All Ages

2024 Tween and Teen Writing Contest Winners Announced

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The Youth Services Department held its second annual Tween and Teen Writing Contest this spring, capped with a reception honoring all participants on May 7 at the library.

This year’s theme challenged writers to explore the word “hidden.” From hidden identities to secret agents, from hidden worlds to secret crushes, the 12 teens and nine tweens entering the contest addressed the theme in a variety of creative ways. Judges–including library staff, published authors, and Peters Township Library Foundation members–scored entries based creativity, technique and theme.

Over 50 participants, family members and friends gathered at the May 7th reception for prizes, refreshments and the announcement of winners. The top two winners in each category read an excerpt of their entries at the reception and received gift baskets.

Plans are in the works for a third annual writing contest in 2025.

Select the writer’s name below to read their entry.  

Tweens:
Grand-prize winner: Dora Liu
Runner-up: Andrew Bricker

Teens:
Grand-prize winner: Eleanor Gorman
Runner-up: Hannah Crnkovich
Runner-up: Gloria Patts

Tween Participants:
Cecelia Borsani
Gemma Clark
Vijval Satheesh Kumar
Gabriella Lamb
Alaina Petrovich
Amelia Sharker

Teen Participants:
Ella Clapp
Claire Henry
Ari Nakao
Autumn Prisk
Ella Prisk 
Elivia Shaffer

Mythic Fiction Writing Contest Winners

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Throughout April, the Youth Services Department accepted submissions for a unique writing contest for tweens and teens. The contest’s theme was “mythic fiction,” in conjunction with the library’s NEA Big Read Grant featuring the novel Circe by Madeline Miller.

Library staff member Elizabeth May coordinated the contest, entered by ten tweens and three teens. May offered a workshop in March to help participants prepare for the contest. The teen entries were all retellings of classic Greek and Norse mythology, all with strong female characters. The tween entries took a more general approach of being mythology-inspired or featuring a mythic creature.

Library staff, The Peters Township Library Foundation members, and celebrity judges reviewed all the entries based on three criteria: creativity, technique, and theme. 

Over 50 people attended a reception on Thursday, May 4, at the library to announce the winners. Each tween and teen who participated were given a certificate of participation. The top two winners in each category for tweens and teens did a reading of their entries for their families and friends. Both runners-up and grand prize winners received prizes. May plans to hold another themed writing contest next year to encourage the craft of writing.

Select the writer’s name to read their entry.  

The winners included:

Tweens:

Grand-prize winner: Dora Liu

Runner-up: Claire Heller

Teens:

Grand-prize winner: Hannah Cataneo

Runner-up: Hannah Crnkovich

Additional writers included:

Andrew Bricker
Alissa Diraimondo
Ashley Hafenbrack
Zachary Hathaway
Jo Myers
Thomas Oxenreiter
Alaina Petrovich

NEA Big Read CIRCE

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PT Library is one of 62 organizations across the country participating in the 2022-2023 NEA Big Read. From April 1 to May 11, our community will celebrate Circe by Madeline Miller with a full calendar of events for all ages. The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is designed to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. PTPL has partnered with The Peters Township Library Foundation, Washington & Jefferson College, Peters Township Parks & Recreation, the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh, the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce, and Mondays Brewing Company to offer a wide variety of programs and activities for the community. If you have media inquiries about PTPL’s Big Read, please contact Assistant Director Illyanna Logan.

Circe features topics in Greek Mythology and history and themes of independence and resilience that weave their way through the library’s offering of events and activities. A partner read for youth was also selected as part of this program. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Choksi features an Indian-American twelve-year-old who navigates through Hindu folklore to save family and friends, all while wearing her Spiderman pajamas.

Register for programs through the event calendar and continue reading to find more community activities!

Join us at the library as we kickoff a month of programs surrounding Circe by Madeline Miller. See Washington County Spinners & Weavers Guild demonstrations, visit Hummus Pittsburgh’s food truck, grab free copies (while supplies last) of Circe or our partner read Aru Shah and the End of Time, and participate in our community art project. No registration is necessary, and all ages are invited. This event will be at the library on Saturday, April 1, from 12 to 2 pm.

 

On Thursday, May 4, NYT best-selling author Madeline Miller will discuss her journey in imagining one of the most (in)famous witches in literature, including her inspiration, research, and writing process. This event will be at 6:30 pm and held via Zoom, but viewing parties will also be held at Chartiers-Houston Community Library, Eva K. Bowlby Public Library, Monongahela Area Library, and Peters Township Public Library. Register for the zoom link here.

 

The library and Chamber of Commerce invite you to take a journey through Peters Township! Pick up a passport at the library and explore the township while you collect secret phrases on your odyssey. Discover mythical characters and creatures while exploring Peters Township! Return your passport to the library for a chance to win a prize. More stops = more chances to win!
Passports will be available starting April 1 at the NEA BIG READ Kickoff event and throughout the month of April.

 

All ages can log their reading and complete activities in our Circe-inspired Bingo Challenge on the Beanstack App. Read mythic books, attend library events, or take your own little odyssey in a park. Once you have Bingo, come to the library for a prize on or after April 10!
https://ptlibrary.beanstack.org

 

The library that brought you the world-renowned Hogwarts Digital Escape Room invites you to Escape the Labyrinth. Test your knowledge and puzzle skills as you try to escape the Minotaur’s Labyrinth! Will you be able to unravel this mystery, or will you fly too close to the sun? This virtual escape room will be available online. Just click here to play!

New PTPL Events Calendar and Online Room Reservations

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We are thrilled to launch a new intuitive calendar for you to find and register for events that interest you! Go to https://events.ptlibrary.org/ to get started. Be sure to bookmark that webpage for future use. We thank the Peters Township Library Foundation for their financial support in bringing this new calendar, registration, and room reservation platform to our community!

Using the New Calendar

You can see a screenshot of the February 2023 calendar below. Along the left side of your screen, you can search for events by keywords, age group, program type, and registration type. Events are color-coded by age group on the main portion of the calendar. You can change the view to Upcoming, Month, Week, or Day. You can easily see which programs are Full, Open, Waitlist, or require no registration.

New Program Sidebar

If you view the calendar on a desktop and hover over the program title, the program details will appear on the left sidebar. In the example below for Orchids 101 on February 11, you can see that 15 seats are remaining for this program for adults. Click on the program title in the sidebar or the full calendar to register. 

 

Full Event Details and Registration

Below is the full event listing for Orchids 101. Using the three icons in the center of the description, you can add the event to iCal or your Google Calendar, print the event, or share it on social media. Next, you can review the Event Details. If registration is required, complete the requested information. The Add Another button allows you to add multiple persons using your contact information. If you are registering for a program from the Youth Services Department, we are asking you to register the name of your child/tween/teen. If we need the name of the Parent/Guardian with the child, the registration form will specifically ask for that information. Optional questions How did you hear about this program? and Do you want to sign up for the newsletter? will help library staff learn how you receive library program information. If you have additional questions, you can refer to the Contact Info for that particular event on the far right of the listing.   

Once you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation to your provided email address. You will receive a program reminder 48 hours before the event takes place with instructions should you need to cancel. If you are on a waitlist for a program, check your email frequently for a notification if we have moved you from “Waitlist” to “Registered”!
If you do not use email, you can call the library at 724.941.9430 #1 to register for a program. Please have the event date and title ready when you call.

Reserve a Meeting Room Online!

In addition to a new calendar and registration platform, PTPL also has a new page for reserving meeting rooms. Outside organizations no longer need to call the library to check for meeting room availability – it’s all visible online at events.ptlibrary.org/reserve-room. This page is also accessible through the library website. Under the Using the Library tab, select Meeting Rooms and follow the link. 

You can view availability either by room or by day. Once you select a room or date, you can see all availability.

Greyed-out times slots are not available to book. Any time slot with an orange plus sign is available. Simply choose the desired start time of your meeting, and fill out a brief form with your contact information, AV equipment needs, and organization type.

 

We can no longer accept paper forms to request a room. Once the form is submitted, please allow two business days for library staff to review and respond.

Launching this new online calendar was one of the objectives of Goal 2 of our Strategic Plan: Prevail as a gateway of knowledge and information by offering programs and services that meet the needs of a 21st-century citizenry. Our objective was to strengthen marketing and communication strategies to maximize opportunities for sharing information in a cohesive manner that improves your library experience. We are pleased to offer you this new calendar to begin 2023!

Read Local/Eat Local returns to PT Library

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The Peters Township Public Library will host 22 local authors at its 3rd Read Local/Eat Local in a new format for 2022. On Saturday, August 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the public is invited to visit the library for an entirely outdoor event in the library parking lot. The library encourages the community to read books by Pennsylvania authors representing all genres for all age groups. No registration is required to attend.

The twenty-two authors featured will include writers of several formats, including short stories, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s picture books. Authors participating include:

Robin Acton
Sarah Addis
Barbara Brutt
Rossilynne Culgan
Annette Dashofy
Abigail Drake
Fifth Avenue Writers
Kit Frick
Lisa Grazan
Anna Harsh
J.V. Hilliard Author Cancelled
Annette Hostoffer
Carole Lynn Jones
Thomas Mainwaring
Nancy McCabe 
Liz Milliron
Chris Posti
Linda Rettstatt
Chris Rodell
Nellie Steele
Cori Wamsley
Thomas White

J.D. Barker

Kicking off the event at 10:00 a.m. will be a talk by J.D. Barker. He is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including Dracul and The Fourth Monkey. His latest with James Patterson, Death of the Black Widow, was released earlier this spring. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for film and television. Barker will sign books after his talk, with select titles available for purchase through Riverstone Books. No registration is required to attend.

Plan to Eat Local while at this free event or passing through the area. Three food trucks – Johnny’s Seafood Shack, Wooden Peel Pizza, and Millie’s Homemade – will be in the library parking lot with refreshments for sale from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Concluding the event at 1:15 p.m., a representative from Riverstone Books will offer tips to current and aspiring authors. Hear ideas on how to market your books and work with an independent bookseller. You must register to attend this presentation. Register at ptlib.org/riverstone.

For more information about Read Local/Eat Local, call the library at 724.941.9430 ext. 3260 or email ptlib@pt-library.org.

 

Are you interested in being a future Read Local/Eat Local author? Complete this short form to share your interest with the event organizers for next time!

Experience Kits Are Now Available

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Thanks to our partnership with the Heinz Center Affiliates Program and other Allegheny County libraries, the Peters Township Public Library can offer FREE ADMISSION for up to four people to several museums and historical sites around Pittsburgh! Each pass has virtual access to educational information, itinerary ideas, and other fun content.

Our kits this year include: 

~ Duncan & Miller Glass Museum

~ Heinz History Center (includes admission to Fort Pitt Museum and Meadowcroft Rockshelter)

~ Historic Fort Steuben

~ Merrick Art Gallery (Pass used instead of suggested donation; check with the site about ticketed events.)

~ Old Economy Village

~ Somerset Historical Center

~ West Overton Village Museum & Distillery

 

The Heinz Affiliates Program Memberships for Washington County are paid for by “Share the Love” funding from Budd Baer Subaru.

Peters Township Public Library cardholders can place a hold on an Experience Kit by searching for “museum pass” in the WAGGIN catalog at waggin.polarislibrary.com. Kits can be picked up at the library and are loaned to you for seven days. 

Using the Peters Township Public Library Experience Kit program, visit THREE different museum sites before October 31, 2022, and be entered to win a prize! Visit https://forms.gle/wFjGXMvSh1LMfN4w6 for more information and to complete the raffle form.

Learn more about each of the museums/historical sites participating in 2022!

Duncan & Miller Glass Museum

Before the Pittsburgh area became known for its steel, it was once known as the glass manufacturing center of our country. Opened in 1893, the Duncan & Miller Glass Company became famous for its workers’ skills, the artistry of designs, and the glass colors. The National Duncan Glass Society was formed in 1975 to keep alive the history of glass companies, study their impact on the region’s economic development, and celebrate the men and women who made it possible.

Fort Pitt Museum

The Fort Pitt Museum tells the story of Western Pennsylvania’s vital role during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Through interactive exhibits, life-like historical figures, and artifacts, visitors can discover the vital role that our region played in shaping the country.

Senator John Heinz History Center

The Heinz History Center is one of Pittsburgh’s oldest cultural organizations. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum contains six floors of long-term and changing exhibits with hands-on activities and many events and programs.

Historic Fort Steuben

Historic Fort Steuben was built in 1786 by the First American Regiment to protect surveyors who the Continental Congress had sent to map the Northwest Territory. Visitors can tour the reconstructed fort to see the soldiers’ quarters, guardhouse, hospital, commissary, and the Federal Land Office. Historic Fort Steuben’s many exhibits, tours, and events tell the story of the daily life of the men who helped open the territories to settlement.

Meadowcroft Rockshelter & Historic Village

Meadowcroft, a National Historic Landmark, offers a variety of tours and educational experiences. Investigate archeology and the prehistoric people who lived in the area 19,000 years ago; travel 400 years into the past to explore a re-created 16th-century Indian village; explore an 18th-century frontier trading post; visit a 19th-century rural village while learning from re-enactors; and more!

Old Economy Village

Old Economy Village tells the fascinating story of the Harmony Society, a 19th-century religious community. Visitors can tour the Visitor Center and many of the settlement’s buildings, such as the George Rapp House, Carriage House, Mechanics Building, Wine Cellar, Store, Post Office, Baker House, Bake Oven, Community Kitchen, Cabinet Shop, Blacksmith Shop, and Granary. In these buildings, visitors can observe artifacts on display and learn about the daily life of the Harmonists.

Somerset Historical Center

The Somerset Historical Center is a 150-acre rural history museum that preserves the history of life in southwestern PA through a wide range of exhibits, workshops, and educational programs. At the Visitor Center, learn the stories of the people through objects of everyday frontier life. Visitors can see a 1770’s farmstead on the grounds with sparse furnishings, a more permanent 1830’s farmstead, an early 19th century covered bridge, a cider press, and a maple sugar camp from 1860.

The center offers workshops on traditional skilled crafts and trades, like cottage craft coopering, tinsmithing, decorating Pysanky eggs, blacksmithing, rug hooking, and folk toy making.

West Overton Village Museum & Distillery

West Overton Village is the only pre-Civil War village intact in Pennsylvania. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a stop on the American Whiskey Trail. The Village represents the transformation of American culture from an agrarian society with the production of the coverlets and the distilling operation to a more industrial society with the excavation of coal and ultimately the production of coke, a necessary ingredient for steel.

Merrick Art Gallery

The Merrick is home to a collection of French, German, English, and American paintings from the 18th and 19th Century, featuring examples of romantic, realistic, and impressionistic art by prominent American and European artists. In addition, a piano played by the composer, Stephen Foster, is on display.