Upcoming Programs
Join us for an exhibit of photography featuring the work of Gia Marie Houck. A Reception will be held on November 17, from 2 to 4 pm.
A former hospice social worker by profession, Gia Marie Houck uses her camera to capture the subtle intricacies of life and the world around us. She especially enjoys finding the quieter, lesser noticed, but really beautiful small moments and shining a little light on them. Her work includes images from both Austin and her travels. You can find her at www.giamariephotos.com.
Are you an artist interested in exhibiting your work at the library? Visit our Art at Laura’s page to find out more, see past shows, and submit your samples.
The Commons at Laura’s will be closed from 11:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
If you’d like to inquire about using a meeting room, please see our Meeting Room Policies.
There’s a chill in the air, and the backyard at Westbank is full of miniature horses and cups of hot cocoa from Trianon! Live music will be provided by a quartet from Westlake High School. Even Sparkles the Elf will be making a guest appearance! Put on a jacket and scarf, and join your neighbors for a magical meet-up to welcome wintertime at Westbank.
Sheng Zhen Healing Qi Gong is a unique seated form of exercise developed by Master Li Junfeng. This gentle form of Qi Gong is ideal for loosening stiff joints, restoring focus and mental clarity, producing deep relaxation, and promoting overall health. The movements are easy to perform for all fitness levels, and are ideal for anyone with lower extremity difficulties, such as knee or hip pain. The meditative element of Sheng Zhen Healing Qi Gong also helps calm the mind, reduce stress, and balance emotions.
Thomas Najar is a licensed acupuncturist and certified Qi Gong instructor. He left a career in hi-tech to pursue a healing career and has been teaching Qi Gong and practicing acupuncture since 2016. A native of Wisconsin, he’s lived in Austin for the past 20 years and is passionate about healthy living through fitness, nutrition and meditation.
- Xiaoqing Zhu, a PhD from Stanford and currently a tech lead in a Fortune 500 company, whose favorite side job is to teach and learn from her kindergartner.
- Wendy You, a college finance professor, who finds it more challenging to teach her five-year-old than to teach a college class.
- Celine Wright, an MBA and finance executive who worked for many large companies and had managed many difficult mergers and acquisitions projects, realized that her three young kids are the most difficult, but fun, projects of all.
- Lan Luan, a research professor of biomedical engineering at UT, who finds it extremely fun to guide and observe young children including her own 4-year-old son to grow physically and intellectually.
The Westbank Library has supporting materials for this program. Ask a staff member if you are interested.
Sensory Storytime is now Sensory Sundays. This program is intended for children ages 3 and up, and most appropriate for elementary-aged children who are on the autism spectrum or are prone to sensory overload. Families are welcomed to attend weekly. However, because this is a specialized program, participation is limited and initial registration is required
Interested in joining us? If you’re new to the group, please fill out and submit the registration form.
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 volunteers will provide one-on-one help with all your technology questions.
@ Westbank Library on Sundays from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
@ Laura’s and Westbank Library every Tuesday of the month from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Are you a teen interested in volunteering? Check out the volunteer page for more information.
Have a Very Bloody Christmas
Join us for Sisters in Crime, Heart of Texas Chapter’s annual Christmas Party. We’ll hear excerpts from what our authors are writing and enjoy a potluck of recipes inspired by the books we love. No real blood will be involved, but expect plenty of red frosting!!
Sisters in Crime is a network of authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers, and librarians – women and men who love the mystery genre and who promote women crime writers.
Shakespeare Out Loud is a group of people who meet monthly at Laura’s Library to explore the genius of The Bard and to understand Shakespeare’s plays on a level that most readers have never experienced. The group is led by Landon Schultz.
This group is currently reading Julius Caesar.
It’s that time of year again, when delicious homemade goodies are here to greet you as you walk into the library. Comfort food at your comfort place. Treat yourself, and help the Friends of the Library raise funds to support the interests and welfare of the Westbank Community Library District. Grab a quick bite at either library location!
Library News
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