February events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Tuesday, Feb. 2 (7-7:30 p.m.) Bedtime Stories – Put on your pajamas and join Mrs. K as we unwind at the end of the day with quiet stories, songs, finger plays and other bedtime activities. Ages 4-6; siblings welcome!

Wednesday, Feb. 3 (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.

Wednesday, Feb. 3 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Drop-in session for genealogy help.

Wednesdays, Feb. 3 and 10 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, Feb. 4 and 11 (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.

Thursday, Feb. 4 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Used Library Furniture Sale – Also being sold are miscellaneous other items. All items will be sold as-is and all sales will be final. Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card. Call 440-871-2600 for further information.

Thursday, Feb. 4 (9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.), Friday, February 5 (9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.), Saturday, February 6 (9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Half-Price Sale) and Sunday, February 7 (1:15-4 p.m., $2 Bag Sale) Friends' Annual Book Sale – Stop by for bargain books and more!

Thursday, Feb. 4 (6-8 p.m.) Harry Potter Book Night – Celebrate the magic and wonder of the 2nd annual Harry Potter Book Night at Westlake Porter Public Library. Enjoy games, crafts, contests and other wizarding activities.

Thursday, Feb. 4 (7–8:30 p.m.) Digital Photos Online – This is the first in a series of digital photography classes. Come and learn the basics of digital photography, how to use free online photo editors, and get an overview of the topics covered in the rest of the series. Prerequisite: Ability to take digital photos with a camera or mobile device. Please register.

Friday, Feb. 5 (10-10:45 a.m.) Come Play With Me! – Open playtime with age-appropriate toys. For children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome! Please register.

Friday, Feb. 5 (11-11:45 a.m.) Homeschool Hub – Developed for homeschoolers with special needs, each session includes literature, art and motor skill development. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 6 (10 a.m.–noon) iPad Skills Lab – If you need help with basic iPad skills, stop by the Computer Lab with your questions and your iPad.

Saturday, Feb. 6 (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. 6 (4-5 p.m.) Full STEAM Ahead: It’s Elementary – Each session will explore a different aspect of STEAM learning. This month we’ll explore the periodic table and elements. Grades 3 and 4. Please register.

Sunday, Feb. 7 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl Doll Club: Tea Party – You and your American Girl Doll will enjoy a tea party with Marie-Grace and Cecile while we learn about tea party etiquette from Elizabeth. Ages 6-11. Please register.

Monday, Feb. 8 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to the Teen Lounge! We’ve got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Monday, Feb. 8 (6-7 p.m.) Get Ready for Mardi Gras! – Drop in for Mardi Gras fun! Create a mask or a jester's hat and get ready to celebrate!

Monday, Feb. 8 (6:30-7:15 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 13 (11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.) Sensory Storytime – Features an adapted storytime for children with special needs and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome. Includes time for social play. Content is geared to ages 3-7. Please register.

Monday, Feb. 8 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Personal Home Computer Security – John Dolinar, the Executive Director of Enterprise Infrastructure Services at Cuyahoga Community College, will show you how to use and maintain security software on your home computer to protect yourself from those seeking to compromise your personal information or damage your computer. Part of the Maker Club, which celebrates STEAM initiatives (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and meets one Monday each month. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 9 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Networking Effectively – Learn how to build and maintain business relationships that will assist you in your job search and your career.

Tuesday, Feb. 9 (7-8 p.m.) Author Visit with Mark Kozak – Local author Mark Kozak will be here to discuss his new book "Cat & Cat: A Novel in Three Movements," a crime thriller about a man who finds himself at a crossroads in life. Books will be available for purchase. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 9 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In February we’ll discuss "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart.

Wednesday, Feb. 10 (noon-1:30 p.m.) Speaker Series Lunch & Learn – Guest speakers join Career Transition Center to present informative and timely topics for job seekers. Bring your lunch; learn and grow. Coffee provided.

Wednesday, Feb. 10 (6:30-8:30 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.

Thursdays, Feb. 11 (4:15-5:15 p.m.) TBD – Join your friends for a different activity each month. February’s activity will be Lego Creation. Grades 5-7.

Thursday, Feb. 11 (7–8:30 p.m.) Google’s Picasa 1 – Picasa lets you import your digital photos, edit them, put them in albums, and share them on the Web. Learn how! In this class we will learn about the organization and layout of Picasa. Prerequisite: Gmail account. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 11 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The February selection is "Invisible History of the Human Race: How DNA and History Shape Our Identities and Our Futures" by Christine Kenneally.

Thursday, Feb. 11 (7-8:30 p.m.) Zentangle for your Valentine – Zentangle is an easy-to-learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. No previous art or drawing experience is needed! Join Certified Zentangle teachers Cathy Zavodny and Michelle Rodgers to learn this amazing new art form while creating a valentine. Please register.

Friday, Feb. 12 (9:30, 10:30 or 11:30 a.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 13 (9:30 or 10:30 a.m.) Music Therapy & More – This program is designed for children (ages 1-6 years) who are struggling in an area of development. A board-certified music therapist will lead families in a fun and exciting music-making class. Throughout the session, the therapist will present experiences that address a variety of areas of development. Registration required at connectingforkids.org/music.

Friday, Feb. 12 (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. Registration begins Feb. 5.

Saturday, Feb. 13 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Valentine Fun Day! – Join us in the Youth Services Department for a fun-filled day of Valentine's crafts and activities! All ages.

Saturday, Feb. 13 (10 a.m.-noon) Road to Wealth: How to Manage Your Financial Life – This first of three presentations, "Get to Know Your Money" will discuss the importance of understanding income & expenses, assets & liabilities, and net worth & ratio analysis. Bring a flash drive to save a personal assignment. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 13 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Pokemon Fun! – Bring your cards and accessories for a fun morning of Pokemon-themed play, prizes and crafts! Ages 6- 12.

Saturday, Feb. 13 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! Ages 3-12. Lego and Duplo bricks provided.

Sunday, Feb. 14 (1-1:45 p.m.) Meet-Ups – Join us for video games, socialization and play among children in grades 1-5 with special needs. Registration begins Feb. 7.

Sunday, Feb. 14 (3-4 p.m.) Friends' Sunday Sounds – Join the Friends of Porter Public Library for The Vios Project.

Monday, Feb. 15 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investor’s Interest Group: REITs – Jason Orsky with JMO Wealth Management will discuss what you should look for when investing in a REIT, how REITs measure earnings and ability to pay dividends, and what role REITs play in retirement savings. Please register.

Tuesday, Feb. 16 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: LinkedIn for Job Search – LinkedIn is the best social media platform for job seekers. Learn techniques to better utilize this tool to help you meet people who can assist your search and to find companies that are hiring for positions that meet your requirements.

Tuesday, Feb. 16 (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.

Wednesdays, Feb. 17 and 24 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, Feb. 18 and 25 (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, Feb. 17 (6:30- 8:30 p.m.) Writing with a Flourish: The Art of Calligraphy – Modern calligraphy is often found in wedding and event invitations, graphic design, memorial documents, and even film and television. Learn a brief history of the art from Jim Williams of the Western Reserve Calligraphers, and practice learning basic lettering techniques. Previous experience is not required and materials will be provided. Please register.

Wednesday, Feb. 17 (7-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society

Thursday, Feb. 18 (noon-1:30 p.m.) Small Busine$$ Lunch & Learn: Is Marketing Necessary for Your Business? – Learn how to do market research, decide what approach to marketing is best for your Feb., and how to develop and execute your plan. Bring your lunch; coffee is provided. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 18 (2-3 p.m.) Travel Club – Join us for travel planning tips/sources and destination suggestions. Let's share our best travel experiences with others. This month: A Scotland travelogue!

Thursday, Feb. 18 (Combined Basic/Advanced Session: 6:30 p.m.) and Friday, Feb. 19 (Basic: 9:30 a.m., Advanced: 11 a.m.) Teach Me to Play – For children 3-6 years old who need help with communication and social skills. Join us for a play-based program designed to model and teach families strategies to improve their child’s social interactions, facilitate communication, and manage behavior in a positive way. Led by an early intervention specialist in behavior from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Register at connectingforkids.org/handsontraining.

Thursday, Feb. 18 (7–8:30 p.m.) Google’s Picasa 2 – In this class we will learn how to import and edit photos in Picasa. We will also learn how to share digital photos on Picasa Web Albums. Prerequisite: Gmail account. Please register.

Friday, Feb. 19 (4-5:30 p.m.) Weirder Science: It’s Elementary! – Learn science while having fun! Our interactive after-school science program for middle school students teaches fundamental principles in an entertaining format. This month we’ll explore the periodic table and elements! Grades 5-6. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 20 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) SAT Practice Exam – Get ready for test time with a practice exam. Study skills will be discussed and detailed results will be returned to students at the results session on Feb. 27. Bring two #2 pencils and a calculator. Please register.

Saturday, Feb. 20 (2-4 p.m.) Carry-Out Crafts – Stop in to create our featured craft. We have all the supplies you'll need to create something fantastic!

Saturday, Feb. 20 (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, trivia or Japanese treats! Grades 7-12.

Sunday, Feb. 21 (2-3 p.m.) DIY Games – Make some travel games to take on your next trip. You can customize your own tic-tac-toe and checkers game. Ages 9-11. Please register.

Monday, Feb. 22 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Mondays, Feb. 22 and 29 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to the Teen Lounge! We’ve got computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! Grades 7-12.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 (9:30-10 a.m.) Stories and Signs – Enjoy an interactive storytime while learning a few words in sign language! Ages 0-3 with caregiver, siblings welcome.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Results-Oriented Resumes – Competition is tough and employers are swamped with resumes for each position they post. Learn what will catch their attention and make them want to interview you.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 (7-8:30 p.m.) Finding Scholarships for College or Graduate School – Learn about financial aid resources from Foundation Center and College Now in this free class. Come learn how to research private scholarships and hear about available scholarship opportunities for Cleveland-area students. Please register.

Wednesday, Feb. 24 (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.

Wednesday, Feb. 24 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The February selection is "The Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline.

Thursday, Feb. 25 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensation Stations – Drop in for sensory fun! Engage your child's senses by scooping, pouring and sorting a variety of materials. This session is specifically for children with special needs (ages 3-6) and their typical peers.

Thursday, Feb. 25 (7–8:30 p.m.) Sharing Photos on Facebook – Learn how to upload your digital photos onto Facebook, “tag” your friends and share them in albums! Prerequisite: Facebook account. Please register.

Thursday, Feb. 25 (7-8:45 p.m.) Westlake Historical Society

Friday, Feb. 26 (10 a.m.-noon) Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems and show off.

Friday, Feb. 26 (10:30-11:15 a.m.) Sensory Storytime – Features an adapted storytime for children with special needs and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome. Includes time for social play. Content is geared to ages 3-7. Please register.

Friday, Feb. 26 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday – Explore the wonders of our world in a curious, caring and creative setting. This month, we’ll explore how the earth is like a big magnet. Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Ages 4-6. Registration begins Feb. 19.

Saturday, Feb. 27 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! Ages 3-12. Lego and Duplo bricks provided.

Sunday, Feb. 28 (2-3:30 p.m.) Boredom Busters! – Are you bored? Drop by the Storytime Room and join in the fun! We will have different activities available each month. All ages welcome! Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, Feb. 28 (2-3 p.m.) Frederic & George: A Musical Portrait – WordStage Literary Concerts presents the dynamic relationship between Frederic Chopin and George Sand through a reading of select letters they exchanged. Some of Chopin’s most memorable music for the piano underscores the text. Please register.

Monday, Feb. 29 (6:30-7:15 p.m.) Leapin' Leap Year Celebration – Celebrate Leap Year with stories, games, activities and a craft with a Leapin' Theme! Grades K-2. Registration begins Feb. 22.

Monday, Feb. 29 (6:30-8 p.m.) Test Prep and Financial Planning Seminar – A seminar full of information about both preparing for the ACT or SAT as well as useful information about financial aid and how to minimize college cost. It's sure to be useful to both parents and students! Registration begins Feb. 22.

To register for any of the programs, please call 440-871-2600 or visit westlakelibrary.evanced.info.