Westlake Porter Public Library's November calendar of events

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s November 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, Nov. 8 and 15 (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.

Wednesdays, Nov. 8 and 15 (7-7:30 p.m.) Family Storytime – Join us for rhymes, songs and play! Children are welcome to wear their pajamas and bring along a stuffed animal to the Wednesday evening sessions! Ages 2-6 with a caregiver. 

Wednesday, Nov. 8 (6-8 p.m.) Create a Canvas Bag with Your Family Name – Design a name monogram in heat transfer vinyl for a canvas bag using Cricut Design space. A member of our Maker Space staff will teach you how to design a monogram in Cricut Design Space and provide an overview of the Cricut and heat press. Follow up with an appointment to print your design in our Maker Space! All supplies are provided. Please register.

Wednesday, Nov. 8 (7-8:30 p.m.) Declutter with Devon – Join Devon Fegen-Herdman in this inspirational program to help you reclaim your space, leading to a more organized and peaceful existence. The most common clutter challenges and tips to overcome them will be discussed.

Thursday, Nov. 9 (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, Nov. 9 (2-3 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche – "Get Good With Money and Reach Your Financial Goals" with the New York Times bestselling author! Streamed live. Please register.

Thursday, Nov. 9 (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. Please register.

Thursday, Nov. 9 (4:30-5:15 p.m.) A Salute to Veterans Crafts & Cookies – Celebrate Veterans Day creating greeting cards paying tribute to local veterans in appreciation of their services. Then make a patriotic craft to take home after enjoying a sweet snack. Please register.

Thursday, Nov. 9 (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.

Thursday, Nov. 9 (7-8 p.m.) Thursday Night Book Discussion – This month’s title is "Hidden Picture" by Jason Rekulak. 

Friday, Nov. 10 (4-5 p.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 19 (2-3 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.

Saturdays, Nov. 11 and 18 (10-11 a.m.) Body Rhythm – Develop gross & fine motor skills, creative expression & thinking, social interaction, problem solving, cooperative play, rhythm, & rhyming skills by exploring sound through percussive instruments. Ages 3-9. Please register each child attending, beginning one week before each session.

Saturday, Nov. 11 (10 a.m.-noon) Veterans' Reception and Conversation Time – Join us at the library as we honor our veterans with a coffee reception and light refreshments. Attendees will be invited to share their experiences in an open forum.

Saturday, Nov. 11 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) ACT Practice Test – Want to get in some practice before taking the ACT? Sylvan Learning will be here simulate the exact environment for taking the ACT. Bring your own calculator and #2 pencil. Results session will take place on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10-11 a.m. Please register.

Sunday, Nov. 12 (2-3 p.m.) Come Play With Me – Open playtime for children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome!

Monday, Nov. 13 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Fall Fun Craft Kit Pick Up – Create a cornucopia of fun-tastic fall crafts. Kits are available for pick up until Nov. 19, unless other arrangements are made. Please register.

Monday, Nov. 13 (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Painted Twinkle Jar Craft – Adults with disabilities will make a painted twinkle jar craft. No crafting experience necessary. Please register.

Mondays, Nov. 13 and 20 (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! 

Tuesday, Nov. 14, Wednesday, Nov. 15 and Thursday, Nov. 16 (10-11:30 a.m.) For Mom with Love: Connecting Families Virtually – This program, presented by The Center for Aging in the Digital World, will highlight the importance of connecting with families and how technology can help. Recommended for ages 60+. Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 (10-11:30 a.m.) Microsoft Excel and Introduction to Northstar – Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel, and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 (4-5 p.m.) Make Your Own Mini Pillow – Drop in and make your own no-sew mini pillow! For grades 3-6.           

Tuesday, Nov. 14 (5:30-6:30 p.m.) STEAM Lab: Weird Weather – Learn about some of the weirdest weather phenomena on earth and what causes them – and what we can do to be prepared against them! Grades 3-4. Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Club – Join us in person or on Zoom to discuss "Firekeeper’s Daughter" by Angeline Boulley. 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 15 (2-3 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – This month’s title is "True Biz" by Sara Novic. A limited number of books are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk.

Thursday, Nov. 16 (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, Nov. 16 (4-5 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Joy Harjo – U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo joins us for a chat about her most recent memoir, "Catching the Light," and will discuss her rewarding lifetime as a writer and poet. Please register.

Thursday, Nov. 16 (6-8:30 p.m.) Heartsaver CPR/AED – Get certified for adult, child, and infant CPR and AED. Email account required. Class led by certified instructors from UH St. John Medical Center. Register at uhems.org/event-search.

Friday, Nov. 17 (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. Registration begins Nov. 10.

Saturday, Nov. 18 (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.

Sunday, Nov. 19 (2-4 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers! All otaku and newbies welcome! Grades 7-adult.

Monday, Nov. 20 (1-2:30 p.m.) True Crime Book Club – "The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream: The Hunt for a Victorian Era Serial Killer "by Dean Jobb. Please register.

Monday, Nov. 20 (4-4:30 p.m.) Thankful Turkey Jar Craft – Children with disabilities will make a thankful turkey jar craft and enjoy a story about gratitude. For grades K-2. Typical peers welcome. Registration begins Nov. 13.

Monday, Nov. 20 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Transfer Memories to Digital – Learn what you can use in-library or check out from WPPL’s Non-Traditional Materials Collection to transfer your VHS and camcorder tapes to DVD, cassettes and records to MP3, and more! Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 21 (7-8:30 p.m.) Signal Cleveland and Community Reporting: The Internet and the Shifting Media Landscape – Mark Naymik launched Signal Cleveland in 2022 as a nonprofit newsroom. Join Mark as he discusses what led him to launch Signal and if there is room for a nonprofit newsroom in the media landscape. Please register. 

Tuesday, Nov. 21 (7-8 p.m.) College Prep Series #3: Supplemental Essays 1 – Join Talya, from College Calm with Talya, to learn some tips and tricks for writing a great supplemental essay to go with your college application. Registration begins Nov. 14. Program presented via Zoom.

Wednesday, Nov. 22 – Thanksgiving Eve: Library closes at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 23  – Library closed in observance of Thanksgiving

Saturday, Nov. 25 (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 to the Wednesday evening sessions! Ages 2-6 with a caregiver.

Saturday, Nov. 25 (2:30-3:30 p.m.) Holiday Earring Craft – In this crafting session for teens in grades 7-12 we’ll be making handmade jewelry. Registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome. Please register.

Sunday, Nov. 26 (2-3 p.m.) Finger Knitting Fun – Learn how to finger knit while making a simple knitted rope after listening to a short story connecting this skill to literature. For students in grades 1-5. Caregivers are encouraged to stay for the program to learn the knitting techniques and assist their child(ren). Please register.

Monday, Nov. 27 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Wednesday, Nov. 29 (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 Nov. 22.

Wednesday, Nov. 29 (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, Nov. 29 (6-8 p.m.) Learning Disability Provider Showcase – Meet with more than 40 area providers offering tutoring and other learning disability services. For families with children in Grades K-8 with concerns about learning disabilities.

Wednesday, Nov. 29 (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! This meeting will focus on gratitude. Please register.

Thursday, Nov. 30 (10-11:30 a.m.) iPhone and iPad User Group – Do you own an iOS smartphone (iPhone) or tablet (iPad)? Bring it with your questions (or tips!) to this guided user group. Registration begins Nov. 23.

Thursday, Nov. 30 (3-4 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Naomi Alderman – Bestselling and award-winning author Naomi Alderman will join us to talk about her new book, "The Future." Please register.

Thursday, Nov. 30 (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.

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