Teens

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.

Hamilton the focus of a talk and exhibit in June

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The Peters Township Public Library will welcome Denver Brunsman to present Hamilton, Washington, and the Creation of the United States on Thursday, June 14 at 7:00 p.m. Register here or call 724.941.9430 #1.

As Hamilton: An American Musical makes clear, it was crucial for Alexander Hamilton to have George Washington “on his side.” Brunsman will discuss the collaboration between Hamilton and Washington in creating the United States from the Revolutionary War and Constitutional Convention to launching the federal government and America’s financial system. Twenty-five years Washington’s junior, Hamilton acted as both a surrogate son and equal to the nation’s first president. Together, they made history in helping to shape our country as we know it. The talk will weave references to songs from Hamilton and the national traveling exhibition, Alexander Hamilton: Immigrant, Patriot, Visionary, which will be on display during library hours from Thursday, June 14 through Saturday, July 7.

Using primarily reproductions from the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s renowned collections, and drawing on recent scholarship about Alexander Hamilton, the traveling exhibition will examine Hamilton’s role during the Revolutionary War and Founding period (1774-1804) in creating the economic, constitutional, social, journalistic, political, and foreign policy templates for modern America. It will acquaint visitors with a statesman and visionary whose life inspired discussion and controversy and shaped the America we live in two hundred years after his death. The exhibit from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is made possible by the Rockefeller Foundation.

Denver Brunsman, Associate Professor in the History Department at George Washington University, where his courses include “George Washington and His World,” teaches annually at Mount Vernon. He is a coauthor of a leading college and AP U.S. History textbook, Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People and an e-book, Leading Change: George Washington and Establishing the Presidency. The recipient of numerous teaching honors, Brunsman was inducted into the George Washington University Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 2016.

Vietnam Veterans Discuss PBS Series “The Vietnam War”

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To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive and to delve more deeply into our veterans’ experiences and perspectives, the Peters Township Public Library will partner with the Veterans Breakfast Club for a unique panel discussion.

On Monday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m., four Vietnam veterans will meet to share their thoughts about the documentary series The Vietnam War: A Film by Ken Burns & Lynn Novick, focusing on Episodes 1 and 6. The discussion will be moderated by Todd DePastino, founder and executive director of the Veterans Breakfast Club. Register online to attend the discussion or call 724.941.9430 #1.

The four veterans on the panel will include:

George Dvorznak who served with the Army in Vietnam from May 1967 – May 1968 as the commander of the 229th Supply & Service Co. in Long Binh near Saigon.

 

 

 

Ron Worstell who was drafted into the Army in March 1968. He served as a radio operator with the 1st Infantry Division west of Saigon from September 1968 – June 1969. Worstell has returned to Vietnam twice, once for humanitarian work, and serves as a volunteer at The Wall Washington D.C.

 

 

 

As Duquesne University ROTC graduate, Ed Blank shipped with the Army’s 40th Signal Battalion to Vietnam in August 1966 and then became the commander of the 267th Signal Company while in country. Based for much of the time in Qui Nhon, Blank’s company traveled much digging trenches and setting up poles for the miles of telephone line needed to connect the far-flung Army forces.

 

Andy Nigut served with the Marine Corps—2nd Battalion, 5th Marines—in I Corps near the DMZ in 1968, when he was grievously wounded by an enemy rocket attack. After a long recovery, Andy became a counselor, and, with other young combat veterans, wrestled with the VA to create street-level counseling outreach that today is known as the Vets Center.

 

 

 

The Peters Township Public Library will offer free screenings of The Vietnam War Episodes 1 and 6 for persons interested in viewing a portion of the ten-part, 18-hour documentary series prior to the April 6 program. No registration is needed to attend any of the free screenings.

Episode 1 “Déjà vu” (1858 – 1961): After a century of French occupation, Vietnam emerges independent but divided.  Running time: One hour and 23 minutes

  • Monday, March 19 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 20 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 21 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Monday, April 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Episode 6 “Things Fall Apart” (January 1968 – July 1968): Shaken by the Tet Offensive, assassinations and unrest, America seems to be coming apart. Running time: One hour and 25 minutes

  • Monday, March 26 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 28 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 29 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 4 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

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!

Summer Reading Kick-off Party!

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Beat that summer slide! Children who read over the summer months perform better on reading achievement tests than those who do not keep up their reading skills while out of school.

Sign the kiddos up at our Summer Reading Kick-off Party on Saturday, June 10 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the library. We are offering 8 weeks of fun beginning the week of June 26 through August 18. The library offers something for all ages, from babies through teens! Cost is $5/child for K-6.

You must register at the Youth Services Desk prior the first day of programs. Call the Youth Service Department at 724.941.9430 #3 for more information. For a complete list of summer programs, read our K-6 Summer Reading brochure and our Teen Summer Reading brochure.

Thinking Money traveling exhibition!

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Peters Township Public Library will host Thinking Money, a new traveling exhibition designed to teach tweens, teens and the adults in their lives about money, from Saturday, April 1 through Sunday, April 30. The public is also invited to attend a variety of programs for all ages about financial topics like saving, spending and avoiding fraud.

“Money affects all of us, but many of us lack the information we need to make smart decisions about our financial futures,” said Sue Miller, Assistant Library Director. “Thinking Money is designed to teach us about financial literacy in a way that is not only understandable, but fun, and we’re proud to bring it to our library – the only one in Pennsylvania!”

Through an adventure-themed storyline, interactive iPad content and other fun activities, Thinking Money explores themes like wants vs. needs, preparing for a rainy/sunny day, imagining your future self and avoiding financial fraud.

Programs will include:

  • Thinking Money Kick-off Financial Fair for all ages on Saturday, April 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • JA More Than Money for grades 3 through 5 on five Mondays, April 3, 10, 24 and May 1 and 8 from 4 to 4:45 p.m.
  • Youth Financial Education Workshop for ages 13 and up on four Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 7 to 8:00 p.m.
  • Achieving Financial Excellence for adults on Saturday, April 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon – CANCELED by the instructor from NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania
  • Junior Jumpstarts for students in grades 9 to 12 and parents on Tuesday, April 11 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
  • Financial Fraud Bingo for adults on Tuesday, April 25 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
  • Money for College for adults on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Admission to the exhibition, which will be located in main lobby of the library, and all programs are free of charge.

Thinking Money was created by the American Library Association (ALA) in partnership with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

In April 2016, ALA and the FINRA Foundation announced 50 libraries nationwide to host the 1,000-square-foot exhibition. In addition to the exhibition loan, the Peters Township Public Library also received a $1,000 programming allowance, expenses paid for a training session at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference in June 2016, and promotional and support materials.

This Financial Literacy program is offered as part of the Pennsylvania Library Association’s statewide initiative, PA Forward, to demonstrate that libraries can help citizens become informed consumers and guide individuals, small businesses, and other organizations to contribute to the economic vitality of their communities. Learn more at www.paforward.org.