Butler Public Library holds Light Up Night
Nearly 300 children and adults came Friday to see Santa, a penguin and have some hot chocolate at the Butler Public Library's fourth annual Light Up Night.
Volunteers from the National Aviary in Pittsburgh brought D.J., a 1-year-old male African penguin, as a new attraction for this year's event.
“This is the first year for the penguin. We try to do something different every year,” said Lori Hinderliter, library executive director, who dressed up as an elf to welcome visitors. “Each year it gets better and better.
“It's a 'thanks' to our patrons for coming all year and using the library.”
D.J. is part of the penguin colony at the aviary.
“He was actually born at the aviary. He lives in a colony with his parents and sister. There's 20 penguins in that colony,” said Daniel Neale, an aviary volunteer.
D.J. and Santa were the main attractions, but children also could make crafts from ginger bread and other materials, play games and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Animated Christmas videos were played for the older children.
A Christmas tree was lighted in the library foyer to begin the event.
“This is our fourth year doing this. Every year we try to have something new,” said Peter Bess, assistant library director. “It's a really good time. It's a nice, free chance to get a photo with Santa. This is one of our ways to say 'thanks' to the community.”
Children received photographs of them sitting on Santa's lap.
He said the event also is intended to remind people that the library offers activities such as quarterly board game nights in addition to providing books and other learning materials. The library also promotes Butler County Community College's Lifelong Learning classes, some of which are held at the library, he said.
The library serves 32,000 residents in Butler and the surrounding townships including 20,000 library card holders.
