Here are the FREE programs for May 2022 at the Bedford Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, located at 79 Columbus Road, Bedford, Ohio 44146. For more information, or to register for any program, please call Christie Sterba at 440.439.4997 or contact her at csterba@cuyahogalibrary.org.

Kids Café – 18 & younger
Monday-Friday, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Kids ages 18 and under can get a FREE grab-and-go lunch provided by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, while supplies last.

Homework Center – K-8th grade
Monday-Thursday (school days) 4 – 6:30pm
Since 2002, our FREE Homework Centers program has helped thousands of students in grades K–8 improve their grades and subject comprehension. Homework Centers are available at 10 branches. Students who participate in the program receive homework assistance from trained tutors in the following subjects: Language Arts, Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies. MUST REGISTER

Zoom Virtual Storytime (Family) – For children 0-5 and their families
Tuesday, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and stories. A meeting link will be emailed to registered participants approximately one hour prior to the start of the program. Staff will be available for help with connecting to Zoom and with technical issues beginning 15 minutes prior to the program. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet connection to join. If you have questions about registering for this program, please contact a librarian at the Bedford Branch at (440) 439-4997. MUST REGISTER

Baby Club – Ages birth – 35 months with parent/caregiver
Thursday, May 5, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for a five-week club for caregivers and children ages birth to 35 months. Connect with your kids and other families and get answers about your growing child. Siblings are welcome! MUST REGISTER

Teen Maker Meetup – Grades 6-12
Wednesday, May 11, 7:00 p.m.
Craft, code, or create with other teen makers! We will explore a different activity each month. MUST REGISTER

Brilliant Birds – Children Ages 8+ with a Caregiver
Saturday, May 14, 10:30 a.m.
Get to know your neighborhood feathered friends! Explore the ways to create a welcoming environment for birds in your own backyard. In this program, we will learn to identify different birds of NE Ohio, how to attract them to your yard, and we will make a birdhouse craft to take home. Children ages 8 + with a caregiver. This event will be held in person. MUST REGISTER BOTH CHILD AND CAREGIVER.

Chapter Book Champs – Grades 3-5
Monday, May 16, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for activities and a book discussion about: The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. Registration will close one week before the program. If you would like to attend after registration closes, please call the Bedford Branch at (440) 439-4997. This event is virtual. MUST REGISTER

Mobile Pantry – Free, fresh produce distribution
Wednesday, May 18, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The Cuyahoga County Public Library is collaborating with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to distribute free, fresh produce to those in need. This event will be held rain or shine. Each family will receive produce for free, loaded into their vehicle. It is first come, first served basis for adults of any age, zip code, income level. Each vehicle can have up to four “families” (for example, single individuals riding together). Vehicles preferred over walk-ups, for safety reasons.

VolunTEENs – Mobile Food Pantry Assistance (Grades 6-12)
Wednesday, May 18, Hours during the Pantry (See above)
Have fun, make friends, and earn volunteer hours while helping us with our mobile food pantry! Volunteer credit hours will be awarded to teen participants upon request. If you have additional questions about this program, please contact the teen librarian at the Bedford Branch at 440-439-4997. MUST REGISTER

Afternoon Book Discussion: “The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free” Wednesday, May 25, 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a lively and thoughtful discussion of The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free by Paulina Bren. This event will be held in person. “The Barbizon tells the story of New York’s most glamorous women-only hotel, and the women — both famous and ordinary-who passed through its doors. World War I had liberated women from home and hearth, setting them on the path to political enfranchisement and gainful employment. The Barbizon would become the most famous residential hotel of them all, welcoming everyone from aspiring actresses, dancers, and fashion models to seamstresses, secretaries, and nurses. The Barbizon’s residents read like a who’s who: Titanic survivor Molly Brown; actresses Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, Grace Kelly, Tippi Hedron, Liza Minelli, Ali McGraw, Jaclyn Smith, and Phylicia Rashad; writers Sylvia Plath, Joan Didion, Diane Johnson, Gael Greene, and Meg Wolitzer; and so many more. Before they were household names, they were among the young women arriving at the Barbizon with a suitcase, and hope. Beautifully written and impeccably researched, The Barbizon weaves together a tale that has, until now, never been told. It is an epic story of women’s ambition in the 20th century.”

VolunTEENS – Grades 6-12
Wednesday, May 25th, 7:30 p.m.
Have fun, make friends, and earn volunteer hours while helping others in your community! MUST REGISTER

AFRICAN-AMERICAN AUTHORS BOOK GROUP IN – Person or Virtual  
Thursday, May 26, 7:00 p.m.
The African-American Authors Book Group meets the last Thursday of the month. All adults are welcome. The May title is: All Her Little Secrets: A Novel by Wanda M. Morris. Join us for the discussion of this novel by a native Clevelander and CWRU Law School graduate. “Everyone has something to hide…Ellice Littlejohn seemingly has it all: an Ivy League law degree, a well-paying job as a corporate attorney in midtown Atlanta, great friends, and a “for fun” relationship with a rich, charming executive, who just happens to be her white boss. But everything changes one cold January morning when Ellice arrives in the executive suite and finds him dead with a gunshot to his head. And then she walks away like nothing has happened. Why? Ellice has been keeping a cache of dark secrets, including a small-town past and a kid brother who’s spent time on the other side of the law. She can’t be thrust into the spotlight — again…When she uncovers shady dealings inside the company, Ellice is trapped in an impossible ethical and moral dilemma. Suddenly, Ellice’s past and present lives collide as she launches into a pulse-pounding race to protect the brother she tried to save years ago and stop a conspiracy far more sinister than she could have ever imagined.” You can attend in-person (limited to 10) or virtually.  Each is a separate registration.

About Cuyahoga County Public Library 
At Cuyahoga County Public Library we are committed to our mission of being at the center of community life by creating an environment where reading, lifelong learning and civic engagement thrive, and our vision is to be the most convenient library system in the country. For more information, visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org.

CONTACT: Christie Sterba, M.L.I.S
Branch Services Assistant II
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Southeast Branch
p 440.439.4997
csterba@cuyahogalibrary.org