Announcements

Library prepares for Read Local/Eat Local event

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Peters Township Public Library will gather over 20 local authors to shine and share their talents at a new event called Read Local/Eat Local on Saturday, June 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The library is encouraging the community to read books by authors from the southwestern Pennsylvania area that represent all genres for all age groups. The library plans to offer storytimes and activities for children at this family-friendly event. No registration is needed to attend.

“The library is frequently contacted by local authors when they have a new book to share,” explained Sue Miller, Assistant Library Director. “And that is how we discovered so much talent right in our backyard. With the Read Local event, we have an opportunity to showcase these authors to the community. They offer everything from children’s books, fiction for young adults, romance, fantasy, mystery, science fiction, history, and self-help. I think the event will offer something for just about everyone, including some tasty food available for purchase.”

Authors to date that will be available for two hours of conversation, book readings, book sales and signings include:

Plan to Eat Local while at this free event or passing through the area as three food trucks will be in the library parking lot with refreshments for sale that afternoon. Trucks on-site will include Hott Dawgz, Revival Chili, and Kona Ice.

Kicking off Read Local/Eat Local will be a pre-event from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with bestselling author J.D. Barker who will discuss Making the Leap from Indie to Traditional Publishing. Barker successfully published his debut novel as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a big way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program. He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen. All are welcome to attend this session, especially any aspiring author or seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world. J.D. Barker is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. Register online to attend his talk.

Concluding the afternoon will be Susan Hans O’Connor from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. with her talk Authors and Independent Bookstores: Working Together for Mutual Success. Independent bookstores are a vital piece of the book publishing puzzle.  Partnering with local stores can be one of the most effective tools authors can use to promote their books.  O’Connor will share her insights from the perspective of both a current bookstore owner as well as a former book editor.  Susan Hans O’Connor has been the owner of the Penguin Bookshop since 2014.  She began her publishing career at Viking Penguin where she worked as an editor for over a decade. Register online to attend her talk.

With Kanopy, PT Library patrons will have access to 30,000+ films for free

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The popular on-demand film streaming service Kanopy is now available for free by registered users of the Peters Township Public Library. PTPL cardholders can access Kanopy and sign up to start streaming films on instantly by visiting https://ptlibrary.kanopy.com/. Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku.

Offering what the New York Times calls “a garden of cinematic delights,” Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema with collections from Kino Lorber, Music Box Films, Samuel Goldwyn, The Orchard, The Great Courses, PBS and thousands of independent filmmakers.

Kanopy Kids PosterOur subscription includes Kanopy Kids: thoughtful entertainment for children aged preschool and up. Kanopy Kids categories include TV Series, Learning Languages, Animated Storybooks, Anime Favorites, Classic Films and Movies for the Whole Family. Key titles include Arthur, Babar, Franklin & Friends, Maya The Bee, Wild Kratts, Between the Lions, Little Pim, and Nigerian-animated Bino & Fino. The collection also highlights Classic Films from Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton and Oscar® nominated titles including A Cat in Paris and The Secret of Kells, plus family-friendly documentaries, Girls Rock, and The Endless Summer. In order to help parents decide which videos are best for their children, Kanopy has partnered with Common Sense Media™ to provide developmentally appropriate age ratings on Kanopy Kids. Parents can also choose to implement parental controls for additional security.

With the motto of “thoughtful entertainment,” Kanopy provides Peters Township Public Library cardholders with access to films of unique social and cultural value; films that are often difficult or impossible to access elsewhere, and programming that features diversity, with a wide array of foreign language films and films on race, and current affairs.

The Kanopy collection includes indie hits like Hunt For the Wilderpeople and 2 Days in Paris, classic masterpieces like Aguirre, the Wrath of God and Seven Samurai, and award-winning documentaries like the 2017 Oscar®-nominated I Am Not Your Negro and Sundance Film Festival winner Mother of George.

Kanopy was founded in 2008 by CEO Olivia Humphrey as an educational tool for colleges and universities. More than 5 million Kanopy users stream the most acclaimed movies and documentaries from award-winning filmmakers and experience the best in independent, classic film, and world cinema.

National Library Week is April 8 -14!

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The Peters Township Public Library joins libraries throughout Pennsylvania and the country in celebrating all that libraries have to offer as part of National Library Week 2018. Libraries and their credentialed staffs lead their communities every day through the services and invaluable expertise they offer.

National Library Week, observed April 8-14, puts a spotlight on the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers.  Libraries aren’t just book repositories or places of quiet study, but also community centers that provide refuge and fuel creativity and civic engagement. Patrons and visitors can collaborate, use new technologies, acquire current skills, access online classes, and connect with other community members.

Libraries of all types are evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the communities they serve. Elected officials, small business owners, students, and the public at large depend upon libraries and the resources they offer to meet the needs of their communities. By providing resources such as eBooks and technology courses, English as a Second Language (ESL) materials, job development programs or safe spaces, libraries and librarians are leading in their communities.

“Our library provides crucial services to the patrons we serve, offering unlimited opportunities for personal growth and lifelong learning,” said Myra R. Oleynik, library director. “All libraries level the playing field for everyone seeking information and access to technologies that will improve not only their individual quality of life but that of their loved ones and their surrounding community.”

Be sure to stop by the library and connect with us and all we have to offer!

PT Welcomes Olympic Silver Medalist John-Henry Krueger

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The Peters Township Public Library will kick-off a community-wide celebration to honor Peters Township resident John-Henry Krueger, winner of a silver medal in the 1,000-meter short track speed skating competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

On Thursday, March 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., the library invites all ages to hear Krueger give a brief talk about his training and experiences in Pyeongchang, South Korea.  A “meet and greet” will follow. Guests should bring a camera for a photo with this hometown hero and his silver medal.

Register online to attend this free event or call 724.941.9430 #1.Refreshments will be provided by The Peters Township Library Foundation.

On Monday, March 26 at the regular evening meeting of the Peters Township Council, Krueger will be presented with the “Key to Peters Township.” Township Council will be adopting a resolution honoring his achievement by naming the week of March 25 “John-Henry Krueger Week” in Peters Township.

Student Photography Exhibit coming to the library

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The Peters Township High School Photography Classes will exhibit their work in the main lobby of the Peters Township Public Library from March 8 through 22 during library hours. “The Gallery” is a display of hundreds of student photographs from the classes and club at the high school.  An opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 8 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  All are welcome to attend.

Matted photographs and canvases will be on display. The Photography Club officers include Co-Presidents Emily DeNunzio and Samantha Szewczyk, and Board Members Storie Poness, Jillian Bastyr, Julianna Mankamyer, and Claire Mitchell.

For more information about “The Gallery,” contact the club sponsor, Erin Boni, at bonie@pt-sd.org.

New Adulting 101 Series

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Sometimes becoming an adult is not all that you thought it would be – laundry to do, bills to pay, a car to take care of, AND you have to cook your own dinner!

To help you learn the skills you need to be an adult without having to call home every 10 minutes, the Peters Township Public Library is kicking off a new Adulting 101 series on Saturday, February 24 at 11:00 a.m. with Say WHAT? How to Communicate Like a Grown-Up. This free class will cover how to write a cover letter and resume, prepare for an interview, and keep your internet reputation something your mom would be proud to see. Lisa Raymond, instructor of Public Speaking, and Persuasion and Professional Communications at Robert Morris University, will discuss how to communicate professionally. Refreshments provided. Register online or call 724.941.9430 #1.

Upcoming classes geared toward 16 to 25 year-olds will include:

  • Saturday, March 24, 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Oops! My Button Fell Off: Clothing Care Basics
  • Saturday, April 28, 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. – Show Me the Money: Banking Basics
  • Saturday, May 19, 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Beyond Ramen: Healthy, Easy Recipes
  • Saturday, June 30, 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Car Care Tips for the Clueless

“As a library, we wanted to become another resource for the young persons in our community to help them live better lives and become independent adults,” said Sue Miller, Assistant Director of the library and facilitator of the series. “These free classes will be a fun and informative way to learn some basic skills and build confidence in handling new situations. We’ve got an enthusiastic group of professionals lined up to offer these monthly classes.”

More details about future classes will be available soon!