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, Sept. 2, 16, 23, 30
Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students.
Knit and Stitch
5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 23
A casual, self-guided group for knitting, crochet and other needle arts. Join in to share projects, ideas and techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects and tools. Basic materials and supplies are available for newcomers.
1920s America
Noon Friday, Sept. 11
Historian, author, educator and entertainer Steve Vadespino, M.A., brings history to life through an exciting audiovisual journey of 1920s America as he explores Prohibition, bootleggers, jazz, flappers, speakeasies, automobiles, literature, sports, film, radio and more. Registration is required.
East County Craft Club: Felt Wreaths
2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
This month the East County Craft Club will make felt wreaths in fall colors. Crafters will decorate the wreath with ribbon and felt flowers and more to make a stunning piece fit to hang. Registration is required. This program is intended for teens and adults. In-person attendance closes 15 minutes into the program.
Let’s Play
2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 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, Wii and more.
Download Drop-In
11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17
Receive personalized help downloading e-books, eAudioBooks, movies, music and more from Libby/OverDrive and hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s popular 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 favorite tablet, e-reader or phone. Be sure it’s fully charged and have your passwords for downloading apps available. 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
Build-It
4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1
Use your imagination to build. Create a 3D design using our engineering toys and we’ll put it on display for viewing all month long. This program is intended for children ages 6-11 years. Can’t make it? Stop by Youth Services and build with our materials anytime. We’ll add your creation to our display.
Kids Read Down Fines
3–7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m. – Noon Saturday, Sept. 12
Children and teens with overdue fines can reduce their fine by $2 for every 15 minutes they read during this program. Each child can earn up to a maximum of $8 in one session. Credit may be applied to overdue fines on cards issued to patrons under the age of 18 as well as overdue fines for juvenile and teen materials checked out on their behalf on adult cards. Credit earned may only be used for overdue fines. Please bring your library card and check in at youth desk.
Baby Playgroup
11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29
Play is a great way to help develop and reinforce social skills, motor skills and early literacy skills. This come-and-go program is designed to give caregivers and their little ones time to explore together and make new friends. A variety of age-appropriate toys, games, and board books will be provided to create a fun and engaging experience. For babies through age 18 months. This is a self-directed, informal program with minimal staff direction. Space is limited, please arrive on time.
Family Storytime
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29
6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 21, 28
For children through age 5 years with caregiver. Enjoy books, rhymes, songs and activities. This fun and engaging program offers kids a chance to make friends and build skills through stories, music and movement. Caregivers participate with their children while learning helpful early literacy strategies and tips to continue at home.
Book Buzz
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8
It’s readers’ choice. Share your favorite book, listen to what others are reading, or just hang out and read quietly. Learn about our monthly Teens Read & Win contest and how you can participate. Entries for this month’s drawing will be accepted and we will announce our prize winners. Entries can be turned in anytime the library is open at the Young Adult Services Desk throughout the month. Prizes for this program have been generously provided by the Friends of the East County Regional Library. Open to tweens and teens ages 11–18 years.
Preschool Storytime
10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30
For children ages 3-5 years. Your preschooler will build relationships, meet new friends and develop school readiness skills. This fun and interactive storytime fosters independent thinking and a lifelong love of learning through reading, talking, singing, writing and playing. Children attend this program independently while caregivers wait nearby.
Read to Dogs
11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Join us at the library and read to dogs. These registered therapy animals volunteer with their owner/handler as a team to help kids practice reading. Participating children can read down their fines or just have fun reading to these furry friends. Bring your own book or find a favorite from the library collection. Open to children ages 6-11 years.
Let’s Play
2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 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, Wii and more.
Teen Programs
Library Teen Talk
2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Socialize, make new friends and chat with other teens. While here you‘ll be encouraged to share your opinion on a topic like current events, everyday life, library resources and more by staff roaming the space. Responses will be displayed. Open to ages 12-18 years.
Kids Read Down Fines
3–7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m. – Noon Saturday, Sept. 12
Children and teens with overdue fines can reduce their fine by $2 for every 15 minutes they read during this program. Each child can earn up to a maximum of $8 in one session. Credit may be applied to overdue fines on cards issued to patrons under the age of 18 as well as overdue fines for juvenile and teen materials checked out on their behalf on adult cards. Credit earned may only be used for overdue fines. Please bring your library card and check in at youth desk.
Teen Thursday: Iris Paper Folding
2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3
This simple craft technique involves folding strips of colored paper within a template to create a multidimensional work of art. It may look complicated but it‘s simple to replicate. Supplies are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Open to ages 12-18 years.
Book Buzz
4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8
Share your favorite book, listen to what others are reading, or just hang out and read quietly. Learn about our monthly Teens Read & Win contest and how you can participate. Entries for this month‘s drawing will be accepted and we will announce our prize winners. Entries can be turned in anytime the library is open at the Young Adult Services Desk throughout the month. Prizes for this program have been provided by the Friends of the East County Regional Library. Open to tweens and teens ages 11–18 years.
Teen Thursday: Pickle This
2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10
At this hands-on workshop led by Lee County 4-H, teens will learn how to turn fresh cucumbers into crunchy quick pickles with no canning required. Participants will explore the basics of food safety, flavor building and simple kitchen science. By the end, they’ll have the skills and confidence to pickle just about anything. Open to ages 12-18 years.
Let’s Play
2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 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, Wii and more.
Teen Thursday: Open Mic Challenge
2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17
Show off your talent. Sing, recite poetry, play an instrument and more as part of our open mic challenge. Not ready to stand up in front of an audience? Support your friends and the other performers as a member of the audience and then vote on your favorite performance at the end of the show. Open to ages 12-18 years.
Teen Thursday: Find the Killer Game
2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24
One of our beloved librarians has been unalived and it‘s up to you to discover who the culprit is. Each participant will assume a role, but not everyone is who they claim to be. Find the culprit by figuring out who‘s facts don‘t add up and win a prize button. Open to ages 12-18 years.
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.
