Next month’s roster of activities at East County Regional Library offers topics for all ages. The following activities are free to the public:
Adult Programs
East County Craft Club: Vision Planner
2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4
This month Craft Club will get ready for the new year with vision planners, a fun spin on vision boards. Supplies provided. Consider bringing items you may want to incorporate like personal photos and more to create a bespoke vision planner. Registration required. This program is intended for ages 18 and up. In-person attendance closes 15 minutes into program.
Let’s Play: Chess & More
3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 13, 27
Calling gaming enthusiasts of all ages. Join friends and friendly competitors alike for games of strategy, chance and fun. Bring your own game or choose from the library’s collection of chess sets, card games, board games, role playing games and more. Chess instruction will be available the first Monday of each month from 3-4 p.m.
Book Discussion: “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6
Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel, a young German girl whose book-stealing and storytelling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.
English Café
6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29
Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students.
Knit and Stitch
5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 22
A casual, self-guided group of knitters and crocheters that join together to share projects, ideas and techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects and tools. Basic materials and supplies are available for newcomers.
Amelia Earhart: Pioneer in Aviation
2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11
Amelia Earhart is performed by actor Sheryl Faye, who has been bringing stories of historical women to life uniquely and memorably for over a decade.
Even as a child, Amelia Earhart’s fearless, adventuresome spirit is evident by hair-raising rides on her homemade rollercoaster and her fascination with the wonder of a new “flying machine” she learns about on a family vacation to the Iowa State Fair. Although considering a career in medicine, her $1 trip in an airplane sparks a passion for flying and the science of aviation. Amelia follows her dreams with an indomitable spirit and her inspiring story reinforces the importance of family, respect for the individuality of others and the pursuit of budding inspirations. Registration is required.
Download Drop-In
11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16
Receive personalized help downloading eBooks, eAudioBooks, movies, music and more from Libby/OverDrive and hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s largest online content providers. Support also will be available to registered users of the National Library Service’s Braille and Audio Reading Download service (BARD) which is provided through Home Borrower Services and Lee County Talking Books.
Note: Attendees should bring their preferred, charged device (tablet, phone, e-reader, etc.) along with any passwords needed to download apps. Kindle users also must have an Amazon account and password. Patrons interested in BARD should contact Talking Books at 239-533-4780 before attending to ensure they have an active account or find out how to set one up.
Children’s Programs
Let’s Play: Chess & More
3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 13, 27
Calling gaming enthusiasts of all ages. Join friends and friendly competitors alike for games of strategy, chance and fun. Bring your own game or choose from the library’s collection of chess sets, card games, board games, role playing games and more. Chess instruction will be available the first Monday of each month from 3-4 p.m.
New Year’s Bubble Dance Party
6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8
Celebrate the New Year at the library. Families with children through age 5 years are invited to dance, sing and play with bubbles. Dress up is always encouraged, but not required.
Build-It: Origami
3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7
Welcome to the magical world of Japanese folklore. Presenter Sari Fujimaru will walk you through how to transform ordinary origami paper into a shapeshifting fox, a Shrek-like goblin, or another supernatural creature of your choice. You can take home what your make or contribute your 3D design to our monthly Build-It display in the library’s lobby. This program is intended for children ages 6-11 years. Can’t make the event? Stop by Youth Services and build with our materials anytime on your own. We’ll add your creation to our display.
Kids Read Down Fines
3 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29
11 a.m. – Noon Saturday, Jan. 11
Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card.
Read to Dogs
11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11
Practice your literacy skills with a furry friend. Children ages 6-11 years are invited to select a book to read aloud and then join our registered therapy dog and their owner/handler on the storytime carpet for gentle pets and stories. Children can use this time to read down fines or develop a love of reading in relaxed atmosphere.
Sensory Playdate: Winter
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15
It’s time for a winter-themed sensory playdate. We’ll have an assortment of sensory toys, activities and music to encourage a fun bonding experience for families and for children to make new friends. For ages 2-5 years.
Family Storytime (Babies & Toddlers)
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 28
For children ages through age 36 months and caregivers. Wiggle and giggle with your littles during this interactive storytime that uses stories, music, movement and rhymes to support early literacy skills. Each program offers literacy tips and strategies for parents that encourage language skills and stimulate brain development, setting the foundation for reading success.
Elementary Vision Boards
3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21
Trying to manifest a great year? Create a vision board to bring your New Year’s goals, dreams and aspirations into reality. If you want to bring anything specific to add to your board like photos, quotes or stickers, please do so. All other supplies will be provided. For kids in grades K-5.
Family Storytime
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 29
6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27
For children through age 5 years and caregivers. Families with young children enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movement.
Preschool Storytime
10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27
For ages 3-5 years. Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby.
Teen Programs
Let’s Play: Chess & More
3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 13, 27
Calling gaming enthusiasts of all ages. Join friends and friendly competitors alike for games of strategy, chance and fun. Bring your own game or choose from the library’s collection of chess sets, card games, board games, role playing games and more. Chess instruction will be available the first Monday of each month from 3-4 p.m.
Library Teen Talk
2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7
2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29
2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9
High school teens are invited to the library for a discussion about current events, everyday life, library resources and more. Teens will be encouraged to post an answer to a weekly question while socializing and making new friends.
Build-It: Origami
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7
Did you know that astronauts, deep sea explorers and police squads use origami technology in their work? The designs you can sculpt out of paper are endless. Join presenter Sari Fujimaru as she shares the ancient art form of origami then work to transform your origami paper into fun and unique creations. You can take home what you make or contribute your design to our monthly Build-It display in the library’s lobby. This program is intended for middle school students ages 11-13 years.
Can’t make the event? Stop by Youth Services and build with our materials anytime on your own. We’ll add your creation to our display.
Kids Read Down Fines
3 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29
11 a.m. – Noon Saturday, Jan. 11
Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card.
Amelia Earhart: Pioneer in Aviation
2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11
Amelia Earhart is performed by actor Sheryl Faye, who has been bringing stories of historical women to life uniquely and memorably for over a decade.
Even as a child, Amelia Earhart’s fearless, adventuresome spirit is evident by hair-raising rides on her homemade rollercoaster and her fascination with the wonder of a new “flying machine” she learns about on a family vacation to the Iowa State Fair. Although considering a career in medicine, her $1 trip in an airplane sparks a passion for flying and the science of aviation. Amelia follows her dreams with an indomitable spirit and her inspiring story reinforces the importance of family, respect for the individuality of others and the pursuit of budding inspirations. Registration is required.
Teen Thursday: High School Movie
2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16
High school teens are invited to sit back and enjoy a movie together. Bring your friends and some snacks, including drinks with covers. Teens will vote on which of four movies will be shown at the start of the program. Movie ratings range from G to PG-13.
Middle School Vision Boards
4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21
Trying to manifest a great year? Create a vision board to bring your New Year’s goals, dreams and aspirations into reality. If you want to bring anything specific to add to your board like photos, quotes and stickers, please do so. All other supplies will be provided. For grades 6-8.
Teen Thursday: Shell Craft
2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23
Create an ex-shell-ent masterpiece. Use our shell supply to design a unique, one-of-a-kind hanging shell craft to spruce up your space at home or, bring along something you own that you want to accessorize. Open to teens in grades 9-12.
Middle School Game Day
4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28
Game on, middle schoolers. We’ll have a selection of board games, video games, card games and more to play at the library. Challenge each other to friendly competitions or relax and catch up over a game of your choosing. You can also bring your own games to play and food and covered drinks to enjoy. This event is open to middle school-aged kids in grades 6-8.
Teen Thursday: High School Game Day
2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30
Game on, high schoolers. We’ll have a selection of board games, video games, card games and more to play at the library. Challenge each other to friendly competitions or relax and catch up over a game of your choosing. You can also bring your own games to play and food and covered drinks to enjoy. This event is open to high school-aged teens in grades 9-12.
The East County Regional Library is located at 881 Gunnery Road in Lehigh Acres. For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at (239) 533-4200. Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www.leelibrary.net to find out about programs at other locations. Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at (239) 479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program.
