Upcoming Programs
A collection of oil paintings ranging from landscapes to florals, portraiture and still life. She draws her inspiration from nature especially during her travels abroad.
Sandra Farrell began painting after the age 50 when her interest in art was sparked while viewing the Sistine Chapel. After returning home, she began art classes under Elizabeth Locke and continued taking weekly classes for 15 years. Farrell has attended various workshops including workshops with Ian Roberts at home in Austin and France.
In honor of Veterans Day, Westbank Community Libraries is proud to host an ongoing scrapbook project.
Come in to Laura’s Library between October 14th and November 11th to create your own veteran scrapbook page! We will provide one 12×12” piece of cardstock, some decorations, and supplies; you bring photos of your veteran, a brief biography or list of duties and honors, and any other keepsakes you want to display (medals, letters, etc.). We will have these pages on exhibit at Laura’s Library starting Thursday, November 2nd through Friday, November 11th.
Please note that physical copies of the information are not guaranteed to be protected while on display or returned after the exhibit. We will happily help you make color copies of any photos so that you may keep your original!
¡Hola, Hola! Spanish Camp for All Ages is designed to empower parents to read simple Spanish books at home and foster a love of Spanish language and Hispanic culture through singing, traditional circle games, rhythm instruments, puppets, and stories. You do not need to have any Spanish language skills to participate. All skill levels are welcome! Come early or stay after class to enjoy the beautiful playground and picnic area just outside the door and make new amigos!
Ms. Benson has been leading parent/child Spanish programs for over 15 years in south Florida and now in Austin. She has a degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Bilingual Education from the University of Texas, an International Montessori degree as well as certifications in early childhood music. Ms. Benson has years of experience teaching in bilingual classrooms and Spanish immersion preschools. Click here to learn more about “Somos Amigos” (in English, “We’re Friends”), Ms. Benson’s music based early childhood program.
Calling all tots! Toddle on over to Westbank, where we’ll be having Tot Time, a storytime just for you with songs, books, fingerplays, and crafts! Designed for children age 1 to 3.
Westlake High School hosts a year-long speaker series for parents focused on popular topics such as study skills, managing stress and anxiety, and tools for healthy parent/child relationships. This series is now presented at Westbank Libraries. All families are welcome!
For the full schedule of speakers, see the Healthy Chaps Website.
This week, Meredith Cooper (MA, LPC) presents How to Support our Westlake Families Coping with a Serious Illness. Learn more at www.wondersandworries.org.
The Commons at Laura’s will be closed from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m.
If you’d like to inquire about using a meeting room, please see our Meeting Room Policies.
As life brings its inevitable ups and downs, whether they be large or small, learn how to bring new awareness and perspective to these changes in this weekly book group facilitated by Elizabeth Hosington.
This group will be discussing Start Where You Are by Pema Chödrön. Chapters listed weekly:
- 10/6: Chapter 4
- 10/13: Chapter 5
- 10/20: Chapter 6
- 10/27: Chapter 7
- 11/3: Chapter 8
- 11/10: Chapter 9
- 11/17: Chapter 10
- 11/24: No Meeting
Elizabeth is a meditation facilitator, dedicated to assisting people in the journey of mindfulness. She has practiced meditation for the past 17 years, facilitates a weekly mindfulness meditation at the Westbank Library, Mindful Eating Workshops at the YMCA, in addition to yearly Children’s Mindfulness Programs in local Austin. Some former clients include The Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, Freescale, Central Health, and various health facilities.
Elizabeth brings mindfulness meditation into the workplace as well as having a private practice in Austin, where she works with clients on an individual basis. Elizabeth attended the University of Santa Monica, receiving a Masters in Spiritual Psychology. Prior she attended the University of Colorado receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts. Additionally Elizabeth has been through the 8-week University of Massachusetts/MBSR (Mind-Based Stress Reduction) Course, and Certified through the Mindful Schools for K-12.
Our Knit Wits meet for fun and fiber every week. Flash your best needles, break out the good yarn, and come teach, be taught, or simply enjoy the glorious art of knitting! Join the group every Friday at noon at the Westbank Library.
Crocheters and embroiderers welcome.
Get help with all of your technology from a tech-savvy teen. Bring cameras, laptops, questions about social media, apps, or anything else that comes to mind! Our tech-savvy teens will provide one-on-one help with all your technology questions. 
@ Laura’s Library on the 1st Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
@ Westbank Library on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
@ Westbank and Laura’s Library every Tuesday of the month from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Want to learn more about technology? Look for classes on the third Saturdays of the month presented by our iTeens on popular subjects such as Microsoft Word, Twitter, WordPress, and more. Check our monthly calendar to see what they are teaching this month.
Are you a teen interested in volunteering? Check out the volunteer page for more information.
If you’re looking for fun for the whole family, join Ms. Cristen for Family Storytime! Spend a fun afternoon together reading, singing songs, playing games, and doing discovery activities. Offered every Saturday at 12:30 p.m. for children with their caregivers at Westbank Library.
Join us on the first Saturday of the month for a Sensory-focused Storytime!
Library News
Honoring our Veterans
Every year on November 11, our country honors and thanks its Veterans for their service to our country and the world. Many in our community have family members who have served in our armed forces, and each year we invite [...]
Beehive update
Our beehive now has a second story! Since moving into their new home in May, our girls have been hard at work -- building comb, gathering nectar and pollen, taking care of the young, making honey, and the countless other [...]
Sensory Programming
We don’t all think and learn the same, and some families face extra challenges in navigating a world where their child develops differently than others. Last year, local families came to us to say their children were “outside of [...]