Aiken County Public Library events for the month of May

Apr. 28---- A Bridge Building STEM Kit will be available for pickup beginning May 1. They will be available while supplies last. No holds.

— The Aiken Soil and Water Conservation District will hold Pop-Up Free Seed event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, May 14 and 28. District representatives will distribute flower, herb and vegetable seeds. Packets are limited to two per person.

— Gardening for Beginners will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13. Come paint a pot, plant some seeds, and learn more about starting a garden at home. Sponsored by the Aiken Soil and Water Conservation District.

— Coloring for Grownups will be held from 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays, May 7 and 21 in the creative lab on the first floor of the library. Those attending should bring colored pencils and felt pens. Coloring sheets and refreshments will be provided. To sign up or for more information, call the reference desk at 803-642-2020 ext. 3.

— The Art of Words Poets' Open Mic event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Adults, teens, and young adults will have the opportunity to practice performance skills in front of a small audience, receive feedback and get inspiration. The evening will be co-hosted by Tamell "Big" Bailey and CathyB. The theme is Mama Said. The featured performer will be Pretty X Gifted. Those wishing to participate should sign up at the library by 5:30 p.m. on the day of the event.

— An author presentation and book signing featuring Brian Panowich will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Panowich is an award winning author, a Georgia firefighter, and a father to four incredible children. His first novel, "Bull Mountain," was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, ITW Thriller Award winner for Best First Novel, Southern Book Prize winner, and a finalist for both the Anthony and the Barry Awards. He lives in Georgia with his family. He will be discussing his latest novel, "Nothing But the Bones." Copies will be for sale at the event.

— "Hypnotic," rated R, will be shown at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9. A detective investigates a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program.

— "Ordinary Angels," rated PG, will be shown at 3 p.m. Friday, May 24. Inspired by the incredible true story of a hairdresser who single-handedly rallies an entire community to help a widowed father save the life of his critically ill young daughter.

— Play & Learn will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, May 22 and 29. Children ages 0-5 are invited to drop in and learn through play while caregivers learn how to promote early literacy.

— The Stormwater STEM Club will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. There will be interactive STEM lessons and hands-on water science activities. The focus of March will be on the feeding and adaptations of macroinvertebrates. To register, call the circulation desk at 803-642-2020 ext. 1121. This program is held in partnership with Aiken County Stormwater.

— A Sip & Paint activity for teens will be held Friday, May 31. Teens can sip lemonade while they paint. To register call the circulation desk at 803-642-2020 ext. 1121.

— Ancestry Library Edition, Book Club Kids, a Pickleball Set and digital blood pressure monitors are available at the library. See the staff for more information.

The Aiken County Public Library is located at 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The library is closed on Sunday. It will be closed Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. For more information, visit abbe-lib.org.