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, Oct. 2, 9, 16
Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students.
Chess Anyone?
2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
Rise to the chess challenge and join the fun. Chess enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. Bring your own chess set or use one of ours.
Book Discussion: “The Women” by Kristin Hannah
3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7
In 1965, nursing student Frankie McGrath, after hearing the words “Women can be heroes, too,” impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows her brother to Vietnam where she is overwhelmed by the destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed and politically divided America.
Download Drop-In
11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, 22
Receive personalized help downloading e-books, movies, music and more from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s largest online content providers. Bring your fully charged digital device for this hands-on help session. Note: Please bring any passwords you may need for downloading apps. Kindle users will also need an Amazon account and their password for accessing it.
Knit and Stitch
5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, 23
A casual, self-guided group of knitters and crocheters 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: Pumpkin Spice Soap
2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
This month the East County Craft Club will get ready for cooler fall weather by making pumpkin spice soap. Crafters will start with soap base and add colorant, scented oil, and more to make melt and pour soap bars that will match the season’s most popular flavor and scent. Registration is required. This program is intended for ages 18 and up. In person attendance closes 15 minutes into program.
Family Movie
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Everyone is invited to the library for a family friendly movie. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and covered drinks. Rated PG.
Children’s Programs
Baby and Toddler Storytime
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 8, 15
For babies up to 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 helpful strategies to continue encouraging language and motor skill development at home.
Build-It: Monsters
3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1
Use your imagination to build. Create a monster using some of our engineering toys like Brain Flakes, Lego and more. We’ll put your 3D design on display for viewing until our next build-it event. Can’t make it? Stop by Youth Services and build with our materials anytime. We’ll add your creation to the display. For ages 5-11 years.
Family Storytime
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9, 16
6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, 14
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 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m. – Noon Saturday, Oct. 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, Oct. 7, 14
For ages 3-5 years. Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby.
Chess Anyone?
2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
Rise to the chess challenge and join the fun. Chess enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. Bring your own chess set or use one of ours.
Read to Dogs
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Join us at the library for reading to dogs. The dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team to help improve the literacy skills of children. Children can read down fines or just develop a love of reading through reading to dogs.
Sensory Playdate: Alphabet Island
10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
Enjoy a special sensory play date that promotes social skills, fine motor skills and helps develop early literacy skills. Sensory toys, activities and music will be available to encourage a fun bonding experience for families and for children to make new friends. For ages 2-5 years.
Kids Not-So-Scary Storytime
3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22
If you enjoy spooky stories, come to the library for thrills and chills. After storytime, make a fun fall craft. For grades K-5.
Mystery Craft Redo
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23
Want to recreate a favorite craft or explore one that you missed? Families with children through age 5 years are welcome to sample a variety of favorite crafts from recent storytimes.
Family Movie
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Everyone is invited to the library for a family friendly movie. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and covered drinks. Movie title is subject to change. Rated PG.
Kids Spooktacular Face Painting
1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28
Elementary aged kids are invited to get their face painted by Krafty Kate. Will you go ghoulish or glamorous? Check-in at the Youth Services Desk as space is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Not into face painting? All participants can design their own monstrous Perler Bead creation instead.
Costume Bubble Dance Party
6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30
Families with children through age 5 years are invited to dance, sing and play with bubbles. Costumes are not required but strongly encouraged.
Costume & Treat Parade: Drop-In
9 a.m. – Noon Thursday, Oct. 31
Families with children through age 5 years are invited to parade through the library together to show off their costumes and collect a small treat from each Service Desk, while supplies last. Costumes are not required but strongly encouraged.
Teen Programs
Kids Read Down Fines
3 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 a.m. – Noon Saturday, Oct. 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.
Library Teen Talk
2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 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.
Chess Anyone?
2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
Rise to the chess challenge and join the fun. Chess enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. Bring your own chess set or use one of ours.
Middle School Game Day
5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8
Open to all middle schoolers. Bring your own snacks and covered drinks to enjoy during the event. We’ll have board games, video games, card games and more on hand to play. This event is for teens in grades 6-8.
Teen Thursday: Teen Advisory Group (TAG)
2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10
Be a part of the East County Regional Library’s Teen Advisory Group (TAG) and help make your library’s teen area the place to be. TAG members assist with program planning, suggest book titles and help create displays in the teen area. Service-learning hours and light snacks will be provided. For ages 12-17 years.
Middle School Spooky Movie
5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15
Middle schoolers are invited to sit back and enjoy a movie. Bring your friends and some snacks, including covered drinks. Please call the East County Regional Library for the movie title before the event. Movie ratings range from G – PG. This program is open to teens in grades 6 – 8. Space is limited.
Teen Thursday: High School Scary Movie
2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
High school teens are invited to sit back and enjoy a scary movie. Bring your friends and some snacks, including drinks with covers. Teens will vote on which of four scary movies will be shown at the start of the program. Movie ratings range from G – PG-13.
Teen Thursday: Open Mic Challenge
2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24
Show off your skills in front of the library. 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. All attendees are eligible for prizes and performers have the opportunity to win even more.
Family Movie
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Everyone is invited to the library for a family friendly movie. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and covered drinks. Movie title is subject to change. Rated PG.
Jekyll & Hyde Transformations
Noon – 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28
Middle and high school teens are invited to give themselves, or their friends, a makeover with the makeup provided. Whether you choose to go gruesome or gorgeous in style, is up to you. Not into makeup? All participants can also design and create their own monstrous Perler Bead creation throughout the event.
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.
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