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.

Tuesday, Oct. 23

• 10 to 11 a.m. — SkillShare: Cardmaking

The community is invited to join Sandy in SkillShare making seasonal cards on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. All materials will be provided, but bringing scissors and adhesive would be helpful.

• 10:30 a.m. — Passport Pals

This activity is a special story time 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. Participants can also get their passports stamped.

•  6 to 6:30 p.m. — Chips and Chapters

This is a read aloud story time. Every Tuesday, Ms. Tara will read aloud from a chapter book, while participants eat chips and follow along. This is fun for all ages.

•  5 to 7 p.m. — SkillShare: Open Shop

The library has created a workshop space downstairs for community members to share skills like patching drywall, fixing a leaky faucet, repairing small appliances, sewing, crafts, and hobbies. Staff said they hope it’ll be a fun place to hang out during twice weekly open shop times! 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.  Please email laura.hollister@nileslibrary.net if you’d be willing to volunteer on any of the open shop days!

•  6:30 to 7 p.m. — Pajama Storytime

This evening story time is for the entire family. Library staff will be reading stories on a theme, musical numbers, and a craft to end our time. Those who participate are invited to wear pajamas.

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

A book club at a bar? Why not? This club is ideal for those who love 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.   

Wednesday, Oct. 24

•  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.

• 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. —Triple P Parenting Class

This class is for anyone who wishes to learn a variety of parenting skills that will promote their child’s development and potential.

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

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

•  6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Sustainability Series: Casey Struecker, Chikaming Open Lands

Casey Struecker is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Chikaming Open Lands, a local non-profit land conservancy. Casey received her degree in environmental science and is passionate about conservation and environmental topics, especially here in southwest Michigan. Casey said she is always excited about educating the public, especially the next generation of conservationists through the Mighty Acorns program- an environmental education program for third, fourth and fifth grade students — as well as other public events, workshops and seminars. When not working you can find her exploring new hiking trails, camping, gardening, and traveling.

•  6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Video Game Dialogues

Join the Niles District Library for their new club: Video Game Dialogues! Similar to any of our current book clubs, participants 17 years and older will play a designated game each month. Then attend an evening with fellow gamers to discuss their experiences with the storyline and gameplay. Video Game Dialogues will meet every 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm – 8pm. 

Games will be made available to play on during Adult Game Days. 

Video games will not be provided for participants. For more information contact the Niles District Library 269-683-8545.

• 7 to 8 p.m. — Happy Destiny Group

The purpose of A.A. group meetings is for A.A. members to share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and to help others recover from alcoholism. Open meetings are available to anyone interest in the program or recovery.

Thursday, Oct. 25

•  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.

•  1 to 4:30 p.m. — Mahjong

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

•  4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Club H20 Meeting

“Club H2O” is a faith-based group especially designed for young women, ages 13-18.  Its aim is to be a safe place for them to connect with each other while engaging in discussions and activities to increase self-esteem, healthy coping strategies and learn about boundaries to build secure relationships.  To join “Club H2O” is free to all participants and the program is facilitated by master’s level therapists.

•  6 to 7:30 p.m. — Teen Time

Teens are invited to 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, Oct. 26

•  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!

•  1 to 3 p.m. — Twisted Stitches

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

•  2 to 4 p.m. — Homeschool Hangout

All ages and abilities are welcome to drop in to play games, make crafts- whatever they like. The room is open on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.

Saturday, Oct. 27

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

Library staff created a workshop space downstairs for community members to share skills like patching drywall, fixing a leaky faucet, repairing small appliances, sewing, crafts, and hobbies. They said they also hope it’ll be a place to hang out during twice weekly open shop times. Those interested in volunteering are asked to email laura.hollister@nileslibrary.net.

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Finally Fixed: Repair Café

Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things (together). In the library’s SkillShare area, there will be tools and materials to help people make any repairs on clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, appliances, toys, et cetera. People can also find expert volunteers, with repair skills in all kinds of fields.

Visitors bring their broken items from home. Together with the volunteers they start making their repairs in the Repair Café. It’s an ongoing learning process. Those who have nothing to repair, can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Or they can lend a hand with someone else’s repair job.

•  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Southwest Michigan Writers’ Conference

Thanks to Brian Johnston, head of public services at Lincoln Township Public Library, a team of librarians in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties are offering area writers a day of advice, instruction and camaraderie. This first-time event features sessions that include such topics as building suspense, avoiding logical fallacies, writing about challenging children’s topics and writing for young adults. Self-published writers leading the presentations include New York Times bestselling authors, crime author Libby Fischer Hellmann, and children’s author Tamara Knighten. Johnston will moderate a roundtable discussion about the future of self-publishing with several authors. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended. To register online, find the Southwest Michigan Writers’ Conference on Facebook. For more information, contact any of the sponsoring libraries: Benton Harbor Public Library, Berrien Springs Community Library, Dowagiac District Library, Lincoln Township Southwest Michigan Writers’ Conference Public Library, Niles District Library, and Van Buren District Library.

•  Noon to 1:30 p.m. — Senior Academy: Tips and Tools for Living with Vision Loss

•  1 to 4 p.m. — Annual Costume Contest @ the YMCA

The community is invited to wear the funniest, most heroic, creative costume for a chance to win a prize. Registration on the day of the event.  There will also be raffle prizes, local author Cheri Hallwood, games, hayride, and the Optimist Pumpkin Race.  Check the YMCA website for Fall Festival lineup.

The library expressed gratitude to sponsors for helping with the event.

They include:

• Cressy & Everett

• Cut Above Wood Designs

• First Source Bank

• Four Flags Area Credit Union

• Library Design Associates, Inc.

• OJS Building Services

• Priority Computers

• Pizza Transit

• The UPS Store 5277