Westlake Porter Public Library's September calendar of events

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

Wednesdays, Sept. 6 and 13 (7-7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Sept. 16 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime - Join us for rhymes, songs and play! Children are welcome to wear their pajamas and bring along a stuffed animal for Wednesday evening storytime! Ages 2-6 with a caregiver.

Wednesdays, Sept. 6 and 13 (4:30-6 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog. Sign up starts at 4 p.m. Dogs will stay for 10 minutes past the last registered reader or 1-1/2 hours, whichever comes first. Recommended for Grades K-4.

Wednesday, Sept. 6 (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, Sept. 7 (10-11:30 a.m.) Computer Basics & Introduction to Northstar – Learn how to turn on a computer, use a mouse, go online and access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Please register.

Thursday, Sept. 7 and Monday, Sept. 18 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Thursday, Sept. 7 (7-8 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Lidia Bastianich – You’re invited to an intimate evening with award-winning television host and bestselling author Lidia Bastianich as she talks about her memoir "My American Dream: A Life of Love, Family, and Food." Streamed live. Please register.

Friday, Sept. 8 (11:15-11:45 a.m.) Yoga with Ms. Jen! – Calm your body, mind, and spirit in this yoga class taught by a certified yoga instructor! Wear comfy clothes and bring your own mat or towel. Ages 2-6, siblings welcome. Please register.

Friday, Sept. 8 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday – What is the difference between an insect and a spider? Explore the world of creepy critters by counting, sorting and observing these tiny creatures. Discoveries will be made  with hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. For ages 4-6, up to kindergarten. Please register.

Saturday, Sept. 9 (2-4 p.m.) Make It, Take It! – Stop by Youth Services to complete a featured craft. While supplies last. PreK-Grade 2.

Saturday, Sept. 9 (3-4 p.m.) Illustration Creation – Learn about a featured illustrator then create a project inspired by their art. For children with disabilities and their typical peers. Grades 1-3. Please register.

Sunday, Sept. 10 (2-3 p.m.) Art Smarts – Explore some works of a well-known artist and then use what you've seen to create an art piece of your own. Grades 4-6. Please register.

Sunday, Sept. 10 (2:30-3:15 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Monday, Sept. 11 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) 9/11 Remembrance – Visit Christina’s Corner in the Youth Services Department to decorate and add a dove, a symbol of peace, to commemorate those who lost their lives in 9/11. Supplies provided and open to all ages.

Monday, Sept. 11 (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, Sept. 11 (3-5 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, Sept. 11 (4:30-5 p.m.) Multilingual Storytime – Have fun learning stories, rhymes, and movements in many languages and formats. All ages welcome.

Tuesday, Sept. 12 (4:30–5:15 p.m.) STEAM Club – What is the difference between an insect and a spider? Explore the world of creepy critters by counting, sorting and observing these tiny creatures. Discover scientific principles with hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Grades 1-2. Please register.

Tuesday, Sept. 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Club – Join the WPPL Tuesday Evening Book Club to discuss "The 39 Steps" by John Buchan. The discussion will be held in person and on Zoom simultaneously. Please register. If you register for the Zoom option, you will receive a Zoom invitation and instructions by email.

Wednesday, Sept. 13 (5:30-6:30 p.m.) STEAM Lab: States of Matter – Learn about different states of matter –  from solids, to liquids, to gases, and everything in between – and make Oobleck! Grades 3-4. Registration begins Sept. 6.

Wednesday, Sept. 13 (6-7 p.m.) Wild Edibles: Learn How to Mindfully Forage – Join Lorain County Community College adjunct professor Alison McKim in foraging wild edibles from your own back yard. Learn how to positively identify local wild plants using multi-sensory methods, as well as the significance of foraging to other cultures. The presentation will be followed by a trip outside to seek out some of these plants in our own surroundings! Please register.

Thursday, Sept. 14 (10–11:30 a.m.) Microsoft Excel with Introduction to Northstar – Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Registration begins Sept. 7.

Thursday, Sept. 14 (1-2 p.m.) Cookbook Club: Talk About Your Favorite Recipe! – Pick a cookbook from our library shelves and bring a dish to share! This meeting will focus on vegan dishes. Please register.

Thursday, Sept. 14 (4-5 p.m.) Make Your Own Fidget Bracelet – Drop in and design your own fidget bracelet! For grades 3-6.

Thursday, Sept. 14 (4-5 p.m.) Roblox Arcade (Virtual) – Join us in the Roblox Arcade! We have private servers set up for tweens in grades 4-6 to enjoy some of the most popular games.

Thursday, Sept. 14 (4:30-5:30 p.m.) Teddy Bear Picnic – You and your favorite stuffed animal are invited to a Teddy Bear Picnic! Join us for stories, songs, craft, and a snack. Bring a blanket, we'll bring the fun! Ages 3-8. In case of inclement weather, the event will be indoors. Registration begins Sept. 7.

Thursday, Sept. 14 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) Kids in the Kitchen – Children with disabilities will learn some important cooking skills while making 2 or 3 world recipes. Tasting is not required. Previous kitchen experience isn’t necessary. Ages 8-12. Please call the Youth Services Desk at 440-250-5471 if you have any concerns about allergens or other dietary issues. Some previous kitchen experience is great, but it isn’t necessary. Typical peers or siblings welcome. Registration begins Sept. 7.

Thursday, Sept. 14 (7-8 p.m.) Thursday Night Book Discussion – "The People We Keep" by Allison Larkin. Participants will need to obtain their own copies of the title.

Friday, Sept. 15 (4-5 p.m.) Brick Builders – Do you love Legos? Then bring your ideas and imagination to Brick Builders! Bricks provided. Room capacity is limited; first come, first served. Ages 5-12.

Saturday, Sept. 16 (1-2 p.m.) Around the World Adventures with Author Lindsay Bonilla – Author and storyteller Lindsay Bonilla opens our Community Welcome Fair with folktales from various countries and cultures. All ages welcome. This interactive program will actively involve the audience through kinesthetic movement, sound effects and more. Be prepared to laugh, learn and become part of the story. Lindsay will have copies of her books available for purchase and signing after this event.

Saturday, Sept. 16 (2-4 p.m.) Community Welcome Fair – Welcoming Week culminates with this Fair, bringing together neighbors of all backgrounds and building strong connections and community. A variety of local cultural groups and businesses will be here to share their stories, traditions, and food.

Sunday, Sept. 17 (2-3 p.m.) Come Play With Me – Open playtime for children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome!

Monday, Sept. 18 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Space is the Place Craft Pick-Up – Blast off and create some out-of-this-world crafts. Registration begins Sept. 11.

Monday, Sept. 18 (1-2:30 p.m.) True Crime Book Club – "Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire’s Wife, and the Murder of the Century" by Roseanne Montillo. Please register.

Monday, Sept. 18 (6-7 p.m.) Family Literacy Night – Use games, music and art in this interactive family activity incorporating tips you can use at home to boost your child(ren)’s literacy skills. For families with children in grades K-8. Registration begins Sept. 11.

Tuesday, Sept. 19 (1-4 p.m.) Jewelry Junction – Make a beautiful 3-strand crocheted and braided necklace using wire, pearls and crystals. Registration begins Sept. 12.

Wednesday, Sept. 20 (2-3 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – This month’s title is "The 39 Steps" by John Buchan. A limited number of books are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. 

Wednesday, Sept. 20 (2-3 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Adam Alter – Join us as we chat with New York Times bestselling author Adam Alter about his new book, "Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most." Streamed live. Please register.

Wednesdays, Sept. 20 and 27 (4:30-6 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog. Sign up starts at 4 p.m. Dogs will stay for 10 minutes past the last registered reader or 1-1/2 hours, whichever comes first. Recommended for Grades K-4.

Wednesday, Sept. 20 (7-8 p.m.) Adult Creative Writing Group: Fall Edition – 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! This meeting will focus on poetry in celebration of Fall. Please register.

Wednesday, Sept. 20 (7-8 p.m.) Alfred Hitchcock: His Greatest Films – Join us for a spine-chilling presentation on director Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock was a master director of mystery movies with surprise endings in the early and middle parts of the 20th Century. Please register.

Wednesdays, Sept. 20 and 27 (7-7:30 p.m.) and Saturdays, Sept. 23 and 30 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime - Join us for rhymes, songs and play! Children are welcome to wear their pajamas and bring along a stuffed animal for Wednesday evening storytime! Ages 2-6 with a caregiver.

Thursday, Sept. 21 (11 a.m.-noon) Fundraising for Your Nonprofit – Are you new to nonprofits or just want to brush up on your fundraising skills? Join David Holmes of Candid for a series of informative workshops on the grant seeking process. Please register.

Thursday, Sept. 21 (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. To register please visit westlakelibrary.org or uhems.org/event-search.

Friday, Sept. 22 (4-4:30 p.m.) Read it, Make it @ the Library – Make a craft based on a story, read aloud. For children in PreK-grade 1, siblings welcome. Please register.

Saturday, Sept. 23 (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, Sept. 23 (1-3 p.m.) Jazz Up Your Accessory – Learn from an artist how to jazz up your hat, handbag, shoes, or tote. Bring your own accessory and we will help you jazz it up. All materials included except the item you bring to decorate. Please register.

Sunday, Sept. 24 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Do you love Legos? Then bring your ideas and imagination to Brick Builders! Bricks provided. Room capacity is limited; first come, first served. Ages 5-12.

Sunday, Sept. 24 (2–4 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers! All otaku and newbies welcome! Grades 7-adult.

Monday, Sept. 25 (3-5 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, Sept. 25 (7-8 p.m.) Discover the Business and Finance Tools Available at WPPL – Discover the business and finance tools available at Porter Library and how to use them. Please register.

Monday, Sept. 25 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Alternatives to TV – Frustrated with cable? Let us help you sort through the alternatives available. Please register.

Tuesday, Sept. 26 (7-8 p.m.) College Prep Series #1: Personal Statement Essay (Virtual) – Learn tips and tricks for College Prep success with the first in a series of programs. This session will focus on the dos and don’ts of writing an engaging personal statement. Please register. Program presented Via Zoom.

Wednesday, Sept. 27 (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 Sept. 20.

Wednesday, Sept. 27 (8-9 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Amor Towles – Tune in as we chat online with New York Times bestselling author Amor Towles about his incredible body of work, including "The Lincoln Highway." Please register.

Thursday, Sept. 28 (10-11:30 a.m.) iPhone & iPad User Group – Do you own an iPhone or iPad? Bring it with your questions (or tips!) to this guided user group. Registration begins Sept. 21.

Thursday, Sept. 28 (4-5 p.m.) Roblox Arcade (Virtual) – Join us in the Roblox Arcade! We have private servers set up for tweens in grades 4-6 to enjoy some of the most popular games.

Thursday, Sept. 28 (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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Friday, Sept. 29 (3:30-5 p.m.) I Can Cook! – Learn basic cooking skills with simple recipes for kids with disabilities and their typical peers. If you have an allergy or dietary concern, contact the Youth Desk at 440-250-5471. Ages 3-7. Registration begins Sept. 22. 

Saturday, Sept. 30 (2:30-3:30 p.m.) Fall Earring Craft – In this crafting session we’ll be making handmade jewelry. For teens in grades 7-12. Registration begins Sept. 23 and is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome.

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