Library Week
Beginning next week, county libraries will offer more than just books. Puppet shows, a magic act — even a bicycle tuneup demonstration — are among ways libraries will observe National Library Week, which begins Sunday.
The event coincides with the kickoff of the fifth annual Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child initiative, a statewide program that designates a book each year to help promote literacy development in preschoolers.
As part of the weeklong celebration, the Butler Library, Zelienople Library and some others will offer fine amnesty.
With the theme "Prizes and Surprises All Week," the Butler Library also will offer daily giveaways and activities that include a book sale and a reception for volunteers, since the celebration also coincides with National Volunteer Week and overlaps with Week of the Young Child, set for April 12 through 20.
Programming in Butler and Cranberry Township will feature puppeteer Steve Abrams. Abrams is part of the Outreach Lecture Program sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
His puppets relate to the museum collections, such as Native American puppets or puppets that depict characters from other cultures.
To coincide with the literary theme, Abrams said he will use an Aesop puppet from Aesop's Fables, which relates to the ancient Greek collection.
"A lot of people don't know Aesop was probably Ethiopian, because that's what his name means in Greek," Abrams said last week from his home in Philadelphia.
Also coinciding with Library Week is the 100th anniversary of the bookmobile, said Kathy Kline, director of the North Trails Library in West Sunbury, where the county's bookmobile is based.
A special bookmobile birthday party is planned along with a Week of the Young Child story time.
Other activities include:
The Butler Library is at 218 N. McKean St. For information, call 724-287-1715.• Monday — Complimentary coffee• Tuesday — Early Care and Education Council Annual Week of the Young Child Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. This year's theme is "What a Treasure!" Each child will receive a free book while supplies last.Activities include digging for buried treasure and exploring tunnels and learning about science with the Nature Zone. Story times are set for 10:30 a.m. with Butler City Council member Kathy Kline and 1 p.m. with Judge Marilyn Horan. Kindermusik by Samantha is set for 11:30 a.m., with a magic show at 7 p.m.• Wednesday — One free DVD rental card will be distributed to each patron upon check-out of materials.• Thursday — Complimentary coffee and cookies all day. Puppeteer Steve Abrams will perform a show at 1:30 p.m.• April 16 — Volunteer Recognition Day. Treat bags will be distributed to volunteers throughout the week.• April 17 — To be announced
The Saxonburg Library is at 240 W. Main St. For more information, call 724-352-4810.• Monday — Amnesty Day• Tuesday — Children read with therapy dogs Ramsey and Dreamer, 6 to 7 p.m.• Wednesday — Free copies up to five pages• Thursday — Cookie Day• April 16 — Free Movie Day to Saxonburg card holders.• April 17 — Book certificate drawing for Saxonburg card holderscranberry township libraryThe Cranberry Township Library is in the Cranberry Municipal Center on Rochester Road. For more information, call 724-776-9100.• Sunday — Program on India, a continuation of the Armchair Adventurer series, at 1:30 p.m.• Wednesday — Steve Abrams puppet show, 4 p.m.
The Zelienople Library, 227 S. High St., will offer a fine free week as well as an ongoing quilt raffle. For more information, call 724-452-9330.• Wednesday — Scrapbooking Night, 6:30 p.m. Take two photographs and plan on making two scrapbook pages for a $2 donation for materials.• Thursday — Free DVD checkouts and free copy day. Pages and Paws reading dogs will be on site from 4 to 5 p.m.• April 17 — Free DVD checkouts and a "Getting Your Bicycle Ready for Spring" program by Henry Dapper of Dapper Bicycle in Zelienople at 9:30 a.m.
The Slippery Rock Library is at 316 N. Main St. For information, call 724-738-9179.• April 20 — Story time, 10 to 11 a.m.
The North Trails Library is at 1553 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury. For information, call 724-476-1006.• Wednesday — Bookmobile birthday party with cake and ice cream, 2 to 4 p.m.• Thursday — Week of the Young Child activities, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
