Westchester Public Library Briefs, March 4, 2015

westchester-photo-montageFree Blood Pressure Screening at Hageman Library
NorthShore Health Center will provide free blood pressure screening to walk-in patrons at Westchester Public Library’s Porter branch on Thursday, March 12. Patrons may come to Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter, between the hours of 1 - 3 pm. Blood pressure screenings will be offered each month on the second Thursday at Hageman. Screenings are also offered at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, on the third Wednesday of each month from 10 am - 1 pm.

In addition to the free blood pressure screenings, interested patrons will receive help calculating their Body Mass Index (BMI).

Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat and diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls.

For more information, call Patricia Hall, Community Outreach Coordinator, Portage, at 763-8112, ext. 5338.

History Discussion Group at Thomas
History buffs and those who are simply interested in learning more about history are invited to Westchester Public Library’s History Discussion Group on Saturday, March 14, from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. The group will meet in the Bertha Wood meeting room at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton.

Join the group and delve into the history of the Reconstruction era in the United States.

Discuss whether or not Reconstruction was a success, whether Abraham Lincoln—had he lived—would have fared better against the Radical Republicans than Andrew Johnson, and what effects Reconstruction had on the US that still impacts our society today.

The group is open to anyone interested in history and conversations about history. Feel free to participate, or sit back and listen.

For more information please call Serena Sutliff, Westchester Township History Museum curator, at (219) 983-9715.

Intro to Ubuntu Class at Thomas Library
Bits and Bytes computer classes will continue at Westchester Public Library with an introduction to the Ubuntu operating system. Intro to Ubuntu 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 Monday, March 23, from 1-3 pm. The class will be repeated on Tuesday, March 24, from 6-8 pm. Registration for both classes will begin March 9.

To reserve your spot, visit or call the Serials Department or register online at www.wpl.lib.in.us. Click on the Bits and Bytes link. The class is free of charge.

Learn the basics of using Ubuntu and Linux. This class will cover the basic usage of the operating system, including navigating through the menu system, finding programs and installing free apps. All attendees will receive a free install disc for Ubuntu 14.10.

For more information or to reserve your spot in the Intro to Ubuntu class, please call the Serials/Automation Department at 926-7696.

Film Series to show Mockingjay Part 1
Come to Westchester Public Library to enjoy The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 on Saturday, March 14, 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 Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, the Games have been destroyed and Katniss has ended up in the presumed-destroyed District 13. Under the leadership of Coin and the advice of her friends, Katniss becomes the symbol of rebellion – the Mockingjay. Katniss spreads her wings as she fights for Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.

Enjoy complimentary popcorn while watching the movie.

Mockingjay Part 1, rated PG-13, has a running time of 123 minutes.

For more information, call the Audio-Visual Department at 926-7696.

Mad About Mysteries presents PBS Mysteries
Mad About Mysteries will take place at the Westchester Township History Museum, 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesterton, on Wednesday, March 11, with a repeat presentation on Saturday, March 14. Both sessions take place at 2 pm, and light refreshments will be served.

Good mysteries aren’t only found in the pages of books. Over the years, PBS has provided excellent mystery programs, many of which are available at Westchester Public Library in the AV Department.

Join Joan Costello and Serena Sutliff as they lead a discussion on some of PBS’ most popular and successful mystery series, including Miss Marple, Foyle’s War, Father Brown, and newer shows like Sherlock and Grantchester.

The museum is a free cultural and educational service of Westchester Public Library and is open to the public Wednesday-Saturday from 1-5 pm. or by appointment. For more information please call the Westchester Township History Museum at 983-9715.