Storytimes near Chesapeake Public Library

Central Library, First Floor

Explore the rich heritage of Virginia’s tribal communities. Discover how Indigenous voices and experiences have been, and remain, a vital part of Virginia’s history and culture. Click here to learn more about the Library of Virginia exhibit.

Greenbrier Library, Meeting Room

Small hands, big history! Discover historical basketweaving techniques. From fields to forests of 1776 Virginia, families made what they needed. Work with your family to create a special keepsake!

Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library, The Gallery

Exercise your brain and have fun learning with different games, puzzles, and art activities.

Major Hillard Library, Meeting Room

The library welcomes magician John Kingry for a fun-filled magic show! Enjoy exciting tricks, audience participation, and plenty of magical moments. Free tickets are available 1 hour before the show.

Major Hillard Library, Activity Room

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. This program is best for children age 6 -12. If you were an artist like Jackson Pollock what method would you use to create art? Paint with a drip splatter technique.

South Norfolk Memorial Library, Meeting Room

Explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on experiments and activities. July 9 - Bird Feeders July 16 - Future Creators: Robotics and Coding Lab July 23 - Sun Prints (alternative activity if it is raining) July 30 - Sphero August 6 - Seed Bombs August 13 - LEGO Build August 20 - Ozobot August 27 - Slime

Central Library, Large Meeting Room

Step into a jungle adventure! Learn about our scaly, furry, or feathered friends from Jack's Jungle. This exciting and interactive show will delight animal lovers of all ages!

Indian River Library, Innovation Studio Combined

Register for this hands-on introductory session designed for beginners and anyone seeking certification to independently use the makerspace sewing machines.

Russell Memorial Library, Activity Room

Explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on experiments and activities. July 9: STEAM-Palooza July 16: Tape Resist Art July 23: Ice Cream in a Bag July 30: Food Experiments

Greenbrier Library, Meeting Room

Stitch something magical this summer! Over six weeks, teens will explore embroidery basics, mindful creativity, and mandala-inspired patterns. For grades six through twelve. Registration required. Each week learn a new stitch for your stunning floral mandala sampler! Master embroidery skills and let your creativity bloom. 6/18: Straight Stitch and Backstitch 6/25: Chain Stitch and Lazy Daisy Stitch 7/9: Buttonhole Stitch 7/16: Fern Stitch and Fly Stitch 7/23: Stem Stitch and Satin Stitch 7/30: French Knot and Running Stitch

Major Hillard Library, Activity Room

Join D & D fans for a summer campaign adventure. Best for players with some knowledge of the game.

Russell Memorial Library, Atrium

Want to grow your green thumb? Then join us for some time in the garden. Pull weeds, water, harvest, learn something new, and meet new people. This is an outdoor, weather-dependent program.

Central Library, First Floor

Explore the rich heritage of Virginia’s tribal communities. Discover how Indigenous voices and experiences have been, and remain, a vital part of Virginia’s history and culture. Click here to learn more about the Library of Virginia exhibit.

Greenbrier Library, Meeting Room

Start your morning off by being transported to a tropical island, to enjoy this fan-favorite movie. This is a family-friendly event. Outside refreshments are welcome. This film is rated PG and has a runtime of 113 minutes.

South Norfolk Memorial Library, Conference Room

Estate planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Join us for a quick overview of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives, plus an open Q&A. Don’t miss it. Disclaimer: Please note: the presenter cannot answer legal questions dealing with a situation specific to an attendee, and no attorney-client relationship is created or implied during this session. DO NOT bring confidential documents or other information to this session. Presenter: Jeffrey B. Sodoma, Attorney Attorney Bio Jeffrey “Jeff” Sodoma, Esq. is an estate planning and elder law attorney in Melone Hatley, P.C.’s Virginia Beach, VA office, where his practice is focused on helping individuals and families create comprehensive estate plans that protect assets, address future needs, provide long-term security for loved ones, and preserve generational wealth. He works closely with clients to develop thoughtful, forward-looking plans tailored to each client’s goals and circumstances that offer peace of mind for the future. Jeff always places his client’s best interests first and foremost. Jeff regularly advises clients on all aspects of estate planning, including wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, advanced medical directives, advance planning strategies, and estate and trust administration. He also represents clients in guardianship and conservatorship matters, guiding families through complex legal and fiduciary responsibilities with compassion and legal clarity. He is also a VSB-registered Real Estate Settlement Agent. Before joining Melone Hatley, P.C., Jeff founded and led his own Virginia Beach-based estate planning and elder law practice, where he advised clients throughout Virginia on long-term planning, incapacity preparation, and fiduciary duties. This experience gave him firsthand insight into the importance of clear communication and intentional planning, particularly when addressing aging, disability, and family dynamics. Jeff also was employed with another regionally focused law firm in the Hampton Roads area. In addition to estate planning and administration, Jeff assists clients with fiduciary and compliance-related issues that often arise during the planning and administration process. His background supports a detail-oriented, analytical approach to estate matters, particularly when plans involve multiple parties, long-term oversight, or heightened legal responsibility. These skills help him with any estate planning matters for Virginia Beach families. Jeff is actively engaged in the legal community, including participating in advisory and evaluation committees for the Virginia State Bar. He is also qualified as a Guardian ad Litem for adults in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a credential that complements his work in estate planning and fiduciary representation. Clients value his thoughtful and compassionate counsel, responsiveness, and commitment to creating plans that provide confidence and peace of mind. Prior to entering the legal profession, Jeff worked in the transportation field. His past work experience gave him a unique perspective as a multi-modal, multi-sector transportation professional, with a unique understanding of both micro-level customer service, marketing, operations & maintenance disciplines, and macro-level integrated intermodal transportation system needs and features. He utilized a multi-faceted set of educational and practical experiences to help clients finance, design, plan, build, operate, market, and maintain the transportation systems of the future. Originally from western New York (Go Bills!), Jeff now resides in northeastern North Carolina with his wife, Melanie (a Registered Nurse), and their children, Kate, Charlotte, and Maverick. He enjoys spending time with his family and running marathons every few years. Where Can I Park? Parking spaces are available in the public lot at the corner of Bainbridge Blvd. and Grady Street. To reach the South Norfolk Memorial Library from the lot, follow the construction fencing along the gravel area until you arrive at the building. Asphalt ramps are available to accommodate wheeled equipment and carriers.

Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library

Make Fridays the highlight of your week! Fun Friday brings children in grades K–5 together for an hour of exciting activities, from special guests, interactive games, creative crafts, and more!

Central Library, Small Business Studio

Energize your business on second Fridays of the month with high‑impact sessions on branding, finance, leadership, sales, and a finale pitch showcase. Start strong with Launch & Vision Planning. Kick off your business journey with clarity and momentum. Walk away with a mission statement, clear value proposition, and a practical roadmap to guide your next steps.

Central Library, First Floor

Explore the rich heritage of Virginia’s tribal communities. Discover how Indigenous voices and experiences have been, and remain, a vital part of Virginia’s history and culture. Click here to learn more about the Library of Virginia exhibit.

Russell Memorial Library, Activity Room

Ready for some summer book club fun? Pick your own book then join the club to hang out and talk about what you read, have some snacks, and do an activity. This month’s book theme is “Mystery.”

Indian River Library, Innovation Studio Combined

Learn how to use a Cricut smart cutting machine, then put your skills and knowledge to work. The first part of this session is an orientation and provides a complete demonstration on a Cricut machine. The second half of this session is certification and allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills on the Cricut. This part is hands-on and allots time to ask specific questions concerning the device. Once certification is complete, you are able to create your own projects with the device in our Studio independently and safely.

Greenbrier Library, Meeting Room

Learn about a new plant each month, including how to grow it, how it helps wildlife, and which pollinator or insect relies on that plant for food, too.

South Norfolk Memorial Library, Meeting Room

Enjoy a family-friendly movie with a patriotic theme as we celebrate America's 250 anniversary! All movies start at 1:00 pm. Saturday, May 9: April Morning , not rated, 2 hours An adaptation of Howard Fast's 1961 novel about a teenage boy's coming of age on the eve of the American Revolution, when the Colonists made their stand on the Lexington green. Saturday, June 13 16: Sweet Liberty , PG, 1 hour 46 minutes College history professor Michael Burgess' life and town are turned upside down when a film company arrives to make a movie out of his best-selling book on the American Revolution. Saturday, July 11: 1776 , not rated, 2 hours 45 minutes A musical celebration of the founding of the United States of America based on the award-winning Broadway production!

Russell Memorial Library, Harper Lee Meeting Room

Create summer book-page art with recycled library books, watercolors, and your favorite summer icons!

Central Library, First Floor

Explore the rich heritage of Virginia’s tribal communities. Discover how Indigenous voices and experiences have been, and remain, a vital part of Virginia’s history and culture. Click here to learn more about the Library of Virginia exhibit.

Indian River Library, Meeting Room

Meet your neighbors, make some friends (or bring them with you), while you learn to play Bunco with library staff. Light refreshments will be provided.

South Norfolk Memorial Library, Meeting Room

Learn about a new edible plant each month! Master Gardener volunteers will teach a monthly class on growing a featured vegetable, herb, or shrub. During the class, they will talk about how to care for the plant. There will also be a fun activity and a giveaway! Due to construction of the new South Norfolk Municipal building, parking for the South Norfolk Memorial Library has moved to the gravel parking lot at the corner of Bainbridge Boulevard and Grady Street.

Central Library, First Floor

Explore the rich heritage of Virginia’s tribal communities. Discover how Indigenous voices and experiences have been, and remain, a vital part of Virginia’s history and culture. Click here to learn more about the Library of Virginia exhibit.

Russell Memorial Library, Youth Services

Looking for a fun craft? Stop by the Children’s Department to create your own masterpiece. Crafts are available while supplies last.

Central Library, Youth Services

Looking for a fun craft? Stop by the Children’s Department to create your own masterpiece. Crafts are available while supplies last.

Greenbrier Library, Meeting Room

Learn about different jobs and meet neighborhood leaders to explore the great big world of careers. Join us each week for songs, stories, photo opportunities, and interactive fun.