Library News

Closed for Labor Day

We will be closed on Saturday, August 30 and Monday September 1 for the Labor Day Holiday.  Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

More Painting Closures

The interior painting continues here, and next week it’s moving downstairs.  To protect our youngest patrons from tripping hazards and stray pans of paint, our lower level will be closed on September 2 and 3.  The upper level will be open as usual. 

Chairs for Sale

Thanks to a generous gift from Richard Hanley, we have replaced all the patron seating in the library, and now we are overflowing with excess chairs!  So starting this week, we will be selling all the old chairs for $5 each--first come, first served.  The chairs will be in the upstairs apse area, if you want to take advantage of this opportunity to own a piece of the library.  Please note: these chairs have been well-loved for decades, so you'll probably want to apply some wood glue to the joints to make sure you can enjoy them for decades to come. 

Quilling Club

Quilling has been around since at least the 15^th century, yet this technique of creating artwork from paper manages to remain fresh! The library has a drop-in quilling club that meets on the second Wednesday of each month—September 10, October 8, and November 12—from 6:30-7:30.  All skill levels are welcome.  Bring your own supplies or use some of ours to work on projects together, show each other new techniques, and share ideas.

Harvest Blooms

Brighten up any space with cheerful sunflowers made to hang - perfect for doors, walls, or windows and full of rustic charm! This take-and-make bag will be available on September 12.  Registration is required. Ages 16 & up. 

Children’s and Teen

LITTLES

Munch your way through storytime this fall with Miss Anna! Tiny Tots (ages 2 & under) and their caregivers will explore tasty tales, sing-along songs, and new sensory activities celebrating fruits, veggies, snacks, and more. Storytime at the library will be every other Friday at 10:00 a.m. starting October 3. Busy on Friday mornings? Grab one of our monthly caregiver packets and follow along to our videos to learn all about food from your own living room! Registration begins Monday, September 15.

This fall, Book Cubs Storytime is crawling with fun! Join Miss Jamie as we explore the strange and fascinating world of Creepy Crawly Creatures—from buzzing bees to sneaky spiders and everything in between. This storytime is perfect for curious Book Cubs (ages 3-5) and their caregivers to discover tiny creatures that crawl and buzz all around us. Wiggle your way to the Youth Desk to register and join us every other Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. beginning September 24. If you can't make it in person, you can sign up for our Take-and-Make Bag supplies starting Monday, September 15.

Let your little one, ages 5 & under, become a mad scientist during Virtual STEM Club Littles Edition: Crystal Magic. Learn all about chemistry while we mix our ingredients together and geology as we examine our finished crystals! Register for a Take-and-Make bag starting Thursday, September 25.

MIDDLES

Calling all creative minds ages 8–12! Love drawing, writing stories, making comics, or just sharing your ideas? Come join Scribble Press! Each session, we’ll make our very own mini-magazines (called zines!) filled with art, jokes, adventures, and anything else your imagination dreams up. Meetings will be Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. September 11, October 9, and November 13. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and creativity!

What do you get when you combine yarn, paper, time, and some creativity? Your very own woven bowl! Middles (ages 6-12) can register for Weave It To Me Take-and-Make bags beginning Friday, September 12. Learn the weaving technique and in no time you’ll have a finished bowl to store all sorts of trinkets!

Read to Reagan this fall! Our furry friend from Love On A Leash will be back in the library supporting our young readers during Barks for Books. Patrons, ages 6-12, can register for 15-minute time slots Saturday, September 20 October 18, and November 8 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Call us today at 517-647-6981 to register. Practice reading while getting some love from our pup pal!

During Virtual STEM Club: Breezy Builders, Middles patrons (ages 6-12) will learn how moving air can be turned into usable energy by building a mini windmill. Register for a Take-and-Make bag beginning Wednesday, September 17 –- we’ll explore how blades capture wind, how motion can generate power, and why wind energy is an important renewable resource!

TEENS

Page Turners chose Jandy Nelson’s award-winning novel "I’ll Give You the Sun" — a breathtaking story of love, loss, and the tangled bond between twins — as their book to read for the fall quarter. Told in alternating perspectives between artistic, fiery Jude and her introspective brother Noah, this gut wrenching novel explores identity, family, first love, and the way art can both divide and heal. You are not going to want to miss this one! Sign up at the Youth Desk beginning Thursday, September 4 and grab your free copy of the book. Space is limited to 10 teens (13-18). Meetings are at 11:00 a.m. Saturdays October 25 and November 15. Snacks, drinks, and good vibes provided.

It’s a Bling Thing – September's Teen Art Hour has a kit for teens who love cute animals and a little sparkle! Each Take-and-Make bag comes packed with everything you need to create your own gem-covered masterpiece, featuring an adorable animal design. Just peel, place, and shine! No mess, no stress—just a fun, creative project you can do at your own pace. Register for yours by calling 517-647-6981 or stop by the Youth Desk to sign up starting Thursday, September 4. Space is limited to 12 teens,13-18.

Are you a creative teen with a passion for storytelling, social media, or making videos? The Teen Advisory Board is calling all content creators to help launch and grow our brand-new YouTube newscast! We're laser focused on showcasing the library's awesome teen programs and events. We need your ideas, energy, and vision. Meetings are Wednesday, September 17 at 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays October 25 and November 15 at 12:00 p.m. in the Community Room. What are you waiting for? Be a part of the fun! TAB welcomes all teens, ages 13-18. Stop by the Youth Desk and register today.

Teens, need a way to unwind or relieve the stress of school? Portland District Library has your back! Drop into the Community Room with Play It Forward, the ultimate club for teens (13-18) who love games. Flex your gaming skills with a classic board game or through an epic video game challenge. Play games, eat food, have fun! Play It Forward meets Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on September 30, October 28, and November 25. Registration is not required.

Lit Loot is in full swing! What is Lit Loot? It is a monthly subscription box for teens (13-18) that contains 2 books (that you read and return) and curated loot (that you get to keep)- from stickers, to crafts, to snacks and more! There is a new genre each month: October - Historical Fiction, November - Supernatural, December - Non-Fiction. Sign up today at the Youth Desk for your 3 month subscription and let your next chapter begin!

ALL AGES

The Haunted Harvest Carnival is creeping its way into the library on Friday, October 24 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.! This all-ages event requires a ticket for entry, which can be picked up at the Youth Desk starting Monday, October 6. Ticket times include: 6:00, 6:20, and 6:40. Tickets are first come, first served; there are a limited number available for each time slot. Dress in your favorite costume for the photo contest, trick-or-treat throughout the library, see what your future holds, spin the prize wheel, and more spooky fun. Don’t forget to redeem your ticket punches for prizes before heading home!