Library Film Series to show The Book of Life
Come to Westchester Public Library to enjoy The Book of Life on Saturday, February 7, at 5 pm. Meet at the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton. No registration is necessary; attendance is free of charge.
In The Book of Life, Manolo is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. He embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Neither he nor his friends realize that they are being controlled by the two lords of the Underworlds, La Muerta and Xibalba.
Enjoy munching popcorn while watching the movie.
The Book of Life, rated PG, has a running time of 95 minutes.
For more information, call the Audio-Visual Department at 926-7696.
Mind Your Manners Global Etiquette Program at WPL
Children age six and up are invited to Mind Your Manners! at Westchester Public Library. Come to the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, on Friday, February 20, at 6:30 pm to learn and have fun. Registration is required.
How do you say “Excuse me” in Japanese? What is the proper mealtime behavior in Mexico? Learn the answers to these questions and more at this global etiquette program. Enjoy short lessons and learn some customs of four different cultures. Be polite in Japanese, Spanish, French, and German.
Kids, join local foreign language teachers for this great time!
For more information or to register call the library at 926-7696.
Teen Advisory Board at WPL
Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to help make a difference at the library and in the community. Join Westchester Public Library’s first-ever Teen Advisory Board. The board will meet for its initial meeting in the Bertha Wood meeting room on the second floor of Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, on Thursday, February 5, from 4-5 pm.
Members of the Teen Advisory Board will recommend library programs, books, and more for Teen Services. Community service hours are available.
For more information please call Julia, Reference and Youth Services Librarian, at 926-7696.
Tutoring Program
Westchester Public Library will continue its reading tutoring service for children preschool age through grade 12 this winter. The program is designed for children who are in need of assistance in improving reading scores or reading levels/skills. Individuals interested in volunteering as a reading tutor may fill out an application. Applications are available at the circulation desks at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, and Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter. Fill out the application and turn it in at one of the desks.
Volunteer Reading Tutors will be responsible for one-on-one reading tutoring of children during assigned hours at the library. They will cater to the individual needs of each student, aid students in achieving their reading goals by helping them develop reading skills and confidence, and will help foster a love of reading and enhanced self-esteem in each student through patience and encouragement. Tutors must have an honest desire to help students achieve their reading goals and must possess patience and a positive attitude. It is preferred that they have previous reading tutoring experience or other experience working with/teaching children. Individuals who possess or who are pursuing a degree in elementary education or a similar field are encouraged to apply, as well as retired educators.
All volunteers are required to pass a background check.
For more information, call Thomas Library at 926-7696 or Hageman Library at 926-9080.
Battles of the American Civil War
Battles of the American Civil War will continue at Westchester Public Library with a look at the Battle of Shiloh. Join Thomas Murphy in the Bertha Wood room at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, February 4 with a repeat presentation on Saturday, February 7, from 10 am-noon. There is no registration required; attendance is free of charge.
The Union objective was a key railroad junction at Corinth in northeast Mississipi. The Union Army disembarked from steamboats at Pittsburgh Landing on the banks of the Tennessee River. On April 6, 1862 they were surprised by the Confederate Army under Albert Sydney Johnston. The casualties in this two-day battle were greater than all of the casualties incurred in all previous wars fought by the United States.
Battles of the American Civil War will continue with a look at the Battles of Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Each program will be presented on a Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm and repeated on the following Saturday from 10 am-noon.
History buff and Civil War enthusiast Thomas Murphy will present each program. Murphy is an RSVP volunteer and has presented a number of programs at the library.
For more information please call the library at 926-7696.
Chesterton Writing Group at Thomas Library
Adult writers of all levels are invited to participate in the Chesterton Writing Group, sponsored by Westchester Public Library. The group meets two Thursday evenings each month in the Bertha Wood meeting room at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton. February meetings will be February 5 and 19, from 6-8 pm. Participation is free and open to the public, no registration is necessary.
Published and unpublished writers alike are welcome to share their work, learn more about publishing, and find support and inspiration from fellow writers. The group is for both fiction and non-fiction writers.
For more information, contact group moderator Stefan Barkow at Stefan.barkow@gmail.com or Thomas Library at 926-7696.
Chesterton Chess Club
The Chesterton Chess Club is open to all ages and skill levels. Meet at the Thomas branch of Westchester Public Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 7-8:30 pm. The club is open to all ages and skill levels. Join fellow chess players at the tables by the Reference desk on the first floor of the library on February 5 and 19.
For more information please call the library at 926-7696.
Intro to Kindle Class at Thomas Library
Bits and Bytes will continue at Westchester Public Library with Intro to Kindle. Intro to Kindle will take place in the computer classroom located in the Serials/Automation Department on the second floor of Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton, on February 17, from 6-8 pm. The class will be repeated on Thursday, February 19, from 1-3 pm. Registration for both classes will begin February 3.
To reserve your spot, visit or call the Serials Department or register online at http://www.wpl.lib.in.us/. Click on the Bits and Bytes link. The class is free of charge.
Delving into digital media can be a bit daunting for some, but the Kindle Fire is streamlined for just that. Attendees will learn how to get the most out of their devices and will learn how to better utilize Overdrive and other library resources through their devices.
For more information or to reserve your spot in the Intro to Kindle class, please call the Serials/Automation Department at 926-7696, extension 1125.
Online Genealogy Class at Thomas Library
Bits and Bytes will continue at Westchester Public Library with Online Genealogy. The class will take place in the classroom located in the Serials/Automation Department on the second floor of Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, on Tuesday, February 17, from 2-4 pm. Registration is required and will begin on February 3.
Visit or call the library to register, or register online at wpl.lib.in.us; click on the Bits and Bytes link.
Join Museum Curator Serena Sutliff for this introductory class and learn how to use free online genealogy resources. Sutliff will go through Ancestry.com a bit to show some of its features. As she discusses resources, attendees will be able to access the sites and browse on their own, create accounts, and find information right away.
Bring note taking tools along with information to use in searches on sites like Familysearch.org. Questions about family history attendees may have come across are welcome.
For more information or to reserve your spot in the Online Genealogy class, please call the Serials/Automation Department at 926-7696, extension 1125.