News

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 The PTPL Archives acquires, preserves and makes available to the public original unpublished records documenting the history of Peters Township.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.

The Peters Township Public Library held its third annual Tween and Teen Writing Contest this spring, culminating with a reception honoring all participants on April 8.

This year’s theme challenged writers to explore the word “wonder.” From poetic and philosophical musings to beautiful descriptions of nature to compelling fantasy and sci-fi realms, the 19 teens and tweens entering the contest addressed the theme in a variety of creative ways. Judges–including library staff, authors, and Peters Township Library Foundation members–scored entries based on creativity, technique, and theme.

Over 70 participants, family members, and friends gathered at the April 8th 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. Thank you to The Peters Township Library Foundation for generously funding the reception!

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

Tween Poetry:
Grand-prize winner: Emily Mish
Runner-up: Annabelle Droney

Teen Poetry:
Grand-prize winner: Ashley Hafenbrack
Runner-up: Rex Bennett

Tween Fiction:
Grand-prize winner: Grace Robles
Runner-up: Elliana Wilson

Teen Fiction:
Grand-prize winner: Hannah Crnkovich
Runner-up: Claire Henry

Tween Participants:
Elizabeth Hovanec (poetry)
Ruth Hovanec (poetry)
Aymaan Khan (poetry)
Ishanvi Kuppili (fiction)
Prahan Kumar Munnaluri (poetry)
Elliot Scheib (fiction)

Teen Participants:
Ella Clapp (fiction)
McKenna Fornof (fiction)
Gabriella Lamb (fiction)
Alexis Marchewka (fiction)
Thomas Oxenreiter (fiction)

*Please note that unlinked participants have opted not to publish their entry. 

Thank you to everyone who participated! The library received 306 entries to the bookmark contest. A team of judges from the library and 84 Sign Shop picked winners and runners up for each of the 5 age categories. The runners up received a pack of their bookmarks and a certificate of recognition. Winners also received a certificate, a pack of their bookmarks, and an acrylic award designed by the team at 84 Sign Shop. All entries will be displayed in the Youth Services Department, and copies of the finalists’ designs are available at the library this summer, so come grab a bookmark and read with us!

Adult:
Bill S. & Dina N., Winners
Angela M. & Allyson W., Runners-up

9-12th:
Claire S. & Abby P., Winners
Richa K., Runner-up

6th-8th:
Dora L. & Keagan K., Winners
Sophia M. & Dylan G., Runners-up

3rd-5th:
Catharine V. & Sofia R., Winners
Ellianna W. & Gunnar M., Runners-up

PreK-2nd:
Felicity W. & Andrea R., Winners
Kate M. & Sarah P., Runners-up

If you have any questions about the Bookmark Contest, please contact Syd at skrawiec@pt-library.org

The Bookmark Contest is back! We invite creative individuals of all ages, from Pre-K to Adults, to design a bookmark celebrating the Summer Reading program’s theme, “Color Our World.”

Entries will be judged based on the prompt, “Color Our World.” Participants can create their designs by hand or digitally. A panel of judges, including library staff, board members, PTL Foundation members, and 84 Sign Shop staff will select the winners. The library should receive entries by April 30, 2025, and participants can drop off their forms at the library during open hours or email their digital artwork to skrawiec@pt-library.org.

Participants must submit only one entry and must hold a valid WAGGIN Library Card to be eligible to win. All entries become the property of the Peters Township Public Library, and only original characters and creations are allowed. Copyrighted characters and images are not permitted. Incomplete forms will be disqualified.

Click here to view the entry form online as a PDF
or visit the library to get your entry form!

The winners will be announced on Saturday, June 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the Summer Reading Kickoff. The winners will receive a commemorative award and copies of their bookmarks. Winning designs will also be printed and available at the library throughout the summer.

This contest is sponsored by the 84 Sign Shop. The Sign Shop provides graphic design, printing services, promotion, and awards for this contest.