NILES — The Niles District Library seeks to build a community of lifelong learners who want to make Niles their lifelong home. A library card is not required to participate in any programs. All programs are free.

Teens: Youth 11 to 17 are invited to play Clue with the library this summer. Every two hours of reading gets a clue/ prize. Teen Summer Reading begins on Monday, June 18.

Kids: Youth are welcome to join the library on a Candyland-inspired reading adventure this summer. For each hour read, they will color in one square on their calendar. One hour equals one prize. After 10 hours, children will receive raffle tickets to enter the grand prize drawing. Kids Summer Reading began Monday, June 18.

Monday, June 25

• Noon to 1 p.m. — Teen Lunchtime Hangout

Teens are invited to hang out, play some video games, and have a free lunch.

•  Noon to 1:30 p.m. — Summer Lunch Program

This activity is for children ages infant to 18. Children and teens will receive a free sack lunch to eat in the building. Stay for our programs. Lunches begin Monday, June 18 and end Friday, Aug. 17.

• 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. — Messy Monday

There will be crafts, sensory experiences, and experiments to exercise your brain. This fun may be messy, so dress accordingly. This activity is for children ages 2-12. Those interested should meet outside by the picnic table. In the case of inclement weather, event will be canceled.

• 6:30 to 7 p.m. — Tween Game Night

This is a game night just for children ages 9-12.  There will be Xbox and board games out, as well as art and crafts supplies. Snacks provided.

•  7 to 8 p.m. — CDA Niles

Chemically Dependent Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship for anyone seeking freedom from drug and alcohol addiction. The CDA does not make distinctions in the recovery process based on any particular substance. The basis of the program is abstinence from all mood-changing and mind-altering chemicals, including street-type drugs, alcohol, and unnecessary medication.

Tuesday, June 26

• 10:30 a.m. — Passport Pals

This is a storytime tour of the world.  Each week, there will be books, songs, a craft, and other super surprises relating to the special country of the month.

• Noon to 1 p.m. — Teen Lunchtime Hangout

Teens are welcome to hang out, play some video games, and have a free lunch.

• Noon to 1:30 p.m. — Summer Lunch Program

This is for children ages infant to 18 and disabled individuals up to age 26 eat for free. Adults ages 19 and up pay for their lunches.

• 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.— Creative Writing for Teens

Euphoric Stage will help teens develop ideas through this interactive writing class designed for ages 12 to 19. This creative experience will also explore spoken word, and free-writing.

• 1 to 2 p.m. — GoNoodle Tuesdays

This is a free lunch and movement activity.

• 2 to 3 p.m. — Rainforest Animals

This exotic presentation will focus on the importance of preserving the rainforest environment, including its diverse inhabitants. Live animals will be introduced throughout the show, as participants discover: where the rainforests are, why they are there, the ‘layers’ of a rainforest with the flora and fauna in each.

• 5 to 8 p.m. — SkillShare Open Shop

This is a workshop space downstairs for community members to share skills like patching drywall, fixing a leaky faucet, repairing small appliances, sewing, crafts, and hobbies. Anyone can drop in during open shop times and use the workshop and tools. This is also when Things can be checked out or returned.

• 6 to 6:30 p.m. — Chips and Chapters

This is a read aloud storytime. Every Tuesday, Ms. Tara will read aloud from a chapter book, while residents eat chips and follow along. This activity is for all ages.

• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Pajama Storytime

This evening Storytime is for the entire family. There will be a story reading based on a theme, musical numbers, and a craft to end the time.  Participants are invited to wear their pajamas.

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Olive Branch Book Club

A book club at a bar? Why not? This is an opportunity to have a drink, mingle, and talk about a book? To register and pick up a book, come to the library’s Information Desk or call (269) 683-8545×112.

Olive Branch meets at The Brass Eye Cocktail Lounge, 205 N. Second St. in Niles.

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Michigan History Day — free for Teachers

Michigan History Day, or National History Day in Michigan, is a free, project-based learning program where students explore historical issues, people, ideas, and events through historical research. Teachers are invited to learn about this free educational program that will engage students and challenge them to think deeper and develop skills for the current school year and beyond. Classroom support provided throughout the year with classroom visits and resources.

Register at hsmichigan.org/mhd/mhd-workshop/.

• Multiple times – Storytime day

Squealers (birth-18 months) at 9:30 a.m., squeakers (18 months-3 years) at 10 a.m., squigglers (18 months-5 years) at 10:30 a.m., story time (children ages 3+) at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

• Noon to 1:30 p.m. — Summer Lunch Program

Children ages infant to 18 and disabled individuals up to age 26 eat for free. Adults ages 19 and up pay for their lunches. Lunches begin Monday, June 18 and end Friday, Aug. 17.

• Noon to 1 p.m. — Teen Cooking

This is a cooking class for teens.  The class will teach easy, and tasty dishes for all teens.

• 1 to 2 p.m. — Tween Cooking

This activity is for children ages 8 to 12 who love to cook. There is a different theme each week. Participants need only to bring their appetites.

• 7 to 8 p.m. — CDA Niles

Chemically Dependent Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship for anyone seeking freedom from drug and alcohol addiction.

Thursday, June 28

• 10 to 11 a.m. — Sing, Dance, Move, and Groove

Children are welcome to sing, dance, move and groove in a Summer Reading program filled with stories, songs and movement with story artist, Jenifer Strauss. Jen will use puppets, props and percussion instruments to share stories.

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — The Connection

As Berrien County’s Housing Resource Center, The Connection provides a centralized intake that works together with the consumer to rapidly re-house those who are homeless.

v10:30 and 1:30 p.m. — Storytime

Storytime features three books, a color song, and music and movement. The program will end with a hand stamp, coloring sheet and a craft.

• Noon to 1:30 p.m. — Summer Lunch Program

This is for children ages infant to 18 and disabled individuals up to age 26 eat for free. Adults ages 19 and up pay for their lunches. Lunches begin Monday, June 18 and end Friday, Aug. 17.

• Noon to 1 p.m. — Teen Art

No crafty talents are required for these fun arts and crafts projects. The community is welcome to join for a free lunch, and fun, possibly messy, arts and crafts projects.

• 1 to 2 p.m. — Tween Art

Each week tweens will learn how to make a crafty art project.

• 1 to 4:30 p.m. — Mahjong

Volunteers are available weekly to teach people how to play Mahjong.

•  6 to 7:30 p.m. — Teen Time

Come and hang out. There will be games, books, and a great place to study here in the new Teen Department. Snacks will be provided.

Friday, June 29

•  9:30 a.m. to noon — TOPS

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss support group and wellness education organization. TOPS offers tools and programs for healthy living and weight management, with exceptional group fellowship and recognition. Established in 1948 to champion weight-loss support and success, TOPS has helped millions of people live healthier lives. New members are welcome.

• 10 a.m. to noon — Performing Arts Workshop (PAW) Special Edition Workshop

PAW- Special Edition is designed to introduce performing arts to special needs participants of varying abilities. Students from PAW Selects will participate as leaders and will buddy up with Special Edition participants to help them with activities in music, dance, drama, and art. To take part in this workshop, participants should be able to work together in a group and should be willing to try new things. 

At the end of the workshop, there will be an informal performance/presentation at noon to share what they have learned. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.

The workshop is free to participants (Limit 20) though donations to offset the cost are welcome.

Sign Up at performingartsworkshops-PAW.com or pick up a form at Niles District Library.

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. — Performing Arts Workshop (PAW) Special Edition Performance

In collaboration with the Niles District Library, this performance is a capstone on the workshop serving special needs adults with an introduction to the performing arts. PAW Selects students will participate as student leaders.

● 10:30 to 11 a.m. — Picture Book Club

This is an ideal book club for children. This book club features a read aloud, music and movement activity, and a craft all related to the book.  Stop by the Youth Services Desk for the latest copy of the book. Children ages infant to 7.

● Noon to 1 p.m. — Teen Sign Language Club

This is a club for teens to learn sign language.  Each week we will have a different theme, story, and activity to learn this great language.

●Noon to 1:30 PM – Summer Lunch Program

Lunches begin Monday, June 18 and end Friday, Aug. 17. Children ages infant to 18 and disabled individuals up to age 26 eat for free. Adults ages 19 and up pay for their lunches.

● 1 to 2 p.m. — Sign Language Club

This is a club for tweens to learn sign language.  Each week we will have a different theme, story, and activity to learn this great language. 

● 1 to 3 p.m. — Twisted Stitches

The community is welcome to bring a yarn or sewing project and enjoy a hot beverage while they chat and work. Rookies are welcome.

● 1 to 5 p.m. — Michigan Blood: Blood Drive

No appointment is necessary, but people can schedule an appointment. For more information: call 1-866-MIBLOOD (642-5663).

Saturday, June 30

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — SkillShare: Open Shop

This is a community workshop where people can share skills like patching drywall, fixing a leaky faucet, repairing small appliances, sewing, crafts and hobbies. Anyone can drop in during open shop times and use the workshop and tools.