The Cooper-Siegel Community Library and its Sharpsburg branch offer a variety of programming for visitors of all ages.
To view a complete list of offerings, visit coopersiegel.librarycalendar.com. Events at both libraries are listed and can be viewed according to age group and location.
Registration is required for most programs as space is limited and some programs fill up quickly. In some cases, drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
Registration through the online calendar is encouraged when possible so staff members can plan accordingly. To register by phone, call the respective libraries at 412-828-9520 for Cooper-Siegel and 412-781-0783 for the Sharpsburg branch.
Regular operating hours at Cooper-Siegel Community Library, 403 Fox Chapel Road in Fox Chapel, are from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Regular operating hours at Sharpsburg Community Library, 1212 Main St., are from 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; the branch is closed on Sundays. Parking is available at the library and the 13th Street Municipal Lot, which is metered. The library is accessible via Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s 91 and 1 bus routes — get off at 13th Street.
Pickup lockers, where library patrons can get items they’ve placed on hold, are located behind Jersey Mike’s at 171 Freeport Road in Blawnox or outside Sharpsburg Community Library. The lockers were funded by the Allegheny Regional Asset District through its Transformative Community Library Fund grant program.
Here are some upcoming events:
Cooper-Siegel Community Library
Kids
• Irish & English Storytime: 2 to 3 p.m. March 22
Explore the Irish language through bilingual storytelling and playful experiences. This program is designed for kids in preschool through second grade, along with their caregivers, but is open to all ages. Registration is required.
• Spanish & English Storytime: 10:30 to 11 a.m. every Friday
Join us for a playful storytime in both Spanish and English with interactive books, rhymes and songs. This program is geared toward 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers, but younger children are welcome. Register for any dates you plan to attend separately. Registration is required.
• Chinese & English Storytime: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. first Saturday of the month
Explore the Chinese language through bilingual songs, books and playful experiences. This program is designed for kids in preschool through second grade with their caregivers. Register for all the dates you plan to attend. Registration is required.
• Wiggle Storytime: 10:15 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday
Get up and get moving during our toddler and preschool storytime for children 2 to 5 and their caregivers. This interactive storytime features books, fingerplays, bounces, scarves, shakers and a parachute. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
• Saturday STEM (grades 2-5): 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 14 and April 11
Children will explore various STEM concepts with the students from Fox Chapel Area High School’s Society of Women Engineers. Thre will be hands-on challenges and opportunities to experiment with science, technology, engineering and math concepts. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
• Lego Robotics: Build a Windmill (grades 4-6): 10 a.m. to noon April 25
Explore the fundamentals of gears through hands-on Lego Robotics activities presented by Girls of Steel Robotics. During this one-off program, kids will build Lego windmill kits, while developing teamwork and learning more about STEM concept. Registration is required.
Teens
• Makerspace Walk-in Hours: 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays and 3 to 5 p.m. Thursdays
Teens 12 to 18 can drop in at these times on Mondays and Thursdays to learn how the Makerspace works and what it has to offer.
• Teen After Hours: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 13, April 10 and May 8
Join us for a fun time after hours at the library to play games, sing karaoke, eat pizza and more. Interested in helping out? Bring a snack to share. Registration is required.
• Intro to 3D Printing and Design: 10 to 11 a.m. March 21
Curious about 3D printing but not sure where to start? This introductory session, open to 12 and older, will show how 3D printers work and provide hands-on time with Tinkercad, a free web-based design tool that’s perfect for beginners. Participants will walk away knowing how to design and print their own creations. All experience levels welcome. Registration is required.
Adults
• Poetry Workshop: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 17 and 31, April 14 and 28
This group meets every other week and focuses on nourishing and sustaining one’s creative practice. No experience writing or reading poetry is required. We’ll spend time reading and discussing poetry, as well as writing together in response to prompts. Expect to receive and share meaningful, positive feedback as we affirm what is strong and powerful in our writing. Bring a poem on paper (we can make copies at the library) no longer than one page if you’d like to workshop. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come anytime. Registration is requested but drops-in are welcome as space permits. The group is led by Kelley Beeson, an award-winning poet with an MFA from the University of Notre Dame and a member of the Madwomen in the Attic Writing Workshops since 1992.
• Makerspace Walk-in Hours: 1 to 3 p.m. every Monday and 3 to 5 p.m. every Friday
Teens and adults are welcome to drop by during open hours at the Makerspace and learn what it has to offer.
• Roots of Irish American Identity: 5 to 6 p.m. March 19
Join Cassandra McGinnis for an exploration of the creation of the Irish-American hyphenate by weaving language, traditions, art and civic engagement to maintain a sense of connection to Ireland while creating a new life in the States. Registration is required.
• Intro to 3D Printing and Design: 10 to 11 a.m. March 21
Curious about 3D printing but not sure where to start? This introductory session, open to 12 and older, will show how 3D printers work and provide hands-on time with Tinkercad, a free web-based design tool that’s perfect for beginners. Participants will walk away knowing how to design and print their own creations. All experience levels welcome. Registration is required.
Sharpsburg Community Library
All ages
• “Every Piece”: Art by Brad Bianchi: On display daily through March 30
“Every Piece,” an art show presented in collaboration with Evolve Coaching, showcases the work of Brad Bianchi, a Pittsburgh-born reuse artist and furniture maker. He collects discarded material from the world around him and constructs everything from film props to conference tables, stages, large-scale murals, found object sculptures and more. Works also are available to purchase, with 25% of each sale benefiting the Sharpsburg Community Library. A closing reception will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 28; light refreshments served.
Kids
• Maker Monday (grades K-5): 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. every Monday
This program rotates content with some weeks being more arts focused and other weeks being more science focused. Upcoming events include the science of rainbows on March 16, Rachel Carson and nature art on March 23 and spring flower paintings on March 31. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
• Chinese & English Storytime: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. third Saturday of the month through May 16
Explore the Chinese language with native speaker Ms JJ through bilingual songs, books and playful experiences. This program is designed for kids in preschool through second grade with their caregivers. This volunteer-led program is free, but donations are welcome. All supplies are provided. Register for all the dates you plan to attend. Registration is required, but drop-ins are accepted as space permits..
• Family Saturday Studio: Two Sessions: 11 a.m. to noon or noon to 1 p.m. March 28
March is Women’s History Month, so three will be some stations focused on famous women. This family program is for children in Pre-K to Grade 5. All supplies will be provided. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Select the time slot that works best for you. Registration is required.
• Read With Mishka the Therapy Dog (grades Pre-K to 6): 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 4
Join Mishka, a certified therapy dog, and her handler, Ms. Alejandra, visit the library on the first Saturday of each month. Children will take turns reading aloud to Mishka; all levels of readers are welcome, from those just learning to expert readers. Pre-K children are welcome with an accompanying adult. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
Teens
• Teen Scene: 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through March 25
Hang with friends, play video games and board games, and participate in the dedicated activity during this two-hour block of time after school. Participate how you want — no pressure. Upcoming activities include a Mario Kart tournament on March 11, Main Street spring window decorating on March 18 and do-it-yourself sewn cat toys on March 25. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
• Magic the Gathering Commander League: Noon to 1 p.m. second Saturday of the month through May 9
Join former professional Magic the Gathering player Mike Patnik for this Commander League. Beginners and experienced players are welcome. We will have decks available for players to use, but participants are welcome to bring their own decks. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
Adults
• Sharpsburg Community Garden Seed Giveaway: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 21
Celebrate spring by stopping by and picking up some free seeds. Vegetable, herb and flower seeds will be available while supplies last.
• Nesting Birds with Bird Town PA: 6 to 7 p.m. March 23
Join Melinda Guinn of the Fox Chapel Bird Town PA Committee for a presentation on nesting birds. The talk will explore birds and their habits, as well as the native plants that feed the insects that nourish the birds. Guinn’s home garden was the 2024 Sustainable Garden Award winner from Phipps Conservatory in the “Gardens That Manage Rainwater (Large)” category. She has presented on various ecological topics through the Fox Chapel Area Adult Education program. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
• Orchids 101 with Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania: 6 to 7 p.m. March 25
Have you ever thought about growing orchids but didn’t know where to start? Join Cody Nieman of the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania for an introductory presentation on orchids and how to grow them in your home. Nieman will demystify the growing of orchids, show several types of orchids in bloom and talk about the history, botany and orchid-growing culture. Registration is required, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.