Westlake Porter Public Library's December calendar of events

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s December 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.

Friday, Dec. 1 (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. Registration begins Nov. 24.

Friday, Dec. 1 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday – Why do some trees stay green all winter? Join us as we answer this question and more during this festive holiday program. Discoveries will be made with hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. For ages 4-6, up to kindergarten. Registration begins Nov. 24.

Saturday, Dec. 2 (10-11 a.m.) Body Rhythm – Develop gross & fine motor skills, creative expression & thinking, social interaction, problem solving, cooperative play, rhythm, and rhyming skills by exploring sound through percussive instruments. Ages 3-9. Please register each child attending, beginning one week before each session.

Saturday, Dec. 2 (1-3 p.m.) Holiday Necklace & Earrings – Look festive during the holidays by making a crystal ball holiday pendant necklace with matching earrings. Registration begins one week before each session.

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

Saturday, Dec. 2 (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. Registration begins Nov. 25.

Sunday, Dec. 3 (2-4 p.m.) Friends Christmas Party – The Friends of Porter Public Library invite you to an afternoon of crafts, music, refreshments and a visit with Santa! For families with children ages 3-7. Siblings welcome. Registration required.

Monday, Dec. 4 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Teen Craft Pick-Up – For teens in grades 7-12. Register starting Nov. 27, then pick up your craft kit starting Dec. 4.

Monday, Dec. 4 (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, Dec. 4 (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, Dec. 4 (4-4:45 p.m.) Sensory Ornament Decoration – Children with disabilities ages 8-12 will experience fine motor and sensory play while making a scented salt dough ornament or decoration. Typical peers are welcome. If you have an allergy or special concerns, please contact the Youth Services Department at 440-250-5471 for a complete list of ingredients. Registration begins Nov. 27.

Monday, Dec. 4 (6-7 p.m.) Coding4Kids – Explore the basic steps to coding using technology, bots, and more! Grades 4-6. Registration begins Nov. 27.

Monday, Dec. 4 (7-8 p.m.) Get Ready for Veganuary –Join us for a discussion regarding the tips and tricks to going vegan in January and beyond. Please register.

Tuesday, Dec. 5 (4:30-5:15 p.m.) STEAM Club – Why do some trees stay green all winter? Join us as we answer this question and more during this festive holiday program.  Discover scientific principles with hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Grades 1-2. Registration begins Nov. 28.

Tuesday, Dec. 5 (6-8 p.m.) Documentary Film Club: "The Endurance – Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition" – Each meet-up we’ll watch a different documentary that provides a window into an area of society. We will discuss the topics after screening the documentary. This month we’ll be exploring explorers, specifically Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew. For adults and teens ages 13 and up.

Tuesday, Dec. 5 (7-8:30 p.m.) World at War Forum: General George Marshall – General George C. Marshall led a remarkable career in the U.S. Army. Daniel Zeiser will discuss the General’s career and how without him the Allied victory and the post-war world would likely be very different. Please register.

Tuesday, Dec. 5 (7-8 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Victoria Aveyard – Join us as the instant New York Times bestselling author chats with us about YA fiction, world building, and her incredible body of work. Streamed live. Please register.

Wednesday, Dec. 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.

Wednesday, Dec. 6 (7-7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, December 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 to the Wednesday evening session! Ages 2-6 with a caregiver.

Thursday, Dec. 7 (10-11:30 a.m.) Microsoft Word – Learn the basics of Microsoft Word and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Please register.

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

Thursday, Dec. 7 (1:30-3:30 p.m.) Holiday Necklace & Earrings – Look festive during the holidays by making a crystal ball holiday pendant necklace with matching earrings. Please register.

Friday, Dec. 8 (4-5 p.m.) and Sunday, Dec. 17 (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.

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

Saturday, Dec. 9 (2-4 p.m.) Afternoon Art – Stop by the Youth Services Department to create art for our Free Little Art Gallery. All supplies provided. All ages.

Sunday, Dec. 10 (2-3 p.m.) Come Play With Me – Open playtime for children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome!

Mondays, Dec. 11 and 18 (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, Dec. 11 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Squishy Clause Circuits (On Demand) – Create holiday play-dough squishy circuits with this on-demand webinar. Instructions for materials pick-up will be emailed a few days before the program. Please register.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 (1-1:45 p.m.) Stretches and Smiles – Let’s stretch together! Learn some fun ways to calm active bodies and minds, leading to smiles all around. Ages 3 and up with disabilities and typical peers. Please register.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 (2-3 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Stephanie Land – You’re invited to an afternoon chat with the New York Times bestselling author about her new memoir,"Class: Motherhood, Hunger and Higher Education." Streamed live. Please register.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 (4-5 p.m.) Make Your Own Snow Globe– Drop in and make your own snow globe! For grades 3-6.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Club (In Person AND Virtual) – Join us to discuss "This Time Tomorrow" by Emma Straub. 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.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) British Royal Christmas – How do the British royals spend Christmas? Julie Koenig, an avid royal watcher, shows how their full schedules take on more events as they prepare for the Christmas season. Please register.

Wednesday, Dec. 13 (4:30-6:30 p.m.) Light Up the Holidays – Drop in and create festive crafts to learn and share about the cultural traditions of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Winter Solstice. Pre K-2nd grade.

Wednesday, Dec. 13 (6-7 p.m.) Coding4Kids – Explore the basic steps to coding using technology, bots, and more! Grades 4-6. Please register.

Wednesday, Dec. 13 (7-8 p.m.) A History of Christmas Music – Come celebrate the season with some holiday favorites! Dr. Joel Keller a.k.a. “The Doc of Rock,” returns for another fascinating presentation on music history! Come learn about Christmas music, from its earliest beginnings in chants, litanies, and hymns to the carols we’ve all come to know and love! Please register.

Thursday, Dec. 13 (10-11:30 a.m.) Internet and Email Basics – Learn the basics of the Internet, using email, and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Registration begins Dec. 7.

Thursday, Dec. 14 (1-2 p.m.) Cookbook Club-Vegan Holiday – Celebrate the season vegan-style! Bring a vegan dish to share and some vegan desserts to exchange! Pick a cookbook from our shelves, make one dish to be shared with a group of 10-12. Bring your dish and your book to the meeting and we’ll discuss and eat! Ingredients of dishes may include tree nuts, soy or other allergens. Please register.

Thursday, Dec. 14 (4-5 p.m.) Roblox Arcade (Virtual) – We have private servers set up for tweens in grades 4-6 to enjoy some of the most popular games. Registration begins Dec. 7.

Thursday, Dec. 14 (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, Dec. 15 (4-4:45 p.m.) Cookie Decorating – Engage your child’s senses and encourage messy play while delighting in the fun and wonder of the season. No baking or decorating experience necessary. For children with disabilities ages 3-7. If you have an allergy or special diet concerns, please contact the Youth Services Department for a list of ingredients. Registration begins Dec. 8.

Saturday, Dec. 16 (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, Dec. 17 (2-4 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers! All otaku and newbies welcome! Grades 7-adult.

Monday, Dec. 18 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Holiday Fun Craft Kit Pick Up Begins – Celebrate the season with some jolly holiday crafts. Kits are available for pick up until Dec. 23.

Monday, Dec. 18 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Spice It Up! Take Home Kit: Cinnamon – Sign up for a kit that will contain a sample of the featured spice, a handout with background on the spice and suggested uses, and a couple of recipes! Please register.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 (9:30-9:50 a.m.) Stories and Signs – Enjoy an interactive storytime while learning a few words in sign language! Ages 0-3. Siblings welcome.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 (10-11:30 a.m.) Android Smartphone and 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.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 (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.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 (7-8 p.m.) College Prep Series #4: Supplemental Essays II (Virtual) – Learn some tips and tricks for writing a great supplemental essay to go with your college application. Registration begins Dec. 12. Program presented Via Zoom.

Wednesday, Dec. 20 (2-3 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – This month’s title is "The Bear and the Nightingale" by Katherine Arden A limited number of books are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk.

Wednesday, Dec. 20 (7-8 p.m.) Christmas with Charles Dickens – Join us for an evening with Charles Dickens! Largely Literary Theater Company co-founders Sara Showman and Mark Dawidziak present selections from "A Christmas Carol" and other seasonal favorites by Charles Dickens. Please register.

Friday Dec. 22 (11:30 a.m.-12:15 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.

Saturday, Dec. 23 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime - Join us for rhymes, songs and play! Ages 2-6 with a caregiver.

Sunday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Dec. 25 – Library closed in observance of Christmas

Wednesday, Dec. 27 (7-8 p.m.) Adult Creative Writing Group: New Year Edition – Wrap up the year with an evening of writing! Creativity is more than putting pen to paper. It’s about breaking away and trying something new! Please register.

Saturday, Dec. 30 (1-3 p.m.) You and Me Friendship Bracelets – Learn the art of making a Friendship Bracelet by making one with your tween(s) or teen(s). This class is for an adult with one or two tweens or teens.

Monday, Jan. 1– Library closed in observance of New Year’s Day

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