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.

For more information, call (269) 683-8545, email marketing@nileslibrary.net, or check out the Niles District Library Facebook page, Twitter page, @TheNDLib or nileslibrary.com.Monday.

Wednesday, Aug. 1

•  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

Youth ages infant to 18 and disabled individuals up to age 26 eat for free. Adults ages 19 and up pay for their lunches. The library will offer a nutritious meal. Lunches will be offered through Friday, Aug. 17.

•  Noon to 1 p.m. — Teen Cooking

This is a cooking class for teens. 

•  1 to 2 p.m. — Tween Cooking

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

•  1 to 4 p.m. — Michigan Works/ Kinexus

Talent Development Specialists can help people register for unemployment, evaluate their strengths and skills, edit or help update their resume, sharpen interview skills and more.

• 4 to 7 p.m. — Coupon Exchange

People are invited to join Ann in the Youth Services area for a twice-a-month coupon exchange (first and third Wednesdays). Participants can bring coupons they do not want and trade them for the ones they do.   

•  5:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Niles Public Arts Commission

•  7 to 8 p.m. — Happy Destiny Group

Open meetings are available to anyone interest in the program or recovery.

•  7 to 8 p.m. — Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Lecture Series

This week’s series features, “Telling Time with Technology: Glass Trade Beads of Fort St. Joseph.” This lecture will be presented by Dr. Heather Walder, professor of anthropology at the  Northern Illinois University.

Thursday, Aug. 2

•  10 a.m. to noon — Special Edition: Movie Day

All ages and abilities are welcome to this sensory sensitive showing. The volume isn’t too loud, and there’s room at the back for those who prefer not to sit still. Popcorn will be hot and fresh. This week’s movie is, “A Wind in the Door.”

•  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.

•  10:30 a.m. 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

Youth ages infant to 18 and disabled individuals up to age 26 eat for free. Adults ages 19 and up pay for their lunches. The library will offer a nutritious meal. Lunches will be offered through 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 for a free lunch, and possibly messy, arts and crafts projects.

•  1 to 2 p.m. — Tween Art

Each week tweens will learn all 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

Teens are invited to come and hang out. There will be games, books, and a place to study here in the new Teen Department. Snacks will be provided.

Friday, Aug. 3

•  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.

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

This book club features a read aloud, music and movement activity, and a craft all related to the book. The community can stop by the Youth Services Desk for the latest copy of the book. This activity is for children ages infant to 7.

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

This is a club for teens to learn sign language.

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

Youth ages infant to 18 and disabled individuals up to age 26 eat for free. Adults ages 19 and up pay for their lunches. The library will offer a nutritious meal. Lunches will be offered through Friday, Aug. 17.

• 1 to 2 p.m. —  Sign Language Club

This is a club for tweens to learn sign language.

•  1 to 3 p.m. — Twisted Stitches

The community can bring their yarn or sewing project and enjoy a hot beverage while they chat and work. Rookies are welcome. The teacher, David, is here to provide help and instructions. A few loaner tools are available to get beginners started.

Saturday, Aug. 4

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

SkillShare is a workshop space for community members to share skills like patching drywall, fixing a leaky faucet, repairing small appliances, sewing, crafts and hobbies.

•  10 a.m. to noon — TreeClimbers Genealogy Group

People can get started on the journey of uncovering their family history. There is no experience  required to participate.

•  Noon to 1:30 p.m. —Senior Academy: “I’ve Lived This Long, Why Do I Need to Think About Nutrition Now?”

Linda, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of SW Michigan, will answer this question and more, such as, “Can healthy eating be fun?”, “Why do some foods taste different now that I am older?”, “I am on a fixed income, and food prices keep going up . . . how can I eat healthy on a budget?” Linda will also provide a list of local community feeding sites for seniors, information about home-delivered meals, and sample menus from Meals on Wheels. Lunch will be served at noon, with class starting at 12:30 p.m.

•  1 to 2 p.m. — Pint Sized Polkas

Come and listen to polka songs like the “Alphabet Polka,” “Numbers Schottische,” and “Tiny Bubbles in the Tub.” Grand prize winners for the Youth Services Summer Reading Program will be announced this day.