Library News

Chairs for Sale

We still have some library chairs for sale 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.  There are chairs of different types and for all ages, so come on in and take a look!  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. 

Get Your Pom Pom On

Is there anything better than a pom pom to bring joy to your life?  On September 24 at 6:30 p.m. we will be using frames and these fuzzy, cheerful orbs to make fun framed pieces.  Whether you’re feeling autumnal or rainbow-bright, you’ll end up with a work of art guaranteed to lift your mood.  Registration is required, ages 15 and up.

Pine Cone Floral Wreath

Celebrate fall with a handcrafted touch! Create a unique 14-inch grapevine wreath adorned with vibrant, hand-painted pine cone flowers and greenery—perfect for adding seasonal charm to your front door. Sign up anytime to reserve your kit. Pickup begins October 2nd — all materials included in your wreath-making bag! Ages 16 and 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. October 9 and November 13. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and creativity!

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.

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 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.

How strong are magnets, really? In Virtual STEM Club Teen Edition: Magnet Strength, you’ll stack and test multiple magnets to see just how much weight they can hold before they give way. Patrons 13-18 will experiment and discover the surprising power (and limits!) of magnetic force—no superpowers required.  Grab your Take-and-Make bag beginning Tuesday, September 22.

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!