News

It’s back! The library is holding its fourth annual Tween & Teen Writing Contest this spring with the theme, “Unearth.”

Whether writers want to explore “unearth” as a literal action (to dig up out of the earth or bring to light after burial) or as a figurative discovery (to find or reveal something that has been hidden, lost, or forgotten) — entrants can get creative in how they craft an original work that relates to the theme. From uncovering prehistoric fossils and ancient relics to exposing long-buried secrets, forgotten memories, or hidden truths, we invite writers to dig deep and show us what lies beneath the surface!

Entries will be accepted between March 1-15. Click here to view the form, instructions and complete rules.

A panel of judges will score each entry based on three main criteria:

~ Creativity/Originality
~ Technique
~ Theme

Winners will be announced at a reception on April 16th at 6pm at the library. Families and friends are encouraged to attend this event, which will include light refreshments and recognition of all contest participants. Click here to register for the reception.

Contact Shannon Pauley at spauley@pt-library.org with questions about the contest, or if you’re interested in joining our creative writing club.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the PT Historical Hunt! Our 12 historical sites had an average of 25 engagements at each location. A big thank you to all the organizations who allowed us to post signs for this event.

If you missed the hunt, you can still view the sites online below to learn more!

October is American Archives Month! Visit and learn about 12 historical Peters Township sites this October with information and images provided by the Peters Township Public Library Archives. The PTPL Archives acquires, preserves and makes available to the public original unpublished records documenting the history of Peters Township.

“We hope to raise awareness of the Archives and let people know we are here,” shares archivist Nancy Martin. “This is a fun, interactive way to get out in the community and share some little known local history.”

Most of the selected sites have historical images and records that are available in the Peters Township Public Library Archives. Participants can visit the library to get a list of the sites or click the link at the bottom of this post. Each site has a yard sign posted with a historical image and QR code where you can learn more about the history of the location.

Participants who learn about all 12 sites can come to the library and enter their name into a drawing for local history notecards. The PT Historical Hunt will be up through the month of October.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 12 SITES

Join us for an informative series on the Civil War this fall. Programs include information from local speakers and national organizations. Learn how to trace genealogy, about recipes and holiday traditions, and military actions during the Civil War. Programs are intended for adults unless otherwise noted.

Registration is required and opens 4 weeks before the program date and time. Registration is available online at ptlib.org/cal

Civil War Genealogy with Debra Dudek
Monday, October 6, 6 pm, at PTPL and via Zoom
Did your ancestors take up sides during the Civil War? Learn about the resources, research sites, and strategies for learning more about your veteran ancestors! Debra Dudek will join us virtually for this presentation. You can watch from home or the library.

Civil War Footlocker with Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Wednesday, October 15, 6 pm, at PTPL, for tweens, teens, & adults
Discover a Civil War soldier’s life by exploring the equipment they carried and the experiences they went through. This presentation will be appropriate for grades 4 and up as well as adults. The Footlocker Outreach Program is presented by Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. Through personally donated artifacts and mementos, the museum offers a unique look into American Military history by telling the stories of individuals who served our country.

The Marine Corps in the Civil War with the National Museum of the Marine Corps
Monday, October 27, 6 pm, at PTPL and via Zoom, for teens & adults
The National Museum of the Marine Corps will give us a virtual tour of the Defending the New Republic gallery, where we explore the Marine Corps’ role in the Civil War. Discover how Marines took part in early battles like the Battle of Bull Run and supported the Union through shipboard service and coastal operations. Through historic artifacts and compelling stories, we shed light on a lesser-known chapter of Marine Corps history.

Learn & Lunch: Forgotten Valor with Hazel Murray and Frederick Bender
Friday, November 7, 11:30 am, at PTPL
Join local authors Hazel Murray and Frederick Bender as they share the journey of their book, Forgotten Valor: The USCT of Payne Chapel. This cemetery in Canonsburg is the final resting place of 28 United States Colors Troops from the Civil War. Come discover the history of Payne Chapel itself, the cemetery, and the lives of the USCT who are interred there.

Civil War Historical Fiction with Mary Frailey Calland
Monday, November 10, 6 pm, at PTPL
Join local author Mary Frailey Calland as she ‘bridges the gap between historian and storyteller’ in her novels about the Civil War. Mary will share the stories of her two books set during the Civil War and the real life events that take place in the them. Mary will join us in person at the library for this talk.

The Pennsylvania Bucktails with Brady J. Crytzer
Wednesday, November 19, 6 pm, at PTPL
The Bucktails are Pennsylvania’s most famous Civil War unit. First formed in 1861, this group consisted of sought after woodsman and sharpshooters. Come learn more about their role in the Civil War, including the Battle of Gettysburg. This talk is presented by Professor Brady J. Crytzer.

Civil War: Christmas Ornaments
Saturday, December 6, 1 pm, at PTPL
Join Dani & Syd for a brief historical talk about Christmastime traditions and activities during the Civil War. Participants will be able to make Christmas ornaments inspired by the history.

Learn & Lunch with General Grant
Monday, December 15, 11:30 am, at PTPL
Enjoy an informative lunch with General Ulysses S. Grant. Kenneth Serfass, a reenactor, will play the part of General Grant and share information about his history and role during and after the Civil War. Registration is required to attend.

Tickets available September 9 at: ptlib.org/sacosby

New York Times-bestselling author Shawn “S.A.” Cosby will be featured at The Peters Township Library Foundation’s eighth annual Novel November event. This entertaining and insightful Q&A-style interview will take place on November 6, followed by questions from the audience and a post-event book signing. Previous featured speakers included Yaa Gyasi, Tim O’Brien, Anna Quindlen, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Andy Weir, V.E. Schwab, and Patrick Radden Keefe.

Cosby is an Anthony Award-winning writer from Southeastern Virginia. He is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller All the Sinners Bleed which was on Barack Obama’s Summer Reading List and author of New York Times bestseller Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, was a New York Times Notable Book, and was named a best book of the year by NPR, The Guardian, and Library Journal, among others. His newest release, King of Ashes, is a Godfather-inspired Southern crime epic and dazzling family drama. When not writing, he is an avid hiker and chess player.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Shawn ’S.A.’ Cosby to Peters Township on Thursday, November 6 as our 8th annual Novel November author,” says Maura Kelly, President of The Peters Township Library Foundation. “S.A. Cosby has earned his place as the King of Southern Noir. Set in Tidewater Virginia, his crime fiction novels offer gritty drama, compelling dialogue, relatable characters, and plenty of action. Cosby’s novels create an immersive landscape that teach us a little more about the human experience, which is the ultimate goal of all good fiction.”

Tickets are available at ptlib.org/sacosby. Adult general admission tickets are $30, and student tickets are $5. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $75, which include a reception with music and light refreshments from 5:30 to 6:45pm in the Peters Township High School cafeteria. VIP ticket holders will receive a hardback copy of King of Ashes and attend a pre-event book signing by Cosby. Local, independent bookseller Riverstone Books will sell Cosby’s books before and after the program.

More about S.A. Cosby:

S.A. Cosby’s New Thriller Blends Southern Noir with Family Drama
https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/show/1594.S_A_Cosby

We’re excited to announce that the Peters Township Public Library now has Tonieboxes and Tonie characters available for checkout in the Youth Services Department!

The Toniebox is an innovative audio player for kids designed to bring audio stories, music, and learning to life for kids of all ages. Easy to use and perfect for little hands, Tonies feature everything from Disney favorites and bedtime stories to mindfulness activities and interactive learning experiences. The Toniebox makes storytelling fun, engaging, and hands-on. Whether at home or on the go, kids can enjoy endless engaging entertainment while sparking their imagination! Unlike screens, the Toniebox is designed to help kids safely learn technology while building independence, focus, speech and reading skills.

What does the library have? The library now has five Tonieboxes and 40 Tonie characters for check out. Visit the catalog to see a complete listing.

Where are the Tonies located? In the PTPL Youth Services Department

I already have a Toniebox at home. The PTPL Tonie characters are compatible with your personal Toniebox as long as it is connected to Wifi.

I already have Tonie characters at home. Only PTPL Tonie characters are compatible with PTPL Tonieboxes. Characters outside of the PTPL collection will not play on a PTPL Toniebox, since our boxes are locked in the “offline” mode.

I already have a Tonie account. PTPL Tonie characters will not appear on your Tonie account as they are locked to the library’s account.

Do I need Wifi to use a Toniebox? If you are using a PTPL Toniebox and PTPL characters, you will not need Wifi since the characters are preloaded. PTPL characters can be used with a personal Toniebox as long as it is connected to Wifi.

How many can I check out? To ensure we have enough Tonies available to meet demand, we are limiting check outs to one Toniebox and three characters per family.