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
English Café
6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 9, 23, 30
Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students.
Book Discussion: “The Mango Tree” by Annabelle Tometich
3:30 p.m. Monday, April 7
In this poignant and deceptively entertaining memoir of growing up as a mixed-race Filipina “nobody” in suburban Florida, the author traces the roots of her upbringing, all the while reckoning with her erratic father’s untimely death in a Fort Myers motel, her fiery mother’s bitter yearning for the country she left behind and her own journey in the pursuit of belonging.
Let’s Play: Chess & More
3 p.m. Monday, April 7, 14, 21, 28
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 is available the first Monday of each month from 3-4 p.m.
Knit and Stitch
5 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 23
A casual, self-guided group of knitters and crocheters that join to share projects, ideas and techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects and tools. Basic materials and supplies are available for newcomers.
East County Craft Club: Bath Bombs
2 p.m. Saturday, April 12
This month the East County Craft Club will make bath bombs. Crafters will learn how to mix and make these hard-as-a-rock bath bombs that fizz and smell great when dropped in water. Registration is required. This program is intended for ages 18 and up. In person attendance closes 15 minutes into program.
Download Drop-In
11 a.m. Thursday, April 17
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.
Ostara: The Rites of Spring Presentation
11 a.m. Friday, April 18
Learn about Ostara, the old Celtic celebration of the vernal (spring) equinox. Learn the myth, science and history behind this old holiday that was a precursor to our modern holiday of Easter.
Children’s Programs
Family Storytime (Babies & Toddlers)
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
For babies and toddlers 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.
Build-It: Buildings
4 p.m. Tuesday, April 1
Use your imagination to build. Create a building using our engineering toys like Brain Flakes, LEGO and more and we’ll put your 3D design on display for viewing. This program is intended for children ages 5-11 years. Can’t make it? Stop by Youth Services and build with our materials anytime. We’ll add your creation to our display.
Family Storytime
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
6 p.m. Monday, April 7, 14, 21, 28
For children through age 5 years and caregivers. Families with young children enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movement.
Kids Read Down Fines
3 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m. Saturday, April 12
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.
Preschool Storytime
10:30 a.m. Monday, April 7, 14, 21, 28
For ages 3 – 5 years. Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby.
Let’s Play: Chess & More
3 p.m. Monday, April 7, 14, 21, 28
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 is available the first Monday of each month from 3-4 p.m.
Read to Dogs
11 a.m. Saturday, April 12
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.
Earth Day Kids Storytime
4 p.m. Tuesday, April 15
Celebrate Earth Day by making and eating a terrarium. As you are eating, feel free to pick out a story that you can read independently or with your family and friends. For kids in grades K-5.
STEAM Team: Earth Day
11 a.m. Saturday, April 26
Calling all tinkerers, creators, makers and inventors. Kids ages 6-11 years are encouraged to join us each month for STEAM Team where we will focus on one or more elements of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) elements through fun, hands-on activities and experiments.
Galaxies in a Jar
4 p.m. Tuesday, April 29
Do you enjoy the mysteries of outer space? Come to the library and make a galaxy in a jar to take home. For grades K-5.
Teen Programs
Library Teen Talk
2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
High school teens are invited to the library for a weekly 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.
Kids Read Down Fines
3 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m. Saturday, April 12
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.
Teen Thursday: Styrofoam Fun
2 p.m. Thursday, April 3
Create your own art using supplies from the library. This month’s creations will use toothpicks and Styrofoam to make models you can decorate. Open to ages 12-18 years.
Let’s Play: Chess & More
3 p.m. Monday, April 7, 14, 21, 28
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 is available the first Monday of each month from 3-4 p.m.
Middle School Game Day
4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8
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: Field Day
2 p.m. Thursday, April 17
Get out and play with a library Field Day. Various challenging races will give you the opportunity to prove you’ve got what it takes to be a champion. This event will take place on the east lawn of the library if weather permits. Open to ages 12-18 years.
Student Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)
4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17
SWAT empowers youth to educate their peers about the tobacco industry. Earn service hours, make a difference, gain leadership skills and more.
Earth Day with Ranger Rob: Amazing Adaptations
4 p.m. Tuesday, April 22
Enjoy a special presentation from naturalist Ranger Rob. His captivating presentation is specially designed for curious minds, bringing the fascinating stories of animals and their unique survival strategies to life. For middle school-aged kids in grades 6-8.
Teen Thursday: High School Game Day
2 p.m. Thursday, April 24
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.
