Adult Services | Lower Providence Community Library

Welcome to the Adult Services page of the Lower Providence Community Library website. Find upcoming Programs & Events, check out our Resources for Readers, and send us your recommendations for books, DVDs, and other materials you would like to have in the library. Also, please let us know if you have any ideas for programming. We would love to hear from you!

To register for programs, email Barbara Loewengart or call the library at 610-666-6640 for the Circulation Desk.

Adult Yoga

Classes for October: Mondays: October 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 5:45- 6:45 pm. Fridays: October 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 3:15 – 4:15 pm.
Classes for November: Mondays: November 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 5:45- 6:45 pm. Fridays: November 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 3:15 – 4:15 pm.

Taught by certified yoga instructor Kamini Patel. Bring a mat or a towel and a $5 donation. Funds provide books and supplies to children in India.

Chair Yoga for Adults

Classes in October: Wednesdays at 1:30 pm, October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30.
Classes in November: Wednesdays at 1:30 pm, November 6, 13, & 20.

Gentle yoga for people with less mobility, led by certified yoga instructor Kamini Patel. Cost is $5/session. Funds provide books and supplies to children in India.

Meditation Sessions

Classes for October: Mondays at 7:15 pm., October 7, 14, 21 & 28.
Classes for November: Mondays at 7:15 pm., November 4, 11, 18 & 25.

Please join us for FREE meditation sessions. Open to all levels. Bring your active mind and wear comfortable clothing. Taught by Roger Shaughnessy, YT-200.

Movie Matinee

Monday, October 28 at 1:30pm. When Harry Met Sally. Starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. Rated R.
Monday, November 11 at 1:30 pm. Yesterday. Starring Lily James and Himesh Patel. Rated PG-13.
Monday, November 25 at 1:30pm. Gloria Bell. Starring Julianne Moore and John Turturro. Rated R.

Come to the Movie Matinee and enjoy a free showing of a hit movie! This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Evening Book Discussion Group

On Wednesday, November 13 at 7:00pm the evening book group will be discussing Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. Evening Book Discussion meets at 7:00pm the 2nd Wednesday of each month, September through June.

When her daughter Bee claims a family trip to Antarctica as a reward for perfect grades, Bernadette, a fiercely intelligent shut-in, throws herself into preparations for the trip. But worn down by years of trying to live the Seattle life she never wanted, Ms. Fox is on the brink of a meltdown. And after a school fundraiser goes disastrously awry at her hands, she disappears, leaving her family to pick up the pieces–which is exactly what Bee does, weaving together an elaborate web of emails, invoices, and school memos that reveals a secret past Bernadette has been hiding for decades. Where’d You Go Bernadette is an ingenious and unabashedly entertaining novel about a family coming to terms with who they are and the power of a daughter’s love for her mother. (From Goodreads.)

Book Discussion Questions

Discussion questions:

1. Where’d You Go, Bernadette is told from the point of view of a daughter trying to find her missing mother. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story from Bee’s perspective? What light does it shed on the bond between Bernadette and Bee?
2. What are your thoughts on Bernadette’s character? Has she become unhinged or has she always been a little crazy? What, if anything, do you think sent her over the edge? Have you ever had a moment in your own life that utterly changed you, or made you call into question your own sanity?
3. When Bernadette relocates from Los Angeles to Seattle, she must cope with being a transplant in a new city. Have you ever moved, or even stayed put but switched jobs, and had to adjust to an entirely different culture? What was it like?
4. The idea of going to Antarctica becomes too much for an already frazzled Bernadette to bear, but the trip itself, surprisingly, turns out to be exactly what she needs to get back on track. How do other characters in the novel experience their own breakthroughs? Which character is most transformed?5. How are Audrey Griffin and Bernadette Fox more alike than they realize?
6. Bernadette often behaves as if she is an outsider. Do you think she is? If so, do you think her feelings of being an outsider are self-imposed, or is she truly different from the other members of her community? Do you ever feel like an outsider?
7. The book has a very playful structure. Do you think it works? Why do you think the author chose it rather than a more straightforward, traditional structure? Think about other books with unusual structures and how their formats influenced your reading experience.
8. What do you think of Bernadette and Elgie’s marriage? Is it dysfunctional? Is there real love there? How has their marriage changed over time? Think about romantic relationships you’ve been in that have evolved, positively or negatively, and why.
9. Where’d You Go, Bernadette is, at its core, a story about a woman who disappears, both literally and figuratively. Were you able to relate to the book? How and why? Do you feel Bernadette’s disappearance was unique, or do all women, in a sense, disappear into motherhood and marriage?
(Questions issued by publisher.)

Evening Book Discussion List

Adult Coloring Book Class

Monday, November 4 at 1:00pm

De-stress and get creative! Join in for a fun, relaxed afternoon with pencils and markers at our Adult Coloring Book Class. We have lots of beautiful coloring book pages to choose from. You’re never too old to color! All materials provided. For more information, contact Barbara Loewengart.

Afternoon Book Discussion Group

Monday, November 18 at 1:00pm, we will be discussing The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick.

A shy librarian whose kind heart is often exploited receives a mysterious book of fairy tales from the beloved grandmother she believed dead and embarks on a perspective-changing journey of astonishing family secrets. (From the publisher.)

Book Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions:

-Books and libraries are vitally important to Martha, throughout her childhood and also in the present day. What do they mean to you?
– Martha can’t say ‘no’ to other people. Do you also find it difficult to say ‘no’? Why is this the case? Would you like to change?
– Do you think that Zelda and Thomas go out of their way to aggravate each other, or do some people just clash more than others? How could they have handled their relationship better?
– Should Martha have followed her fiancé Joe to America, or was it right for her to stay with her parents? Have you ever made a sacrifice for someone you love?
– Do you think that Betty and Thomas really loved each other?
– Does the responsibility of caring for older relatives usually fall on the shoulders of one sibling more than others? Has this happened in your family?
– Zelda tells a few small lies to Gina, such as saying she didn’t go on any fairground rides. Are small lies sometimes justified, or should you always tell the truth?
– Betty had to make a terrible decision, to choose between her mother and husband. What toll would this have taken on her, in the years that followed? What might have happened if she’d made the opposite decision, to stand by Zelda instead of Thomas?
– Martha’s fairy stories feature in the book. What is your own favourite fairy story (in this book or otherwise) and why?
– Betty believed that she owed Thomas a debt of gratitude because he married her while she was pregnant with someone else’s baby. Would she still feel the same way if this happened today, rather than in the sixties? How have times and societal attitudes changed?
– As sisters, Martha and Lilian are very different people. If you have a sibling or siblings, how do you differ from them? Do you get along?
– How would you describe Thomas’s relationship with his wife Betty – overbearing, over-caring, protective, or controlling?
– Do you see Betty as a weak person, for allowing Thomas to control the household? Or is she strong, for holding her family together?
– How do you see Martha in two years’ time? Do you think she’ll get the job at the library? Do you think her relationship with Owen will develop further?
– Siegfried Frost is a secret writer. Do you ever write, or do other creative things, in secret? Why do you keep this to yourself?
– Out of all the characters in the book, which one would you most like to meet and why? What would you say to them?
– As a child, what was your own favourite book? What is your favourite book now?
(Questions from the author’s website.)

Crochet Meet-Up

Wednesday, October 23 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
Wednesday, November 6 & 20 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

Join Colleen Ochotny, certified crochet instructor, for a casual crochet meet-up. Bring your projects and/or ideas and talk with other crochet enthusiasts. All are welcome.
Colleen Ochotny is a certified crochet instructor through the Craft Yarn Council. She has been teaching crochet for more than 6 years has been crocheting for more than 30 years.

A Different Kind of Book Club

Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30pm.

A Different Kind of Book Club will focus on reading books with happy endings (romance, light fantasy, cozy mysteries and the occasional nonfiction). The group will meet the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. On November 19, the club will be discussing Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly.

The Sleeping Mat Project

Wednesday, October 30 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Wednesday, November 13 & 20 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Wednesday, December 4 & 18 10: am – 11:30 am

Did you know those plastic bags taking up space in your closet can be woven into sleeping mats for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community?

Join Bev Weinberg for this innovative, hands-on project. People of all ages and abilities are welcome. You will learn how to make plarn (plastic yarn) and weave it into colorful mats to make a difference for homeless people in our area. This project is sponsored by Integrate for Good, a project designed to expand opportunities for individuals of all abilities to share their time and talent through volunteerism in Montgomery County.

Bev Weinberg received her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Bev returned to and received her clinical doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in 2016, along with a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Fox School of Business.

Bev is the project director of Integrate for Good, an innovative initiative designed to expand opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to contribute their time and talent through civic engagement.

Mindful Yoga

Thursday, October 31 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Mindful Yoga is a focus on Mind/ Body/ Spirit awareness. It is the practice of being in the present moment and is scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve well being. This class is for all levels including beginners. Please wear comfortable clothing. Please bring a mat or towel. Cost: $5 Donation. Taught by certified yoga teacher, Kamini Patel.

Memoir Writing Circle

Monday, November 4 at 6:30 pm.

Join writers in finding their voice through memoir writing. The group will use writing prompts, poems, journal entries and images to discover the compelling themes and stories that comprise a memoir. The Circle will share their writing and read aloud to each other. Suitable for writers of all levels and experience.

Slow Down and Look: Two Session Art Appreciation Program

Fridays, October 25 & November 1 @ 10:30 am

Do you like art or wish you liked it more? Do you wonder what to look for in a work of art or how to express your thoughts about it? You’ll be surprised how easy it can be to develop your skills of observation, understanding and self-expression. Did you know most people spend less than a minute when looking at an art work? Join this participatory workshop to gain the conﬁdence to stop, look closer and discover ways to engage more fully in a work of art. The workshop is suitable for both the timid and for the experienced art lover who want to deepen knowledge about art. Each session will include guided observation, discussion and lecture as well as a short writing activity. We will discuss one art work per session from Lower Providence Community Library’s National Endowment for the Humanities portfolio, Picturing America. No prior knowledge of art history or writing experience is necessary. Bring paper, pen or pencil and a willingness to open your mind and eyes and heart to the world of art.
Judy Gordon is an artist and art educator who has been inspiring students for more than forty years in both public school and museum settings. She has a BFA in Art Education and a Masters in Education. She has volunteered as a docent at Woodmere Art Museum and as an Art Goes to School presenter.

Fondue Workshop

Wednesday, November 6 @ 6:30 pm

How about a 70s Fondue Party? Fondue is FUN! It’s a great change of pace for entertaining or a way to have a family dinner that engages both children and adults. We’ll prepare cheese and chocolate fondues with plenty of dippers. Kitchen Wizards will play 70s music for your entertainment while noshing on your meal!
Presented by Kitchen Wizards. Kitchen Wizards is a spinoff division of Kathy’s Just Desserts. Kitchen Wizards helps kids of ALL ages
(4-94) to discover the magic of cooking, one bite at a time ®. Registration is limited to 20 adult participants. Registration required.

Medicare One-on-One

Wednesday, November 13. Schedule a 40 minute appointment at
10:00am, 10:40am, 11:20am or 12:00pm

Are you almost eligible for Medicare? Not sure which Medicare plan is right for you? If you turn 65 this year, you are eligible for Medicare. If your 65th birthday is within the next 3-6 months, you should learn about this important benefit. Medicare can be quite confusing. Donna Uhler, a state-trained volunteer APPRISE counselor will be offering one-on-one counseling to answer your Medicare questions and provide information on the health insurance options that are available to you and also help you understand your health insurance choices. APPRISE is a program funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and other agencies designed to help Medicare beneficiaries understand their Medicare and health choice options.
APPRISE counselors are sponsored and supervised by RSVP of Montgomery County.

Tile Coasters Craft

Wednesday, November 13 @ 7:00 pm

Sheetal Wagh will teach you how to make Coasters out of ceramic tiles. These tile coasters make great gifts and are easy and inexpensive to make. You can make these tiles with scrap paper, paper napkins, rubber stamps and by also personalizing them with photos—the possibilities are endless. A set of 4 tiles will be made in class.
All materials provided. Registration required. Please bring a box with you to class to carry home your tiles. Limited to 15 participants. Registration required.

Beyond the Coupon

Tuesday, November 19 @ 6:30 pm

Let’s Save $$ Together!
Have you ever been in line behind someone using coupons? Curiously checking out their total as it goes from $75 to $11, and wonder…how? So, you go out, buy the Sunday paper, and your total goes from $75 to $71. DON’T GIVE UP!!
Couponing is for everyone! You’ll learn:
•How to save 60-100% off regular retail price.
•How to avoid paying full price.
•Where to find Coupons.
•Organizing Coupons.
•How to use digital Coupons.
•Most importantly, stretching your dollar….you’ll feel good about spending less and getting more and possibly helping others with your new found skill.

Presenter Valentina Flickler has been couponing for many years and is eager to share her story and skills.

Holiday Card Making

Monday, December 2 @ 7:00 pm

Sheetal Wagh will show you how to create holiday cards for you to take home. All materials provided.
Limited to 15 participants. Registration required.

Social Security

Wednesday, December 4 @ 7:00 pm

This informative workshop covers the basics of social security and reveals strategies for maximizing your benefits. Learn the answers to your questions:
Will social security be there for me?
How much can I expect to receive?
When should I apply for social security?
How can I maximize my benefits?
Will social security be enough to live on in retirement?
Other information offered includes how to minimize taxes on social security benefits, how to coordinate benefits with your spouse, why you should check your earnings record for accuracy, and how to decide whether or not to delay your benefits. This program is most beneficial to those between the ages of 58 & 67. Presented by John J. Crowley, MBA

Essential Oils for Healthy Holidays
+ DIY Gift Giving

Thursday, December 5 @ 7:00 pm

Are there go-to essential oils not just for surviving, but thriving in the hustle of the holiday season? Learn oilers’ favorite tips, tricks, and recipes for rest and stress management, preventing the spread of illness, and dialing up the joy. Interested in showing your love and appreciation with a handmade gift? We’ve got the seasons most popular recipes! Get your hands oily by creating a personalized blend to gift or keep to help you enjoy your holiday season to the fullest! Presented by Megan Koppel, a natural health educator. All materials provided and limited to 15 participants. Registration required.

Cercle Francais

Every Tuesday at 10:30am until 12 noon.

This is not a formal language instruction class, but is for individuals wishing to practice and improve their French language conversation skills. Native speakers are most welcome. We need you, too! Please register and we will notify you three days prior to each weekly meeting.

Canasta

Meets every Thursday at 11:45 until 2:00 in the Main Library.

Join us each Thursday to play and learn the social and exciting game of Canasta. Newcomers and experienced players welcomed! For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.

Mahjong Club

Meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm in the Community Room.

Are you interested in playing Mahjong? You are welcome to join our Mahjong club! You will need a playing card, available for purchase ($7.00) at http://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.

Crafter’s Club

Meets every Wednesday at 10:00 am in the upstairs Board Room.

Do you have a craft you enjoy, or are you trying to finish a project? Meet with other knitting, crochet, jewelry making and cross stitching enthusiasts. All crafts welcome. Bring your own supplies. Learn and share ideas. All are welcome! For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.