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.

Monday, Oct. 16

• 6 to 7 p.m. — Tween Game Night

This activity is geared toward tweens ages 9 to 12. There will be a fun night playing board games and card games. Each week will feature a new game that can be played. Snacks will be 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. CDA Niles has a room reserved at the library 7 to 8 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday. For more information visit cdaweb.org

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

This activity is for all ages and abilities. This week’s feature is the “Smurfs: The Lost Village.” Meet in the Community Room.

• 10:30 a.m. — Passport Pals

Each Tuesday there will be a special story time tour of the world. The activity will include books, songs and a craft, and other surprises relating to the special country of the month.

• 4 to 5:30 p.m. — NDL Board Meeting

• 6 to 7 p.m. — Chips and Chapters

This is a fun read aloud storytime. 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 is for women in search of support working through the 12 steps of AA.  Drop ins are welcome.

• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Lego Building Challenge

Youth are invited to make any creation and show it to the Youth Services staff.

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Creative Cooking: Microwave Tricks and Treats

The community is invited to this month’s Creative Cooking class to learn some time saving tricks for using the microwave to get dinner on the table faster. Microwave tips for creating quick and delicious desserts will also be revealed.  Feel free to bring recipes to share, too. Pre-register by calling (269) 683-8545, ext. 112.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

• 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.

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Readers Circle Book Group

This group is led by Sally Ginter. In Readers Circle, members seek to have enlightening and thought-provoking conversations about books from a wide variety of genres. This is an ideal place for serious book lovers and new members are welcome. Books are available at the Information Desk.

• 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 every Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 8 pm. For more information please visit http://cdaweb.org/

Thursday, Oct. 19

• 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. RSVP to the Berrien County Health Department at (269) 927-5622.

• 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Storytime

This activity is for youth ages 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.

• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Teen Time

This activity invites teens to come and hang out for a night of fun. There will be games, snacks, books, and a great place to study here in the Teen Department. 

• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Niles History: Fall Program Series- Gangster Fred “Killer” Burke, “The Most Dangerous Man in 1929”

The Niles District Library and the Niles History Center welcome historian Chriss Lyon for a look at a notorious gangster Fred “Killer” Burke, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, and his connections to Al Capone and southwestern Michigan. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted. 

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Drip-In Book Club

For those looking for the next greatest book, this club might provide some suggestions. The public is invited each month to discuss and recommend 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 meetings, there will be discussion on what was enjoyed from the latest read. This is a drop-in book club so those interested are invited to stay as long as they want.

Friday, Oct. 20

• 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 offers tools and programs for healthy living and weight management, with the opportunity for 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.

• 3 to 5 p.m. — Twisted Stitches

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

• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Artist Reception: Linda and Gray Lyons

Meet the artists, Linda and Gray Lyons, whose show “Skein” is currently up in the Eleanor and Mowitt Drew Gallery. Their eclectic works will be shown through Saturday, Oct. 21.

Saturday, Oct. 21

• 10 a.m. to noon – Chess Club

This club is ideal for those who love chess. This group meets twice monthly to play. All ages and abilities are welcome. Those who don’t know how to play will have the opportunity to learn.   Meet us in the Children’s Department for chess fun for all ages.

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Yoga

This class is free and appropriate for all abilities. Those interested are advised to dress comfortably, bring a yoga mat and water. A limited number of mats are available.

• 1 to 2:30 p.m. — Craftastic Saturday: Halloween Tote Bags

Participants of all ages are welcome to join in the Rotunda for, all-ages craft.  This month crafters will be creating glittery fall tote bags, perfect for books, groceries, and Halloween treats. Register by calling (269) 683-8545, ext. 112.

Eleanor and Mowitt Drew Gallery “SKEIN”— open from 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.

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.