Westlake Porter Public Library’s February Calendar of Events

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s February 2023 calendar of events. All programs are subject to change. Please check westlakelibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook and Twitter (@WestlakePorter) for the latest updates.

Wednesday, February 1 (4-4:30 p.m.) Little Sprouts Storytime – Members of WPPL’s Little Sprouts (Myrna Chelko Literacy Initiative program) are invited to join Ms. Jamie for an afternoon of stories, songs, and rhymes! Registration begins January 25.

Wednesdays, February 1 and 15 (4:30-6 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a therapy dog. Sign up starts at 4 p.m. Recommended for grades K-4.

Wednesday, February 1 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Horror Film Club – Join us for another creepy classic from the Vault! New members are welcome, but children under 13 must be with an adult. Please register.

Wednesdays, February 1, 8 and 15 (7-7:30 p.m.) Saturdays, February 4, 11 and 18 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime – Join us for rhymes, songs and play! For families with children ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Siblings are welcome. No registration required.

Thursday, February 2 (10–11:30 a.m.) Microsoft Word & Introduction to Northstar – Learn the basics of Microsoft Word and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Registration begins January 26.

Thursday, February 2 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile

Thursday, February 2 (4-5 p.m.) Breakout: Internet Apocalypse! – This breakout challenge is going to test your ability to work together. Solve all the clues and save the internet! Walk-ins welcome. For grades 7-12. Registration begins January 26.

Friday, February 3 (4-5 p.m.) and Sunday, February 12 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Do you love Legos©? Then bring your ideas and imagination to Brick Builders! Bricks provided. No registration required, but room capacity is limited. First come, first served. Ages 5-12.

Saturday, February 4 (1-2:30 p.m.) 1-2-3 Magic Parenting – Join us for an overview of parenting strategies according to the award winning 1-2-3 Magic curriculum, created by Thomas Phelan, PhD. Parents will learn to seamlessly integrate positive parenting tactics alongside gentle, behaviorally sound discipline and household structure. The session will be led by Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Jeffrey Jack. Please register.

Saturday, February 4 (1-4 p.m.) Positive Postbox – Drop in to make a card to give to those who are suffering, their caregivers and/or hospital staff. Cards will fill the Positive Postboxes at St. John Westshore and Fairview Hospitals. All ages. Cards and art supplies provided.

Saturday, February 4 (4-5 p.m.) World Hijab Day – Join us for a fun and informative program celebrating World Hijab Day presented by the Westside Cleveland Muslim Association (WCMA). Please register.

Sunday, February 5 (2-3 p.m.) Come Play With Me – An open playtime for children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome! No registration required.

Monday, February 6 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Teen Craft Pick Up – Make your own Hogwarts scarf using this kit! For teens in grades 7-12. Registration begins January 30.

Mondays, January 6, 13 and 27 (3:30–5:30 p.m.) Teen Lounge – Need a place to hang after school? Come to WPPL’s Teen Lounge on Monday afternoons! Video games, board games, snacks and more!

Monday, February 6 (7-8 p.m.) Financial Planning for Families with Special Needs – Join Katy Bryan, PhD, CEPA, ChSNC® to learn about how to financially plan for your family with special needs/disabilities. Please register.

Tuesday, February 7 (6-8 p.m.) Jewelry Junction – Red Crystal Wired Earrings & Necklace – Make beautiful red crystal wire-wrapped pierced earrings and matching pendant using silver-plated findings and fine wire. Learn how to make a chain for your pendant. Enjoy on Valentine’s Day! Registration begins January 3.

Tuesday, February 7 (7–8:30 p.m.) World at War Forum: Truman and the Bomb – Judge William F. B. Vodrey will discuss President Truman’s decision to use the bomb on Japan during World War II. Was it necessary? Was it wise? Was it as much the first salvo of the Cold War as it was the last of World War II? Come learn more about the two days in August 1945 that changed human history. Please register.

Thursdays, February 9 and 23 (3:30-4:30 p.m.) Roblox Arcade – Love Roblox? Then join us in the Roblox Arcade! We have some private servers set up for Tweens in grades 4-6 to hang out with their friends and enjoy some of the most popular games via Zoom. Join us in person on online. Registration begins February 2.

Thursday, February 9 (6:30-7:15 p.m.) and Sunday, February 26 (1:30-2:55 p.m.) Adapted Storytime – Join us for this storytime designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime. Content is geared toward ages 3-7. Registration begins one week before each session.

Thursday, February 9 (7-8 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Lana Harper – Back in a Spell (Virtual) – Join us for a magical evening with New York Times bestselling author Lana Harper as she discusses the third installment of her immensely popular The Witches of Thistle Grove series. Streamed live. Please register.

Friday, February 10 (11 a.m.-Noon) Dance is for Every-Body – Active for Life presents a low-impact and fun seated dance program taught by a certified seated dance instructor. For all abilities and all bodies. For adults with disabilities and caregivers. Registration begins February 3.

Friday, February 10 (4-4:30 p.m.) Read It, Make It @ the Library – Make a craft based on a story that is read aloud. Grades PreK-1, siblings are welcome. Registration begins February 3.

Saturday, February 11 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) SAT Practice Test – Want to get some practice before taking the SAT? Sylvan Learning will be here to simulate the exact environment for taking the SAT. Bring your own calculator and a #2 pencil. Results session will take place on Saturday, February 18 at 10 a.m. Registration begins February 4.

Saturday, February 11 (1-2:30 p.m.) Wire-Wrapped Appetizer Flatware – Learn the art of wire-wrapping by wire-wrapping an appetizer fork and spoon using gold-plated wire and your choice of glass beads and/or pearls. Registration begins February 4.

Saturday, February 11 (1–2 p.m.) Pokémon Fun! – This will be a time to view and trade cards, do a craft (if desired), and play a Pokémon Bingo game. Feel free to bring your cards!  Ages 6-11.

Sunday, February 12 (2–4 p.m.) Anime Club – A great club for anime and manga lovers! All otaku and newbies welcome! Grades 7-adult.

Monday, February 13 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Valentine Fun Craft Kit Pick Up – Get ready for Valentine’s Day with some fun crafts! Kits are available for pick up through 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 19 unless other arrangements are made. Registration begins February 6.

Monday, February 13 (2-3 p.m.) Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for You? – Starting a nonprofit can seem like a complicated process—is it worth it? Join David Holmes of Candid as he shares the legal and logistical elements necessary to start a successful nonprofit. Please register.

Monday, February 13 (7–8 p.m.) 3D Printing Orientation – In order to use the library’s 3D printer, you’ll need to take this orientation first. Registration begins February 6.

Tuesday, February 14 (4:30-5:15 p.m.) STEAM Club: Static Electricity – Join Mrs. K as we explore the shocking science of static electricity. Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Grades 1-2. Registration begins February 7.

Tuesday, February 14 (7-8:30 p.m.) Tuesday Evening Book Club (In Person AND Virtual) – Join the WPPL Tuesday Evening Book Club in person or on Zoom to discuss The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis. The discussion will be held in person and on Zoom simultaneously. Please register. If you register for the Zoom option you will receive a Zoom invitation and instructions by email.

Wednesday, February 15-22 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Discovery Box (Sign Up) – Register for WPPL’s personalized subscription box service. For teens in grades 7-12. Registration begins on February 15 and must be done by Wednesday, February 22. Pick up begins March 1.

Wednesday, February 15 (1-1:30 p.m.) Fall in Love with your Spine: Virtual Health Talk – Your posture is the window into your health. Join us on Zoom as Dr. Casen from The Drugless Doctors discusses ways to improve function in the body naturally with simple tools to improve the spine. Please register.

Wednesday, February 15 (2-3 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The Wednesday Book Group meets the third Wednesday of each month. A limited number of books are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. This month’s title is Super Host by Kate Russo. No registration required.

Thursday, February 16 (10-11:30 a.m.) Android Smartphone & Tablet User Group – Do you own an Android smartphone or tablet? Bring it with your questions (or tips!) to this guided user group. Registration begins February 9.

Thursday, February 16 (4- p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Grace M. Cho – Join us for an insightful chat with award-winning author Grace M. Cho as she discusses her memoir Tastes Like War. Streamed live. Please register.

Thursday, February 16 (6-8:30 p.m.) HeartSaver CPR/AED – Get certified for adult, child, and infant CPR and AED. Class led by certified instructors from UH St. John Medical Center. Please visit https://uhems.org/event-search to register. Email account required. Participants under the age of 14 must have a parent or legal guardian in class. If any questions, contact the instructors at uh4cpr@gmail.com.

Saturday, February 18 (2-3 p.m.) Author Visit with Eric Carlson Author of Dark Arts – Join us for a virtual author visit with author Eric Carlson, joining us live from Geneva, Switzerland! Eric is an author of horror, weird, and other forms of speculative fiction. His short stories and articles have appeared in journals in the US, UK, Argentina and Spain. Please register to attend either in person or online.

Saturday, February 18 (2–4 p.m.) Hand Sewing for Literacy – Learn basic sewing skills and create a sewn project while listening to a story with sewing as its central theme. Grades 1-5. Registration begins February 11.

Monday, February 20 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Fine Motor Kit Pick Up Begins – Pick up this fun kit and practice fine motor skills at home! For children ages 3-7. Registration begins February 13.

Monday, February 20 (1-2:30 p.m.) True Crime Book Club: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe – A great way to discover new and classic true crime writing. Please register.

Monday, February 20 (7-8:30 p.m.) Maker Monday: Alternatives to Cable TV – Frustrated with cable? Let us help you sort through the alternatives available. Please register.

Tuesday, February 21 (7–8 p.m.) Young Adult Book Club: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi – Those unable to attend in person can join us simultaneously via Zoom. Please register. Books available in Youth Services.

Wednesday, February 22 (7-8 p.m.) Adult Creative Writing Group: Celebrating Black History Month – Join us for an hour of creative writing prompts to inspire you to start and keep writing. Creativity is more than putting pen to paper. It’s about breaking away and trying something new! This meeting will be a celebration of poetry in honor of black history month. Please register.

Thursday, February 23 (10–11:30 a.m.) Internet and Email Basics with Introduction to Northstar – Learn the basics of the internet, using email, and how to access Northstar Digital Literacy for self-paced online learning. Registration begins February 16.

Thursday, February 23 (10-10:30 a.m.) Black History Month Storytime – Celebrate Black History Month with a fun and educational storytime! Learn about African American trailblazers through books, songs, and fingerplays. Ages 2-6, siblings welcome. No registration required.

Friday, February 24 (4-4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday: Static Electricity – Join Mrs. K as we explore the shocking science of static electricity. Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take-home project. Ages 4-6, up to Kindergarten. Registration begins February 17.

Saturday, February 25 (11 a.m.-Noon) A Zest for Cooking – Children with disabilities will learn some important cooking skills while making 2 or 3 recipes. Tasting is not required. Previous kitchen experience isn’t necessary. Ages 8-12. Typical peers or siblings welcome. Please call the Youth Services Desk at 440-250-5471 if you have any concerns about allergens or other dietary issues. Registration begins February 18.

Saturday, February 25 (3–4 p.m.) Illustration Creation – Learn about a featured illustrator and then create a project inspired by their art. Grades 1-3. Registration begins February 18.

Sunday, February 26 (2–3 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 4-6. Registration begins February 19.

Monday, February 27 (10-10:30 a.m.) Music Monday – Develop pre-reading skills with music, movement and rhythm through stories, songs and rhymes. Ages 2-6. No registration required.

Monday, February 27 (7-8:30 p.m.) Simple Steps for Starting a Business-SCORE: Session 1: Start-up Basics – Join us for this five-part series exploring the many facets of starting a business. This session will explore the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, the most profitable form your business, and more. Presented by SCORE Cleveland. Registration begins January 27 for all sessions.

Tuesday, February 28 (9:30–9:55 a.m.) Stories and Signs – Enjoy an interactive storytime while learning a few words in sign language! Ages 0-3, siblings welcome. No registration required.

Tuesday, February 28 (4-5 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Sadeqa Johnson – Join us online for an invigorating conversation with highly acclaimed author Sadeqa Johnson as she talks about her brand new novel The House of Eve. Streamed live. Please register.

Tuesday, February 28 (7-8:30 p.m.) Ghosts of Amistad: Movie Screening & Discussion – This movie, produced and created by award winning historians and filmmakers, explores the roots of the Amistad slave rebellion in Africa. Ghosts of Amistad explores Sierra Leone to discover the roots and local memories of the slaves who rebelled aboard the Cuban slave ship in 1839.

To register for any of the programs, please visit westlakelibrary.org/events.