May events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Tuesday, May 5 (7-8 p.m.) Cinco de Mayo – Hola! Let's celebrate Cinco de Mayo together with stories, songs and a pinata! Ages 3-5. Please register.

Tuesday, May 5 (7 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Coffee & Chat – We will laugh and discuss an article or book related to parenting children who struggle. The group discussion is facilitated by a professional. Free child care is available, but registration is required at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563. Tonight’s Topic: Single Parenting a Child with Special Needs.

Wednesdays, May 6 and 13 (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, May 6 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Wednesday, May 6 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Drop-in session for genealogy help provided by the members of the Cuyahoga West Chapter.

Wednesday, May 6 (3-5 p.m.) Mother's Day Carry-Out Craft – Need a Mother's Day gift? Stop by the Youth Services Department to make a craft that every mom will be sure to love!

Wednesdays, May 6 and 13 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, May 6 and 14 (6:30-8 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department 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. and each Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 6 (6:30-8 p.m.) ACT/SAT Test Prep – A great score on the ACT or PSAT/SAT can make the difference in getting admitted to and receiving scholarships for the school of your dreams or having to choose a school that is not your top choice. Learn specific techniques, strategies and tips for each subtest, how to create a plan for writing a high-scoring essay on any topic, last minute preparation tips, and how to use study time most effectively in the days leading up to the test. Please register.

Wednesday, May 6 (7-8:30 p.m.) WPPL Horror Film Club – Join us as we explore some of the classic films from the genres of horror, science fiction and suspense. Children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. Please register.

Thursday, May 7 (10-11 a.m.) Adapting to Digital World Tools Successfully – Join Tak from Geek With a Heart as he discusses how to break down the often intimidating barriers of technology to help you adapt to the digital world. For people just getting started with computers. Please register.

Thursday, May 7 (3:45-5:45 p.m.) Tabletop Gaming Group – Board games! Card games! RPGs! Stop by for an afternoon of playing tabletop games with other gamers! Games will include Munchkin, Settlers of Catan, Forbidden Island, and more! Grades 7-12.

Thursday, May 7 (4-5 p.m.) Hardware Gems and Jewelry – Create steampunk-style jewelry out of nuts, bolts, washers and bead chain! Grades 5-8. Please register.

Friday, May 8 (Family Session: 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.; Preschool: 11:30 a.m.) and Saturday, May 9 (Family: 9:30 a.m.; Preschool: 10:30 a.m.) Music Therapy & More – A board-certified music therapist will lead families in a fun and exciting music-making class. Children and their caregivers will play instruments, sing and move to music. Throughout the session, the therapist will present experiences that address a variety of areas of development. Caregivers will receive a handout with ideas and resources, and can speak to the therapist about how to carry over the music therapy experiences into the home! Registration is required. Visit connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563.

Friday, May 8 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) iPad Users Group: Social Media – Listen to a brief iPad topic then share tips and techniques with other iPad users. Must bring your iPad with you. Registration required.

Friday, May 8 (1-2:30 p.m.) Fantastic Friday – Fantastic Friday is a great day for homeschoolers! Every month we’ll explore a new topic with related activities. Ages 6-12. Please register.

Saturday, May 9 (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, May 9 (2-3:30 p.m.), Saturday, May 15 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Tuesday, May 19 (7-8:30 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Parent Discussion Group – Meet other parents as we discuss childhood development topics with a local expert. May 9 Topic: Moms of Special Kids – 10 Things You Need; May 15 Topic: Potty Training the Challenging Child; May 19 Topic: Ask the Experts. Free child care is available, but registration is required at connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563.

Saturday, May 9 (2-3:30 p.m.) String Art – Create customized string art to hang in your room. Use a template we provide or bring one of your own (8.5"x11"). Please bring a small hammer with you to the program. Ages 10-12. Please register.

Saturday, May 9 (4-5 p.m.) Full STEAM Ahead – Each session will explore a different aspect of STEAM learning. May = Technology (Basic Personal Computer Usage). Grades 3 & 4. Registration begins April 4.

Sunday, May 10 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl Doll Club: Lanie – Lanie, the 2010 Girl of the Year, loves science and exploring nature. We will share in her excitement about the natural world by doing a nature-inspired science experiment and craft. For ages 6-11. Registration begins May 3.

Sunday, May 10 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills or learn how to play the game. Recommended for kids ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to attend. If you have a chess set, please bring it with you.

Mondays, May 11 and 18 (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, May 11 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) and Tuesday, May 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) Canned Film Festival at WPPL! – Please register. Bring a can of food for a donation to the Westlake Food Pantry and enjoy some fabulous foreign films rated R and PG-13.

Tuesday, May 12 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Keys to Finding the Hidden Jobs – Learn how to do the research needed to find the best job for you and learn about positions before they’re advertised.

Tuesday, May 12 (7-8 p.m.) Author Book Talk – George McNulty, author of "Trieste Intrigue," will do a book reading and signing. Please register.

Tuesday, May 12 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In May we’ll discuss "The House at Riverton" by Kate Morton.

Wednesday, May 13 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) and Saturday, May 16 (2-4 p.m.) Kids Canned Film Festival – Kids will enjoy popular animated movies about dragons Toothless and Hiccup (Wednesday) and everyone’s favorite penguins, Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private (Saturday). Rated PG. Registration begins one week before each session. Please bring one unexpired canned food item for the Westlake Food Pantry for admission.

Wednesday, May 13 (7-8:30 p.m.) Enhance Your Reading Experience with Goodreads and Shelfari – Learn how to find, share, and virtually organize books you've read or are planning to read with the websites Goodreads and Shelfari. Please register.

Thursday, May 14 (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.

Thursday, May 14 (7-8:30 p.m.) Near Death Experience – Hypnotherapist Susan Fox talks about near death experience using details recalled through hypnosis. Please register.

Thursday, May 14 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The May selection is "Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History" by Elizabeth Kolbert.

Saturday, May 16 (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.

Sunday, May 17 (1:30 p.m.) Compeer Day – Join us during Mental Health Awareness month for a Community Open House to find out more about Compeer.

Sundays, May 17 and 31 (2-4 p.m.) Chess Club – Hone your chess skills or learn how to play the game. Recommended for kids ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to attend. If you have a chess set, please bring it with you.

Monday, May 18 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investors' Interest Group: Maximize the Value of Your 401(k) or 403(b) Plan – Learn the step-by-step process for managing your employer-sponsored retirement plan(s) efficiently. Please register.

Tuesday, May 19 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Writing to Employers – Learn how to write effective cover letters, marketing letters, follow-up letters and more.

Wednesdays, May 20 and 27 (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.

Wednesdays, May 20 and 27 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, May 21 and 28 (6:30-8 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department 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. and each Thursday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 20 (6:30-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – "German Research is Like Strudel; It Unfolds a Layer at a Time" presented by Betty Franklin, Westlake LDS Family History Center

Wednesday, May 20 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Club: Wearables and Sewing Soft Circuits – Join us for an exploration of wearables and sewing soft circuits This club explores Maker Movement projects monthly. Please register.

Thursday, May 21 (12-1:30 p.m.) Small Busine$$ Lunch & Learn – Putting it all together, from the feasibility of starting a business through marketing, financial management, human resource management, and legal issues of operating a business. We will discuss the next steps to move forward with your plans. Bring your lunch; coffee provided. Please register.

Thursday, May 21 (3:45-5:45 p.m.) Tabletop Gaming Group – Board games! Card games! RPGs! Stop by for an afternoon of playing tabletop games with other gamers! Games will include Munchkin, Settlers of Catan, Forbidden Island, and more! Grades 7-12.

Thursday, May 21 (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.

Thursday, May 21 (7-8:30 p.m.) Celiac Disease, Gluten Sensitivity, and Wheat Allergy – Join us for an informative lecture on celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy by Dr. Aaron Petrey of the Cleveland Clinic. Please register.

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

Friday, May 22 (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. For grades 5-8. Registration begins May 15.

Saturday, May 23 (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.

Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day: Library Closed

Tuesday, May 26 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Improving Interviewing Skills – Learn how to discover what the employer needs so your answers will differentiate you from other candidates.

Tuesday, May 26 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Wednesday, May 27 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The May selection is "Chestnut Street" by Maeve Binchy.

Friday, May 29 (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.

Sunday, May 31 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Games, crafts, puzzles and more! All ages. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

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