Return of Outdoor Storytime, Baby Book Nook, and more!!!

 As we continue to change and adapt to current situations, we're excited to be able to return to some of our old favorites! April brings the return of Outdoor Storytime, Baby Book Nook, and so much more! 

Click HERE for a printable version of our April Children, Teen & Family Program newsletter.

NEW Weekly Storytimes!

Currently, children's programs are being scheduled month-to-month. We're changing it up this month by adding a few new sessions, back by popular demand!

NO Registration necessary - just show up ready for fun! Space is limited so please try to arrive on time. Questions or concerns? Contact Ms. Dani!

OUTDOOR Family Storytime ~ Tuesdays @ 10:30 am
If the sun in shining, join us at the Pleasant Hills Arboretum to sing, dance, and read stories together while enjoying the beautiful outdoors! If the weather is less than ideal, storytime will be held inside the Pleasant Hills Public Library. Check the Library’s Facebook page for updates. The Pleasant Hills Arboretum is located at 181 West Bruceton Road.

Baby Book Nook ~ Wednesdays @ 10:30 am
Nursery and action rhymes, songs, books, and so much more!
Geared towards children birth - 2 years old, with a caregiver.

TOT Time ~ Thursdays @ 10:30 am
Learn and grow with stories, songs, rhymes, and more!
Geared towards children 2 - 4 years old, with a caregiver.

Programs for Children & Families:

This month, all of our programs are IN-PERSON!! You can watch past virtual programs on the Library's Facebook page  AND YouTube Channel. Make sure to like & subscribe!

To register for ANY program, please email Ms. Dani - danylod@pleasanthillslibrary.org

Spring Craft Drop-In Extravaganza ~ Saturday, April 9 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Stop in the Children's Department anytime between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm to make a few Spring themed crafts! We'll have various stations of crafts to explore and create, including a bunny stamp, peek-a-boo chick puppet, handprint flowers, and much more! Fun for the whole family! No registration required - just show up ready for fun!

JUST ADDED!! ~ Read to a Rabbit ~ Saturday, April 9 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Practice your reading skills while enjoying the company of some hopping friends! Rabbit Wranglers, a local rabbit fostering non-profit group, will be here with some happy hares you can read aloud to! Make a few crafts while waiting for your turn. For children ages 4 and up — reading ability encouraged but not required. Registration is limited AND required.

Family Craft Night: Spring Pointillism Pictures ~ Monday, April 11 @ 6:30 pm
Are you feeling crafty but don't want to deal with the mess at home? Join us at the library for a fun family crafting adventure! Ms. Dani will walk you through step-by-step in the creation of your own spring painting done in the style of pointillism. Patterns will be provided OR you can make your own unique creation! Fun for the whole family! Registration is limited AND required.

Kids Create: No-Sew Bunnies & Friends ~ Thursday, April 14 @ 4:00 pm
Learn how to make no-sew bunnies, dogs, and other cute animals using socks! Feel free to bring along a few fun patterned socks that have lost their matches to use. But if you don't have any, don't worry - we'll have lots of plain socks you can choose from! For children in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. Registration is limited AND required.

After-School STEAM: Squishy & Salty Circuits ~ Thursday, April 21 @ 4:00 pm
Explore the world of electricity using science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics by creating various types of circuits. We'll make circuits using squishy materials, salt, and much more! For children in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. Registration is limited AND required.

Tail Waggin' Tutors ~ Monday, April 25 @ 7:00 pm
Practice your reading skills while enjoying the company of some furry friends! Trained therapy dogs will be here hoping to hear a story or two from you! Make a few crafts while waiting for your turn. For children ages 4 and up — reading ability encouraged but not required. Registration is limited AND required.

Lego Club Extravaganza ~ Thursday, April 28 @ 4:00 pm
Calling all Lego fans! Come build with us on the last Thursday of the month! Build whatever you want with our Lego and when you’re done, we’ll put it up on display for all to enjoy. For children ages 3 and up. No registration necessary - just show up ready for fun! Space is limited so please try to arrive on time.

Questions? Concerns? Want to register for a program? 

Email Ms. Dani at danylod@pleasanthillslibrary.org

MARCH into some fun at the Library!

We're eagerly awaiting the arrival of Spring here at the Library! 

What about you?

In the meantime, make sure to check out all of our amazing programs for children, teens, and their families! We're excited to offer a mix of in-person and virtual programs - there's something for everyone!

Click HERE for a printable version of our March 2022 program newsletter.

To register for ANY program, please visit tinyurl.com/phlevents OR email Ms. Dani at danylod@pleasanthillslibrary.org

*Please note that we're asking ALL library visitors, over the age of 2 years old, to please wear a mask while inside the Library. Thank you for your cooperation.*

Preschool Storytime ~ Tuesdays @ 10:30 am AND 1:30 pm
Explore different themes with stories, rhymes, and songs! Geared towards children ages 3 - 6, with a caregiver. Registration requested but NOT required.

Baby & Toddler Storytime ~ Thursdays @ 10:30 am
Nursery and action rhymes, songs, books, and so much more! Geared towards children birth - 3 years old, with a caregiver. Registration requested but NOT required.

Virtual Classic Chapters: Winnie-the-Pooh ~ Saturdays, January 8 - March 12 @ 1:00 pm
Sit back and relax as Ms. Dani reads Winnie-the-Pooh, written by A. A. Milne, aloud to you! Tune in every week for another chapter. Listen to past chapters, and previous Classic Chapters series, on YouTube!

PJ Family Storytime: If You Give a Cat a Cupcake... ~ Monday, March 7 @ 7:00 pm

Do you like to eat cupcakes? What about cake? Join us for stories, songs, and a fun take-home craft all about cake and cupcakes! Fun for the whole family! Registration is limited AND required. 

Family Craft Night: Paint Chip Mosaics ~ Monday, March 14 @ 6:30 pm

Are you feeling crafty but don't want to deal with the mess at home? Join us at the Library for a fun family crafting adventure! Ms. Dani will walk you through step-by-step in the creation of your own paint chip flower mosaic picture. Fun for the whole family! Registration is limited AND required.

After-School STEAM: Leprechaun Traps ~ Thursday, March 17 @ 4:00 pm

Use your best engineering skills to create a colorful trap in hopes of catching a Leprechaun this St. Patrick's Day! Feel free to bring along any recyclables you'd like to use as the base for your trap; tissue boxes work great. For children in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. Registration is limited AND required.

Kids Create: Paper Flowers ~ Thursday, March 24 @ 4:00 pm

Spring is finally here! Celebrate the arrival of Spring by creating a bouquet of paper flowers that will never wilt. For children in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. Registration is limited AND required.

Zoom Book VS. Movie Club ~ Monday, March 28 @ 6:00 pm

Grab some snacks and join us on Zoom for a fun chat and a movie! Read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl as a family then join us as we stream the old movie adaptation together. Afterwards, we'll talk about what we liked and didn't like, and most importantly, which was better! Recommended for families with children ages 5 and up. Registration is required.

Lego Club Extravaganza ~ Thursday, March 31 @ 4:00 pm

Calling all Lego fans! Come build with us on the last Thursday of the month! Build whatever you want with our Lego and when you're done, we'll put it up on display for all to enjoy. For children ages 3 and up. Registration requested but NOT required.

Questions? 

Contact Ms. Dani at danylod@pleasanthillslibrary.org

Weekly In-Person Storytimes are back and more January fun!

We're so excited to announce that in-person weekly storytimes are back!! 

We've missed ALL our storytime friends!

No registration required - however space is limited! Please arrive on time to secure a seat. 

Please note that masks are required for all Library visitors over 2 years old.

Preschool Storytime ~ Tuesdays, starting January 11 @ 10:30 am AND 1:30 pm
Explore different themes with stories, rhymes, and songs! Geared towards children ages 3 - 6, with a caregiver.

Baby & Toddler Storytime ~ Thursdays, starting January 12 @ 10:30 am
Nursery and action rhymes, songs, books, and so much more! Geared towards children birth - 3 years old, with a caregiver.

We'll excited to offer a mix of in-person and virtual programs for children, teens, and families!

Click HERE to view our January 2022 newsletter.

Virtual programs can be viewed on the Library's Facebook page AND YouTube Channel. To register for ANY program, please email Ms. Dani at danylod@einetwork.net

Virtual Classic Chapters: Winnie-the-Pooh ~ Saturdays, January 8 - March 12 @ 1:00 pm
Sit back and relax as Ms. Dani reads Winnie-the-Pooh, written by A. A. Milne, aloud to you! Tune in every week for another chapter. Listen to past chapters, and previous Classic Chapters series, on YouTube!

Family Craft Night: Mixed-Media Winter Birds Painting ~ Monday, January 10 @ 6:30 pm
Are you feeling crafty but don't want to deal with the mess at home? Join us at the library for a fun family painting adventure! Ms. Dani will walk you through step-by-step in the creation of your family's own mixed- media winter bird painting. Fun for the whole family! Registration is limited AND required. 

After-School STEAM: Can YOU Build That? ~ Thursday, January 20 @ 4:00 pm
Can you build a structure that can hold 10 books? How about 20? Can you build a structure as tall as you are? Test your building skills with a selection of engineering challenges utilizing common materials such as popsicle sticks, binder clips, index cards, and more! For children in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. Registration is limited AND required. 

Lego Club Extravaganza ~ Thursday, January 27 @ 4:00 pm
Calling all Lego fans - Lego Club is BACK IN-PERSON! Build whatever you want and when you’re done, we’ll put it up on display. For children ages 3 and up. No registration necessary—but space is limited.

Zoom Book VS. Movie ~ Monday, January 31 @ 6:00 pm
*Rescheduled from December* Grab some snacks and join us on Zoom for a fun chat and a movie! Read The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson as a family then join us as we stream the movie adaptation together. Afterwards, we’ll talk about what we liked and didn’t like, and most importantly, which was better! Recommended for families with children ages 5 and up. Registration is required, in order to get the Zoom meeting information.

Holiday Happenings!

December is full of holiday fun! 

Check out some of our upcoming special seasonal programming! 

****

REGISTRATION FOR GINGERBREAD HOUSE KITS 

IS NOW CLOSED.

Each kit comes with a pre-built "gingerbread" house, a tub of vanilla icing, and assorted candy. 

Please let us know about any food allergies when reserving your kit.

***

Sunday, December 12 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm*

*Arrival times are staggered every 30 minutes. Register for you arrival window by clicking HERE.

***

There's a lot more fun things happening in December. 

Click HERE to view our December program calendar.

Fall fun!!

The leaves are changing and falling down, spooky and silly decorations are going up around town, the wind is blowing a little colder, that must mean it's time for...

FALL FUN!

Friends of the Library Fall Fest - Saturday, October 9 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Visit the Library's parking lot for a large used book sale, fall themed children's activities, and more fall fun! All proceeds benefit the Library. This is an outdoor program and is weather permitting. Please check the Library's Facebook page and/or website for updates. All ages welcome - no registration necessary.

Library Trick-or-Treat Trail - Sunday, October 24 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm*

Boo! Wear your costume for a truly spooktacular after-hours in-person evening at the Library! Sign up for an arrival time slot* to walk through the Library's own trick-or-treat trail. At each stop, play a mysterious game to earn a unique treat! Costumed encouraged but NOT required. Masks are required for all Library visitors over 2 years old. Family Program.

 Registration is limited and required. *Arrival times are staggered every 30 minutes. Please register for your arrival time online here: https://tinyurl.com/PHLtrickortreat2021

Costume Party Tail Waggin' Tutors - Monday, October 25 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Come in costume if you dare to read to trained therapy dogs! Practice your reading skills while enjoying the company of some furry, costumed friends. Make a few Fall crafts while waiting for your turn. Costumed encouraged but NOT required.  Masks are required for all Library visitors over 2 years old. For children ages 4 and up - reading ability encouraged but NOT required.

Registration is limited and required. Please register online here: https://tinyurl.com/PHLoctTWT

Click HERE to learn about other fun October happenings!

Tails and Tales Virtual Summer Reading club starts June 1st!

Pre-registration is NOW OPEN! So sign-up TODAY!!

Visit https://carnegielibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 to sign up!

April showers bring May flowers...AND OUTDOOR STORYIME!!

***UPDATE: The start date of our Outdoor Storytime Series has been postponed to May 11. Sorry for any inconvenience.***

The weather is finally getting warmer, which means we're finally able to offer an outdoor in-person storytime!! We've missed in-person storytime and are willing to bet you have too! So grab a blanket or chair, put on your favorite face mask, and join Ms. Dani at the Pleasant Hills Arboretum every Tuesday, starting May 11, at 10:30 am for stories, songs, and fun!

**This program is weather permitting. **

**Check the Library's Facebook page for updates and cancellations.**

The Pleasant Hills Arboretum is located at 181 West Bruceton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. Please visit their website for more information: http://www.pleasanthillsarboretum.org/

Things to know:
-Masks are required for adults and children over 2.
-We'll be in the grass so please bring something to sit on (chairs/blankets/etc.)
-Parking is limited.

-Please consider wearing sunscreen and/or bug spray.

Questions? Contact Ms. Dani at danylod@einetwork.net

March & April 2021 Virtual Programs!

 

Join the Winter Reading Challenge TODAY!

Libraries across Allegheny County have collaborated together to present a reading challenge for the whole family!

Find a cozy reading spot and see how much you can read or listen to

from January 1 until February 28, 2021!

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and challenge yourself to read some good books during the cold of winter! Log books, minutes, pages or days read and watch your points add up. All reading counts! All ages can participate! All participants throughout the county will have a chance to win one of 10 gift cards worth $25.

In addition to the county-wide prizes, Pleasant Hills participants will get a chance to win more amazing gift cards for local participants only! Also, your name will get added to a snowflake and displayed in our front windows! Take a winter stroll and see if you can find your name.

Sign up online with the Beanstack app or by going to
https://carnegielibrary.beanstack.org/reader365/
or call us at 412-655-2424 or e-mail at pleasanthills@einetwork.net 
After you've registered, you can log your reading online or use this PAPER LOG

Questions? Give us a call at 412-655-2424 or email pleasanthills@einetwork.net 

Best Books of 2020!

2020 has been a pretty rough year but there's still some things to celebrate - it's been a wonderful year for new books! Below is a roundup of lists featuring some of the best children's and young adult books that were published in 2020. 

The Library remains closed to the public but we are offering curbside pick-up for all materials. You can order books online HERE or call the Library at 412-655-2424 or email us at pleasanthills@einetwork.net to get your order started! All pick-ups are currently happening inside our lobby, although if you need special assistance Library staff can bring items outside for you. 

Our current pick-up hours are:

Mondays 10 - 4    Tuesdays - Thursdays 10 - 8    Fridays & Saturdays 10 - 4

Brightly: best books of 2020 for babies and toddlers

Brightly: best picture books of 2020 for ages 3 - 5

Brightly: best books of 2020 for ages 6 - 8

Brightly: best books of 2020 for tweens (ages 9 - 11)

Brightly: best YA books of 2020

Buzzfeed: the best YA books of 2020

Guardian: the best children's books of 2020 for all ages

Horn Book: Fanfare 2020 annotations

Parents: 30 best children's books of 2020

School Library Journal: best book of 2020

Smithsonian Magazine: ten best children's books of 2020

Wall Street Journal: the best books of 2020: children's books