Westlake Porter Public Library’s January Calendar of Events

Following is Westlake Porter Public Library’s January 2025 calendar of events. All programs are subject to change. Please check westlakelibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook and Instagram (@WestlakePorter) for the latest updates.

Wednesday, January 1 New Year’s Day – Library Closed

Thursday, January 2, Friday, January 3 and Saturday, January 4 (10 a.m.-Noon) Hot Wheels^® Build and Play – Start your engines! Drop in to play, build, and race on our Hot Wheels® Tracks! Cars and tracks provided. Recommended for ages 3-7. No registration necessary.

Thursday, January 2 and Monday, January 27 (1-7 p.m.) American Red Cross Bloodmobile – Please give blood with the American Red Cross Bloodmobile.

Mondays, January 6, 13 and 27 (3-5 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! No registration necessary. Grades 7-12.

Mondays, January 6, 13, 20 and 27 and Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29 (5:30-7:30 p.m.) Citizenship Classes – Learn about United States history, government, geography, your rights and responsibilities as a U.S. citizen and how to participate in democracy. Class continues through March 28. Please register.

Monday, January 6 (7-8 p.m.) Estate Planning for Digital Assets – Do you have a Facebook profile? An email account? Pictures on your computer? A blog? Do you bank online? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have digital assets. Join estate planning lawyer Elizabeth Perla of The Perla Law Firm, LLC to learn how to ensure that your estate plan deals with your digital assets according to your wishes. Please register.

Tuesdays, January 7 and 21 (5-6 p.m.) Roblox Arcade (Virtual) – Join us in the Roblox Arcade! We have private servers set up for tweens in grades 4-6 to enjoy some of the most popular games. Registration begins January 31.

Tuesday, January 7 (6:30-8 p.m.) Makerspace Foundations: CNC Orientation – Attend an orientation to learn the basics of using the CNC router and become a verified user of the machine. Registration begins December 30.

Tuesday, January 7 (7–8:30 p.m.) World at War Forum: Exploring WWI Battlefields – Paul Kaparoff will display some of the many items he has collected from World War I battlefields. Please register.

Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29 (5-6 p.m.) Bow Wow Books – Stop by Youth Services to sign up for a 10-minute reading time with a reading therapy dog. Sign up starts at 4:30 p.m. Dogs will stay for 10 minutes past the last registered reader or 1 hour, whichever comes first. Recommended for Grades K-4.

Wednesday, January 8 (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.

Wednesday, January 8 (7-8:30 p.m.) Environmentalism Book Club – This month’s title is “Kiss the Ground” by Josh Tickell. Engage in thoughtful conversation based on readings about our environment, our changing planet & sustainability, and discover practical ways to make a positive, eco-conscious impact in our community. Please register.

Thursdays, January 9 and 23 (6:30-7:15 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, January 9 (7-8 p.m.) Thursday Night Book Discussion – This month’s title is “Funny Story” by Emily Henry. A limited number of copies will be available at the Circulation Desk. Please register.

Friday, January 10 (4–4:45 p.m.) Fun Science Friday: The Science of Sledding – Come and explore the science behind sled riding, including gravity and friction. For ages 4-6, up to Kindergarten. Registration begins January 3.

Saturday, January 11 (11-11:45 a.m.) Geodes: Break and Paint Your Own – Explore real geodes, break a geode you can keep, and make a geode-inspired painting. For tweens with disabilities and their typical peers, ages 10-12. Registration begins January 4.

Saturday, January 11 (2-4 p.m.) Make It, Take It! – Stop by Youth Services to complete a featured craft. While supplies last. PreK-Grade 2. No registration required.

Sunday, January 12 (3-4 p.m.) Have Flute Will Travel: Musical Recital and Talk Presented by Katherine Calvey – Enjoy this visual and musical voyage as Ms. Calvey shares her international adventures, playing graceful melodies designed to transport you to distant lands. Calvey is a professional classical flutist/international musician who has performed in over 18 countries and is now a local music teacher. This event is geared toward adults and youth 12+.  Please register.

Monday, January 13 (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, January 13 (7-8 p.m.) Financial Fitness: Power of Budgeting – During this 60-minute interactive Edward Jones financial fitness seminar, we will explore the power of budgeting, examine wants and needs, and talk personal spending and savings goals. Many think budgeting equals constraints. But a budget can help put you in control. Presented by Dan Trotter of Edward Jones. Please register.

Tuesday, January 14 (6:30-8 p.m.) Weaving with 3D Printed Looms – Learn beginner level weaving techniques and patterns in this class where we will be using looms made with the Makerspace 3D printers. Looms will be pre-printed for this class and free to take home to complete your project or start anew! If you have interest in using the Makerspace in the future, please bring your photo ID and WPPL library card so we can complete your Makerspace User Agreement at the beginning of the class. Registration begins January 7.

Tuesday, January 14 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) Accessorizing Your Wardrobe – A scarf or jewelry can change or enhance your outfit. Learn three ways to tie scarves and different ways to wear jewelry for different looks. Registration begins January 7.

Tuesday, January 14 (7-8 p.m.) Let’s Talk! Spanish Language Social Hour (¡Hablemos! Hora social en Español) – Meet other fluent Spanish speakers for informal conversation. Light refreshments provided. Enjoy self-directed conversation and camaraderie. Those attending should be comfortable holding a conversation in the language. Caregivers are welcome to bring their children and can participate in conversation while supervising their child(ren). Please register.

Tuesday January 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 “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. 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. Please register.

Wednesday, January 15 (2-3 p.m.) Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion – The Wednesday Book Group meets the third Wednesday of each month. This month’s title is “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick. No registration required.

Wednesday, January 15 (3-4:30 p.m.) Finding Your Ancestors’ Military Service – The Fold 3 database contains military information and records dating back to the Revolutionary War and up to the Afghan War. Join our local history librarian as they provide an introduction to the database and how one can begin to search and find information about ancestors’ military service. Please register.

Wednesdays, January 15 and 29 (7-7:30 p.m.) and Saturdays, January 18 and 25 (10:30-11 a.m.) Family Storytime – Join us for rhymes, songs and play! Children are welcome to wear their pajamas and bring along a stuffed animal! Ages 2-6 with a caregiver. No registration required.

Wednesday, January 15 (7-8 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: TJ Klune – “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” – Come have a magical moment with “New York Times” bestselling author TJ Klune as he chats about his Cerulean Chronicles, with special emphasis on his newest in the series, “Somewhere Beyond the Sea.” Please register.

Thursday, January 16 (3-4 p.m.) Intro to Google Workspace – Take a tour of Google Workspace, a suite of free, web-based productivity apps that can replace paid office software. Learn how to collaborate and share files using the Google app ecosystem. A short presentation will be followed by a hands-on session where attendees can play around with google apps with some guidance. Already having a Gmail account is recommended for this class. Registration begins January 9.

Thursday, January 16 (7-7:45 p.m.) Inclusion Crafts for Adults – Get crafty here with us or at home! Register and stop in to complete a craft with adults of all abilities. Can’t make it in? Register to pick up a kit. For adults with disabilities and their peers. Please register each person completing a craft individually. Those wanting to pick up a craft will receive an email with pick up details. Some typical materials such as glue or scissors may be required to complete a craft at home. Registration begins January 9.

Friday, January 17 (4-5 p.m.) and Sunday, January 26 (2-3 p.m.) Brick Builders – Do you love Legos^©? Then bring your ideas and imagination to Brick Builders! Bricks provided. No registration is required, but room capacity is limited. First come, first served. Ages 5-12.

Saturday, January 18 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Winnie the Pooh Day – Join us in celebrating National Winnie the Pooh Day, honoring the birthday of his creator, A.A. Milne! Stop by the Youth Services area for activities and crafts featuring this beloved bear and his friends from the Hundred Acre Woods. All ages.  No registration required.

Saturday, January 18 (11 a.m.-Noon) “Rescue” Your Space and Mind by Decluttering – Join Chris Lotenero and Peg Shumate to discover how to begin your decluttering journey, get organized, and let go of the stuff that holds you back. After going through their own cancer journeys, Chris and Peg created this class to teach others what they learned about freeing ourselves of stuff so that we can move on and enjoy living. Please register.

Sunday, January 19 (2-3 p.m.) Come Play With Me – Open playtime for children ages 2-5 with a caring adult. Siblings welcome! No registration required.

Monday, January 20 (1-2 p.m.) True Crime Book Club – This month we’ll discuss “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer” by Michelle McNamara. Please register.

Tuesdays, January 21 (3:30-5 p.m.) Teen Anime Club – Are you a teen who loves anime and manga? Watch a few episodes, play games, and have fun with your friends at Teen Anime Club! Grades 7-12. No registration necessary.

Tuesday, January 21 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) Let’s Sign! American Sign Language Social Hour – Meet other fluent ASL signers for informal self-directed conversation and camaraderie. Light refreshments will be provided. Those attending should be comfortable holding a conversation in the language. Caregivers are welcome to bring their children and can participate in conversation while supervising their child(ren). Please note that this event is not facilitated by library staff. Registration begins December 23.

Tuesday, January 22 (11-11:45 a.m.) Adult Stories and Crafts – Adults with disabilities are invited to laugh, sing and listen to stories, along with a craft or a coloring page. Registration begins January 15.

Wednesday, January 22 (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. Email account required. Participants under the age of 14 must have a parent or legal guardian with them in class. Please register.

Thursday, January 23 (2-3 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Amanda Montell, “The Age of Magical Overthinking” – In a delicious blend of cultural criticism and personal narrative that explores our cognitive biases and the power, disadvantages, and highlights of magical thinking, Amanda Montell now turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind. Please register.

Friday, January 24 (10-10:30 a.m.) Handprint Snowflake – Help your child create a precious memory—a handprinted snowflake picture! For children ages 3-7 years old with caregivers. For children who may not be successful at typical crafts and their peers. Please note that the craft involves spreading nontoxic, washable paint on children’s hands. A sink and wipes will be provided. Please dress accordingly. Registration begins January 17.

Saturday, January 25 (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. No registration required.

Tuesday, January 28 (7-8 p.m.) Virtual Author Talk: Seth Fishman – “The Publishing Process” – Seth Fishman is the VP and an agent at the Gernert Company. He is also the author of several children’s books. Seth represents adult authors in the publication process and will be chatting about the road to publication. Please register.

Wednesday, January 29 (7–8 p.m.) Creative Writing Group: New Year Edition – Join us for an hour of writing prompts to inspire you to keep writing. Creativity is more than putting pen to paper. It’s about breaking away and trying something new! Age 16 and up welcome. Please register.

Thursday, January 30 (7-7:45 p.m.) Breakout! Five Nights at Freddy’s – Can you survive five nights at Freddy’s? Work together, solve the clues, and escape with your life! For grades 3-6. Registration begins January 23.

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