Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless, is the second largest library in Allegheny County.
The library serves five communities — Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, McCandless, Marshall and Ross — but is open to everyone.
Northland’s regular operating hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Visit northlandlibrary.org for a full calendar of events, activities and ongoing groups and to register for programs.
To contact the library, call 412-366-8100 or email northland@northlandlibrary.org.
Winter bookmark contest returns
It’s not too late to join in the fun of designing a bookmark during Northland Public Library’s 2026 Winter Bookmark Contest.
Children of all ages — adults, too — are invited to create an original design reflecting the winter months.
The contest runs through Jan. 31.
Two winners will be chosen from each age category: 0 to 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 17 and 18-plus.
The winners will be announced Feb. 9. Each winner will receive 30 bookmarks printed with their winning design and a certificate. Winners may pick up their prize package from the Children and Teen Services desk beginning on Feb. 20.
All winning bookmarks also will be distributed at the library.
Only one entry is permitted per person, and it must be an original work. Copyrighted characters, art and logos are not permitted. Do not place your name on the design.
Any 2D art medium can be used, such as crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc.; computer-generated images and use of 3D materials such as glitter or glued items are not permitted.
Please note: Entries will not be returned.
Pick up an entry form at the Children and Teen Services desk or Ask a Librarian desk. A form also can be downloaded at northlandlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Winter-Bookmark-Contest-Entry-Form-2026.pdf.
Speaker to share strategies for parents of disabled children
Northland Public Library is hosting a session on “Parenting for Different Needs: Supporting Children With Physical or Intellectual Disabilities” from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 29.
Raising a family member with special medical needs can require extra work and care, especially if they will never be independent and need housing, medical and transportation assistance.
Michael Wholihan will discuss his family’s experience and address strategies and preparations that primary caregivers can provide for their loved ones as they transition into adulthood.
Staff from the children’s and teen departments will be available to provide care and activities for those who have a loved one who can’t stay home alone.
Registration is required.
To register, visit northlandlibrary.org, stop by the Ask a Librarian desk or call 412-366-8100, ext. 113.
Reading challenge for children, adults underway
Northland Public Library wants visitors of all ages to cozy up to books this winter.
Children
A Winter Reading Program is underway for children from birth through 18 until Jan. 31.
There are reading and nonreading challenges and brand-new Reading Dragons cards. Those who complete their snowflake of challenges can return it to the Children and Teen Services Department for a chance to win a gift card to Riverstone Books.
Participants must be registered to be eligible for prizes. Snowflakes can be picked up in person or by visiting the library’s website to print it at home.
To register, visit the library in person or online at northlandlibrary.org/children-teen/programs-for-school-aged-kids.
Adults
The Cabin Fever winter reading challenge for adults runs through Feb. 28. Every book read earns a chance to win a prize.
To register yourself or family members, visit Northland’s ReadSquared website at northlandlibrary.readsquared.com.
If you need help logging books or registering, stop by the Ask a Librarian desk.
Additional information and curated reading lists are available at northlandlibrary.org/cabin-fever. A variety of reading categories are available: family saga, gothic fiction, hidden history, life in big cities, living with disability, on the run, one-word titles, real-life monsters, thrown together, ugly duckling cover, what if? and warm and fuzzy.
For questions, email northlandadults@northlandlibrary.org or call 412-366-8100, ext. 113.
Resources available at Northland for all types of caregivers
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging recently sent Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road in McCandless, materials from its new PA CareKit initiative to help people who are serving in a variety of caregiving roles.
Folders with resources are available at the upstairs Ask a Librarian desk and in the Caregiver Collection area.
Available guides also are on display across from the Caregiver Collection for the following specific caregiver types:
• Dementia
• Sandwich
• Solo
• Working
• Grandparent
• Long-distance
• Parent
• Spousal
• Youth
The PA CareKit Initiative offers a collection of tools, information and support to help caregivers learn more, plan ahead or catch their breath.
For details about the initiative, visit pa.gov/agencies/aging/pa-carekit.
Programs for adults
• Journaling for the Aspiring Author: 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 25
Join local author Cathy Corn for this workshop on journaling to help you develop your book ideas and inspire your writing. Registration is required.
• Cookbook Club: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 2
Home cooks of all skill levels are welcome as we explore dishes from various cookbooks. Each month has a theme, and participants can make a dish to bring and share with the club while we discuss the recipes and cooking process. February’s theme is Chili/Soup/Stew Cook-off. No registration is required. If you have questions or are interested in joining, email summersk@northlandlibrary.org. Mark your calendars: March’s theme is Childhood Favorites.
• Literary Liaisons — A Romance Author Panel: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13
Spend a spicy evening with local romance authors. From romantasy to romcom, Ann C. Orlandi, Stevie Hosler and Sarah Madeline will discuss their characters, stories and writing all types of love scenes. The authors will be available afterward to sell and sign books. Registration is required.
• Craft Night: Finger Knitting: 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 16
Librarian Ann will walk you through how to finger knit a cozy blanket. We will provide the materials, and you will learn the basics to get you started on your project. Registration is $5 and opens Feb. 1.
• Movie Matinee: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 18
For this month’s presentation, we visit Guadalajara, the most “Mexican” of Mexican cities to see all the colonial sites and architecture of the area as well as the Mexican folk art and mariachi bands. From there we visit the Aztec pyramids of the Yucatan along with a few bat caves and cenotes, or sacrificial lakes. No registration is required. Mark your calendars: March’s movie will be “The Duke,” a charming, understated British comedy drama from 2020 about an ordinary person doing something extraordinary; it’s based on a true story of the 1961 theft of the “Portrait of the Duke of Wellington” by Kempton Bunton.
• Senior Tech Connect: 1:30 top 3 p.m. Feb. 22
Join members of the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania for this Gold Award Service Project. The program will include a presentation on identifying and preventing digital scams followed by one-on-one tutoring from high school volunteers. Registration is required.
Programs for young people
• Cocoa Club for Tweens: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 28
Children 8 to 12 can unwind at the library on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month through March 25. Sip hot chocolate, listen to a great story, and enjoy a calm craft or coloring activity with friends. Cocoa Club is a cozy midweek break made just for tweens. We’ll choose our story together! Bring your own mug or use one of ours. Registration is required.
• Fandom Fun: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 12
Teens 12 to 18 can join us for an activity related to one of their favorite fandoms. February’s theme is “Heartstopper.” Mark your calendars: March’s theme is “Anime,” April is “Wicked” and May is Fandom Showdown.
• Home School Meetup — Fire Safety: 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 27
Jeff Weisner, fire chief for McCandless, will present fire safety and prevention for homeschooled children (kindergarten and up) and their families. The session will take place at McCandless Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road. Registration will open Feb. 15. Register each person attending separately as space is limited, and plan on staying with your child.
• Tween Writing Group: 4 to 5:30 p.m. first Wednesday of each month
Tweens in fourth through seventh grades who enjoy creative writing are invited to meet other students with similar interests the first Wednesday of every month. There will be writing games, group writing exercises and interesting prompts. Bring your notebook or laptop: There will be plenty of unstructured time to start a new project or continue working on an old one, as well as opportunities to share your work if you wish. No registration is required. Light snacks will be provided.
• Creative Thursday: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays through April 30
Children 3 to 6 are welcome to drop by any time to create a cute 15-minute craft to take home. No registration is required.
• Pokémon Juniors Storytime: 1 to 2 p.m. second Friday of each month through Dec. 11
Pokémon fans ages 3 to 6 are invited to join an hour of story adventures and a hands-on craft to bring your favorite Pokémon to life. Feel free to bring your cards to play and trade with friends. Registration is required.
• Northland Children’s Chess Club: 6 to 7:30 p.m. third Wednesday of each month through Dec. 16
This new monthly drop-in program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade offers chess instruction, chess puzzles and an opportunity to play pick-up games. No registration is required. K-4th grade parents must remain in the building during club time. No registration is required. High school chess players: Contact Children & Teen Services to see how you can earn community service volunteer hours.
Program for all ages
• Flying String Youth Ensemble Chinese New Year Concert: 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 28
The Flying Strings Youth Ensemble is a nonprofit organization composed of young musicians ages 7 to 18. They blend the enchanting sounds of traditional Chinese and Western instruments to bring the joy of music to the community. Their Lunar New Year concert will feature classic Chinese melodies, folk tunes and vibrant fusion pieces that combine both Eastern and Western elements. The event will include children’s activities and a chance to see the instruments up close after the concert. Registration is required.