Looking for fun activities for the kids this summer? Check out the Louisville Free Public Library’s Summer Reading Program!
Written by Elizabeth Haigh (Miss Lizzie), LFPL Portland Branch
LFPL’s seventeen locations county-wide will host hundreds of FREE programs this summer as part of the Library’s annual Summer Reading Program. This year, kids and teens who complete Summer Reading will win some incredible prizes, including a red panda fanny pack and passes for admission to local attractions and treats from local restaurants. At the Portland Library, we’ll have our very own games and prizes, plus we’re bringing in several big programs. Kids can meet animals, learn new things, take dance and music classes, make art, and so much more! Learn more at LFPL.org/SummerReading, or call (502) 574-1744.
Upcoming programs for younger children and families:
Weekly family storytimes will continue Wednesdays at 10AM, with special visits from StageOne Family Theatre (Dino Dig on Wednesday, June 3, at 10 AM, and Honey Bee Flight on Wednesday, June 17, at 10 AM), and Play Cousins’ Play & Learn Lab (Wednesdays, June 10 & June 24, at 10 AM)
If music and dance are your things, Ambo Dance will offer several dance classes this summer. Their first two classes are on Saturdays, May 9 and 23 at 10AM for ages 0-5. We’ll have another series of four classes on Mondays in July for all ages, so please stay tuned! And Upbeat Louisville is also visiting to teach a three-class series on Fridays, May 29th, June 5th, and June 12th, at 9:30AM, for ages 0-5 (call 503-574-1744 to register). They will also present Music Together on Monday, June 29, at 1 PM, for ages 0-5 (no registration required!).
Good Karma Yoga will provide four yoga sessions: two classes are Bring-Your-Own-Baby Yoga, Mondays, June 1 & 15, at 10 AM, for ages 0-2; the other two classes are Little Yogis on Mondays, June 22, at 10 AM, for ages 3-6.
And Brightside will present The Lorax on Friday, June 5, at 2 PM, for ages 3-6 (please call 574-1744 to register).
Programs for older children and teens:
We will host our own Open Art Studio on Wednesday, June 17 & Thursday, June 18, 1:30–3:30 PM, for ages 8 to 18.
We’re also starting a new monthly program called Homeschool Hang, beginning Friday, May 15, then again on Friday, June 26, 10:30 AM–12 PM. All homeschool families are welcome!
Our last Afterschool Art program for this school year will be Thursday, May 28, 3:30–5 PM, ideal for grade-schoolers. Other programs for grade-schoolers include Backyard Composting (Tuesday, June 16, 11 AM) and kNOw Waste Recycling Q&A (Saturday, June 20, 10 AM).
Second Chances Wildlife will bring live animals for their Animal Adaptations program Saturday., June 20, at 2 PM, for ages 8-12.
Just for teens:
Teen Art Club – Tuesdays in May, 3:30 PM, ages 13-19.
Teen Life Skills Series: You Got Paid, Now What? with KHEAA – Thursday, May 7, 5:30 PM, ages 14-18. This is just one part of a series hosted at several branches, just for teens, so visit LFPL.org/TeenSkills for more info.
Pod Kids & Teens Day: DIY Worry Stones – Saturday, May 9, 1:30–2:30 PM, ages 8-18 (register: PortlandPod@lfpl.org or 574-1642).
Decorate Your Own Sketchbook – Friday, June 5, 1:30–3:30 PM, ages 13-19 (register: 574-1744).
Intro to DJ-ing with Rhythm Science Sound – Saturday, June 27, 2 PM, ages 12-18 (register: 574-1744).
No kids? No worries! The library has programming for adults of all kinds!
Written by Emily Yoakum, LFPL Portland Branch
Mindfulness Meditation with the Earth and Spirit Center
Adult/ Seniors
Wed., May 6, 2-3:30pm
Join us at the Portland library for an introductory class on mindfulness, which will include a guided meditation.
Saturday Morning Book Discussion
Adult/Seniors/Book Discussion Group
Sat., May 9, 10:30a-11:30a
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Vinyl & Vibes
Adults / Music
Tue. 5/26, 6/30, 5:30-7pm
May 26- Songs that feel like… Spring
This is just an opportunity to unwind, enjoy some snacks, and connect with fellow music lovers.
Submit RSVPs & song/theme requests to emma.pinkley@LFPL.org
AccuQuilt Block of the Month
Adult/Maker & DIY
First Monday of the Month, 10-12 and 2-4
Join us to learn how to piece a quilt block using the AccuQuilt fabric cutter. Each month will feature a different block pattern. A demonstration will be given at 10 and 2, and then you will have time to cut your fabric. Call 502-574-1642 or email portlandpod@lfpl.org for fabric requirements. Perfect for quilters of all levels. Ages 13+
Pod Tools 101
Adults / Maker & DIY / Arts & Crafts
Thursdays, May 21 and June 25, 9:30-11:30 am
Saturdays, May 23 and June 27, 9:30-11:30 am
Learn the basics of using the equipment available in the Pod Maker Area. Limit 6, email portlandpod@lfpl.org or call 502-574-1642 to register. Ages 18+
Pod Skill Builders
Adults / Maker & DIY / Arts & Crafts
Tuesday, May 19, 6-7:30 pm: Sewing Machine: DIY key fob- all supplies provided
Tuesday, June 16, 6-7:30 pm: Cricut and Heat Press: DIY heat transfer Tshirt- vinyl provided, please bring a blank cotton T-shirt.
Skill builder programs will demonstrate a project from start to finish using different tools in the Pod. Limit 6, email portlandpod@lfpl.org or call 502-574-1642 to register. Ages 18+
Pod Saturday Sewing Machine Clean Up
Adults / Maker & DIY / Arts & Crafts
Saturdays, May 23 and June 27, 1:30-3 pm
Do you have a sewing machine at home that you’ve never cleaned? Bring it in and learn how to properly clean it. Limit 8, email portlandpod@lfpl.org or call 502-574-1642 to register. Ages 18+
Open Art Studio
Adults/Kids/Teens / Maker & DIY / Arts & Crafts
Wednesday June 17, and Thursday, June 18, 1:30-3:30 pm
Stop by to create with a variety of provided art materials. Ages 8+
Mayor Greenberg, Library Foundation announce telescopes and binoculars coming to every Louisville Free Public Library location
Grant brings the wonders of sky and nature closer with new telescopes and binoculars, expands stargazing and birdwatching public programs, and supports STEAM learning.
On the heels of the historic Artemis II mission, today Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Library Foundation announced that the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) is expanding its popular telescope lending program, adding binocular kits at every library location, and supporting related STEAM programming across the city. The expansion is made possible through a $35,000 grant from Genentech.
“This investment opens up new opportunities for discovery across our entire city,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Through strong public-private partnerships like this one, we are expanding access to educational resources, supporting families, creating more ways for Louisville residents to reach for the stars and connect with the world around them.”
Originally launched in 2018 with just four telescopes donated by the Louisville Astronomical Society, the program has proven incredibly popular, with more than 400 checkouts and waitlists stretching up to six months. Now, with interest in space soaring after the astronauts of Artemis II helped pave the path for a return to the moon, the addition of 19 new tabletop telescopes and 19 sets of binoculars ensures every library location will have one of each available for public use.
Each telescope and binocular kit is designed to be easy to use and accessible for all ages. Telescopes come equipped with constellation guides, headlamps, and carrying cases. Binocular kits include birdwatching and night sky guides that help patrons explore both above and around them, from backyard birds to distant stars – even the crater on the moon named Carroll in honor of Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife.
Programming led by partners Louisville Astronomical Society and Louisville Audubon Society will offer hands-on opportunities for families, students, and lifelong learners to explore astronomy, nature, and science.
“This is about providing access, sparking curiosity, and supporting lifelong learning,” said Heather Lowe, Executive Director of the Louisville Free Public Library. “By placing these tools in every branch, we are giving more people the chance to explore the night sky, engage with science and nature, and experience the library in a new way.”
The initiative builds on the Library Foundation’s broader efforts to expand access to books, materials, and innovative programming across Louisville.
“We’re committed to making sure every neighborhood has access to resources that spark learning and discovery,” said Chandra Gordon, Executive Director of the Louisville Free Public Library Foundation. “This partnership allows us to meet growing demand while continuing to invest in programs that inspire curiosity and connection.”
“Genentech’s legacy is built on the belief that the boundaries of science are meant to be broken. Because our history is defined by explorers who turned the impossible into reality, we are committed to ensuring the next generation of pioneers is as diverse as the patients we serve. By building deep local partnerships and supporting the full K-12 education continuum, we are removing barriers to STEM and empowering students to thrive. Our goal is clear: to ignite a passion for science in every student and build an inclusive future where the hardest biomedical challenges are solved by the brightest minds from every community,” said Shannon Burch, Senior Administrative Business Partner and Site Leader for Employee and Community Engagement, Kentucky Distribution Center of Genentech.
With support from community partners and donors, the LFPL continues to expand its STEAM offerings and create opportunities for residents of all ages to explore new interests, whether that means reading, birdwatching, or looking up at the night sky.
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Louisville Free Public Library connects the residents of Louisville and Jefferson County to knowledge and information at our library locations and on the web at LFPL.org. Come on in, the whole world’s inside.
The Library Foundation strives to ensure every Louisvillian has the tools, resources, and information they need to flourish in their community and their lives by opening the doors for community members to engage with, advocate for, and dedicate time and treasure to the Louisville Free Public Library. Learn more at LFPLfoundation.org.
Be a Friend of the Portland Library! Donate Books and Your Time!
Elizabeth Dillon, Friends of the Library
The Portland branch of the Louisville Free Public Library reopened in December. Did you know every LFPL branch has a volunteer group called the Friends? The Friends of the LFPL exist to support the staff and programming at their local branch. Some of you may have belonged to the Portland Friends group in the past. Please join us again and meet more of your neighbors while helping your library.
We meet every 3rd Monday at 6pm in the auditorium of the Portland Library. Joining the Friends is easy. Go to the website and for just $15/year you can join Portland Friends. ALL membership money and book sale money stays in the Portland branch.
The number one fundraiser for the Friends is book sales. Each branch has a book cart that is stocked with community donations. That means your gently used books can help your neighborhood library! Do you have used books you would buy it at a book sale yourself? Then please donate it to the Portland Friends. We hope to have the book cart stocked and ready for shopping very soon.
In the meantime, bring your donations to the Portland branch OR the Portland Festival on Saturday, June 6th. We will have donation boxes ready at the Festival so start cleaning out your bookshelves. Cookbooks and children’s books sell very well but we’d love all gently used books. If you are bringing books to the branch, please limit it to 2-3 boxes at a time. The staff will need to have time to sort them appropriately.
More news from our renewed Friends group. Volunteers helped staff the Friends of the LFPL pop-up bookstore at Mid City Mall on April 11th. Half of the proceeds from the book sale will go to the Portland Friends. We hope to staff another sale during the next few months of the pop sales. If you love books, go check out the Friends store Saturdays from 11-3. Adult fiction and non-fiction as well as children’s fiction and non-fiction abound.
For more information about the Friends of the LFPL go to the website: https://friendsofthelfpl.org/, ask library staff at the branch or email Liz Dillon, the Portland Friends liaison, at L.dillon615@gmail.com.
