Children’s programs continue at Westchester Public Library
Westchester Public Library will continue with several popular preschool programs this fall. The programs are for different ages and are held at different times to meet the needs of families with young children. Programs are held at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, and Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter. Thomas Library preshcool programs will begin the week of September 8; Hageman Library’s preschool programs will begin the week of September 15. Registration is underway for the programs that require registration.
Play Date is an unstructured playtime for babies newborn to 12 months old (siblings welcome) and their parent or caregiver. Play Date takes place at Hageman Library on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am and then again at 10:30 am. No registration is necessary.
Baby Storytime is an interactive, lap-sit program for babies age 9-24 months and a parent or caregiver at Thomas Library on Wednesdays at 10 am. Build critical pre-reading skills in a fun, stimulating environment. Space is limited, so pre-registration is necessary.
Tickle Tales is a creative, hands-on introduction to books and the library for children 9 months old to 2 years of age and their parent or caregiver. Tickle Tales is held at 10 am or 11 am on Tuesdays at Hageman. Space is limited to 12 per session, so pre-registration is required (register for one time slot only).
Toddler Time is a special story time for children two-three years of age and their parent or caregiver. Hageman Library hosts Toddler Time on Monday mornings at 10 am. Toddler Time is an informal introduction to books and the library which features stories, crafts, music and more. Space is limited so registration is required.
Wiggles & Giggles is a story time for children two-three years of age and their parent or caregiver at Thomas Library on Thursday and Friday mornings at 10 am. At Wiggles & Giggles, interaction between caretaker and child will include book sharing and singing along with Grandma Frankie.
Preschool Story Time is for children four to six years of age and not yet in kindergarten. Sessions are held at Hageman Library on Wednesdays at 10 am. Programs last approximately forty-five minutes and are available on a drop-in basis. Enjoy stories, music, crafts, and adventure! Registration is necessary due to space limitations.
Stories and Kicks for 4, 5, & 6 is a story time program at Thomas Library for children ages 4-6 who are invited to join Miss Pat for exciting stories, silly songs, pretending, dancing, clever crafts, and who knows what else. Miss Pat, storyteller extraordinaire and fun teacher, will lead this hour exploring books and life Tuesday mornings at 10 am. No registration is necessary.
Pajama Jam Storytime will take place at Thomas Library in the Children’s Department on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Families are invited to join Miss Heather and her ukulele for a weekly sing-along on the story quilt. Exposure to music has been proven to boost pre-reading skills, cognitive function, and even socialization and empathy in young children. This half-hour program combines music and storytelling for a fun, interactive storytime for the whole family. No registration is necessary.
Library story time programs are exciting and fun-filled, yet also provide important learning experiences for young children. In addition to listening to stories, sessions also include music, finger plays and stories told in a variety of formats. Programs are built around weekly themes that enlarge children’s knowledge of life and expand their vocabulary.
Listening to stories and learning to follow directions help to build positive attitudes toward books. They also help children develop valuable pre-reading skills. In addition, talking with the storyteller helps children increase their creativity and their ability to comprehend languages and express ideas.
Please call Thomas Library at 926-7696 or Hageman Library at 926-9080 for more information.
Poetry Appreciation Group at Thomas Library
If you enjoy reading poetry, or if you enjoy writing poetry or have always wanted to write poetry, the Poetry Appreciation Group is for you! The group will meet on Monday, September 8, in the Bertha Wood meeting room at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, from 6-8 pm. Registration is not necessary; attendance is free.
Share and discuss the craft of poetry at the Poetry Appreciation Group. The group serves as a forum for learning and discussion of the various forms and techniques of writing poems. Attendees will read and listen to poetry being read aloud by individuals among the group, including published authors’ work and/or original works done by local aspiring amateur poets who may want an audience or a constructive critique.
Those who enjoy reading, writing, or listening to poetry are encouraged to attend. The Poetry Appreciation Group meets on the second Monday of each month.
For more information, call Westchester Public Library, Thomas branch, at 926-7696.
Strum a Chord at Hageman Library
Parents, caregivers, and teachers are invited to register for Strum a Chord, Westchester Public Library’s program for adults. Strum a Chord will take place at Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter on Wednesday afternoons from 4-5 pm. Space is limited so registration is required. Registration is underway.
Join veteran musician and teacher Frankie Cowan as she shares how easy it is to enjoy music with children. Attendees are invited to bring their guitars, ukuleles, or autoharps and learn how many songs may be played with as few as two or three chords.
For more information or to register, call Hageman Library at 926-9080.
Wee Wonders at Hageman Library
Hageman Library, Westchester Public Library’s branch located at 100 Francis Street, Porter, will host Wee Wonders on Friday mornings from 10-10:30 am beginning September 19. This unique program will be led by Suzi Chomel, branch manager, and is for 2 and 3 year olds and their parent or caregiver. Space is limited so registration is necessary. Registration is underway.
Share new discoveries along with the toddlers as they explore their environment using their senses. Senses will be explored using size, shape, texture, weight, and temperature, and more.
Attendees should come dressed for a hands-on experience.
For more information or to register, call Hageman Library at 926-9080.
Knitting Together at the Museum
Area knitters are invited to gather in the Brown Mansion parlor for a cozy afternoon of knitting, conversation, and refreshments on Sunday, September 7, from 1-5 pm for Knitting Together. The program is free of charge and open to the public. Those who crochet or do needlework are also welcome to attend.
The Westchester Township History Museum, a cultural and educational service of Westchester Public Library, is housed in the Brown Mansion at 700 W. Porter Ave., Chesterton. The museum is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 1-5 pm. Groups may make reservations for tours by calling the museum at 983-9715.
For more information about museum programs and events please call 983-9715.
Ten Signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Westchester Public Library and the Alzheimer’s Association will present Know the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia on Saturday, September 6, from 2:30-4:00 p.m. The program will take place in the Bertha Wood meeting room at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton.
Know the 10 Warning Signs is an introductory program that provides attendees with an understanding of the difference between age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s and what to do if they or someone they know has signs of the disease. Attendees will view video footage of real people who are living with the early stages of dementia and their families addressing fears and myths associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. They provide services to those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias, advocate for policy change and research funding, and advance research toward prevention, treatment, and cure. For more information about the Association, visit alz.org/indiana.
For more information about the program, call the library at 926-7696.
Pokeman League at Thomas Library
Children in first grade and above are invited to join Westchester Public Library’s continuing Pokémon League. The league is held in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, from 6:30-8 pm weekly on Tuesday evenings. Registration is not necessary.
Decks are made up of three types of cards, Character, Energy, and Special. All three types of cards are needed to build a deck and to battle. Attendees will learn to make decks of 60 cards as they meet new friends. There is no need to bring anything, unless attendees want to bring a starter pack of cards.
Beth Rutherford, mother of two sons who learned to battle and trade with their cards at a Pokeman League at the Plymouth Library, will lead the League. She likes this activity because it teaches math, strategy, and communication skills – and is not electronic!
For more information or to register, contact the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 926-7696.
Crochet Club Resumes at Thomas Library
Westchester Public Library’s Crochet Club will resume on Wednesday, September 10, from 3:30-4:30. Crochet Club will take place in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, each Wednesday afternoon from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Class size is limited, so registration is required. Children age 9 and up are invited register, even if they attended previous sessions.
Attendees will learn beginning crochet from instructor Sadie Steciuch. Previous participants will be able to practice what they’ve learned and hone their skills. Children are asked to bring a size G crochet hook and a skein of medium weight acrylic yarn.
For more information, contact the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 926-7696.
Wizard of Oz Sing-A-Long Celebration at the Service Center
Join the celebration at Westchester Public Library: The Wizard of Oz turns 75! Families are invited to come to Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, on Friday, September 5, from 6-8 pm for The Wizard of Oz Sing-A-Long, an interactive sing-a-long movie showing. No registration is necessary. Enjoy popcorn while watching.
Come dressed as your favorite character at 6 pm for the costume parade. The first 100 children will receive a “movie fun pack” filled with goodies like bubbles to blow when Glenda graces the screen, lollipops to enjoy during the Lollipop Kids, and more.
Sing along with the words on the screen and enjoy a fun evening with the whole family.
For more information, contact the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 926-7696.