Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road, offers a variety of programs for all ages.
For a complete list of offerings and to register for programs, visit pennhillslibrary.org. To reach the library by phone, call 412-775-4700.
Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays.
Note: The library will be closed Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Jan. 20 for an in-service day.
Spread the love
Love is in the air this February at Penn Hills Library.
Teens in sixth through 12th grades are welcome to drop by for a few heart-themed events. No registration is required for the following programs:
• Decorate the Teen Space: Hearts: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 3. Help us decorate the Teen Space with one-of-a-kind seasonal art. This month, we’ll be adding a bunch of paper hearts.
• Teen Valentine’s Day Party: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 3. Celebrate (or rage about) love. There will be food, games and more.
• Safety Pin Beads: Hearts: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 1. Use safety pins and mini beads to create custom pins.
Adults are welcome to check out Love Bugs, a live insect petting zoo presented by Mary Gall, from 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 21. There also will be a “love bug”-themed craft. Come on your own or bring a loved one.
‘Hello Kitty’ scavenger hunt under way
The library organizes a special scavenger hunt every month for children.
The theme of January’s scavenger hunt is “Hello Kitty and Friends.” February’s theme will be Fabulous February.
To participate, children can pick up a checklist at the Children’s Desk. Everyone who completes it will win a prize.
Programs set for Black History Month
The library is gearing up for Black History Month with special programs for patrons of all ages:
• STEAM Lab: Black Innovators (grades K-5): three sessions — 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Feb. 3 and Feb. 17 and 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Feb. 28. Work with your hands and experiment with STEAM projects. Join us for new science topics each session focusing on Black innovators. Registration is required.
• Classic Movie Club: “Claudine” (adults): 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 5. Join us for a showing of “Claudine,” a 1974 American romantic comedy-drama directed by John Berry and starring James Earl Jones, Diahann Carroll and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. Written by Lester and Tina Pine, the film was lauded for showing a new dimension in Black cinema. Popcorn will be provided. Registration is required.
• Black History Month: Jazz Music Celebration (adults): 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 7. C. Payne and Jazz Central will offer a musical tour of jazz greats. Registration is required.
• Ten Sankofa Lessons that Continue to Impact the Black Freedom Struggle (adults): 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 12. This presentation will highlight political, religious and social developments in the African and African American experience that continue to influence contemporary race relations. Registration is required.
• Black History Month: DIY Bracelets & Buttons (grades K-5): 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 16. All the materials will be provided so just bring your creativity. No registration is required.
• Black History Month: Ancestry Workshop (adults): 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 21. Explore your family history as you learn how to create a five-generation genealogical pedigree chart. Special attention will be given to how to research African American ancestry, but all people are welcome to this free workshop by the organization Finding Deep Roots. Registration is required.
• Movie Night: “Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius)” (adults): 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 16. This 2025 American documentary directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson explores the life, career and legacy of Sylvester Stewart. Under the stage name Sly Stone, he led the band Sly and the Family Stone and became one of pop music’s influential Black artists. Among his hits are “Everyday People,” “Stand!” and “Dance to the Music.” Popcorn will be provided. Registration is required.
Food distribution, fridge open to all
The library is providing the space for a new community food distribution from 6 to 7 p.m. every Monday.
This distribution is run by local community members and is not part of the library’s Community Fridge or run through the library. It will take place in the upstairs cafe area outside the Community Room.
The Community Fridge is an ongoing, free library resource. Patrons do not need to provide any information in order to take food. Everyone is welcome to take whatever they need.
The restocks take place from 5 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday and 11 a.m. to noon every Friday.
Please bring reusable bags as there are a limited number of milk crates available that can be used to transport food.
Members of the community are welcome to donate any unopened and unexpired food to the Community Fridge. To make a monetary donation, you can write a check or donate online. Be sure to indicate on the check or in the comments of your online donation that you intend for it to be used toward the Community Fridge.
The library also holds a Diapers and Books Giveaway on the third Wednesday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. in conjunction with its Wednesday fridge restocks. Diapers and menstrual products are available. To learn more, visit the cafe at that time.
For questions about either program, contact the library at 412-775-4700.
Volunteers are welcome to assist with the Community Fridge. To help, call the library or email phlibrary@pennhills library.org.
CHILDREN (birth to age 11)
• Slime Science: Glitter Jelly Slime (grades K-5): 2 to 2:45 p.m. Jan. 16. Experiment with mixing different ingredients to make slime many ways. Registration is required.
• Toddler Dance Party (birth to age 5): 10:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 17 and Feb. 28. Toddlers will have fun using props to grooving to the beat. No registration is required.
• Food Scientists (grades K-5): 1:30 to 2 p.m. Jan. 24. Join us for engaging, visual experiments around some favorite foods we love and learn about the important research of food scientists. Registration is required.
• Maker Lab: Laminator (ages 6-11): 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Jan. 27. Learn how to use different machines and supplies to create something completely new. Registration is required.
• Kids’ Karaoke (grades 3-5): 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Jan. 31. Sing along to your favorite song as it comes up on our karaoke machine at the library. Registration is required.
• Art Empowers (grades K-5): three sessions in February — 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Feb. 10 and 24 and 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Feb. 21. Create projects that celebrate your identity and interests while exploring different art mediums and styles. Feb. 10 is Shrinky Dinks; Feb. 21 is name art; Feb. 24 is felt animals. Registration is required.
• Children’s Self-Care (grades K-5): 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Feb. 14. Stop by the library for some relaxing self-care. There will be stations with calming art activities, meditative practices, self-care items and more. Registration is required.
• KidzStix Cardio Drumming (ages 6-11): 1:30 to 2 p.m. Feb. 16. Get moving at this high energy drumming and dance program led by certified fitness instructor Coleen Bortz. Registration is required.
TEENS (grades 6-12)
Teen programs do not require registration.
• Tattoo Pens: 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 21. Play with tattoo pens to give yourself and your friends personalized — and temporary — works of art.
• Teen Art Club: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. This teen-led group explores art styles, techniques, challenges and more.
• Make a Sublimation Mug: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 28. Use special heat-activated markers to design a custom mug.
• Gender and Sexualities Alliance: Button Maker: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10. Join us once a month in this safe, inclusive environment where everyone is welcome to be themselves. This month, you can make custom pins.
• Teen Cuisine: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 11. Learn basic kitchen skills and create a seasonal treat.
• Make Bath Bombs: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 21. Learn how to make simple bath bombs, then bring them home for a relaxing spa experience.
ADULTS
• Urban Line Dancing: 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 17. Experience the art of Urban Line Dancing. Open to all ability levels. Registration is required.
• Accessible Crafts: No Water Snow Globes: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 26. This craft program is for patrons of all abilities. Mark your calendars: The Feb. 9 session will be mosaic trays; Feb. 23 will be banners. No registration is required.
• Soul (Urban) Line Dancing: 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Jan. 26. Soul (Urban) Line Dancing is a fun way to be active to your favorite songs. Come learn a variety of line dances to popular R&B and hip-hop songs. Registration is required.
• Documentary Film Club: “My Disability Roadmap”: 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 28. A series of short documentaries on disability will be shown, including: “Pressing Buttons” (2024), “Our World In Our Words” (2024), “My Disability Roadmap” (2022), “Laughing in the Face of Disability” (2022), “Run and Run” (2021) and “The Device That Turned Me Into a Cyborg Was Born the Same Year I Was” (2023). Registration is required.
• “Bridgerton” Watch Party: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29. Join us as we drink tea, eat some snacks and watch the first episode of Season 4 of “Bridgerton.” Registration is required.
• Zine Workshop: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Learn about the history of zines and make your own to take home or to donate to our zine library. Registration is required.
• Job and Career Help Appointments: 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24. Get one-on-one assistance with writing a resume, finding a job, learning Word or PowerPoint and more. Follow-up appointments may be necessary. Registration is required.
• Documentary Film Club: “112 Weddings”: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 25. In this 2014 documentary, filmmaker Doug Block finds out what happened to some of the 112 couples whose wedding videos he shot to help support himself over the past two decades. Registration is required.