May events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Tuesday, May 3 (7 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Coffee and Chat – Join us as we discuss a topic related to parenting children who struggle. For this program we do not invite an expert speaker; however, the group discussion is facilitated by a mental health professional. This month: Grandparents Chat.

Wednesdays, May 4 and 11 (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, May 4 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Wednesday, May 4 (1-2:30 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Drop-in session for genealogy help provided by the members of the Cuyahoga West Chapter.

Wednesdays, May 4 and 11 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, May 5 and 12 (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 4 (5-8:30 p.m.) May the 4th Be with You – We’ll celebrate the Star Wars universe with trivia, crafts, a raffle and some of your favorite characters! Costumes are encouraged, but not required.

Wednesday, May 4 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) 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.

Wednesday, May 4 (7-8 p.m.) Cinco de Mayo! – Hola! Let’s celebrate Cinco de Mayo together with stories, songs and a pinata! Ages 4-6. Please register.

Thursday, May 5 (4:15-5:15 p.m.) TBD – Join your friends for a different activity each month. In May we’ll make gifts from a jar! Grades 5-7.

Friday, May 6 (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!

Saturday, May 7 (All Day) National Free Comic Book Day – Join us to celebrate National Free Comic Book Day. We’ll be giving out free comic books (two per person) all day while supplies last!

Saturday, May 7 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Mother’s Day at the Library! – Join us in the Youth Services Department for fun-filled Mother’s Day crafts and activities! All ages.

Saturday, May 7 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! Ages 3-12. Lego and Duplo bricks provided.

Sunday, May 8 (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.

Monday, May 9 (1-1:30 p.m.) Yoga Rhyme Time! – A perfect way to introduce yoga and practice simple poses with rhymes that imitate animals and nature. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Ages 3-1/2 to 5 years.

Mondays, May 9 and 16 (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, May 9 (6:30-7:15 p.m.) Sensory Storytime – 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Monday, May 9 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Play With Linux – Linux is another operating system that your computer can run (for free!), and it's easier than you may think. Come try Linux Mint Cinnamon out on our computers to see if it's something you might like! Part of Maker Mondays, which celebrates STEAM initiatives (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and meets one Monday each month. Please register.

Tuesday, May 10 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Time Management – Most jobseekers do not spend time efficiently to get the best outcome for their time invested. Learn how to plan your work and work your plan, including the ABC method for overcoming obstacles to success!

Tuesday, May 10 (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.

Tuesday, May 10 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In May we’ll discuss "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee.

Wednesday, May 11 (7-8:30 p.m.) Genealogy Basics: Using Ancestry Library Edition – Learn how to navigate Ancestry Library Edition to find your family history information more efficiently. Please register.

Wednesday, May 11 (noon-1:30 p.m.) Career Transition Center: 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.

Thursday, May 12 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The May selection is "H is for Hawk" by Helen MacDonald.

Friday, May 13 (9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Family Sessions) and Saturday, May 14 (9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Family Sessions) 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 is required at connectingforkids.org/music.

Friday, May 13 (4-5:30 p.m.) Weird(er) Science – 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 learn about fossils. Grades 5-6. Please register.

Saturday, May 14 (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, May 14 (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.

Monday, May 16 (7-8:30 p.m.) Investor’s Interest Group: Financial Plan – Simply putting money into an investment is not a strategy for financial success. A financial plan assesses every aspect of your financial life – your assets, liabilities, taxes, cash flow, insurance, distribution of wealth and your family. A financial plan is a roadmap. If you don’t know where you are going, you may not get there. Please register.

Tuesday, May 17 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: LinkedIn Groups – How you select and interact with the groups on LinkedIn can make or break your online presence. Learn techniques to help you better utilize these groups, identify people who can assist your search and engage in conversations that will show your knowledge, experience, and skills.

Wednesdays, May 18 and 25 (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.

Wednesdays, May 18 and 25 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursdays, May 19 and 26 (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 18 (7-8:45 p.m.) Cuyahoga West Genealogical Society – Tom Neel, OGS Library Director, will speak about "Genealogical Research in Kentucky."

Thursday, May 19 (noon-1:30 p.m.) Small Busine$$ Lunch & Learn: Human Resource Management – From the feasibility of starting a business through marketing, financial management, human resource management and the legal issues of operating a business. We will discuss the next steps needed to move forward with your plans. Bring your lunch; coffee is provided. Please register.

Thursday, May 19 (Combined Session: 6:30 p.m.) and Friday, May 20 (Basic Session: 9:30 a.m. and Advanced Session: 11 a.m.) Connecting for Kids 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. To register:connectingforkids.org/handsontraining.

Friday, May 20 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday – Explore the wonders of our world in a curious, caring and creative setting. Investigate the life cycle of butterflies and bees, along with their important job of pollination. Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Ages 4-6.

Saturday, May 21 (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, May 21 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! Ages 3-12. Lego and Duplo bricks provided.

Saturday, May 21 (9:30-10 a.m.) Yoga Rhyme Time! – A perfect way to introduce yoga and practice simple poses with rhymes that imitate animals and nature. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Ages 3-1/2 to 5 years.

Sunday, May 22 (2-3 p.m.) Using Herbs and Spices for Greater Wellness – Herbalist Anne Floyd discusses how to use herbs and spices for greater wellness through food, tea and aromatherapy. Please register.

Sunday, May 22 (3-4 p.m.) Ex-Amish: Where Are They Now? – Brenda Nixon returns with fascinating new stories of Amish runaways. Brenda provides a safehouse for Amish leaving their culture and transitioning into the English world. Please register.

Monday, May 23 (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, May 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 0-3 with caregiver, siblings welcome.

Tuesday, May 24 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Interviewing Skills – Preparation is the essential ingredient for a successful job interview. Learn how to research potential employers so you’re prepared to answer difficult questions and differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Tuesday, May 24 (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!

Tuesday, May 24 (7-8:45 p.m.) Westlake-Westshore Arts Council – Westlake-Westshore Arts Council presents bassist Ann Gilbert. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 25 (10–11:30 a.m.) Pinterest Basics – This is a lecture-based session focused on the basics of using Pinterest followed by an open Pinterest Lab.  

Wednesday, May 25 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The May selection is "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins.

Wednesday, May 25 (7-8:30 p.m.) Proposal Writing Basics – Non-profits will learn the key components of a proposal to a foundation. Please register.

Thursday, May 26 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) Sensation Stations – Engage your child’s senses by scooping, pouring and sorting a variety of materials. Specifically for children with special needs.

Thursday, May 26 (2-3 p.m.) Travel Club: India – All the way to India and back in one hour?! Yes, the travel club at WPPL can "virtually" give you a tour in an hour. Our YA Librarian Samantha Kretschmer will be our guide. Please register.

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

Friday, May 27 (10:30-11:15 a.m.) Sensory Storytime – 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Friday, May 27 (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 May 20.

Saturday, May 28 (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 28 (2-3 p.m.) Morse Code Bracelets – Make your own bracelet and necklace using Morse Code. You can keep it for yourself or send a special message to a friend. Ages 13-15. Registration begins May 21.

Saturday, May 28 (4-5 p.m.) Full STEAM Ahead: Let’s Go Fly A Kite – Each session will explore a different aspect of STEAM learning. This month we’ll make and decorate our own kites. Weather permitting, we’ll test them outside! Grades 3 and 4. Registration begins May 21.

Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30 – Library Closed for Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 31 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: First Impressions – If you’re networking or interviewing, you need to make a positive impression. Get tips on the things that determine how you are perceived and how that perception impacts your success.

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