Tag Archives: library

Aug4

Anime Club

Posted on August 4, 2026 by lifewithlilred

Hi! My brother, Andrew, is an avid fan of anime and turned me on to so many great shows like Demon Slayer, Black Clover, and The Promised Neverland to name a few. We are always gabbing about our current anime line up, what we plan on watching next, and the releases of new seasons of our favorites. And, now, we have a brand new group to share in our love for anime too! There are so many wonderful local libraries in my neck of the woods that offer amazing programs for adults, teens, and children. One of the newest additions being an anime club for adults that meets once a month. We have been going regularly for about four months now and we both look forward to it because it is a total blast!

At anime club we watch a few episodes of a show while enjoying a Japanese snack, have a discussion, and then do a craft themed around whatever show we were introduced to. For two hours, we are immersed in our world of imagination with like minded individuals and it’s such a treat. It’s also a thrill to check out new shows that we might not have watched before. For example, during our second meeting we watched the first three episodes of My Hero Academia and I was immediately hooked. Since then, I have been watching an episode every morning while I eat my breakfast and I just can’t get enough. It is SO good and I’m already halfway through season three. I look forward to my viewings every day. 😀

While some animes have been a hit with me at our meetings, some of them are a miss and that’s truly okay! Last week we dabbled in Jujutsu Kaisen which I have always been interested in but never bothered watching. During our screening, I learned that it was not my bag whatsoever and it was no harm no foul because I could move onto something different. Regardless of if I would continue the show on my own or not, it’s so exciting to watch something new. To experience different styles, stories, and characters and getting into the nitty gritty of what we liked and didn’t with our group allows for the best conversations. I am already chomping at the bit for our August get together!

Long live libraries!!! Thanks to Anime Club my brother and I have both made new friends, found new shows, and get to spend time with people who share our passion. It is just the best!

Do you attend any programs at your local library? What kind of events does your library offer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun16

A Discussion With Lisa Jewell

Posted on June 16, 2025 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Libraries are such an amazing, beautiful, wonderful thing and the ones in my neck of the woods astound me. Every day, there is always some kind of event going on. Whether it’s story time for the kiddos that my nieces love to attend, cooking classes, crafts, concerts, and anything in between they are completely free and open to the public. My family and I frequent library events and have a jam packed schedule this summer to go to as many as we can. In fact, I just attended one this past week.

My sister recently sent me a link to a talk with Lisa Jewell through the Library Speakers Consortium. In this series, authors are interviewed and will do a question and answer session with the questions that viewers submitted. We simply couldn’t believe that Lisa Jewell was on the docket because we are such avid fans of her books! We have read countless thrillers by Jewell and have, for the most part, loved everything we have read. And, as luck would have it, her talk was scheduled exactly during my break time on Tuesday so I could join in.

During the discussion, Lisa filled us in on her new book, Don’t Let Him In, which will be released this month on the twenty-fourth. She guided as through the plot sans spoilers and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it because it sounds like a doozy! Lisa also answered at least ten audience questions and it was so fun and interesting to hear her on the spot responses. I was especially fascinated by her writing process. She does zero research for her books, she limits herself to writing one thousand words per day, and the most mundane encounters sometimes inspire a whole novel. It truly felt that she writes for the pure joy of writing and that really resonated. There is nothing better to me than taking my talons to the keyboard and seeing what happens!

It sounds silly, but it was just so cool to hear Lisa speak. Her accent and infectious laugh were simply charming and I was on pins and needles to hear what she was going to say next. Like her books, the way she speaks and the words she chooses are handled with such care. She delighted in the questions she was asked and I loved to hear how much she enjoys interacting with her fans on social media. Throughout the discussion, Lisa seemed like the woman you would love to grab a coffee with and chat away. She was so truly herself, didn’t put on any kind of airs, and it was evident that she enjoyed this talk just as much as the audience did. It was wonderful!

I am so happy that I got to attend this virtual discussion with Lisa Jewell! After way more years than I care to admit of reading her books, this was an awesome experience from start to finish. I wonder which author will be next in the series!

What is your local library like? Does your library host fun events too? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct10

Libraries Rock!

Posted on October 10, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! I have had the absolute pleasure of taking my sweet niece, Val Gal, to a couple of story times at one of the many local libraries in our area. It is seriously the cutest thing on planet Earth and I love having some extra TT time! During story hour, the kids listen to stories (Obviously lol), sing songs, learn dances, and do a craft themed around their topic for the day. The teacher also peppers in tips for the parents or family to help improve language skills. I have never been to a library story hour before taking Val and I was SO impressed by the librarians running the program.

When I first started my job as an Independent Provider for people with special needs, I was working strictly in the evenings. Prior to this, I used to think that libraries were just for using the computers and getting books. However, they are so much more than that, which I learned from taking my clients to the numerous programs held at the libraries.

Every month, I would scour the Events pages for the libraries in the greater Akron area for programs my clients would enjoy. And, every time, I was blown away with what was being offered. We would attend vinyl record clubs, movie nights, crafts, an escape room, and even a murder mystery night! The best part? Everything was always free!

Libraries in my area offer everything from computer courses and sign language classes to cooking clubs and concerts. And, I’m sure that the libraries in your neck of the woods probably have a lot of similar experiences for your community. These places are, truly, a gift and I wanted to shine a light on it. Not only can you expand your knowledge but you can make friends in the process too. This is very evident every time Val meets a new pal at her story times. 🙂

If you are looking for activities to do with your children or with a group of friends as the weather gets colder, then head to your local library. You never know what amazing things you will find!

Have you ever attended any library programs before? What were they? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug19

All In Your Own Backyard

Posted on August 19, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! When I first started working as an Independent Provider for people with special needs, I was mainly on the evening shift for purely social outings with my clients. For free and fun entertainment, we would often hit up the local libraries in the greater Akron area. Activities ranged from vinyl record clubs to art projects and murder mysteries and it was always a blast.

Now, I work in the mornings and afternoons and provide care under the umbrella of daily living skills. It has been a while since I scoured the library and community websites for outings and I, honestly, kind of forgot how amazing all of our local programs are until this summer. My family has certainly been making the most of them!

This past summer, people in my family have attended numerous events including a watercolor painting class and a Comicon style vendor fair. We have also loved taking my sweet niece to story time almost every week at the library. It is the most adorable little hour filled with books, songs, and crafts. My heart just melted when I took Val last week. ❤

Over last weekend, I experienced one of the best community events I have been to in a while with my dad and Val – the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival. It was held at the Goodyear Heights Metro Park and featured awesome performances by various dance groups. We got to watch a jazz and ballet troop as well as the dancers from ArtSparks, which is a dance group made up of people with special needs. It was SO cool!

The main event of the night was a performance by Pilobolus, a world famous troop. However, we didn’t get to watch them because it was getting close to Valerie’s bedtime. All of the dancers we did see were spectacular but the best part of the night was when the kids in the audience got to take the stage. Val had a blast learning different ballet and jazz moves. She also unintentionally stole the show when she was showing off her newfound skills during another performance lol it was so funny. 😀

After Val learned some dance steps, she said that she would like to take dance classes and that’s what is so wonderful about all of these community programs. Not only do you get to meet new people but you also get to try your hand at new things for free or close to it. Similarly, my mom and I now paint in our free time after the ten dollar watercolor class we took.

Children, teenagers, and adults alike can all benefit from local programs – you just need to know where to look. Library websites, newspapers, and community pages can all point you in the right direction. If you are searching for new activities with minimal funding, then this is the way to go. Explore your community and have fun!

What community events do you like to attend? Have you learned a new skill or hobby recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug11

Sweet Surprises: Funko Fandom Edition

Posted on August 11, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Johnny and I are constantly surprising each other with little gifts, favorite meals, and upgrades to our Halloween decor. It is always so nice for us to come home to a treat, especially with things being as stressful as they are in my life right now. This past weekend, Johnny went to a convention with my brother at the Akron library that featured all things anime, comics, super heroes, and various fandoms. These are the prezzies that I returned home to:

Although mine and Johnny’s Funko Pop collection pales in comparison to my brother’s, we have our fair share too. Our Funko shelf includes characters from Seinfeld, Diablo, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, and the incomparable Bret Michaels from our days of obsessing over Rock Of Love. What a crazy time for TV that was!

The Elvira Funko that Johnny brought home is one that I get. She’s a goddess among mere mortals and everyone should feel lucky to share planet Earth with her. The Igor Karkaroff one, however, was a head scratcher lol. Johnny and I love the Harry Potter franchise but it’s not like Igor is our favorite character of all time. In fact, I feel like we have never even mentioned him in passing when watching the movies. I am so not mad about whatever urge Johnny felt to purchase it, though, because it was such a random funny thing when I walked in the apartment.

Not only did Johnny come home with new Funkos but he also got me a new sticker for my laptop. Lol at it being Hogwarts Castle as the White Castle logo! I adore the book marks he snagged for free from a local artist, Griffie – Kiss for him and movie monsters for me. This was so thoughtful because he noticed that I had an old receipt tucked in a book and thought that’s what I was using to mark the pages. Little did he know that was unintentional and it just happened when I had it in my work bag. Regardless, it was really sweet!

What a guy, am I right? Johnny is such an angel and these Sweet Surprises were just what I needed to put a smile on my face. ❤

What do you like to surprise people with? Which Funko Pops do you have in your collection? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan26

Need A New Hobby? Try The Following!

Posted on January 26, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hey! Hobbies, hobbies, hobbies. That’s all you hear about when people talk pandemic and, as it has been almost a year since the start of this craziness, you might have exhausted all of the options of things to keep you occupied. Believe you me, I feel it completely and have felt like I’ve been stuck in a never ending loop of work, video games, Netflix, and bed. It can be hard to break that cycle but maybe these ideas below will help inspire all of us to keep on trying new things, despite all of the boredom blues. Let’s get to it:

Library Programs:

If your local libraries are anything like the ones in Ohio, then the events calendar on their website should be full of virtual programs that you can enjoy. There are events for every age group to participate in from story time for children to concerts from local talent and craft nights on Zoom. Take a look at your library’s website, see what sparks your interest, and sign up. The best part? If you don’t like it, all you need to do is close out of the Zoom call!

Make Some Money:

I used to be a huge fan of garage sale style apps like LetGo and they can be a great tool when you are doing a big home clean out. Start your spring cleaning early and see if you have anything that you’d like to try your hand at selling. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say, and you could put your earnings towards a vacation fund when it is safer to travel. Plus: Clean house. It’s a total win/win.

Check Out Local Specialty Shops:

In my neck of the woods, there are plenty of small businesses that you can support and a lot of them have programs offered online. Perhaps your local game shop has an online Dungeons & Dragons community? Or maybe the craft store offers online tutorials on completing an art project from their employees. Not only will you help support their business but it will be a great way to meet new people and possibly develop a brand new hobby.

Fresh Spins On Old Favorites:

There is nothing wrong with sticking with the same old if it’s what you enjoy but how about putting a spin on it? Love pampering yourself in your free time? Try your hand at making your own soaps or lotion. Handy in the kitchen? Open your cook book to a random page and whip up something you never tried before. Book worm? Start your own book club with your friends over Zoom! Incorporating some new things into a hobby that is already your favorite will keep things exciting and you can become skilled in all areas of your craft.

We still have a long way to go before things go back to “normal”, which means we are going to be confined to our homes for a bit longer. Try the ideas above and, before you know it, nicer weather will be here and seeing friends safely outdoors will be possible! 😀

How do you spend your time in lock down? What is something new that you’d like to try? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan21

Let’s Paint!

Posted on January 21, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! One of the things that I love about my neck of the woods is all of the wonderful libraries. Prior to the pandemic, I would always take my clients to the fun programs being offered at different library branches. We were particularly fond of vinyl record club, crafts, and movie showings. Now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the libraries in my area have turned all of their programs virtual and you can hop onto Zoom to join in.

The last time my dad was at the library to pick up some books for me and my mom, he also grabbed a craft kit complete with a mini canvas, paint, and brushes. Like so:

Now, I am in no way shape or form an artist and I have absolutely no clue what to paint on my canvas. So, I am open to suggestions! I will make an attempt to paint the idea from the comments that I like the best and, what’s more, I will even send it your way if your comment was chosen so you can have a Lil Red Original. Who knows, maybe Johnny will even make a “celebrity” contribution to the painting too. Whether you’re crafting vinyl, sketching, or painting on a canvas it is such fun to get creative so let’s see what happens!

What should I paint on my canvas? What kind of programs does your local library offer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Alina Vilchenko from Pexels

Jun18

Galaxy Wine Glass Craft

Posted on June 18, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy! I end up at one of the many local libraries with my clients several times per month, because there are always fun activities being held that are completely free to the public. From crafts and record clubs to murder mystery games and movie nights, there is a program suited for everyone’s interests. This past week, I took one of my clients to a craft activity at the library where we painted our own galaxy themed wine glasses. Here are the results for mine:

Needless to say, ours definitely didn’t turn out like the amazing examples seen above. But, it was sure fun, nonetheless. The library provided everything for this event and all I had to do was register myself and my client and show up. The librarian purchased the wine glasses from the Dollar Tree and the acrylic paints and brushes from Michael’s for a budget friendly craft.

The glasses were pre-painted by the librarian so that we were just able to decorate and she said that there were three coats of black paint on the glass. We then used outer space inspired colors like blues, purples, and reds to create our own little galaxy. The glasses can be baked in the oven to preserve the paint if you intend on drinking out of it. But, do remember to put the glass in the oven as soon as you turn it on so it gradually gets used to the heat and doesn’t shatter!

I plan on using my glass strictly for decor. It’s not perfect, by any means. But, my client and I had a blast making them and it was a craft that can easily be replicated at home if anyone is interested in giving it a try. 🙂

How do you get crafty? What kind of programs are held at your local library? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May21

Chardon Polka Band

Posted on May 21, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hiii everyone! This past Thursday, my client and I were truly living our best lives because we got to see the Chardon Polka Band perform at one of our local libraries. I try to take this client out to concerts and anything music related whenever I can because that’s his favorite and he plays the piano so beautifully. We have seen the CPB play twice before and they are so much fun that we had to see them again.

Now, I know what you’re thinking “a polka concert sounds like a nightmare”. And, initially, I thought so too. But, they are the most endearing, talented group of people that I’ve ever met and it’s impossible to not love them. They are so kind to everyone in their audience from little kids, the elderly, and people with special needs and that type of selfless attitude makes me a fan of them no matter what style of music they play.

I had no idea that the Chardon Polka Band was kind of a big deal in Ohio until now, but these guys go around all over the country playing polka everywhere from funerals, and christenings, to elementary schools, and senior centers. And, of course, any beer related festival that you can think of! I never thought I’d find myself as a polka fan until seeing these whacky guys perform and it’s so nice to consider them as my friends now, too!

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos.

Both my client and myself purchased a CPB T-shirt that we wear with pride and we are so excited to see our friends with an unexpected cult following perform again soon!

Who are the local celebrities in your neck of the woods? What are your thoughts on polka music? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Docplayer

May20

Lil Red’s Book Club: Hide By Lisa Gardner Edition

Posted on May 20, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Hide By Lisa Gardner Edition

Hi! I love visiting the local libraries in my area because you never know what kind of events are taking place or good stuff that they’re giving away. At the library in North Hill that I go to with one of my clients, there are always a few boxes of books that are free for the taking and we always enjoy looking through those. The last time that we were there, I had a massive haul of thriller, horror, and suspense books including Hide by Lisa Gardner.

I just finished this suspense filled whodoneit a few days ago and I LOVED it. Normally, I am very good at figuring out the outcome of a book or movie well before the grand reveal but, for once, this one kept me guessing the entire time. I hate to brag, but this honestly never happens.

Hide revolves around Tanya or Annabelle or whatever her name is because, sometimes, she doesn’t even know. Her life has been on the run nonstop since her youth and, just as she thought that things were finally settling down, an underground chamber containing the mummified remains of six little girls was found on the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital.

The story is told from the perspectives of Bobby Dodge, a new detective and Annabelle and it switches back and forth every few chapters. Both the detective and Annabelle are trying to solve the mystery of who committed such an atrocious crime and fast. Because, somehow, Annabelle is the missing key and she very well could be next.

Although this book was just about four hundred and fifty pages, it felt like a quick read and I definitely recommend it for fans of crime related psychological thrillers. My only qualm is that a cheap bottle of window cleaner from the Dollar Tree managed to open in my car and spill all over my book, which made it look pretty gross! Thankfully, I was still able to read it despite the water logged pages and now I am really interested in reading more of Lisa Gardner’s work!

What is your favorite genre to read? What are you reading right now (Other than my blog, of course!)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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