Ephrata Public Library May Events

Special Events

Mon., May 6, 11 a.m. - “A Reason for a Flower” Special Story Time. Longwood Gardens and community partners invite you to read “A Reason for a Flower” by Ruth Heller with us during this special story time. We will explore the science of germination and why flowers bloom. Ages 4-7.

Mon., May 6, 4 p.m. - Teen Bake Night. In this program we're going to learn how to make and frost a cake with a surprise treat inside! You must be registered to attend this event. Ages 13-18.

Tue., May 7, 1 p.m. - Digging Up Your Roots. Our genealogy group is open to anyone interested in learning about their ancestry. It’s a way for “amateur” genealogists to connect by sharing ideas and suggestions, and offering help to others who are studying their family histories. Beginning genealogists to the most advanced genealogists are welcome to attend. Be sure to bring your research and questions!

Thu., May 9, 6:30 p.m. - Fun with Hops and Malt: Homebrewing Basics. Are you exploring the idea of home brewing but haven’t tried it? Looking to refine your home brewing skills and learn about fermentation? Join George Di’Ilio for an overview of the home brewing process, inspired by the “From DNA to Beer” exhibition on display at thelibrary.

Thu., May 23, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Career Advising with CareerLink. Schedule a FREE 1/2 hour career advising appointment with PA CareerLink® Lancaster County. Get resume assistance, skills and interests assessments, interviewing tips, career exploration and job search assistance. Registration required in advance. Please be aware that any registration and/or change must be done with at least a 24-hour notice.

Tue., May 28, 7 p.m. - Veteran's Lecture Series: The Story of Outpost Harry with Korean War Veteran David Mills. David Mills a Private with the U. S. Army’s 3rd Division during the Korean Conflict will describe his survival of the shelling of Outpost Harry and his period in captivity. Mills is a member of the Outpost Harry Survivor’s Association, Society of the Third Infantry Division, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Following his departure from the Army, he attended the Wharton Business School and entered the field of financial management. This program is a partnership with Mainspring of Ephrata.

Academic Support

Mon., May 6, 13 & 20, 4:00 p.m. - After School Homework Club. We'll supply paper, online and offline reference help, headphones, snacks, internet access, iPads, pencils, etc. Ages 8-18.

Arts, Music, Culture, Film

Wed., May 1, 12:30 p.m - Afternoon Tea with BBC. Join us and enjoy watching different BBC selections while sipping tea and devouring delicious treats. 18+ years.

Mon., May 6, 10 a.m. - Monday Morning Movie: “Chicago.” Start your week off by joining us for a movie selected by members' choices with coffee and donuts! This Best Picture winner is based on the Broadway hit about homicidal femmes fatales during the Jazz Age. Rated PG-13. 119 minutes.

Tue., May 7 & 28, 4:30 p.m. - Stitch-piration After School Sewing Club. Students will learn how to use a simple sewing machine and develop hand-sewing skills. No experience is necessary, as we’ll help your child select a project that suits their skills and creative ability. Students can choose from patterns or bring their own to work on during the club. Ages 8-18.

Mon., May 13 & 20, 1 p.m.- Be An Artist For Homeschoolers. Join us for discussions about art history and visual culture and explore painting, drawing, and mixed media applications in the visual arts. Ages 8-13.

Mon., May 13 & 20, 4 p.m. - Be An Artist: Art Afterschool. Join us for discussions about art history and visual culture and explore painting, drawing, and mixed media applications in the visual arts. Ages 8-13.

Tue., May 14, 4:30 p.m.- Stitch-piration Special Edition: Lancaster Area Sewing Network. Join youth in our sewing club and the Lancaster Area Sewing Network for a special event to make an infant layette set for parents who are mourning the death of a newborn child at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. The pre-made, pre-cut fabric we will assemble during our meeting is provided to us through our partnership with the Lancaster Area Sewing Network. You are welcome to bring your own machine or use our equipment. Items will be donated to WellSpan Community Hospital.

Wed., May 15, 6 p.m. - Family Movie Night: “The Incredibles.” Join us for a movie night with the family. Popcorn provided! The adventures of a superhero crimefighter and his family, who return to adventuring after spending years living "normal" lives. Not rated. 115 minutes.

Fun & Games

Wed., May 1, 15 & 22, 4 p.m.- Kids Gamers’ Club. Join us and play on our Wii, Xbox and other gaming systems! Parents and guardians will appreciate our settings and age appropriate games. Ages 5-12.

Thu., May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 11 a.m. - Movin' and Groovin.' Join us for an interactive program with music, motion, sound, dance, games, and storytelling! A new healthy habit will be included during each session. Ages 4-7.

Fri., May 3, 4 p.m. - Life-Size Clue Jr. Murder? Children will have to figure out who ate the cake, with what drink, and at what time. Children will use mathematical and reasoning skills to solve the mystery of the "Missing Chocolate Cake." They will also collaborate together as a single team to uncover the clues to this mystery! Ages 5-8.

Fri., May 3, 6 p.m. - Life-Size Clue for Teens. Murder? In the library?? In this reimagined version of Clue you must solve the mystery of what happened at the Ephrata PublicLibrary. Will you solve it first? Ages 13-18.

Tue., May 7, 14, 21 & 28, 3:30 p.m. - Tween & Teen Gamers Club. Join us after school for some relaxation and video games on our Nintendo Switch! Feel free to bring any multiplayer (4 or more players) games you wish to share with the group. Ages 10-18.

Wed., May 8 & 22, 1 p.m.- Workout Wednesday for Adults. Chase the stress of the day away with workouts that include Just Dance, Zumba and another kinect games or walk outside with us on the Rail Trail. Have fun and get your heart rate pumping! Ages 18+.

Wed., May 15, 4 p.m. - After School Board Games. Feeling bored after school? Fight boredom with board games! We’ll be playing games like One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Codenames, Apples to Apples, and more! Ages 12-18.

Reading

Thu., May 9, 6:30 p.m. - Page Turners Book Club. This month’s selection is “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Album. The book club is driven by members' choices, and books will always be available at our library. Join us for lively discussions and meet new friends. Ages 18+.

Mon., May 13, 5:30 p.m. - Who Was? Biography Club. Explore the impact of famous individuals and/or landmarks throughout history. Test your knowledge in Jeopardy-style trivia contests, engage in fun projects and discover with other Club members interesting facts that have helped to shape who we are today. See your librarian for a list of “Who Was” books to check out a copy in advance! Ages 8-12.

Tue., May 14, 4 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.- Kids Reading Tales to Tailwaggers. PET-certified dogs and their handlers will be in the Library ready to listen as children read to them. Each child may choose stories on his or her reading level. Ages 4-12.

Sat., May 16, 11 a.m. – Meet Local Children's Author Jodi Stapler. Special guest Jodi Stapler will come to read “Pepper Miss Pepperoni.” Pepper Miss Pepperoni has been given up and finds herself at an animal shelter. She is lonely, confused and sad as she watches all the younger dogs being adopted into their forever homes. Will Pepper ever find someone to truly love her? All ages.

Adult Computer Classes

Wed., May 1, 1 p.m. - Instagram. Instagram is a fun social media platform comprised entirely of pictures. This class will teach you the ins-and-outs of posting, liking, and favoriting! This class has a $5 fee which includes handouts. You must have the Instagram app downloaded and an account created before class. Sign-up for one-on-one computer tutoring if you need help. Ages 18+.

Wed., May 8, 1 p.m. – Uber. Thought about giving Uber a try? Download the Uber app to your mobile device and join us in this class to learn how to get a ride from an Uber driver! This class has a $5 fee which includes handouts. Ages 18+.

Thu., May 9, 6 p.m. - Kindle Users Anonymous. Are you a Kindle addict? That’s OK! We want you to be. Come join us at Kindle Users Anonymous to meet other Kindle users, share your love of Kindle and get the tech support you need. This group is specifically designed for Kindle Fire users. You should have a Kindle Fire to attend. 18+ years.

Mon., May 13, 1 p.m. - Introduction to Gmail. Learn how to use Gmail, a free email service. You’ll learn how to send and sort email, as well as attaching documents to emails. This class has a $5 fee that includes handouts. You must have a Google account before class. You can use one-on-one tutoring for help with creating an account. 18+.

Wed., May 15, 1 p.m. - Organizing Your Computer. Are you having trouble finding files you’ve saved to your computer? Are your folders cluttered with documents you don’t remember downloading? Attend this class to learn how to create folders, move multiple files and get your computer organized! This class has a $5 fee which includes handouts. Ages 18+.

Story Time

Thu., May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 10 a.m. - Lapsit Story Time. Young toddlers and their caregivers sing songs, recite fun rhymes, and read together. Participants also learn basic sign language and play together. Newborns to 24 months with caregivers.

Mon., May 6, 13 & 20, 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. - Story Time. Preschoolers are invited to this 40-minute story time that integrates songs and concept-enriched finger plays. Early literacy skills, including letter and sound introduction, are included in each story time. Large and small motor skills are practiced with simple activities and art. Ages 4-7.

Tue., May 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. - Toddler Time. Toddlers and their caregivers are invited to this 30-minute story time that includes songs, short stories, and learning-enriched art activities. Ages 2-4.

Thu., May 23, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Party Story Time. "No PJ's! No Noise!" Kids gently bend the rules for this sleepy-time party at the Library. Stories, not snores, fill the air. Sucked thumbs come out to create crafts. Tip-toes turn to stomps and songs for a noisy parade through the Library. Bring a stuffed animal friend to join the fun. Ages 3-7.

Sat., May 25,11 a.m. - Spanish/English Story Time. This story time is for the whole family. Whether you know Spanish or not, join Patricia Barnes, who will read short stories, sing songs, and have a craft activity in both Spanish and English! You will also get to meet Miguel, our friendly Spanish speaking puppet who travels to different countries and comes back to tell us all about them! Ages 0-18+.

Early Literacy

Sat., May 4, 11 a.m. – PlayLab: Sensory Exploration. This all-inclusive program will allow everyone to experience new "sensory" sensations! Texture, color, smell and sound explored in games and activities will help improve motor skills and problem solving strategies. A caring environment will ensure everyone is included in a hands-on activity. Whether you like sensory play or not so much, come find out what's in store! The recommended age is 2-10 years but this is our general guide. Please note each individual is unique and develops skills at their own rate. Ages 2-10.

Thu., May 9, 4:30 p.m. - C.A.L.M. Club (Children are Learning Mindfulness). Boost your child's unique set of abilities to self-regulate, calm, care and increase awareness of themselves and their emotions through craft, games, and discussions. Ages 5-10.

Mon., May 13, 3 p.m. - Play Pals. This hour-long open play program gives your youngsters a chance to play with a variety of toys, books and explore imagination stations, as well as simple STEM activities. Play dates promote sharing, cooperation and socialization. Ages 0-5.

STEAM

Wed., May 1, 8, 15 & 22, 11 a.m. - Preschool STEAM Time. Science, technology, engineering, arts and math will be included in this program for preschoolers. You'll be amazed with all the learning that happens with intentional and guided play! Ages 3-6.

Thu., May 2 & 23, 6:00 p.m. - Blockheadz Construction Challenge. Build, design and create with Lego bricks, figures and accessories ALL supplied by the Library. Challenge yourself! Ages 5-12.

Tue., May 7, 4:30 p.m. - Under the Night Sky. Explore the science of space through projects, activities and games. Our STEM club will investigate star patterns, planet, moons, life as an astronaut and more. Ages 8-12.

Thu., May 9, 4 p.m. – Tween & Teen Coders’ Club. Designed for tinkerers and makers – beginners and coding experts – to learn basic coding skills in a free play setting. We will explore different types of coding each month. Feel free to bring projects from school or home to share with other learners. Ages 10-18.

Thu., May 9, 4:30 p.m. - Can You Dig It? Special Edition: “Seed Folks.” Longwood Gardens is partnering with public libraries for the Community Read. Read and discuss “Seed Folks” by Paul Fleischman with us. Discuss your family’s heritage and the plants and seeds that are significant to your personal story and plant them in our “Seed Folks” inspired garden. We work under the consultation of Penn State Extension Master Gardeners. Ages 5-12.

Thu., May 23, 4:30 p.m. - Foodie Lab. One child plus one parents equals healthy food-making fun. Learn while you cook and bake! Please alert us to any food allergies upon registration. Ages 5-12.

Sat., May 25, 10 a.m.- Science Saturday. We carefully guide children through engaging scientific experiments while investigating, hypothesizing, experimenting and encouraging inquiry-based learning. This program is designed for families with children of multiple ages. Ages 3 and up.

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