Library News

For the Love of Food

We are taking the heat out of the kitchen and exploring all variations of no-bake desserts—from ice box cakes to no-bake cookies and more!  Bring your favorite no-bake dessert and a copy of the recipe on July 24 at 6:00 p.m. and enjoy this sweet reprieve from the summer swelter.

This Program is For the Birds Home décor stores are guaranteed to stock bird-themed items, and on August 27 at 6:00 p.m., you’ll have a chance to make your own.  Create adorable avian friends out of cardboard or yarn—or both—and then sprinkle them throughout your house, make them a comfortable perch, or let them fly on a mobile.  Registration is required, ages 15 and up.

Red Mill Farmers Market

Come see us and our shiny prize wheel at the Old Red Mill Farmers Market this summer! We will be there from 9:00 am-1:00 pm Saturday July 27, and August 10. Stop by our booth to learn about all our summer programs, our services and resources, and don’t leave before spinning the prize wheel – everyone in the family is a winner! We’ll also be doing storytimes starting at 10:30 and 11:30 am for families with young children, bringing along our sensory bins for added play, and sending home goodies from our friends at Ionia County Great Start Collaborative.

Wednesday Watch 

Wednesday Watch is coming to the library this summer! Beat the heat and watch movies by joining us Wednesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. for a family-friendly movie. Popcorn, drinks, and other yummy snacks will be provided by the library! We’ll be showing “Trolls Band Together” on July 17 and “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” August 7. No registration required.

Let’s Chalk About It

Get ready to draw all over the library’s parking lot, walkways, and stairs during Let’s Chalk About It, Portland District Library’s chalk art program. Lansing’s very own chalk artist Erin Simonson will be on hand Friday, July 26 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm to help teach and inspire our patrons to create beautiful works of art using chalk. Drop by and show us your skills, or learn some new ones! Everyone welcome, no registration required.

STEM Saturdays

STEM Saturdays offer the perfect way to venture into some of the many different STEM kits the library has to offer.  Explore snap circuits, 3Doodler pens, LEGO, and more July 27, and August 17. The program will run from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and is open to all ages.

Fresh Food Bonanza

Welcome to the Fresh Food Bonanza! Starting Monday, July 15, patrons can stop by the library’s Youth Desk to pick up a welcome packet and start their cooking adventures. Pick from the many herbs and veggies in our garden, include them in your yummy culinary adventures at home, and send us a picture to be entered to win prizes all summer long. We can’t wait to see what kinds of tasty plates our patrons will create!

Children’s and Teen

Books & Blankets

Welcome to a special edition of Portland District Library’s Books & Blankets: The Stuffy Sleepover Adventure! Get cozy on Thursday, July 25 at 6:00 pm in the Children’s Sensory Garden by dressing in your pjs and bringing your favorite stuffy. We’ll enjoy stories, songs, snacks, and you’ll get a book to take home from our friends at the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative. Leave your stuffy behind for the night and pick them up the next day to find out what kind of adventures they had in the library overnight! This program is recommended for families with children ages 8 & under. Registration is required!

Water Gun Masterpiece 

No brushes allowed for this painting project! Water Gun Masterpiece will have you taking paint, water, and a plastic shooter to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Pick up your Take-and-Make bag starting Friday, July 12 at the Youth Desk. This program is recommended for ages 6-12, requires parental supervision, and is limited to 35 patrons.

Virtual Teen Art Hour: Cyanotype Sun Art

Harness the power of the sun to produce multiple artworks in shades of blue and white. Use found objects, flowers, leaves, or the templates provided to make unique pieces of art. Everything you need to get started is provided in the Take-And-Make bag. Get yours starting Monday, July 1 when you register at the Youth Desk. Space is limited to 15 teens, ages 13-18.

Teen Art Hour: Sand and Sun

We are excited to partner with Loafing Goat Bakery on our in-person cookie decorating class for August's Teen Art Hour, “Sand and Sun." Teens will learn the art of decorating adorable beach themed cookies with royal icing. Join us in the Community Room from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 8. Registration begins Saturday, June 1 and is limited to 10 teens, ages 13-18. Run, don't walk, to the Youth Desk as this program is sure to fill up quickly!

Totally Tubular Teen Movie Matinee

We are legit going back in time to the 80s and watching some gnarly movies. Cut loose and dance your way on down to the Community Room Thursday, July 18 at 1:00 pm to watch "Footloose." Who you gonna call on Thursday, August 15 at 1:00 pm? "Ghostbusters!" Popcorn, candy, and drinks will be provided at all showings. Teens are welcome to dress up and bring their pillows and blankets. This Totally Tubular Teen Movie Matinee is open to all teens, ages 13-18.