Both libraries will be closed Wednesday, November 21st through Friday, November 23rd for Thanksgiving.
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.
Both libraries will be closed Wednesday, November 21st through Friday, November 23rd.
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.
The Gathering Room at Westbank will be in use from 3:30 until 5:00 p.m. for carpet cleaning.
If you’d like to inquire about using a meeting room, please see our Meeting Room Policies.
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!
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
The Westbank Community Library District offers a Sensory Storytime at the Laura Bush Library, Sundays at 11:00 a.m. These storytimes are for children ages 3 – 8 who are on the autism spectrum or are prone to sensory overload. A parent or caregiver is required to attend with their child. Participants will enjoy stories, songs, and a variety of sensory activities. Because this is a specialized storytime, participation is limited.
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 tech-savvy teens will provide one-on-one help with all your technology questions.
@ Westbank Library on Sundays from 12 p.m. – 2 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.
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 & 11.19: Chapter 4
- 11.26 & 12.3: Chapter 5
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.
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