December events at Westlake Porter Public Library

Thursdays, Dec. 1 and 8 (6:30-8 p.m.) and Wednesday, Dec. 7 (4-5:30 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department 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.

Friday, Dec. 2 (9:30 OR 10:30 a.m.) and Saturday, Dec. 3 (9:30, 10:30 OR 11:30 a.m.) Connecting for Kids: Music Therapy & More –This program is designed for children ages 1-6 who are struggling in an area of development. Join us for a program designed to model and teach families how to use music to improve their child’s skills. Led by a board-certified music therapist. Each session is 30 minutes. Register at connectingforkids.org/register or by phone, 440-250-5563.

Friday, Dec. 2 (10:30-11:15 a.m.) Paint Your Story – Westlake’s Over the Moon ceramics studio will host this special preschool program. We’ll share a story about Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, and then we’ll decorate a groovy ceramic button to take home! Ages 3-5. Please register.

Friday, Dec. 2 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday: Evergreen Trees – Join Mrs. K as we explore the wonders of the world. This month we’ll observe pine cones of all sizes while learning about evergreen trees! Ages 4-6. Please register.

Saturday, Dec. 3 (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, Dec. 3 (3-3:45 p.m.) Gingerbread Fun! – Create your own gingerbread house with us! Just bring your sweet imagination, and we’ll supply all the necessary parts and pieces! Ages 7-10. Please register.

Sunday, Dec. 4 (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, Dec. 4 (3-4 p.m.) Art Smarts – Explore some works of a well-known artist and then use what you've seen to create an art piece of your own! Grades 3-5. Please register.

Monday, Dec. 5 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Mondays, Dec. 5 and 12 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We have computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! For grades 7-12 only.

Monday, Dec. 5 (6:30-8 p.m.) Spa la la la la: Homemade Holiday Gifts – Get into the holiday spirit as we make scented body scrubs, foot soaks and bubble baths that will be perfect gifts and treats for yourself or someone else! Please register.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Networking Effectively – Your network helps you gain information about industries, trends and new career fields to present yourself effectively to your next employer. Learn how to build and maintain business relationships that will assist you in your job search and your career.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 (7-7:30 p.m.) Bedtime Stories: Starry Night – Put on your pajamas and join Mrs. K as we unwind at the end of the day. We’ll look to the stars as we unwind with quiet stories, songs, fingerplays, and other activities to help us get ready for bedtime. Ages 4-6. Siblings welcome.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 (7 p.m.) Connecting for Kids Coffee and Chat – Join us as we discuss a topic related to parenting children who struggle. The group discussion is facilitated by a mental health professional. Topic: Mindful Parenting.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 (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, Dec. 7 (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.

Thursday, Dec. 8 (7 p.m.) Non-Fiction Book Discussion – The December selection is "The Wright Brothers" by David McCullough.

Thursday, Dec. 8 (7-8:30 p.m.) The Golden Age of Shopping in Cleveland – Which was more glamorous: riding the elevator (with an operator!) or your first few tries on the escalator? Reminisce about Halle Brothers, May Co., Higbee’s, and the Sterling-Lindner Christmas Tree! Please register.

Friday, Dec. 9 (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, Dec. 10 (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, Dec. 10 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) Elf Academy – Santa is extra busy this year and needs your help. Join in our reindeer games and train to become a “Certified Elf” by completing several elf-ercises. No registration required; just drop in! While supplies last.

Saturday, Dec. 10 (1-2:30 p.m.) Essential Oils for Health and Wellness – Kristin Scott will discuss the benefits and uses of essential oils. Patrons will get a hands-on, sensory experience of Kristin’s top 10 oils. Please register.

Saturday, Dec. 10 (4-5 p.m.) Full STEAM Ahead – STEAM = Science & Technology interpreted through Engineering & the Arts, all based in Mathematical elements. This month: Bridges. Grades 3-4. Registration begins Dec. 3.

Sunday, Dec. 11 (2-3 p.m.) American Girl Doll Club: Mystery Party – We need your help! We have several American Girl mini-mysteries to solve. Bring your dolls and join us to crack these cases. Ages 6-11. Registration begins Dec. 4.

Monday, Dec. 12 (2-3:30 p.m.) Opera as an Art Form: Monteverdi – Dr. Keller returns to explore opera composers with a special emphasis on Monteverdi. No prior opera knowledge is required. Join us to enjoy some classic music. Please register.

Monday, Dec. 12 (6:30-7:15 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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Monday, Dec. 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Fun Things to 3D Print – So many fun things can be 3D printed! Come and see the possibilities, and even go home with a souvenir. Please register.

Monday, Dec. 12 (7-8:30 p.m.) Road to Wealth: How to Manage Your Financial Life – Transitioning from Saver to Investor. Explore your investing style and learn about investing concepts: asset allocation, sector rotation, fundamental and technical analysis. Discuss investment portfolios. Please register.

Tuesday, Dec. 13 (9:30-10 a.m.) Stories and Signs – Enjoy an interactive storytime while learning a few words in sign language! Ages 0-3, siblings welcome.

Tuesday, Dec. 13 (10 a.m.-noon) Career Transition Center: Job Search Planning & Time Management – Most job seekers do not spend time efficiently to get the best outcome for the time invested. Learn how to plan your work and work your plan, and the ABC method for overcoming obstacles to success!

Tuesday, Dec. 13 (7 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Discussion – In December we’ll discuss "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins.

Wednesdays, Dec. 14 and 21 (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, Dec. 14 (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.

Wednesday, Dec. 14 (4-5:30 p.m.) and Thursday, Dec. 15 (6:30-8 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by the Youth Services Department 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, Dec. 15 (4-5 p.m.) TBD – Programming with Scratch. Grades 5-7.

Thursday, Dec. 15 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Paint & Pop: Painting Party – Sip on yummy carbonated drinks while you dip your brushes and create a beautiful wintry work of art! Mobile Art Party will lead us, step by step, through a painting that you can make all your own. No painting skill necessary! Grades 7-12. Registration begins Dec. 8.

Thursday, Dec. 15 (7-8:30 p.m.) Christmas in Cleveland – See how Clevelanders celebrated Christmas past, from viewing the spectacular department store window displays, to visiting Mr. Jingeling at Halle’s and shopping at Higbee’s! Please register.

Friday, Dec. 16 (10 a.m.-noon) Fiber Fanatics – A time for needlecrafters to share, solve problems and show off.

Friday, Dec. 16 (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 Dec. 9.

Saturday, Dec. 17 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Polar Express Fun Day! – Join us as we celebrate Chris Van Allsburg’s "The Polar Express." We’ll have crafts and activities for all ages to enjoy.

Saturday, Dec. 17 and Friday, Dec. 30 (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. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Dec. 17 (1-2 p.m.) Starry Night – Create your own starry nights after viewing how technology can transform art. For adults with special needs and a caregiver, if needed. Registration begins Dec. 10.

Saturday, Dec. 17 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Bring your ideas and imagination to the club! Ages 3-12. Lego and Duplo bricks provided.

Saturday, Dec. 17 (3:30-5 p.m.) Teen SN Lounge – Enjoy a centers-based open lounge including video games, LEGO and more! For teens in grades 6-12 with special needs, siblings are welcome. Registration begins Dec. 10.

Sunday, Dec. 18 (1-1:45 p.m.) Meet-Ups! – Join us for a centers-based open play group including video games, LEGO and more! For children in grades 1-5 with special needs. Siblings are welcome. Registration begins Dec. 11.

Monday, Dec. 19 (1-1:30 p.m.) Yoga Rhyme Time! – This is a perfect way to introduce yoga and practice simple poses with rhymes. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Ages 3-1/2 to 5 with a caregiver.

Monday, Dec. 19 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang out after school? Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! We have computers, video games, board games, snacks and more! For grades 7-12 only.

Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 27-30 (2-4 p.m.) Movies at the Library! – Join us for winter break movie matinées! All ages. All movies are rated PG. Registration begins one week before each session.

Friday, Dec. 23 (4-5:30 p.m.) Weird(er) Science – Each session teaches fundamental principles in an entertaining format, through demonstrations and hands-on activities. This month: Learn about all aspects of bridges, including history and design. Grades 5-6. Registration begins one week before each session.

Saturday, Dec. 24-Monday, Dec. 26 – Library Closed for Christmas

Wednesday, Dec. 28 (2 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The December selection is "At the Water’s Edge" by Sara Gruen.

Thursday, Dec. 29 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Saturday, Dec. 31 (11:15 a.m.-noon) Countdown to Noon Family Storytime – Join us for a special New Year’s Eve family storytime celebrating our favorite stories, songs and rhymes. We’ll make a simple craft and do our own early countdown to 12:00 (noon). Ages 3-5. Registration begins Dec. 23.

Saturday, Dec. 31 – Library Closes at 5 p.m.

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