided. No registration required, but room capacity is limited. First come, first served. Ages 5-12.

Saturday, April 29 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime – Join us for rhymes, songs and play! For families with children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Siblings are welcome.

Saturday, April 29 (10:30 a.m.-noon) Medicare Ins and Outs – Do you need accurate, unbiased information about Medicare? OSHIIP (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program) volunteer counselor Jim Langan will discuss your Medicare coverage options. Learn about Medicare benefits Part A, Part B, supplemental insurance policies, prescription drug coverage, and Medicare Advantage plans. Please register.

Sunday, April 30 (2-3 p.m.) Come Play With Me – An open playtime for children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome!

To register for any of the programs, please visit westlakelibrary.org/events.