Program Guide Winter 2025
This Program Guide is published by the East Cleveland Public Library. 14101 Euclid Avenue, East Cleveland, OH 44112. A copy of this publication may be picked up at The East Cleveland Public Library and is available for viewing and download online at eastclevelandpubliclibrary.org Library Board of Trustees Carol Shaheed, President Sheila Hunt-Sharpley, Vice President Otis Mays, Secretary Michael Wilson, Member Dr. Joy Jordan, Member Tyisha Blade, Member Nathan Paige, Member Editorial Staff Darin Gooch, Digital Publications Coordinator Liz Anastasiadis, Marketing & Program Associate Our Mission The mission of the East Cleveland Public Library is to provide life enhancing, conscious-raising library services and cultural activities that reflect the needs of the East Cleveland Community. Children’s..........3, 4 Teens..........5, 6 Adults..........7 Technology..........8 Black History Month Programs..........9,10 Upcoming Events/Important Dates.....11 Holiday Pop-Up Shop..........12 Holiday Party..............13 Library Services.......14 Sponsors.......15 Employee Spotlight.......16 Friends of the ECPL.......17 Reading Bingo...............18
If you would like to make a donation to the library, you may do so with the QR Code. Thank you! A Word from Circulation Dear East Cleveland Community, We hope this message finds you well! As your Circulation Team at the East Cleveland Public Library, we want to take a moment to thank you for being such an important part of our library family. Every time you check out a book, attend a program, or bring your children to Storytime, you help keep our library a vibrant hub of learning, connection, and community pride. This season, we’re especially excited to share a few updates: Library Card Renewal & Fine-Free Access: We’re continuing our fine-free policy—so no overdue fees! If your card has expired, stop by the Circulation Desk and we’ll renew it in minutes. Community Highlights: Our library isn’t just about books—it’s about you. We’re featuring local stories, artists, and history in upcoming displays and events. Visit us to see what your neighbors have created and shared. We see daily how much you care about your library. Your smiles, patience, and enthusiasm remind us why we love serving East Cleveland. Thank you for continuing to make this a welcoming place for everyone. We invite you to stop by, say hello, and discover what’s new at your library. Whether you’re checking out your favorite author, using our computers, or just finding a quiet place to read, we’re always happy to help you find what you need. With appreciation, The Circulation Team
Library Bucks: Read More. Do More. Earn More! All Winter 2025-26 All Day Kids can earn Library Bucks by reading, joining programs, helping out, and completing challenges! Trade them in for prizes and surprises while supplies last. For ages 12 & under. Cocoa & Crayola: Family Coloring Day & Poster Contest! Monday, December 1st - 3rd, 2025 All Day Warm up with cozy coloring at the library! Families with kids 12 & under can drop in to relax and brighten the winter season. Enter the Family Poster Contest for a chance to win—winner announced Dec. 4. No registration required. Snow What Fun! Drive-In Movie Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Join Santa and his reindeer on an imaginary journey through a special drive-in movie experience at the library. Children ages 6 & under will decorate their own cardboard sleighs and enjoy a holiday-themed book-to-movie feature. Fun and Learn Bingo Tuesdays, Dec. 2nd & 16th, 2025; Mondays, Jan. 12th & 27th, 2026; Tuesdays, Feb. 10th and 24th, 2026 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Learn-o! Laugh-o! Bingo! The only game where knowledge is the jackpot. Join us for fun rounds of bingo with learning twists that keep kids thinking and laughing. Orna Make & Take It! DIY Salt Dough Ornaments Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Kids can mix, roll, and shape their own salt dough ornaments to paint and decorate. Perfect for holiday trees or gifts. While supplies last. Registration encouraged. Books & Bites: A Literary Tasting Adventure! Thursdays, December 4th, 2025; January 22nd, February 5th & 19th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm A fun literacy program with book tasting stations, live read-alouds, interactive crafts, and special guest author Tracy Jackson. Discover new books, enjoy stories, and meet fellow readers. Creative Kids Club Tuesdays, December 9th, 2025 & January 6th, 2026 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Kids 12 and under can get creative and take home their artwork. A fun, handson art activity encouraging imagination and self-expression. Little Yogis Club Saturday, December 6th (12 pm - 1 pm); Tuesdays, January 13th (2 pm - 3 pm) & 20th (3 pm - 4 pm); Tuesday, February 3rd & 10th (2 pm - 3 pm) This class builds strength, balance, and focus while boosting confidence and relaxation in a positive, stress-free space. Jingle & Swap! Secret Santa Exchange Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Join our Secret Santa Swap and make festive cards with cheerful messages and small treats. Enjoy music, cocoa, and a jolly good time while you craft. Registration required for ages 12 & under. Canvas Creations Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Paint, play, and create! Kids will bring their imagination to life on canvas and leave with artwork they’ll be proud of. Stories in Motion – Make & Watch Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 10:30 am - 11:30 am Join us for an interactive storytime for children ages 6 & under! Watch short animated stories, then create fun crafts inspired by the characters. Jr. Cooks & Books Club – Walking Taco Fun! Thursday, January 29th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Read & Recommend: Discover a great new book and share your own! Cook Along: Make yummy Walking Tacos— perfect for little chefs! Fun & Friends: Enjoy stories, snacks, and hands-on fun with other kids ages 12 & under. Come hungry for books and tacos—leave full of stories and smiles! Registration required: Call (215) 541-4128 ext. 6259 to sign up. Children’s 3
My Voice Matters – Dream Builders Edition Thursday, January 15th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy through open mic readings, poetry, and a community mural. Watch the film 'My Friend Martin' and share your dreams and creativity. The Cajón Drum Youth Program Saturdays, January 17th, 24th and 31st, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Kids will build, decorate, and learn to play their own Cajón drums in this fun three-part series—ending with a group performance! • Session 1: Cajón Drum Kit Assembly • Session 2: Drum Decoration and Personalization • Session 3: Introduction to Cajón Playing and Group Performance TEAM T.U.F.F.! – Empowerment Workshop for Kids Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm A youth empowerment workshop hosted by Girls On the Rise. Kids will build confidence and life skills through mentoring, discussions, and an introduction to boxing with Team T.U.F.F. Combat & Fitness. Love and Legacy Jam Saturday, February 7th, 2026 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Celebrate Black History with music, dance, performances, and community tributes. Includes trivia, workshops, and a 'Dress as Your Favorite Black History Figure' contest. Celebrate Valentine's Day with ChamberFest Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm ChamberFest returns to East Cleveland Public Library for an interactive event exploring kindness and community through music and words. Meet the musicians in a relaxed setting, with a rotating concert and artist meet-and-greets. Get in on the action with hands-on musical activities provided by The Music Settlement and youth writing projects from Lake Erie Ink. There's fun for the whole family at this all-ages event -- we can't wait to see you there! The East Cleveland Public Library proudly partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library. *Daycares are recommended to call ahead for space accommodations and programming. Children’s 4 Under The Sea Sip & Paint Adventure Thursday, February 12th, 2026 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm Join us for an ocean adventure at the library! Kids will sip, paint, and create their own underwater scene while exploring sea-themed stories and vocabulary. A creative way to mix art and literacy!
Weekend Eats: Teen Take-Home Cooking Kits All Winter, 2025-26 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Learn to cook quick, easy, and delicious meals right from your own kitchen! Each Weekend Eats kit includes simple recipes, pre-measured ingredients, and step-by-step instructions to help teens build confidence in the kitchen and create fun weekend meals. Perfect for beginners and busy schedules alike! Teen Tuesdays: Chill, Create, Connect Tuesdays during Winter 2025-26 4:00 pm - 5:45 pm Drop in every Tuesday this winter for Teen Tuesdays—a weekly hangout just for teens! Each week brings something new: games, crafts, snacks, movies, and more. Come unwind, meet new friends, and make Tuesday your favorite day of the week. Brownies & Board Games Monday, December 8th, 2025 4:15 pm - 5:30 pm Join us for a relaxed evening of fun and friendly competition! Enjoy delicious brownies while playing classic and new board games with friends. It’s the perfect way to unwind, laugh, and connect before the holiday season begins. Deal & Duel: Teen Card Game Tournament Thursday, Dec. 11th, 2025, and Wednesday, Jan. 14th, 2026 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm Show off your skills in a fast-paced card game showdown! Compete in classic and modern games for prizes and bragging rights. All skill levels welcome! Cookies, Cocoa & Cards Saturday, December 13th, 2025 4:15 pm - 5:30 pm Get cozy at the library for an afternoon of holiday fun! Enjoy warm cocoa and sweet cookies while making festive cards to share with friends, family, or local community members. Bring your creativity and holiday spirit—supplies and treats are provided! Tabletop Takeover: Game Night for Teens Wednesday, Dec. 17th, 2025, and Thursdays, Jan. 15th. & Feb. 5th, 2026 4:15 pm - 5:30 pm Roll the dice, draw your cards, and get your game face on! Tabletop Takeover is your chance to play classic and new board games with friends. Whether you're into strategy, Teens 5
Bring a Book, Take a Book: Library Book Swap Saturday, January 10th, 2026 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Trade your favorite reads and discover something new at the library’s book swap! Bring gently used books to exchange with others and leave with fresh stories to enjoy. It’s a fun, free way to share the joy of reading with your community. Dream It, Do It: Vision Board Workshop Saturday, January 10th, 2026 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm Start the new year with creativity and inspiration! Design your own vision board to set goals, express dreams, and visualize the year ahead. All supplies are provided—just bring your imagination and motivation! Mugs & Movies Saturday, January 31st, 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Settle in for a cozy movie at the library! Sip hot drinks from your favorite mug and enjoy a great film with friends. It’s the perfect way to relax, snack, and unwind together. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just in it for fun, everyone’s welcome to join the action! Teens 6
Colorful Communication Monday, December 1st, 8th and 15th (final date), 2025 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm East Cleveland is on a mission to collect one postcard from each U.S. State and every country around the world. We've joined international postcard exchanges, so now we need your colorful creativity! Join us for music, social conversations, and postcard decorating as we connect with the world, one card at a time. Craft Club: Create and Conversate with Caprice Every Wednesday during the months of December, January and February, 2025-26 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm Bring your creativity and think out side the box with unique one of a kind beautiful works of art. We create while having great conversations with Caprice. Holiday Jeopardy Thursday December 11th, 2025 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Think you know everything about the Holidays and movies. Come laugh, have fun and test your knowledge with Holiday Movie Jeopardy. Winter Wonderland Paint and Sip Monday December 15, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Come and celebrate the season with a paint and sip. Let your creativity shine as we paint a winter wonderland using sponges, Q-tips and paint. Kidney Health Education Session Monday, January 12th, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Join us for a kidney health education session with questions and answers about these essential organs (light refreshments will be served). Am I Being Lied To: Basic Information Literacy for Adults Tuesdays, January 13th & 27th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Today’s information and entertainment technologies communicate to us through a powerful combination of words, images, and sounds. As such, we need to develop a wider set of literacy skills helping us to comprehend the messages we receive. Being literate in a media age requires critical thinking skills that empower us as we make decisions, whether in the living room, the workplace, or the voting booth. Over two sessions, we'll discuss various Information Literacy tools and techniques to help us glean the truth from our media and learn if we're being manipulated. Plant A Monarch Butterfly Garden Thursday, January 15th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Winter sowing is a fantastic way to jump ahead with hardy flowers and herbs which will germinate in their own time as the weather warms up. We'll be planting milkweed in plastic milk jugs, which will act as miniature greenhouses for our plants. Then, in the Spring, we'll transplant them and create a vibrant garden which will support migratory Monarch Butterflies. Join us to get free seeds and learn about winter sowing and planting for native pollinators. Adults 7
Holiday Print Shop Thursday, December 4th, 2025 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Create festive 3D designs using Tinkercad and Thingiverse. This beginner friendly program for seniors and adults focuses on fun, simple holiday models like snowmen, snowflakes, and Christmas trees. No experience is needed, just your creativity. Let's Learn Music Streaming Tuesday, December 9th, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Learn how to stream your favorite music using apps like Spotify, Pandora and YouTube Music. Let's Make Digital Holiday Cards Monday, December 15th, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Create and send personalized holiday cards using free online tools and festive templates. A Holiday Classic Thursday, December 18th, 2025 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Join ECPL for a festive screening of Miracle on 34th Street (1947)! Enjoy popcorn and holiday cheer with this timeless classic. Open to adults and seniors. Typing Tuesdays Every Tuesday in January 2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Practice basic typing skills and learn keyboard shortcuts to build speed and confidence each week. Technology Let's Learn a Language Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Get help navigating the free Mango Languages app to start learning a new language on your own; a library card is required. Get to Know Your Device Thursday, January 8th, 2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Learn how to make calls, send messages, use apps, and more on your device with personal one-on-one help. Digital Letters: Write, Type, Send Thursday, January 15th, 2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Learn to write, format, and email a letter in this beginner-friendly program for adults and seniors. Let's Make 3D Printed Keychains Thursday, January 15th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Create a personalized keychain design and learn the basics of 3D printing technology using the library’s 3D printer. How to Pay Bills Online Monday, February 9th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Learn how to safely pay your bills online using trusted websites and apps. Digital Coloring for Relaxation Wednesdays, February 11th and 25th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Discover easy-to-use digital coloring apps to relax and express your creativity. Warm Up Your Fingers Thursday, February 12th, 2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Build your typing speed and accuracy in this hands-on class for adults new to computers. Virtual Reality (VR) Destinations Saturdays, February 14th & 28th, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Explore exciting virtual reality destinations and learn how to use VR headsets for immersive experiences. We help patrons build useful technology skills and overall computer knowledge, including the internet, email, security, and more! Stop by ECPL to join our classes. Wi-Fi Hotspots are available upon request. Wi-Fi hotspots are available to East Cleveland residents and ECPL library card holders. Visit the computer lab to sign one out! The bridge to opportunity is digital. Get affordable internet service, free training and support, and discounted devices when you visit: www.ClevelandNavigators.org or call 216-307-6990. 8
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Closing Dates Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 - Christmas Eve Thursday, December 25th, 2025 - Christmas Day Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 - New Year’s Eve Thursday, January 1st, 2026 - New Year’s Day Monday. January 19th, 2026 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, February 16th - Presidents’ Day Upcoming Events/Important Dates 11 Scan the QR code with your smartphone and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates! Board Meetings The ECPL board meetings are held the 3rd Saturday of every month. Time: 2:00 pm Location: East Cleveland Public Library, Lower Auditorium East Side Chess Club Mini Tournament Join us at the ECPL for a mini chess tournament this Winter! 4 rounds AT G30, $25 Entry Fee Date: Saturday February 28th, 2025 Location: East Cleveland Public Library Eastside Chess Club Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm Patrons are invited to come learn about the exciting game of chess! ECCAMP Winter Concert Date: Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 Time: 6:00 pm An evening of music and cheer, brought to you by The East Cleveland Community Arts & Mentorship Program Bite Into Books Kickoff A country-wide initiative, BITE INTO BOOKS invites residents to enjoy a shared reading experience of Bite By Bite and various companion texts about food and the people we share it with. BITE INTO BOOKS is hosted by Heights Libraries in collaboration with eight public library systems in Cuyahoga County, including ECPL. Date: Saturday February 28th, 2025 Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Location: Cleveland’s West Side Market
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14101 Euclid Avenue East Cleveland, OH 44112 216-541-4128 eastclevelandpubliclibrary.org Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm Friday Closed Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm Sunday Closed Hours East Cleveland Public Library East Cleveland Public Library ecpltweets East Cleveland Public Library ecplibrary
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