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
Knit and Stitch
5 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 22
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.
English Café
6 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 15, 22, 29
Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students.
East County Craft Club: Mosaics
2 p.m. Saturday, July 11
This month the East County Craft Club will make mosaics. Crafters will use small tiles and glue to create the pattern of their mosaic and then grout it into place. Registration is required. This program is intended for teens and adults. In-person attendance closes 15 minutes into the program.
Download Drop-In
11 a.m. Thursday, July 16
Receive personalized help downloading eBooks, 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.
Cool Board Games: Botany and More
2 p.m. Saturday, July 25
Come inside from the heat and play some cool board games. Learn how to play Botany, a game about collecting plants in the Victorian era.
Children’s Programs
Kids Read Down Fines
3 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
11 a.m. – Noon Saturday, July 11
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 the Youth Desk.
Jurassic Mini Golf
6 p.m. Monday, July 6
Calling all junior golfers. Let’s play golf inside the library. For families with children through age 11 years. Due to the popularity of the event, space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive on time as this program starts promptly at 6 p.m.
Mr. Glen and the Readers of the Lost Book
11 a.m. Tuesday, July 7
Join Mr. Glen on his quest to repair a childhood storybook where the pages have been strewn throughout the world. Learn about fossils, landforms, geology, and earth’s place in the galaxy. Using simple machines, we will solve problems and reveal the locations of each missing page in this adventurous summer reading program. For ages 6-11 years. Registration is required and is guaranteed only until the start of the program. Children attend independently. Parents are welcome to join once the program begins as space allows.
Community Helper Storytime: Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District
11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8
Celebrate America250 by meeting the Firefighters of Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District. We will read a few favorite firetruck stories and children will be able to meet a firefighter in full bunker gear while exploring the fire engine. Open to families with children through age 5 years. Due to the popularity of the event, space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive on time as this program starts promptly at 11 a.m.
Read to Dogs
11 a.m. Saturday, July 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.
Family Movie Night
6 p.m. Monday, July 13
Families are invited to join us for a family-friendly movie night at the library. We’ll provide snacks, while supplies last, or you can bring your own. This movie is rated PG. Due to the popularity of the event, space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive on time as this program starts promptly at 6 p.m.
Unearth a Story with Windell Campbell
11 a.m. Tuesday, July 14
Experience the art of puppetry with the art of storytelling. This summer reading program uses songs, props and audience participation to bring stories to life. For ages 6-11 years. Registration is required and is guaranteed only until the start of the program. Children attend independently. Parents are welcome to join once the program begins as space allows.
Cookie Excavation
11 a.m. Wednesday, July 15
Enjoy a STEM activity designed for littles and their families. Learn how to “excavate” chocolate chips and more from a cookie to understand how archaeologists carefully remove artifacts from the ground. Young explorers beware: the cookies are for experimenting, not eating. Open to families with children through age 5 years. Space is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please plan to arrive on time as this program starts promptly at 11 a.m.
End of Summer Bubble Dance Party
6 p.m. Monday, July 20
Families with children through 11 years are invited to dance, sing and play with bubbles. Space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive on time as this program starts promptly at 6 p.m.
Big Stories, Big Science with IMAG
11 a.m. Tuesday, July 21
IMAG joins the library for a fiery summer reading program. Get ready for a messy, hair-raising, explosive, freezing and thrilling show. Watch IMAG create colorful fireballs, ignite giant Whoosh Tubes, light bubbles on fire in their hands, erupt a giant bubbling Nitrogen cloud, create arcs of lightning with their Van de Graaff Machine and more. For ages 6-11 years. Registration is required and is guaranteed only until the start of the program. Children attend independently. Parents are welcome to join once the program begins as space allows.
Bubble Dance Party Explosion
11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22
Get ready to wiggle, play with bubbles and take lots pictures at our dinosaur-themed dance. Enjoy an extra special volcano explosion station. Dressing like dinosaurs and explorers is not required but strongly encouraged. Open to families with children through age 5 years. Space is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please plan to arrive on time as this program starts promptly at 11 a.m.
Teen Programs
Kids Read Down Fines
3 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
11 a.m. – Noon Saturday, July 11
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 the Youth Desk.
Dragon Vision Art
11 a.m. Thursday, July 9
Guided by local artist, Mrs. M of icancreateart, hone your drawing skills by creating a zoomed-in, textured view of a dragon’s eye using pens, markers and watercolors. Open to teens ages 12-18 years. Registration is required and is guaranteed only until the start of the program. Teens attend independently.
Family Movie Nigh
6 p.m. Monday, July 13
Families are invited to join us for a family-friendly movie night at the library. We’ll provide snacks, while supplies last, or you can bring your own. This movie is rated PG. Space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan to arrive on time as this program starts promptly at 6 p.m.
Dig It: Teen Drama
11 a.m. Thursday, July 16
Using theater games, improv and fun challenges, teens “discover” characters and moments to create short scenes. A playful, low-pressure space to experiment, collaborate and have fun. No experience needed. For ages 12-18 years. Registration is required and is guaranteed only until the start of the program. Teens attend independently.
Anime Hour
11 a.m. Saturday, July 18
Enjoy an hour of anime entertainment, creative expression and lively discussions. This program is specially curated for anime enthusiasts to indulge in their passion for Japanese animation while hanging out among like-minded peers. Snacks provided and cosplay encouraged. At this inaugural meeting we’ll plan future dates throughout the school year. For ages 12-18 years.
Jurassic Mini Golf
11 a.m. Thursday, July 23
Design and build your own Jurassic-themed mini golf holes. Once the course is complete, we’ll test our putting skills by playing through the entire park. For ages 12-18 years. Registration is required and is guaranteed only until the start of the program. Teens attend independently.
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.
