The Niles District Library is building 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.

Tuesday, Oct. 10

• 8 to 9:30 a.m. — Drip-In Book Club

The public is invited to join the library each month in discussing recommended books in this new style of book club. Each month, a different genre of literature is chosen and each book club member reads a different book in that genre. At the meetings, club members will discuss what they liked about the books read, so others can get excellent recommendations for what to read next. This is a drop-in book club. This month will feature science fiction.

• 10:30 a.m. – Passport Pals

Each Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. there will be 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. There will also be an opportunity to get passports stamped.

• 6 to 7 p.m. — Chips and Chapters

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

• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Women’s 12-Step Meeting

This group is for women in search of support working through the 12 steps of AA. Drop-ins are welcome to this friendly group.

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

The public is welcome to an evening of three stories, music, and movement, and a craft. Those participating are invited to wear their pajamas.

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Fiction for Foodies

Fiction for Foodies is a book club for food lovers. Participants meet in the Community Room.  This is also a potluck. Participants read, cook, eat and discuss. Sign up at the information desk and receive a copy of the book.

Wednesday, Oct. 11

• 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.

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

Talent Development Specialists can register residents for unemployment, evaluate their strengths and skills, edit or help update resumes, sharpen interview skills and more. For more information on what MI Works! can do for you, visit michiganworks.org/job-seekers/.

• 5:30 to 8 p.m. — Tabletop RPG Night

This activity is for those who are a fan of Dungeons and Dragons, Shadowrun, and other tabletop role-playing games. This activity will include a fun evening of gaming, which the library hopes to make a part of our regular schedule this fall and winter.

• 7 to 8 p.m. — CDA Niles

Chemically Dependent Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship for anyone seeking freedom from drug and alcohol addiction. CDA Niles has a room reserved at the library from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. For more information please visit cdaweb.org.

Thursday, Oct. 12

• 10 a.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. The Connection offers the following services and resources when available: Community Referrals, Housing Information, Housing Case Management, Eviction Assistance, Rental Assistance, and Security Deposit Assistance.

• 10 to 11:30 a.m. — Positive Parenting Program

For parents or caretakers who wish to learn a variety of parenting skills that will promote their child’s development and potential. Discussion group topics will include: positive parenting, dealing with disobedience, managing fighting and aggression, developing good bedtime routines, and hassle-free shopping with children. Please RSVP to the Berrien County Health Department at (269) 927-5622.

• 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. — WMU Student Film Showcase

The inaugural student film showcase will take place at the Eleanor and Mowitt Drew Gallery. The film, video, and media studies major offered at Western Michigan University emphasizes the process of radio, television, and video production. Students work to combine theory and the study of media effects on culture with hands-on video production while implementing the many aspects of production that must come together for a complete program.

• 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — Storytime

This activity is for children 3 and up. 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 to teach newbies how to play.  Other board games are also available.

• 2 to 3:30 p.m. – Positive Parenting Program: Parenting Teens

This activity is for parents or caretakers who wish to learn a variety of parenting skills that will promote their teen’s development and potential.

• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Teen Time

Teens are invited to come and hang out from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday evenings. There will be games, snacks, books, and a great place to study here in the Teen Department. 

Friday, Oct. 13

• 10 a.m. to noon — TOPS Meeting

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

• 3 to 5 p.m. — Twisted Stitches

The community is invited to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and chat while working on a yarn or sewing project.  Rookies are welcome. Our teacher and a few loaner tools will help to get those new to the craft started.

• 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Tween Book Club

This activity is geared for children ages 8 to 12. Albert Einstein wrote, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” This month, there will be snacks and a discussion of Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s “Fish in a Tree.”

Saturday, Oct. 14

• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. — WMU Student Film Showcase

The inaugural student film showcase will take place at the Eleanor and Mowitt Drew Gallery. The film, video, and media studies major offered at Western Michigan University emphasizes the process of radio, television, and video production. Students work to combine theory and the study of media effects on culture with hands-on video production while implementing the many aspects of production that must come together for a complete program.

• 10:30 to 11 a.m. — Toddler Dance Party

This musical program is aimed for toddlers to help strengthen brain and body muscles.  There will be music to reinforce hand eye coordination, cross-brain exercises, and tactile and sensory movements. This program is for ages infant to 5.

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Yoga

This class is free and appropriate for all abilities. Those who attend are advised to dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat and water. There are a limited number of mats to borrow.

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Daughters of the American Revolution

Rebecca Dewey Chapter, NSDAR, a lineage service organization serving lower Berrien County will host their October business meeting to discuss and resolve current projects and resolutions. The public is welcome to sit in and find out more about the Daughters of the American Revolution.

• 1 to 2 p.m. — Jr. Garden Club

Each month, Ms. Ann will present a lesson on gardening and nature.  There will also be a snack, and a craft connected with the topic. This group is for ages 3-12. This month the craft is to create natural wind chimes.

• 1 to 5 p.m. — Game Day for Adults- Tournament Day

This activity is for those 18 or older who like video games or board games. The tournament will include board games, cards, tabletop games, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U games set up and ready to play. Those interested are invited to bring their own games.

• 3 to 5 p.m. — Paint My Cart!

This activity is for teen artists.  Help the library turn their book carts from drab to fab. Art supplies will be available for use.

• 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. — Teen and Adult Nerf Night-Afterhours

Teens (13 and older) and adults are invited to come to the library for an after-hours round of Nerf games with an emphasis on strategy and teamwork.  Registration is 5:30 to 6 p.m., game play begins at 6 p.m. Those interested are asked to arrive before the library closes at 6 p.m. All participants must have a signed waiver on file in order to play.

Eleanor and Mowitt Drew Gallery — “SKEIN” Oct. 2 to Oct. 21

Gray Lyons is a photographer and installation artist whose work addresses themes of memory, history, identity, and storytelling. She has received degrees from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Towson University. Her work has been exhibited and published both nationally and internationally and can be found in the collections of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction; the Siena Art Institute Library; the Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur; and the Brauer Museum of Art. Lyons has been a visiting artist at the Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, Georgetown College, Goucher College and other venues.

Linda Lyons is a photographer who works within the areas of alternative photographic processes and interdisciplinary practices. She received her MFA in Photography from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her recent exhibitions include solo shows at the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, Missouri and at the Colfax Cultural Center in South Bend, Indiana, as well as a group show for uBe Art in Berkeley, California. Ms. Lyons has been published in print and web-based periodicals including “F-Stop Magazine,” “Camera Arts Magazine,” “Curve Magazine,” and “Light Leaks Magazine.” She has photographic work featured in Christopher James’ “The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes.”

Text alerts from the Niles District Library

Those who would like to receive program reminders and updates or updates on library closings, can now get text reminders. There are two ways to sign-up: via smartphone, get push notifications or on an iPhone or Android phone, users can open their web browser and go to the following link:

rmd.at/ndlys (for Youth Services Programs only)

rmd.at/ndlads (for Adult Services Programs only)

rmd.at/ndlib49120 (for all library program updates and closings)

For those who do not have a smartphone, get text notifications. Text 81010 with the message:

@ndlys (for Youth Services Programs)

@ndlads (for Adult Services Programs)

or @ndlib49120 (for all library program updates and closings)