Children are invited to participate in this year's Summer Reading Program. By signing up to Beanstack, children and their families can earn badges by attending programs and tracking the books that they read for a chance to win some weekly prizes! There will also be an end-of-summer grand prize for the child that was most active in reading and attending programs this summer!

Although our Children's Summer Reading program officially concludes on Sunday, August 7th, families can continue to log their child's reading and any of the programs that they attended until Sunday, August 14th. Additionally, Ms. Tami will draw the lucky Summer Reading Grand Prize winners for the child that was most active in reading and attending summer reading programs. The grand prize for children ages 0-4 is an Aquaplay Mountain Water playset gift basket and the grand prize for children ages 4-12 is a GloFish Crescent Aquarium kit gift basket. Good luck!

 

Click on the Beanstack Graphic above to Register Online or Download the Beanstack App for iOS or Android Devices!

Scuba Scavenger Hunt
Monday, June 20th - Thursday, August 11th

Check out 10 items from the Children's section to participate in the scavenger hunt for a chance at the Fish Bowl Gumball Machine!

Virtual Storytime - Somerset Historical Center (Virtual)
Saturday, August 13th at 10:00am

Enjoy our special virtual storytime in honor of Somerset Historical Center! A representative from the Heinz History Center will read a themed story that will introduce children to local history in a fun and engaging way. Following the storytime, kids will be encouraged to participate in an activity based on the story we read! About Somerset Historical Center: The Somerset Historical Center is a 150-acre rural history museum, which preserves the history of life in southwestern PA through a wide range of exhibits, workshops, and educational programs. At the Visitor Center, stories of the people of southwestern PA through objects of everyday frontier life; also on the grounds visitors can see a 1770’s farmstead with sparse furnishings, a more permanent 1830’s farmstead, an early 19th century covered bridge, a cider press, and a maple sugar camp from 1860. Workshops are offered on traditional skilled crafts and trades, such as cottage craft coopering, tinsmithing, decorating Pysanky eggs, blacksmithing, rug hooking, and folk toy making. Registration is required. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3zOlGYr.

Summer Crafty Catch Up (In-Person)
Wednesday, August 17th at 6:30pm

Children in preschool through 5th grade are invited to join us for weekly crafts on Thursdays during the summer. Join us to make Paper Roll Fish or Sharks, Paper Plate Jellyfish, or any of the other summer crafts you may have missed. Space is limited and registration is required. Please register for this program online here.

Virtual Storytime - Old Economy Village (Virtual)
Saturday, August 20th at 10:00am

Enjoy our special virtual storytime in honor of Old Economy Village! A representative from the Heinz History Center will read a themed story that will introduce children to local history in a fun and engaging way. Following the storytime, kids will be encouraged to participate in an activity based on the story we read! About Old Economy Village: Old Economy Village tells the fascinating story of the Harmony Society, a 19th century religious community. Visitors can tour the Visitor Center and many of the settlement’s buildings such as the George Rapp House, Carriage House, Mechanics Building, Wine Cellar, Store, Post Office, Baker House, Bake Oven, Community Kitchen, Cabinet Shop, Blacksmith Shop, and Granary. In these buildings, visitors can observe artifacts on display and learn about the daily life of the Harmonists. Registration is required. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3O7uDQX.

Virtual Storytime - Duncan & Miller Glass Museum (Virtual)
Saturday, August 27th at 10:00am

Enjoy our special virtual storytime in honor of Duncan & Miller Glass Museum! A representative from the Heinz History Center will read a themed story that will introduce children to glassmaking in a fun and engaging way. Following the storytime, kids will be encouraged to participate in an activity based on the story we read! About Duncan & Miller Glass Museum: Before the Pittsburgh area became known for its steel, it was once known as the glass manufacturing center of our country. Opened in 1893, the Duncan & Miller Glass Company became famous for its workers’ skill, the artistry of designs, and the glass colors. The National Duncan Glass Society was formed in 1975 to keep alive the history of glass companies, to study their impact on the economic development of the region, and to celebrate the men and women who made it possible. Registration is required. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3QmnsG2.

Read to the Dogs (In-Person)
Thursday, September 1st at 6:30pm

The "Read to the Dogs" program will give children an opportunity to practice their reading skills with some wonderful furry companions! Please register for this program online here.

Virtual Storytime - Historic Fort Steuben (Virtual)
Saturday, September 3rd at 10:00am

Enjoy our special virtual storytime in honor of Historic Fort Steuben! A representative from the Heinz History Center will read a themed story that will introduce children to local history in a fun and engaging way. Following the storytime, kids will be encouraged to participate in an activity based on the story we read! About Historic Fort Steuben: Historic Fort Steuben was built in 1786 by the First American Regiment for the protection of surveyors who had been sent by the Continental Congress to map the Northwest Territory. Visitors can tour the reconstructed fort to see the soldiers’ quarters, guardhouse, hospital, and commissary, as well as the Federal Land Office. Historic Fort Steuben’s many exhibits, tours, and events tell the story of the daily life of the men who helped open the territories to settlement. Registration is required. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3tHp8A6

Virtual Storytime - West Overton Village (Virtual)
Saturday, September 10th at 10:00am

Enjoy our special virtual storytime in honor of West Overton Village Museum! A representative from the Heinz History Center will read a themed story that will introduce children to local history in a fun and engaging way. Following the storytime, kids will be encouraged to participate in an activity based on the story we read! About West Overton Village: West Overton Village is the only pre-Civil War village intact in Pennsylvania. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a stop on the American Whiskey Trail. The Village represents the transformation of American culture from an agrarian society with the production of the coverlets and the distilling operation, to a more industrial society with the excavation of coal and ultimately the production of coke, a necessary ingredient for steel. Registration is required. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3mZtA9Y.

Virtual Storytime - Merrick Art Gallery (Virtual)
Saturday, September 17th at 10:00am

Enjoy our special virtual storytime in honor of Merrick Art Gallery! A representative from the Heinz History Center will read a themed story that will introduce children to art in a fun and engaging way. Following the storytime, kids will be encouraged to participate in an activity based on the story we read! About Merrick Art Gallery: The Merrick is home to a collection of French, German, English and American paintings from the 18th and 19th Century, featuring examples of romantic, realistic, and impressionistic art by prominent American and European artists. In addition, a piano played by composer, Stephen Foster, is on display. Registration is required. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3N2SrEn.

Virtual Storytime - Heinz History Center (Virtual)
Saturday, September 24th at 10:00am

Enjoy our special virtual storytime in honor of the Heinz History Center! A representative from the Heinz History Center will read a themed story that will introduce children to local history in a fun and engaging way. Following the storytime, kids will be encouraged to participate in an activity based on the story we read! About the Heinz History Center: Devoted to the history and heritage of Western Pennsylvania, the History Center is Pennsylvania’s largest history museum and a proud affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The 370,000 square-foot museum presents compelling stories from American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection in an interactive environment perfect for visitors of all ages. Registration is required. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3OpScV4.