MILLVALE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Notice to patrons
The Millvale Community Library, 213 Grant Ave., will be closed April 19 for Easter and May 24 for Memorial Day. The library is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For a complete list of ongoing programs and services, visit millvalelibrary.org.
Free community fridge, pantry
The Millvale Free Fridge is a community fridge located on the deck behind the Millvale Community Library.
The Millvale Free Pantry recently moved to the same location behind the library. Both are accessible to the public 24 hours a day.
The fridge is stocked with fresh and frozen groceries and meals from community members, as well as local food partners including 412 Food Rescue, the Gardens of Millvale, Sprezzatura, Lemon Tree Coffee, Abielle Voyante Tea Co. and more.
The fridge and pantry aim to promote food security and reduce food waste. The pantry also is stocked with hygiene and personal care products.
Residents who would like to contribute financially to the fridge and pantry fund can do so online at givebutter.com/MCLCommunityFoodResources.
To donate items or become an ambassador for the effort, email millvalefreefridgeandpantry@gmail.com.
Picnic fare to kick off new Cookbook Club
The library is starting a Cookbook Club.
Its first meeting will be from 3 to 5 p.m. May 3, and the theme is picnic foods.
The library will provide burgers and hot dogs (meat and meatless), and you will bring the sides.
Participants can use a recipe from a cookbook of their choice. On the day of the picnic, bring your prepared food and its recipe so everyone can sample and take home the recipes.
Registration is required and will close on April 26 to give everyone a week to prepare.
For details and to register, click on the link in the events calendar at millvale.librarycalendar.com.
Baby Bag Progam
Parents of infants up to age 1 are eligible to register for the library’s Baby Bag Program.
The program promotes literacy by providing a free bag filled with books, games and toys to support a baby’s growing mind and get them ready for reading.
Participants must have or apply for a library card.
For details and to get a card, stop by the library’s front desk.
Free music lessons available for all ages
You Be You Inc. offers free music lessons for all ages at the library:
• Grown-up and Me Music: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the community room. This free music and movement class is geared toward infants through age 4 with a caregiver. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is advised at youbeyouinc.com.
• Tween Guitar: 4 to 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday in the backyard/deck area. These free guitar lessons are geared toward children 8 to 12. Students do not need experience, and several guitars are available. The program is funded by the Grable Foundation as part of You Be You’s Neighborhood Empowerment Music Project. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is advised at youbeyouinc.com.
• Adult Guitar Lessons: 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday in the community room. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is advised at youbeyouinc.com.
Last day party
The Millvale Community Library is planning a free last-day-of-school celebration from 4 to 5:30 p.m. May 30 in the backyard of the library.
There will be water play, food, drinks, games and summer fun.
The party is open to all school-age children.
SHALER NORTH HILLS LIBRARY
The Shaler North Hills Library, 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd., is hosting several programs in support of The Wall That Heals, a touring three-quarter replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is coming to Shaler from May 23-26.
• Chat & Craft: 11:30 a.m. May 2. We’re building community over a cup of tea. We’ll discuss a podcast episode, a poem or something interesting with a theme of War and Remembrance. You are welcome to bring along crafty projects to work on while we chat. Bring a friend or two as well. No registration is needed.
• Read & Discuss: 6:30 p.m. May 8. “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. This historical fiction novel, published in 2024, tells the story of a young nurse who serves in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War. The discussion will be held at the library. No registration is needed.
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• Read & Discuss: 6:30 p.m. May 5 and 10:30 a.m. May 16. “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien. This collection of connected short stories, published in 1990, follows a platoon of U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War. Both discussions will be take place at Ruckus Café, 1707 Babcock Blvd. No registration is needed.
• Family Book Discussion: “What Was the Vietnam War?” — From the “Who Was” series: 1:30 p.m. May 17. Grandparents, families and children in grade 3 and above are encouraged to read and learn about the Vietnam War together. Through interactive activities and conversation, we’ll explore the war’s impact and the lessons we can learn today.
• Art in the Community Art Show opening reception: 5 to 8 p.m. May 16. Art will be on display through June 20 in celebration of Shaler’s 125th anniversay. Food and beverages will be served.
• The Vietnam Footlocker: On display May 12-28 at the library. The footlocker, on loan from Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, features artifacts from the museum’s collection, including documents and photos showing a soldier’s experiences during the Vietnam War. No registration is needed.
• Sense and Sound Poetry Exploration: 6:30 p.m. May 27. Features the poetry of Kathleen Trew Swazuk, an Army nurse and author of “Wartorn Heart.” Swazuk saw and experienced the horrors of war during her 1969-70 tour of duty in Vietnam. She hid the memories and her pain of that time in the poems in this book. Registration required at shalerlibrary.org.
For details about any of the above programs, visit the library’s website at shalerlibrary.org, call the library at 412-486-0211 or email Sharon McRae at mcraes@shalerlibrary.org.
Shaler North Hills Library is located at 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For a complete list of offerings, check out the online calendar of events.
Library seeks artwork
The Shaler North Hills Library is seeking art for a Community Showcase Art Show, which will be displayed in the library’s upstairs Community Room from May 16 through July 25 during regular library hours.
The theme is “Celebrate Your Community.” Artists of all ages are encouraged to enter up to two pieces of work.
The art must be community-friendly and can be in a variety of mediums, such as paintings, drawings and photography.
There also will be an art template for anyone who would like to submit their work as part of a commemorative coloring book to celebrate Shaler’s 125th anniversary.
Submissions can be dropped off and registered on the second floor of Shaler North Hills Library, 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd., Shaler. Artists can choose one of three dates and times to drop off and register their work: 1 to 4 p.m. May 10, 6 to 8 p.m. May 12 or 6 to 8 p.m. May 13.
The Community Showcase Art Show will be displayed in the library’s upstairs Community Room from May 16 through July 25 during regular library hours.
An opening reception is planned for 5 to 8 p.m. May 16 at the library. A closing reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. July 25.
Notice to patrons
The library will be closed April 18-20 for Easter and May 24-26 for Memorial Day.
Spring, kids book sales
The Friends of Shaler North Hills Library is gearing up for its spring book sale April 25-27 in the community room of the library, 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd.
A preview night will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 25. The sale will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26 and 27.
The sale will feature books, audiobooks, DVDs, puzzles, games and more for patrons of all ages.
Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.
For details, call the library at 412-486-0211.
Mark your calendars for June: The library is planning a kids book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 and 8.