Portland District Library News

Quilling Club

Have you ever heard of quilling? It is the art of using strips of paper to make different shapes, which can be used to decorate greeting cards, pictures, boxes, and more.  The library has a drop-in quilling club that meets on the second Wednesday of each month—March 12, April 9, and May 14—from 6:00-7:30.  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.

Wear Your Art!

Do you want to submit a piece to Portland Creates but you aren’t sure what to make?  Then this in-person program is for you.  Learn how to make your own colorful, highly personalized epoxy resin jewelry Monday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m.  Whether you decide on a bracelet, earrings, a pendant, or a bold statement necklace, your wearable art will be one of a kind.  Registration is required, ages 16 and up.

Children’s and Teen

LITTLES

Search the world around us for circles, squares, triangles, and more! Storytime this spring will have Tiny Tots (ages 2 & under) and caregivers exploring shapes in new ways. Miss Eileen will lead everyone through learning them, naming them, and spotting them all around. Storytime at the library will be every other Friday at 10:00 am starting March 28. Can’t make it to in-person storytime? Grab one of our monthly caregiver packets and follow along to our storytime videos to begin shape exploration from your own living room! Register beginning Monday, March 10.

Come along with Miss Jamie for a fun adventure to the land of opposites for storytime this spring! Book Cubs (ages 3-5) and their caregivers will learn about the exciting world of contrasts. Run, don't walk, to the Youth Desk to register. Make yourself happy and join us every other Wednesday at 10:00 am beginning March 19. Don't be sad if you can't be with us in person, you can sign up for our Take-And-Make Bag supplies starting Monday, March 10.

Can I hear you say “Hooray for Books!”? Help us shout about our love of reading at Books & Blankets on Thursday, March 20 at 6:00 pm in the Children’s Sensory Garden. Continue the March is Reading Month celebration at home with our activity packs, perfect for children ages 8 & under! Call the library at 517-647-6981 to register!

MIDDLES

Start with a black background, add some pops of color with yarn, and finish it off with white gel pen details! This month’s art project is perfect to create a one-of-a-kind work of art with all the supplies in our Take-and-Make bags. Registration for Middles (ages 6-12) will begin on Friday, March 14. Hang your finished project up at home or submit this into our annual art contest Portland Creates for your chance to win a prize!

Watch science come to life with Virtual STEM Club: Give It a Spin beginning Wednesday, March 19. Our Middles (ages 6-12) can use a pencil, a piece of paper, and a little static electricity to make paper spin like magic! 

Create collage poetry this spring during Write On!, Portland District Library’s young writers club for ages 8-12. Cut, arrange, and paste found words to give them new meaning! Meetings will be Monday from 6:00-7:30 pm March 17, April 14, and May 12. Sign up today at the Youth Desk!

Read aloud to our furry friends from Love On A Leash this spring! Patrons, ages 6-18, can register for a 15-minute time slot on Saturday, March 22 and April 12 from 10:00-11:00 am. Secure a spot today by calling us at 517-647-6981!

TEEN

Get ready to make your next move at Play It Forward, the ultimate club for teens (13-18) who love games! Whether you’re strategizing your way through a classic board game or competing in an epic video game challenge, this club is all about fun, friendly competition, and connecting with fellow gamers. Play It Forward meets Tuesdays, March 11, April 8, and May 13 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm and Fridays March 28, April 25, and May 23 from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm in the Community Room. Registration is not required.

Teens (13-18) are working hard to outline their YouTube newscast at the Teen Advisory Board meeting Tuesday, March 18 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. If you like to write scripts or enjoy being in front of the camera, T.A.B. is for YOU! If you are not a member, sign up at the Youth Desk. Come join the fun!

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of oil pastels. Discover how to blend, layer, and create expressive artwork using rich colors, smooth textures, and bold strokes. Whether you're drawn to landscapes, portraits, or abstract art, this program will teach you techniques to create eye-catching pieces. The best part is, you can enter your masterpiece into Portland Creates for a chance to win a prize! Take-and-Make bags available for teens (13-18) beginning Saturday, March 1 at the Youth Desk.

Page Turners, PDL's teen book club, has chosen "Jo & Laurie" by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz for their spring book selection. This novel reimagines the beloved characters Jo March and Theodore "Laurie" Laurence from the classic "Little Women." In "Jo & Laurie," Jo struggles with writer's block after publishing her first successful novel. Hoping to inspire her, Laurie surprises Jo with a trip to London. As their feelings deepen, Jo must decide whether to accept Laurie's marriage proposal or pursue her dream of being an independent working woman. Register at the Youth Desk starting Monday, March 17 and pick up your free copy of the book. Space is limited to 10 teens (13-18.) Meetings are scheduled for Saturday, April 19 and Saturday, May 10 at 11:00 am in the Community Room.

ALL-AGES

Play Bookopoly to celebrate March is Reading Month with us! Pick up a game board starting Saturday, March 1. We welcome patrons of all ages to participate. Every patron who returns a completed game board to the library by the end of the month will be entered to win a Barnes & Noble gift card. We will have a winner for each of our age categories: Littles, Middles, Teens, and Adults! Read it all!