Westlake Porter Public Library's February calendar of events

Wednesday, Feb. 4 (10:15 & 11 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 at the Preschool Desk.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Drop-in session for genealogy help.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department each Wednesday and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5-Sunday, Feb. 8 – Friends' Annual Book Sale – Get bargains on used books (fiction and non-fiction, titles for all ages), books-on-CD, DVDs, and CDs! Days and times are: Feb. 5, 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Feb. 6, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Feb. 7: Half-price sale, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Feb. 8: $2 Bag Sale, 1:15-4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5 (11 a.m.-noon) SNAP – Valentine's Party – Celebrate St. Valentine's Day with games, music and activities at our party for adults with developmental disabilities and a caregiver, if needed. Please register. Registration for the caregiver is not necessary.

Friday, Feb. 6 (basics: 10 and 11:30 a.m.; advanced: 1 p.m.) Teach Me to Play – For children 3-6 years old. Join us for a play-based program designed to model and teach parents/caregivers strategies to improve their child’s social interactions, facilitate communication, and manage behavior in a positive way. This program is designed for children who need help with communication and social skills. It is led by an early intervention specialist in behavior from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. You must RSVP to attend, online at connectingforkids.org or by phone, 440-250-5563.

Saturday, Feb. 7 (9:30-10:15 a.m.) Toddlers Rock! – Use your imagination to create your very own drum, jingle bell bracelet, and shaker. Then we will move our feet and dance to the beat with our new instruments! Ages 3-5. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 7 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Pokemon League – Bring your cards and accessories for a fun morning of play! For kids ages 6-12 only. Please, no younger siblings. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 7 (1-2:15 p.m.) A Snap, Crackle, Pop Culture Afternoon with Author Marty Gitlin – Using humor, vintage commercials and a PowerPoint presentation, Gitlin will entertain and educate guests about his book, "Great American Cereal Book," which covers every cereal ever produced. A book signing will follow. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 7 (2-2:30 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! All bricks provided. Ages 6-12. No registration required.

Saturday, Feb. 7 (3:30-5 p.m.) Sweet and Silly Valentine's Party! – We'll teach you how to make some simple, creative valentines to keep or give away, create some sweet candy jewelry, and play some fun games! For ages 8-12. Please register.

Sunday, Feb. 8 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills (or learn how to play the game) through WPPL's Chess Club. The club is recommended for kids ages 6+. If you have a chess set, please bring it.

Monday, Feb. 9 (3:45-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to WPPL's Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We've got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Monday, Feb. 9 (7-8:15 p.m.) The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time – Laugh along with Cleveland author Marty Gitlin, who will present an engaging, informative presentation about his book, "The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time," which was the first to rank the premier American sitcoms. A book signing will follow. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 (10 a.m.-noon) Writing to Employers – Learn how to write effective cover letters, marketing letters, follow-up letters and more.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 (1-2 p.m.) Android Tablet Group: Accessing Settings – Must bring your Android-based tablet with you. Explore how to access wireless, sound and display settings on your Android tablet. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In February we’ll discuss "Burial Rites" by Hannah Kent.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 (7-8 p.m.) Special Education Laws and Your Child's Rights – Attorney Lynn Seifert will review your legal rights at school when addressing your child's disabilities. Please register.

Wednesday, Feb. 11 (10:15 & 11 a.m.) Let’s Sing and Dance! – See the Feb. 4 listing.

Wednesday, Feb. 11 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – See the Feb. 4 listing.

Wednesday, Feb. 11 (7-8 p.m.) Candy Mosaics – Use sweet treats to craft delicious 3D art to hang in your room or give as a gift to a friend! For grades 4-7. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 12 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The February selection is "Girls of Murder City: Fame, Lust, and the Beautiful Killers" by Douglas Perry.

Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14 – Music Therapy & More – Join us as we play instruments, sing, move to music and discuss how to carry over the music therapy experiences into the home. This program is led by a board certified music therapist and geared toward children struggling in an area of development. You must RSVP to attend, call 440-250-5563 or visit www.connectingforkids.org. Sessions are as follows: Feb. 13: Family Session, 9:30 a.m.; Toddler Session, 10:30 a.m.; Preschool Session, 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14: Family Session, 9:30 a.m.; Preschool Session: 10:30 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 13 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) iPad Users Group – Listen to a brief iPad topic then share talk and share tips and techniques with other iPad users. Must bring your iPad with you. Registration required.

Friday, Feb. 13 (4-5 p.m.) House of Readers – Participate in reading discussions, crafts and more in this book club for children in grades 1-3 with special needs and their typical peers. Registration begins Feb. 6.

Saturday, Feb. 14 (10–11 a.m.) Android Tablet Group: Accessing Settings – See the Feb. 10 listing.

Saturday, Feb. 14 (10:30-11 a.m.) Mother Goose on the Loose! – An interactive storytime featuring simple books, rhymes, songs and movement. For ages birth-3 with an adult caregiver.

Saturday, Feb. 14 (2-3 p.m.) Valentine's Carry Out Craft – Celebrate Valentine's Day in the Youth Services Department by making a fun craft out of Conversation Hearts. No registration required. For children of all ages.

Saturday, Feb. 14 (3-5 p.m.) Who-vian Haven (Dr. Who Club) – Who-vian Haven is a place for Who-vians to get together, watch episodes of Doctor Who, and talk about Doctor Who and all other Timey-Wimey things. Grades 5-12. Please register starting Feb. 7.

Sunday, Feb. 15 (2-3 p.m.) Friends' Sunday Sounds: "Rock the Library" – Join us for acoustical guitar soft rock by Victor Samalot.

Sunday, Feb. 15 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl Doll Club: Isabelle – Join us for a discussion about Isabelle, the 2014 Girl of the Year, who discovers a unique talent to call her very own. We will also be creating a fashion notebook to take home. For ages 6-11. Registration begins Feb. 8.

Sunday, Feb. 15 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – See the Feb. 8 listing.

Monday, Feb. 16 (2-4 p.m.) Movies @ Your Library! – Join us for a movie matinee in which Alexander’s day starts out bad and gets worse. After getting little sympathy from his family he begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him – but then his family all find themselves living through a very bad day of their own. (Rated PG). Based on availability; movie title may change without notice. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration begins Feb. 9.

Monday, Feb. 16 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors' Interest Group: Costly IRA Mistakes to Avoid – IRAs are among the most popular ways to save for retirement, but because there are so many complex rules and regulations it’s easy to make costly mistakes. Learn some of the most commonly made mistakes and how to avoid them. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 17 (10 a.m.-noon) Keys to Finding Hidden Jobs – Learn what research is needed to learn about positions before they’re advertised and how to do it to find the best job for you.

Wednesday, Feb. 18 (10:15 & 11 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 at the Preschool Desk.

Wednesday, Feb. 18 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department each Wednesday and sign your child up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog! Bring your own book or choose one of ours. Registration begins each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18 (6:30-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – OGS President Jim Denham, treasurer John Noble and local history librarian Dan Dmytrykiw will present Part II of III: “Digging for Your Roots: Embarking on the Quest – Searching for and Obtaining Vital Records of Your Ancestor.”

Wednesday, Feb. 18 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Club Emerging Technology Program – As a follow-up to the library's Make Event, this club will explore Maker Movement projects monthly. Please join us for an E-Tech Lab, bringing emerging technology to our club. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 19 (12-1:30 p.m.) Small Busine$$ Lunch & Learn – Is marketing necessary for your business? Learn how to perform market research, decide what marketing approach is best for your business, and develop and execute your plan. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 19 (4-5 p.m.) Magic Tree House Book Club – Do you already love the Magic Tree House Adventures or are you curious to find out what the fuss is all about? Join us for one of the Magic Tree House books, discussion and craft related to the book. Grades K-2. No registration required.

Friday, Feb. 20 (10-10:45 a.m.) Come Play With Me! – Open playtime with age-appropriate toys. Teaches sharing and socialization. For children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome! Registration begins Feb. 13.

Friday, Feb. 20 (1-2:30 p.m.) Fantastic Fridays – Fantastic Friday is a great day for homeschoolers! Every month we’ll explore a new topic with related activities. Ages 6-12. Registration begins Feb. 13.

Saturday, Feb. 21 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensory Storytime – Join us for a storytime for children with special needs and their parents/caregivers. The program includes interactive stories, rhymes, songs and movement activities, followed by 30 minutes of play. Content is geared to ages 3-7. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Feb. 21 (2-3 p.m.) Junior Brick Builders! – Let's build with Duplos! Bring your imagination and we'll provide the bricks. Ages 3-6.

Sunday, Feb. 22 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Games, crafts, puzzles and more! All ages. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, Feb. 22 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills (or learn how to play the game) through WPPL's Chess Club. The club is recommended for kids ages 6+. If you have a chess set, please bring it.

Monday, Feb. 23 (1-7 p.m.) – American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Monday, Feb. 23 (3:45-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to WPPL's Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We've got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 (9:30-10 a.m.) Stories and Signs – Enjoy interactive stories, songs and movement activities while learning a few words in sign language! Ages birth-3 with caregiver, siblings welcome. No registration required.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 (10 a.m.-noon) Telephone Tips for Job Seekers – This workshop will prepare you to use the telephone effectively for job search.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 (7-8:45 p.m.) Catch a Rising Star – The Westlake/Westshore Arts Council brings the "Catch a Rising Star" program from Baldwin Wallace University. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 (10:15 & 11 a.m.) Let’s Sing and Dance! – See the Feb. 18 listing.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The February selection is "Child of My Heart" by Alice McDermott.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – See the Feb. 18 listing.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 (7-8 p.m.) Promote Your Business with Video – William North from Advanced Video will show you how marketing videos can enhance your web presence and increase sales. Will include some DIY production pointers. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 26 (4-5 p.m.) Magic Tree House Book Club – See the Feb. 19 listing.

Thursday, Feb. 26 (6:30-8:45 p.m.) – Westlake Historical Society

Friday, Feb. 27 (9:30-11 a.m.) Kindlegarten e-Lab! – Must bring your registered Kindle with you. Learn how to download eBooks to your Kindle and other basic techniques. Call the Popular Materials desk to sign up for this eLab. Space is limited. 

Friday, Feb. 27 (10 a.m.-noon) Porter's Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems, and show off.

Friday, Feb. 27 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) iPad Users Group – Listen to a brief iPad topic then share talk and share tips and techniques with other iPad users. Must bring your iPad with you. Registration required.

Friday, Feb. 27 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensory Storytime – See the Feb. 21 listing.

Friday, Feb. 27 (4-5:30 p.m.) Weirder Science – Learn science while having fun! Our interactive after-school science program teaches fundamental principles in an entertaining format. Students will participate in hands-on experiments that they can reproduce at home. Please note program change: participants must be in grades 5-8. Registration begins Feb. 21.

Saturday, Feb. 28 (2-4 p.m.) Carryout Crafts – Stop by the Youth Services Department to see what each day’s featured craft is! Tables will be set up with all of the supplies needed.

Saturday, Feb. 28 (3-5 p.m.) Mad 4 Manga – Each month we watch a different Anime series and talk about our favorite Manga. Sometimes we even throw in some crafts, Manga drawing, or Japanese treats! Grades 7-12 only.

To register for any of the programs, please call 440-871-2600 or visit signup.westlakelibrary.org:8080.