November events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Tuesday, Nov. 5 (7-8 p.m.) Big Spender: How to Beat the College Cost Game – It’s hard to know what’s “normal” to spend on your child’s higher education. College Tutors will help you discern what you should be looking for – and looking out for – when it comes to spending on college and offer tips on how to save. Please register.

Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20 (9:30 & 10:15 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 6 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society Help Session – Please join the genealogy group for an informal walk-in help session. Please bring pedigree and/or family group sheets to aid the volunteers in helping you.

Wednesdays, Nov. 6 and 13 (3-4:30 p.m.) Tween Scene – Drop in after school to play board games and video games with your friends. Snacks will be provided. Grades 5-6.

Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog. Dogs will stay for 10 minutes past the last registered reader or 1.5 hours, whichever comes first. Sign-ups begin Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 6 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Horror Film Club – Calling all horror film fans: Join us for another creepy classic from the vault ... if you dare! New members are always welcome, but children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. Please register.

Wednesday, Nov. 6 (7-8 p.m.) Alternatives to Cable TV – Frustrated with cable service? This program will help you sort through the variety of viewing alternatives available. Learn about digital media players, streaming services and additional options.

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

Thursday, Nov. 7 (3-5 p.m.) Purrr-fect Reading Friends – Charlie the Cat is the purrr-fect reading friend! Drop in and share a story with Charlie, a reading therapy cat. Bring your own book to share or choose one of ours. Charlie’s environment adapts for those with allergies. Please call ahead if you have any questions. Sign-up at the Youth Services desk begins at 3 p.m.

Thursdays, Nov. 7 and 14 (4-5 p.m., Grades 3-4) and Mondays, Nov. 11 and 18 (4-5 p.m., Grades 3-8) Code Club! – Learn how to build an app, design a video game and change the world through code! Registration begins a week before each session. Please register for just one session per week.

Thursday, Nov. 7 (6-7 p.m.) Teen Trivia Night – Get your team assembled and join us the first Thursday of the month for Teen Trivia Night! There will be different themes each month. Please register.

Thursdays, Nov. 7 and 14 (6-6:45 p.m.) Adapted Storytime – This 30-minute storytime followed by a time for socialization is designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime experience. Content is geared to ages 3-7 but all ages are welcome. Siblings may also attend but must register separately. Registration begins one week before each session.

Thursday, Nov. 7 (7-8 p.m.) The Father Jake Austin Mystery Series Book Talk and Signing – Join author John Vanek as he discusses his Father Jake Austin Mystery series. Books will also be available for purchase and signing. Please register.

Friday, Nov. 8 (9:30 and 10:30 a.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 9 (9:30 a.m.) Music Therapy & More – Designed for families and their children (ages 0-6 years) who are struggling in an area of development, this hands-on program is designed to teach families how to use music to improve their child’s motor, communication and social skills as well as behavior. Siblings (ages 0-6 years) may also attend but must register separately. Register at connectingforkids.org/register or by calling 440-250-5908.

Friday, Nov. 8 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday: Our Magnetic Earth – How is the earth like a big magnet? Make discoveries through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home task. For children 4 to 6 years old, in K or lower. Please register.

Saturday, Nov. 9 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Bring your ideas and imagination! Lego and Duplo bricks provided. For ages 3-12.

Saturday, Nov. 9 (3-3:45 p.m.) Kids in the Kitchen – Learn basic cooking with simple no-bake recipes for kids with special needs and their typical peers. If you have an allergy or dietary concerns, please contact the Youth Services Desk at 440-250-5471. Some previous kitchen experience is great, but not necessary. For children ages 8-12. Please register.

Saturdays, Nov. 9 (3:30-4 p.m.) and 16 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime – An interactive family storytime featuring books, rhymes, songs, movement and a small craft. For families with children ages 2-6. Siblings welcome.

Sunday, Nov. 10 (2-4 p.m.) 800+ Chess Club – A chance for those competing at an 800+ USCF Rating to work together on strategies, skills and game play. If you’re a beginner, please attend our Chess Club on the last Sunday of the month.

Sunday, Nov. 10 (3-4 p.m.) Art Smarts – Explore works of a well-known artist and then use what you’ve seen to create an art piece of your own! Grades 3-6. Please register.

Monday, Nov. 11 (1-1:30 p.m.) Yoga Time! – This is a perfect way to introduce yoga and practice simple poses. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Ages 3 and up with a caregiver; siblings welcome!

Mondays, Nov. 11 and 18 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We have computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! For grades 7-12 only.

Monday, Nov. 11 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) WPPL Celebrates Veterans Day – Westlake Porter Public Library celebrates Veterans Day with a two-part program based on eyewitness accounts. Join Glenn Blair for a fascinating evening of history as he recalls his personal experiences growing up during the turbulent times of World War II. After Mr. Blair’s presentation we will show excerpts from our Veterans History Project’s oral history interviews conducted by staff from the library. Please register.

Monday, Nov. 11 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Virtual Reality – Learn about and experience virtual reality! Defend a castle, explore space and even encounter a whale with your own smartphone via Google Cardboard and the high-tech HTC Vive! Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 12 (1-3 p.m.) Career: Reinventing Yourself – Explore and map your plans for happiness in a job, volunteering, retirement or entrepreneurship.

Tuesday, Nov. 12 (1:30-2:30 p.m.) Crafty Adults – Feeling crafty? Join us and make a unique work of art! Create your own art based on the work of a famous artist or holiday. Specifically for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. No previous art experience necessary.

Tuesdays, Nov. 12 and 18 (2-3:30 p.m.) Conversational Spanish – Please join us to learn Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation with an expert instructor.

Tuesday, Nov. 12 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Origami Holiday Trees – Jenn Cline returns to help us craft paper pine trees for our winter or Christmas decor. Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 12 (7-7:30 p.m.) Bedtime Stories – Put on your pajamas and join Mrs. K as we unwind at the end of the day with stories, songs, fingerplays and other activities. Siblings welcome.

Tuesday, Nov. 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – We’ll discuss "Educated" by Tara Westover.

Wednesday, Nov. 13 (2-3:30 p.m.) Intro to Smartphones – Learn the basics of using smartphones, such as screen brightness, wifi settings, adding apps and more! If bringing your device, please bring all account passwords.

Thursday, Nov. 14 (2-3:30 p.m.) Great Decisions Discussion Program on World Affairs – Discuss critical global issues facing America today. At the beginning of each month a copy of the article may be picked up at the Ask Us Desk. Please read prior to the meeting. Please register.

Friday, Nov. 15 (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!

Saturday, Nov. 16 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Escape Artists Writers Group – This group meets monthly to provide guidance, encouragement, inspiration and feedback for those looking to improve their writing skills. This month’s meeting will feature a NaNoWriMo Workshop.

Saturday, Nov. 16 (2-3 p.m.) 3D Printing Orientation – Want to use the library’s 3D printer? You’ll need to take this orientation class first. Learn the library’s policies about using it, how to download a 3D printable object file and how to prepare it for a great print. Please register.

Saturday, Nov. 16 (3:30-5 p.m.) STEAMMaker Lab: Geography! – Learn about maps and map making and engage in some friendly geography knowledge challenges. Grades 3-5. Registration begins Nov. 9.

Sunday, Nov. 17 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl Doll Club: American Girl Thanksgiving – Celebrate the spirit of the season during this month’s American Girl Doll Club. We’ll play games, make a Thanksgiving craft and create a gift to share. Ages 6-11. Registration begins Nov. 10.

Tuesday, Nov. 19 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Tablet Tuesday User Group – This group will share tips and tricks with each other about using iPads and Android tablets. Kindle Fire users welcome! Please bring your devices. Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 19 (1-3 p.m.) BINGO – It’s time to play BINGO! Adults with special needs will play BINGO for fun and socialization. Small prizes available. No cost to play. No BINGO experience necessary. All materials provided. Come early and bring your own lunch if you’d like.

Tuesday, Nov. 19 (6-8:45 p.m.) First Aid – The Heartsaver First Aid course is designed to prepare students to provide first aid in a variety of injury and other emergency situations in a safe, timely and effective manner. Instruction by certified instructors/paramedics from UH St. John Medical Center. Participants under the age of 14 must have a parent/legal guardian with them in class. If any questions, contact the instructors at uh4cpr@gmail.com. Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 19 (7-8:30 p.m.) Author Visit: Scott Longert, "Bad Boys, Bad Times" – Author Scott Longert tells the story of the Cleveland Indians in the prewar years of 1937-1941. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Please register.

Wednesdays, Nov. 20 and 27 (9:30 & 10:15 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 20 (3-4 p.m.) Tips for Planning Your Trip to Africa – “Know before you go” explore the African wilderness. Join Karen Kulow as she gives tips to help you prepare for your trip to Africa. Please register.

Wednesday, Nov. 20 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog. Dogs will stay for 10 minutes past the last registered reader or 1.5 hours, whichever comes first. Sign-ups begin Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 20 (6:30-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Chris Staats will present "Beyond the Docket Books: Digging for Gold in Probate Packets." Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Nov. 20 (7- 8:30 p.m.) Garden Club Presents Owls in Ohio – The Westlake Garden Club welcomes Jim Tomko, president of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland. Please register.

Thursday, Nov. 21 (noon-1:30 p.m.) Small Business Lunch & Learn: Tips and Tricks for Successful Email Marketing – Effective email marketing: learn what it really is (and isn’t), what it can do for your business, and the five easy steps to harness the power of the inbox! Please register.

Thursday, Nov. 21 (4-5 p.m., Grades 3-4) and Monday, Nov. 25 (4-5 p.m., Grades 3-8) Code Club! – Learn how to build an app, design a video game and change the world through code! Registration begins a week before each session. Please register for just one session per week.

Thursday, Nov. 21 (Preschool session: 6:30 p.m.) and Friday, Nov. 22 (Preschool session: 9:30 a.m.; Toddler session: 11:30 a.m.) Teach Me to Play – Your child will enjoy playing with other children while practicing language and social skills. Since you attend together, you will have the opportunity to interact with our experienced early intervention specialist and speech-language pathologist who can provide strategies for dealing with problem behaviors and offer tips for increasing your child’s communication skills. Specifically designed for children ages 18 months-6 years who are struggling in an area of development. Register at connectingforkids.org/register or by calling 440-250-5908.

Friday, Nov. 22 (10 a.m.-noon) Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems, and show off.

Friday, Nov. 22 (11-11:45 a.m.) Adapted Storytime – This 30-minute storytime followed by a time for socialization is designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime experience. Content is geared to ages 3-7 but all ages are welcome. Siblings may also attend but must register separately. Registration begins one week before each session.

Friday, Nov. 22 (4-4:45 p.m.) Got Science? – Help construct a life-size maze using algorithms. Grades 1 and 2. Registration begins Nov. 15.

Saturday, Nov. 23 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Turkey Time! – Celebrate Thanksgiving in Youth Services with fun turkey crafts to take home! All ages.

Saturday, Nov. 23 (10-11:30 a.m.) Beginning Coding for Adults – What is coding? Learn the basics of coding through self-paced online modules. An instructor will be on hand to help get you started and to facilitate lessons. The class focus is on HTML and CSS. Please register.

Saturday, Nov. 23 (10:30 -11:30 a.m.) Pokemon Fun! – A fun morning of Pokemon-themed play, prizes and crafts! Ages 6-12.

Saturday, Nov. 23 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Bring your ideas and imagination! Lego and Duplo bricks provided. For ages 3-12.

Saturday, Nov. 23 (3-4 p.m.) Find the Right Computer for You – Buying a new computer can be stressful. How can you decide what computer is right for you? Learn how to avoid common pitfalls when buying a computer and how to find the right computer for your needs. Please register.

Sunday, Nov. 24 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills or learn how to play the game. Recommended for ages 6+, but all ages are welcome. If you have a chess set, please bring it with you.

Sunday, Nov. 24 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Are you bored? Drop by the Storytime Room and join in the fun! We will have different activities available each month. All ages welcome.

Monday, Nov. 25 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Monday, Nov. 25 (1:30-2:30 p.m.) Sensory Tea Time Play – Encourage imagination and sensory play with this tea-themed playtime. This session is specifically for children ages 2-7 with special needs, their families, and their typical siblings/peers.

Monday, Nov. 25 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We have computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! For grades 7-12 only.

Wednesday, Nov. 27 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – We'll discuss "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens.

Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Eve: Library closes at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving Day: Library Closed.

Saturday, Nov. 30 (2-4 p.m.) Carry Out Crafts – Stop by the Youth Services Department to see what our featured craft is this afternoon. We have all the supplies you’ll need to create something fantastic!

Saturday, Nov. 30 (3-5 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers. All otakus and newbies are welcome! Grades 7 to adult.

To register for any of the programs, please call 440-871-2600 or visit westlakelibrary.org/events.