WestChesterBuzz.com

Dog tutors will help local children improve their reading skills this Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the West Chester Library’s community room.

Children, who have difficulty reading or are self-conscious about reading aloud, can benefit from reading to a furry friend, according to the event’s description on the library’s website.

The event, Tail Waggin’ Tutors at the MidPointe Library West Chester, offers an opportunity to read to a specially trained dog from Therapy Dogs International. The experience can improve reading skills and boost self-esteem.

An additional dog-led tutor sessions will take place on Wednesday, April 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library’s community room. Participants register for a 20-minute reading session.

This program is geared for elementary school-aged children. Registration is required.

To register, call 513-777-3131 x 2 or visit the Youth Services Desk.

Posted in: Events, Library events |

Tags: Tags: dog tutors, MidPointe Library System, MidPointe Library West Chester, Tail Waggin' Tutors, West Chester Library, West Chester library events

Planes Moving and Storage is participating in its third annual “Fill the Truck” event to benefit Reach Out Lakota. They are hosting a semi-truck at their West Chester location, 9823 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, and are asking community members to donate food, clothing (new or gently-used) and personal care items to fill the truck.

Now through this Friday, people can bring items to the local business, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or, they can make a donation online and Planes will purchase the item and load it onto the truck for them.

Visit www.fillthetruck.org/reachoutlakota for more information and to make an online donation.

Furthermore, the MidPointe Library System, which includes the West Chester Library, is once again offering its “Food for Fines” promotion, which allows library goers a chance to eliminate their overdue fees when they donate food.

The program, which runs through Dec. 31, will eliminate one dollar of outstanding fines for each non-perishable food item a patron donates.

“This program is a wonderful way for our users to eliminate their fines, while contributing to a worthy cause,” library director Anita Carroll said.

The MidPointe Library System will be distributing the contributions throughout their service area to multiple food pantries and charitable organizations including Reach Out Lakota, the EMA Food Pantry in Trenton and the Salvation Army of Middletown.

Do you own or work for a business in West Chester and/or Liberty Township that is giving back to the community this holiday season? Please share it by emailing akiefaber@westchesterbuzz.com.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Fill the Truck, Food For Fines, Food For Fines West Chester Library, holiday drive West Chester, Planes Moving and Storage, Planes Moving and Storage Fill the Truck, Reach Out Lakota, Reach Out Lakota coat drive, Reach Out Lakota food drive, Reach Out Lakota holidays, West Chester Christmas, West Chester library events

Planes Moving and Storage is participating in its third annual “Fill the Truck” event to benefit Reach Out Lakota. They are hosting a semi-truck at their West Chester location, 9823 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, and are asking community members to donate food, clothing (new or gently-used) and personal care items to fill the truck.

Now through Dec. 21, people can bring items to the local busines, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Or, they can make a donation online and Planes will purchase the item and load it onto the truck for them.

Visit www.fillthetruck.org/reachoutlakota for more information and to make an online donation.

There are also other ways to give back through Reach Out Lakota this holiday season.

West Chester’s Tri-County Heating and Cooling is sponsoring the Spread the Warmth campaign to benefit Reach Out Lakota. The company is collecting new and gently-used coats and winter accessories for Reach Out Lakota through Dec. 15.

Tri-County Heating & Cooling will pick up any coats and accessories from homes they service until Dec. 15. People can also drop off coats and accessories at the following locations:

• Tri-County Heating & Cooling, 7110 Office Park Drive, West Chester, until Dec. 15
• West Chester Community Foundation, 5641 Union Centre Drive, West Chester, until Dec. 15
• Walmart, 8288 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester, on Dec. 15 from 
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Reach Out Lakota, 6561 Station Road, West Chester.

Community members are being asked to donate gently-used winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens. All sizes of children’s and adult coats will be accepted.

Tri-County Heating and Cooling will donate $20 for each coat collected and$10 for each hat, scarf and pair of gloves collected, up to a maximum of $2,000. For more information on this campaign, visit www.tricountyheatingandcooling.com.

Furthermore, the MidPointe Library System, which includes the West Chester Library, is once again offering its “Food for Fines” promotion, which allows library goers a chance to eliminate their overdue fees when they donate food.

The program, which runs through Dec. 31, will eliminate one dollar of outstanding fines for each non-perishable food item a patron donates.

“This program is a wonderful way for our users to eliminate their fines, while contributing to a worthy cause,” library director Anita Carroll said.

The MidPointe Library System will be distributing the contributions throughout their service area to multiple food pantries and charitable organizations including Reach Out Lakota, the EMA Food Pantry in Trenton and the Salvation Army of Middletown.

Do you own or work for a business in West Chester and/or Liberty Township that is giving back to the community this holiday season? Please share it by emailing akiefaber@westchesterbuzz.com.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Food For Fines, Food For Fines West Chester Library, holiday drive West Chester, Reach Out Lakota, Reach Out Lakota coat drive, Reach Out Lakota food drive, Reach Out Lakota holidays, West Chester Christmas, West Chester library events

The MidPointe Library System is once again offering its “Food for Fines” promotion, which allows library goers a chance to eliminate their overdue fees when they donate food.

The program, which runs through Dec. 31, will eliminate one dollar of outstanding fines for each non-perishable food item a patron donates.

“This program is a wonderful way for our users to eliminate their fines, while contributing to a worthy cause,” library director Anita Carroll said.

The MidPointe Library System will be distributing the contributions throughout their service area to multiple food pantries and charitable organizations including Reach Out Lakota, the EMA Food Pantry in Trenton and the Salvation Army of Middletown.

MidPointe first launched the Food For Fines program last year and the 2011 campaign resulted in almost $6,000 in forgiven fines and more than 7000 items donated to local charitable organizations.

“Food For Fines was huge last year and we are very excited MidPointe is offering this important project again,” EMA Food Pantry coordinator Debra Shane said.

The Food For Fines program is not the only way the library system will be giving back to the community this holiday season. The MidPointe Library West Chester Young Adult Board will be sponsoring a “giving tree” to benefit the Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County. Patrons can find more information at the Youth Services Desk of the MidPointe Library West Chester or by calling 513-777-3131. The MidPointe Library System also hosts Toys for Tots drop boxes at all their locations through Dec. 16.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Animal Friends Humane Society, Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County, Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Food For Fines, Food For Fines West Chester Library, holiday drive West Chester, Reach Out Lakota, West Chester Christmas, West Chester library events, West Chester Library Teen Young Adult Board

The MidPointe Library West Chester Young Adult Advisory Board will meet this Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. This month’s meeting will have a “get acquainted” theme.

According to library officials, the Young Adult Advisory Board is a great way to meet friends, earn community service hours and have an impact on library collections and programs for teens.

The Young Adult Advisory Board will also meet on Nov. 13 and Dec. 11. All meetings are from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact the youth services desk at 513-777-3131, x2.

For future library events, visit the West Chester Library events page on WestChesterBuzz.com or visit the library’s online community calendar.

The MidPointe Library West Chester is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.

Posted in: Events, Library events |

Tags: Tags: Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Middletown Public Library System, Middletown Public Library System name change, MidPointe Library System, West Chester Library, West Chester Library Children's Desk, West Chester library events, Young Adult Advisory Board, Young Adult Advisory Board West Chester, Young Adult Advisory Board West Chester Library

September brings three unique new adult programs to the MidPointe Library West Chester.

Secrets on shopping at drugstores - On Sept. 11, Andrea Deckard will present “Drugstore Shopping and Saving Secrets,” a two-hour workshop aimed at teaching saving secrets. The class will show how to take full advantage of drugstore reward programs and how to know the best shopping policies and practices for CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. The class meets at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s community room. Registration is required and is available at www.MidPointeLibrary.org.

Class on how to help with homework - On Sept. 13, the library will host “Homework Help: A Parent’s Survival Guide” from 7 to 8 p.m. in the library’s community room. This workshop, facilitated by Huntington Learning Center staff, will help navigate the difficulties of homework and how to stress good study habits.This program is geared to the parents of children in third grade or older, but all are welcome. Registration is available by calling 513-777-3131 x.2 or by visiting the library’s youth services desk.

Fashion advice - On Sept. 15, Linda Lee will lead “Fashion Frugalista: Harnessing the Hidden Gems in Your Closet” at 2 p.m. in the library’s community room. The class is designed to teach participants to use items in their closets to make new look. Registration is not required.

For information about activities at the library or to register, call 513-777-3131 or visit www.midpointelibrary.org.

For future library events, visit the West Chester Library events page on WestChesterBuzz.com or visit the library’s online community calendar.

MidPointe Library West Chester is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Middletown Public Library System, Middletown Public Library System name change, MidPointe Library System, West Chester Library, West Chester Library Children's Desk, West Chester library events

Despite the Summer Reading Program ending this past Tuesday, there will be plenty of activities for children and adults in August at the West Chester location of the MidPointe Library System.

MidPointe movie series – This family friendly event will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays, Aug. 2, Aug. 9 and Aug. 16. Movies on Aug. 2 and Aug. 16 are Disney films, while the movie on Aug. 16 is “How to Train Your Dragon.” The movies will be shown in the library’s community room. Registration is not required.

Kindergarten preview program – This program, which is scheduled to take place from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Aug. 18, is designed to give incoming kindergartens a chance to prepare for the first day of school. The program features “Clifford’s Kindergarten Training,” which features stories about the big red dog, instructions about rules and procedures for kindergarten, a craft and a chance to meet other kindergarteners. Registration for this program begins this Saturday, Aug. 4.

Fall Storytime registration – The first day to begin registering for the library’s first session of Fall Storytime will be Aug. 18. The storytimes are aimed for certain ages and are popular events at the library. The storytimes take place every week and feature songs, rhymes and stories.

Free yoga classes – The library will continue to offer free yoga classes throughout August from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday (with exception to Aug. 6). The class is led by Scott Williams, who is a yoga instructor from Miami University Recreational Sports Center. The class meets in the library’s community room. Registration is not required, but participants must be 16 years of age or older.

‘All About the Nook’ class – The library is offering two classes, one at 2 p.m. Aug. 4 and another at 7 p.m. Aug. 15, aimed at exploring all of the things that the Nook has to offer. The class will be led by a Nook specialist from Barnes and Noble. The instructor will show participants the best ways to shop, sample, lend and read e-books. Participants are asked to set up their Nook account and bring a fully charged Nook to class.

For information about activities at the library or to register, call 513-777-3131 or visit www.midpointelibrary.org.

For future library events, visit the West Chester Library events page on WestChesterBuzz.com or visit the library’s online community calendar.

MidPointe Library West Chester is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Middletown Public Library System, Middletown Public Library System name change, MidPointe Library System, West Chester Library, West Chester Library Children's Desk, West Chester library events

The West Chester location of the MidPointe Library System broke its previous record for checkouts in a month this past June.

The local library had 136,512 items checked out last month, trumping its old record set in July of 2008 by more than 4,000 checkouts.

“We are very happy with this number. It tells us that our community values this library and the important educational and entertainment resources we provide,” said Steve Mayhugh, MidPointe Library branch manager in West Chester.

According to library officials, MidPointe Library West Chester experiences well more than a million checkouts each year. However, summertime activities such as storytimes and summer reading programs create an increase to the number of visitors and checkouts.

For information about activities at the library, call 513-759-7280 or visit www.midpointelibrary.org.

For future library events, visit the West Chester Library events page on WestChesterBuzz.com or visit the library’s online community calendar.

MidPointe Library West Chester is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Middletown Public Library System, Middletown Public Library System name change, MidPointe Library System, West Chester Library, West Chester Library Children's Desk, West Chester library events

More than 8,000 checkouts were made Friday at the West Chester location of the MidPointe Library System, as the library began its summer reading program.

This year, the library group, formally known Middletown Public Library System, has divided the program into three age groups, which include birth through pre-kindergarten, students kindergarten through grade 5 and young adults entering grades 6-12.

Participants of the program can come into their library location to reward their accomplishments and pick up their prizes.

The program concludes July 31. Grand-prize winners for each age level will awarded at each location on a later date.

For more information, call 513-759-7280 or visit www.WestChesterOH.org.

For future library events, visit the West Chester Library events page on WestChesterBuzz.com or visit the library’s online community calendar.

The West Chester Library is located at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Middletown Public Library System, Middletown Public Library System name change, MidPointe Library System, West Chester Library, West Chester Library Children's Desk, West Chester library events

National Library Week, April 8-14, will coincide with a name change to the Middletown Public Library System. As of Monday, the local library system will officially be known as the MidPointe Library System.

According to the library’s public relations manager Cari Hillman, the name change has been in the works for a number years due to the reasoning that the library’s previous name didn’t reflect its entire service area.

All three branches, Middletown, Trenton and West Chester, will have activities planned around the name change and to celebrate National Library Week.

In West Chester, the library will hold an unveiling ceremony Monday at 9 a.m. All community members are invited to attend the event and be among the first to receive a new MidPointe Library System card.

Furthermore, all patrons who visit any branch of the MidPointe Library System next week, from April 9-14, to either “trade in” their old card or apply for a new library card will be entered to win a Kindle Fire. A winner from each branch will be selected at random.

The library will also give gifts to any child who participates in a library program next week.

Next Saturday, April 14, Tom Sparough, the “Space Painter” will bring his juggling, story-telling antics to the West Chester branch for a performance at 10 a.m. in the community room. To register, call 513-777-3131 ext. 2 or visit the youth services desk at the library.

In other news, all branches of the library will be closed on Easter Sunday.

For future library events, visit the West Chester Library events page on WestChesterBuzz.com or visit the library’s online community calendar.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Middletown Public Library System, Middletown Public Library System name change, MidPointe Library System, Tom Sparough, West Chester Library, West Chester Library Children's Desk, West Chester library events