Upcoming Programs
Join us at Laura’s Library for an art exhibit by Ute Dittemer. Ute works with acrylics and mixed media in her pieces, which include landscapes, nature, and other-worldly themes. As a young child she spent long winter hours with a sketch pad and colored pencils drawing princesses and horses. Going to the library for art books was a must. Forms and colors captured her interest in later years.
Ute Dittemer hails from Ludwigshafen, Germany. She immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Austin, where she met her husband Mike, at Barton Springs. They lost their home in 2008, and became homeless. In 2018 they were accepted to Community First, where Ute makes use of the art studio. They love being part of a community that provides caring support for people in need.
A Reception will be held November 18, from 2 -4, also at Laura’s.
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.
Join us for the 4th Annual Winter Reading Challenge!
Come into either library location to pick up your log/schedule for the Winter Reading Challenge! Participants receive a $5 gift card to Westbank Library’s Jeanne’s Book Store. All ages are encouraged to participate, including grown-ups! Turn your log in by January 10th.
Click here for a printable version of the winter reading log.
We will also have a guessing jar at each location December 21st – January 8th!
Event Highlights:
11.26 Teddy Bear Pajama Storytime – 6pm, Westbank
12.1 Neighborhood Gathering – 11am-1pm, Westbank
12.6 Teen Winterfest – 4:45pm, Laura’s
12.8 Gingerbread Cookie Decorating – 11am, Laura’s
12.8 4th Annual Screening of Elf – 1pm, Laura’s
12.11 Family Night: Seed Bead Ornaments – 6pm, Westbank
12.15 Holiday Storytime – 12:30pm, Westbank
12.18 Family Night: Meditation & Glitter Snow Jars – 6pm, Westbank
12.19 Storyteller Bernadette Nason: A Christmas Carol – 10:30am, Laura’s
12.19 Discovery! Holiday Luminaries – 4:30pm, Laura’s
12.31 Noon Year’s Eve – 11am, Laura’s
Qi Gong (pronounced chee gung) is an ancient Chinese health care practice that integrates physical postures and gentle movements, breathing and focused mind. “Qi” means vital energy or life force, and “gong” means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qi Gong means cultivating energy and is practiced for health maintenance, healing, and increasing vitality.
In this one hour class, we will learn the different qi gong movements that help reduce stress, increase vitality, and build stamina.
Sandra Medina Bocangel is a physician from Mexico with a specialty in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and a Master in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture. Her offices are in Austin and San Antonio. She has been practicing meditation for 15 years, and is a Zen Buddhism student in Austin.
You’re never too young for storytime! Our littlest book lovers stroll in to Infant Storytime to hear fun songs, stories, and fingerplays, followed by open free-play with other wee ones. Designed for children from 0 to 12 months old.
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 Hoisington.
This group will be discussing There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Wayne W. Dyer. Book discussion will continue for 13 weeks, covering each chapter over two weeks:
- 11.5 & 11.12: Chapter 4
- 11.19 & 11.26: Chapter 5
- 12.3 & 12.10: Chapter 6
- 12.17 & 12.31: Chapter 7 (On hiatus 12.24)
Elizabeth Hoisington 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.
On the second Monday of each month, join fellow history buffs in learning about, sharing, and celebrating the heritage of the Eanes area!
Would you like to know how a Mexican faith healer changed the land use in these rugged hills? Can you name the act of outrageous generosity that created a permanent home for the Eanes School? Do you live in the Westbank neighborhood that has materials recycled from the Texas Capitol fire of 1881?
The initial meeting on December 10 will provide an opportunity for you to give input on the types of programs and volunteer projects the group will pursue. Light refreshments will be provided, and you are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch.
Questions? Contact Colleen Cunningham at colleen@westbanklibrary.com or Ellen Balthazar at ellenbalthazar@eanesisd.net.
Make Mondays fun days! Meet up with your friends at the world’s best play date. Your kids can play with each other, make new friends, use their imaginations, and just be kids. Fun for all, and no clean-up for you – a great way to start your week!
Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, come to the Writing Workshop on the second Monday of each month from 5-7 p.m. at Westbank Library. Topics this year will be:
- September/October: Screenwriting
- November: The Short Story
- December: Writing Dialogue
- January/February: Mystery
The Commons at Laura’s will be closed from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m.
If you’d like to inquire about using a meeting room, please see our Meeting Room Policies.
Travis County elections will be held in the Commons from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Visit the Travis County Clerk site for more information.
Library News
Seasonal Programs
The pear trees that our community planted alongside the Westbank Library parking lot seven years ago burst into flame this week in glorious shades of crimson, apricot, and gold, heralding the most colorful change of seasons I have seen [...]
A Generous Community
If you have lived in our area for any length of time, you will have seen Emily. For twelve years, white-haired Emily, who was homeless, stood at the corner of Bee Cave Road and 360 waving down motorists for a [...]
Creating Neighborhood
This past spring, we ran a survey and hosted five community conversations to learn more about what kind of community people want to live in. One of the ideas that kept cropping up in the responses was that of neighborhood. [...]