Portland District Library News

Art After Dark: Painting

Have you always wanted to learn to paint, but thought that you didn’t have the talent?  Join us on Tuesday, July 1 at 6:00pm as Rebecca Wychers takes us from blank canvas to finished masterpiece.  She’ll provide step-by-step instructions that will guarantee you leave with a cherry blossom painting you’ll be proud to display.  Free program for ages 15 and up.  Space is limited, registration required. 

Children’s and Teen

LITTLES

Tiny Tots: Name that color! Tiny Tots (ages 2 & under) and their caregivers will follow Miss Eileen on a rainbow adventure during sensory storytime this summer! Read, sing, and move along to all the colors of the rainbow every other Friday at 10:00 a.m. starting June 27. Can’t make it to in-person storytime? Grab one of our monthly caregiver packets and follow along to our videos to learn all about colors from your own living room! Register beginning Monday, June 16.

Book Cubs: Come along with Miss Jamie to explore a world of color, rhythm, and imagination. Each week Book Cubs (ages 3-5) and their caregivers will learn about a new artist or musician, so grab your crayons and put on your dancing shoes! Groove your way to the Youth Desk to register and join us every other Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. beginning July 2. If you can't be with us in person, you can sign up for our Take-and-Make Bag supplies starting Monday, June 16.

Books & Blankets June: We’re sprinkling a little bit of magic on the Children’s Sensory Garden during Books & Blankets on Thursday, June 19 at 6:00 p.m. Storytime will be filled with tooth fairy sparkle, lost tooth adventures, and silly songs! Whether your little one is curious about losing their first tooth or loves fairy magic, this storytime is made for families with children ages 8 & under! Register by calling the library at 517-647-6981.

MIDDLES

Scribble Press: Love to draw, write stories, make comics, or share your thoughts with the world? Join Scribble Press, a fun and friendly club where kids 8–12 can create their very own zines—mini magazines made by you! Each session, we’ll fold, cut, collage, and craft unique zines to share with friends—or even add to the library’s collection! Meetings will be Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, August 14, and August 28. No experience needed—just bring your imagination! Registration required.

Doodling in the Dark: Step into the world of light and imagination! In this hands-on workshop, kids and teens ages 8-18 will create their very own shadow puppets using our 3D printing 3Doodler pens! Each month we’ll be practicing our doodling skills and then turning out the lights to see our 3Doodled shadows in action! Join us at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays June 28, July 12, and August 23. Sign up for Doodling in the Dark at the Youth Desk!

Luminous Links: Middles patrons, ages 6-12, will have a glowing good time as we make glow-in-the-dark friendship bracelets! Mix colors, add fun beads, and create one-of-a-kind accessories that light up in the dark. Pick up for your Luminous Links Take-and-Make bag begins Friday, June 13 for this hands-on, crafty adventure full of color, creativity, and a little bit of glow magic!

Virtual STEM Club: Art in Motion: Grab your Take-and-Make bag starting Wednesday, June 18 for this project that is part painting and part science experiment! During Virtual STEM Club: Art in Motion, patrons age 6-12 will use watercolor paints and a splash of rubbing alcohol then watch colors swirl, mix, and create cool patterns as the alcohol reacts with the paint. 

TEENS

Page Turners: Get ready to immerse yourself in the sharp, witty, and emotionally charged world of “Solitaire” by Alice Oseman. Meet Tori Spring: a cynical, introverted teen just trying to make it through school, social drama, and her own tangled thoughts. But when a mysterious blog called Solitaire begins wreaking havoc with elaborate pranks—and a boy named Michael Holden won’t leave her alone—Tori’s world is turned upside down.

Is this chaos just harmless fun, or is there something darker beneath the surface?

To find out, sign up for Page Turners, PDL's teen book club, and get a free copy of “Solitaire” to keep. Call 517-647-6981 or stop by the Youth Desk to register. Space is limited to 10 teens (13-18).

Meetings are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturdays July 26 and August 16 in the Community Room.

Lit Loot: Have you heard the news? The Lit Loot subscription service for teens is a smashing success! What is Lit Loot? We are so glad you asked. 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 bookmarks, to pins, to snacks and more! There is a new genre each month: July - Graphic Novels, August - Romance, September - Dystopian. Sign up today at the Youth Desk for your 3 month subscription and let your next chapter begin!

Play It Forward!: Bored out of your minds this summer? Portland District Library has got the cure! Level up your summer 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 Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on June 16, July 28, and August 18 and Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on June 10, July 8, and August 5. All meetings will take place in the Community Room. Drop in for a great time! Registration is not required.

ALL AGES

Strumming Along: Rock out this summer during Strumming Along – our introductory ukulele class! Open to all patrons ages 8 & older, including teens & adults. Classes will take place Monday, June 23 until Monday, July 14 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Instruments with be loaned and class materials provided by Music Is The Foundation. Register today!

Earthwork Music presents Songs of the Seas: Sea Shanty Singalong on Tuesday, June 17 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. This music-filled program invites patrons of all ages to learn about history and enjoy listening to sea shanties, lake ballads, and maritime music traditions. You won’t want to miss this sing along program lead by Shantyman Ben Traverse! No registration required.

Wednesday Watch: Take a break from the summer heat with Wednesday Watch at the library! Catch a family-friendly movie, while enjoying popcorn and other yummy snacks Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. We’ll be showing “Moana 2” on June 11, “Dog Man” on July 9, and “A Minecraft Movie” on August 13. Drop in to enjoy the show!