Regularly Scheduled Events

AARP Driving Classes for seniors. At various times, the Library hosts both the Driver Safety Course (8 hours) and the Refresher Course (4 hours). Watch the calendar for specific dates.

Come view new release movies in the Blue Bell Community Room
Tuesdays at 2 pm

February 13 - Past Lives PG-13  details reviews
February 20 - A Haunting in Venice PG-13 details reviews
February 27 - The Marsh King's Daughter R details reviews
March 5 - Next Goal Wins PG-13 details reviews
March 12 - The Creator PG-13 details reviews
March 19 - Priscilla R details reviews
March 26 - The Three Musketeers Part 1: D’Artagnon R details reviews
                   French Language, English Subtitles

April 2 - The Color Purple PG-13 details reviews
April 9 - American Fiction R details reviews

The Ambler Book group meets at 2:30 pm on the 2nd THURSDAY of the month.
Everyone Welcome! Come for as many or as few sessions as you like.

NEW members are always welcome. Please contact Anne Hall at ahall@wvpl.org with any questions.

2024

2025

S. Gustafson mini book quilt from Don't Call Me BetsyThe Blue Bell Book Club meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 10 am at the Blue Bell Branch. All are welcome to join our monthly book discussion group. We review our books from many different angles. A wide variety of books are read: fiction, non-fiction and light classics. The selection of what we read is made by our group.

If you are concerned your schedule does not permit you to attend all the sessions, that's okay. Come for any and all. Contact Mike at mkkashon @ verizon.net to join or for more information. Join our discussion group; you will have fun.

2024
January - A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell
February - Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Baylan
March - Still Life by Sarah Winman
April - Book Lovers by Emily Henry
May - Mrs Dalloway by Virigina Woolf
June - The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
July - Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
August - Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
September - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
October - Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
November - The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
December - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

The Chess Club at Blue Bell meets weekly at Blue Bell on Mondays at 5 pm.
Must already know how to play. This is not a "how-to" class; participants should come prepared to play.
This program is for older teens and adults.

Baby Wiggles

Welcome to Baby Wiggles where caregivers and children (ages 0-23 months) will bond through interactive rhymes, stories, and fingerplays to support early literacy development with Miss Erin.

  • Fridays at Blue Bell at 10:30

Toddler Storytime with Miss Erin

Children (ages 2-4) and their caregivers will enjoy stories and songs to support early literacy development with Miss Erin. Play & craft time will follow.

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays at Blue Bell, 10:30am

Miss Delia's Story Time
Miss Delia's Ukulele Story Time is about 30 minutes with stories and songs.

Registration Required

  • Mondays at Ambler at 10:30 (Ages 2-4)   
  • Tuesdays at Ambler at 10:30 (birth-24 months)
Registration Required. See calendar for registration links

Cook the Book @ Ambler LibraryCook the Book

Like trying out new recipes? Want to check out the latest cookbooks and food ideas? Enjoy potlucks? This is the book club for you!! For more information or to join, please email or call Anne Hall at ahall@wvpl.org or 215-646-1072 ext. 38

We meet February, April, June, August, October and December, usually on the second Monday at 6:00 pm, at the beautiful AMBLER Library.

Introducción ESL en Ambler Library
Estas sesiones son para estudiantes que no hablan nada de inglés. Tenemos sesiones individuales para ayudar a los estudiantes a pasar a las clases de ESL para principiantes.
Miércoles de 10 a 12 hs
Para registrarse, comuníquese con ahall@wvpl.org 

ESL para principiantes en Ambler Library
Para estudiantes principiantes que podrían tener cierta exposición al inglés. Tenemos cuatro maestros voluntarios para principiantes de ESL. El número promedio de estudiantes en esta clase es 12.
Nivel Principiante 1 y Nivel Principiante 2.
Miércoles de 10 a 12 hs
Para registrarse, comuníquese con ahall@wvpl.org

Intro ESL Classes at Ambler Library
These sessions are for students who speak no English at all. We have one-on-one sessions to help students move into the Beginner ESL classes.
Wednesdays from 10AM to 12PM
To register, please contact Anne Hall  215-646-1072 or ahall@wvpl.org

Beginner ESL Classes at Ambler Library
For beginner students who might have some exposure to English. We have four volunteer teachers for Beginner ESL. The average number of students in this class is 12. Beginner Level 1 and Beginner Level 2.
Wednesdays from 10AM to 12PM
To register, please contact Anne Hall  215-646-1072 or ahall@wvpl.org

 

Weekly English Conversation Groups for International Adults- Intermediate ESL Groups (Adults - ages 18+)

Let's TALK!  For intermediate and advanced speakers who wish to practice and build confidence speaking English in a casual, safe and relaxed environment.  Make new friends with other international adults. Topics may include small talk, current events, holidays, customs, and common slang.  We encourage you to suggest additional topics to help develop your English language skills.  This program is FREE.  Regular weekly attendance is highly encouraged.

ONLINE  Mondays @ 10:30 AM with Rita  Talk ONLINE using the Zoom platform. Email esl@wvpl.org for a Zoom invitation.

For more FORMAL Instruction and other tutoring for Adult English Language Learners (Beginners Level I through Level VI) please see the following local resources:

Montgomery County Community College
Non-Credit ESL Programs at MontCo  DOWNLOAD MontCo's flyer HERE
Literacy Council of Norristown, 113 E Airy St, Norristown, PA
Keystone Opportunity Center, 104 Main St, Souderton, PA  ESL, GED, Citizenship classes and more.

First Fridays Art Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
at 12:30PM every month at Ambler Library

Let's get together, let's create some art together!

Artist Sharon Pachler will lead this program for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. We aim to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for adults to express themselves through art.

Registration is required. Call or text Sharon Pachler at 908-612-3883 or email spachler@comcast.net

Art supplies will be provided courtesy of the Friends of the WVPL Ambler Branch Library

A whole new film series starts in 2024. Be sure to pick up the flyer with the dates and titles of the films and join us again for 12 special movies on the theme of Parents, Teachers, Mentors and Growing Up.

Join us in the Blue Bell Community room on the First Thursday at 2 pm each month for this exciting series. You are welcome to stay and discuss the films after watching.

The WVPL chapters of the Friends of the Library, a national organization, have amazing used book sales.  Prices range from 25 cents to $3, with the occasional set or special value book marked higher.  In Blue Bell, book sales are usually held in April and October, and the CD/DVD sale in February. Ambler book sales follow no set pattern, so check our calendar frequently for news. Specific dates may be found on the Used Book Sale page.

Integrate for Good meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10:30 am to 12 noon.

Integrate for Good is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reshaping the narrative around disability by empowering individuals with disabilities to contribute their talents and by fostering reciprocal relationships with communities.

Their most popular project is the Sleeping Mat Project. This project uses recycled materials and plastic bags to create mats for those in need. To create a full mat it takes approximately 12 hours and hundreds of plastic bags.

WVPL collaborates with Integrate for Good by providing a calm, accessible location. Please join the group at the main branch in Blue Bell weaving mats every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 10:30- Noon.

Please consider volunteering your time. Be a part of something truly meaningful. Join us in our mission to reshape the narrative around disability by empowering individuals of all abilities.

Love to knit and want to share your skills?
Want to learn to knit?
Chat and knit with friends.  Make new friends while learning new skills.

Tuesdays 10 am to 12 noon in Blue Bell.
Need more yarn and fiber art time? The Ambler branch hosts Yarn Cafe on Friday mornings at 10:30.

Play Mahjong at the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, Blue Bell.
Fridays at 1:30 P.M.
Please Register. Contact Lois Lindeman at 610-574-1424 or email to loislindeman1953@gmail.com

Formerly hosted at Montgomery County Community College, this book group reads a mix of fiction and non-fiction books that have received positive reviews from various reviewing sources such as the NYT, the Inquirer, etc. The December meeting is dedicated to selecting books for the upcoming year. All are welcome. The group meets once a month on the first Wednesday, at 12:30 pm in Blue Bell. For more information, please contact Mary Beth Parkinson at marybeth.parkinson@gmail.com or 215-805-0822. You do not need to register in order to attend.

Selections for 2024:

All titles except The Liars' Club are also available on Libby. Some titles are available in audio on Hoopla.**

*The Liar's Club is not available on Libby

**Please note that Hoopla is available only to WVPL card holders. If you aren't a WVPL card holder, please check with your home library about access to Hoopla.

Decrease stress, increase focus and be present in the moment. Join us for Mindfulness Meditation every Tuesday from 6-7 pm at the Blue Bell community room. Beth Kedra will guide us through. For more information contact Beth at bethked28@gmail.com.

The Mystery Book Group discusses a variety of mystery genres, such as historical, legal/medical and police/PI, among others. Fran Young, leader, provides several articles relating to each month's book.

We meet in person at the Blue Bell library on the third Saturday of the month at 2 pm.  Interested in joining?  Please email Fran at fyoung82@verizon.net. New members are welcome!

Books are available at the Library, and you may reserve a copy by clicking on the book title. Some titles may be downloaded from Libby or Hoopla*. Please check the calendar event for more details.

2024

  • January 20: meeting cancelled due to snow
  • February 17: Thriller – Don't Look Back by Greg Hurwitz
  • March 16: Thriller -   Paranoia by Joseph Finder (audiobook available in Hoopla)
  • April 20: International Historical - Stasi Child by David Young (Hoopla)
  • May 18: Spy - tba
*Please note that Hoopla is available only to WVPL card holders.

The Queens of Mystery Book Club, moderated by Giusi Russo, focuses on Interwar British female authors such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh. The club will meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:00PM.

2024

January - Colour Scheme by Ngaio Marsh

 

The Nor’wester Therapy Dogs organization will

be providing their friendly dogs

who love to listen to children read.

The program is education based and

geared to children in Kindergarten through Grade 6.

Socrates Café meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 1 pm. 
Please come join us!

John O'Shea is the facilitator for Socrates Café.
Please come and join us in discussing issues and ideas chosen by group vote.
For more information, contact John at (215) 576-5709

"As recommended by the founder of Socrates Café, Christopher Phillips, we operate very informally, like many other Socrates Café discussion groups throughout the country. We are open to anyone who would like to attend, don’t have reservations, dues or memberships. We value diversity in age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation – and especially diverse points of view. We ask participants to be polite and to respect the rights and values of others; we discourage arguing and proselytizing."

Please sign up for our WVPL email newsletter here.

Learn Tai Chi from Dr. Kurt Findeisen, a retired medical doctor from Philly. Tai Chi is a low impact exercise for adults that helps with balance, motor skills, and maintaining calmness throughout the mind and body.

Reduce stress
Improve your health
Feel at peace

Continuing Tai Chi:  2:30 PM This class is for students who have done Tai Chi before and would like to continue their exercises with Dr. Findeisen.
Intermediate Tai Chi: 3:15 PM This class is for those who have a basic knowledge of the exercises and want more depth.
Beginning Tai Chi:
4:00 PM This class is for students who are new to Tai Chi and would like to learn the exercises.

8 weeks for $50 or $8 per class

colorful yarn balls in a basketWork on your projects and visit with fellow yarn lovers over a cup of tea.

All fabric crafters, beginner and seasoned, are welcome to join us!

Friday mornings at 10:30am at Ambler Library.

Want more knitting time? Join the Knitting and Crocheting Group at Blue Bell; Tuesdays at 10:00 am.

2nd & 4th Friday mornings

@ 10:30 am

Work on your projects and chit chat with fellow yarn lovers over a cup of tea. Knitters, crocheters, needle workers, & more welcome!

2nd & 4th Friday mornings @ 10:30 am

Exclusively at Ambler Library, 209 Race Street, Ambler!

- See more at: http://www.wvpl.org/events/ambler/yarn-cafe/1780#sthash.ifrGv2Jp.dpuf

Join popular yoga instructor Matthew Mitlas for his signature balanced blend of movements that stretch, strengthen, increase breath capacity, and quiet the mind.  Focus on postures that bring relief to common areas of the body such as the hips, low back, and shoulders. Students will enjoy Matthew's creative, intelligent, and friendly approach to the yoga practice.  You can learn more about Matthew at www.matthewmitlas.com.

$60 for 8-week session; $10 per drop-in.  Registration required.  Cash or check only.  Bring a mat or towel to class.*  Masks are recommended.

*NOTE: While classes are accessible to all levels and to those with minor injuries, you should be able to get up/down from the floor relatively easily to participate in Matthew's class.

All students new and old must register ahead of time to attend Yoga at WVPL. Please fill out our form here: https://forms.gle/cDGztuQ56SbTeGAWA

Sign up for our email list for updates or last-minute changes.