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.
Spring book sale set
Northland is gearing up for its four-day spring book sale.
A preview sale will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30. The regular sale is set for 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, as well as 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3.
The preview sale is limited to 60 participants. The cost is $10 with advance registration through April 27 or $15 thereafter and at the door if spots are available. Tickets are nonrefundable. To register, visit bit.ly/SpringBookSale2026.
A $5 bag sale will be held on Sunday, and the library will provide the bag.
All proceeds will benefit the library.
Tickets available for Garden Gala
The 2026 Garden Gala benefiting Northland Public Library will be held April 25.
This year’s theme, “Phantom of the Library,” is inspired by the masquerade ball in Gaston Leroux’s literary classic, “The Phantom of the Opera.”
The after-hours event, presented by UPMC Health Plan and UPMC Passavant, is for those 21 and older. There will be a wide selection of local food and beverage vendor stations, live entertainment, a silent auction and more.
The sponsor and VIP reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., with general admission entry at 7:30. The event runs until 10 p.m.
Attire is black-tie optional.
VIP tickets are sold out. General admission tickets are still available at $75 each.
To purchase tickets, visit northlandlibrary.org.
All proceeds enable the Northland Public Library Foundation to provide critical support for programs and services impacting the lives of more than 90,000 residents directly served by Northland, the second-largest library in Allegheny County.
Series to highlight literary characters
Interested in learning more about literature?
Join us for a four-week series exploring the “Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature.” The sessions will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. each Wednesday in May.
• May 6: The wife of Bath, Cressida and Beowulf
• May 13: Robinson Crusoe, Elizabeth Bennet and Natty Bumppo and Woodrow Call
• May 20: Uncle Tom, Mowgli and Celie
• May 27: Winston Smith, fairy tale heroines and Lisbeth Salander
Registration is required for each date and can be done online, in person at the Ask a Librarian Desk or by calling 412-366-8100, ext. 113.
Coffee and snacks will be provided.
Plant swap set for May 9
It’s never too early to start thinking about spring planting.
The library is hosting a springtime plant swap from 10 to 11 a.m. May 9 in the Learning Garden.
The swap is open to anyone interested in adding more greenery to their home and meeting fellow plant enthusiasts.
Participants can drop off plants or cuttings before the gathering from 9:30 to 10 a.m.
Bring up to five of your extra, propagated or no longer wanted healthy plants to share (houseplants and outdoor plants are both OK), get your tickets, then select something new.
Be sure to label your donations with the plant name and care instructions. Please do not bring five of the same plant. Due to an oversupply in the past, do not bring spider plants. No invasive species are permitted.
For questions, email colemank2@northlandlibrary.org or call 412-366-8100, ext. 113.
Registration is required.
Programs for adults
• Mahjong Mondays: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. every Monday
Mahjong is a tile-based game developed in the 19th century in China that has spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. Similar to the Western card game rummy, Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy and luck. Stop by on Mondays to play the game with others. Note: This is not an instruction session. No registration is required.
• Come Write In: 6 to 7:45 p.m. the first Thursday of each month
Working on a novel or just enjoy writing for fun? Want to spend some time focusing on your craft and working alongside fellow writers? Then stop on by. Bring your own laptop or writing pad. Email colemank2@northlandlibrary.org to join.
• Craft Night: Upcycled Spring Wreath: 6 to 7 p.m. April 20
In this do-it-yourself program, we’ll make an upcycled spring wreath using recycled cardboard and egg cartons to shape and paint cute flowers. Registration is required. The cost is $5, which is due at signup. Mark your calendars: The May 18 session will be origami animals.
• Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans: 6 to 7 p.m. April 27
Join Life Changing Service Dogs For Veterans to learn about their work providing service dogs to veterans who suffer from visible and invisible disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injuries and/or post-traumatic stress disorder. Registration is required.
• Cookbook Club: 6 to 8 p.m. May 4
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. May’s theme is Brunch. No registration is required. If you have questions or are interested in joining, email summersk@northlandlibrary.org. Mark your calendars: The theme for June 1 is Fruits and Vegetables.
• Tekko no Boken Roleplaying Guild: 5 to 8 p.m. May 5
Presented by the Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society and Tekko. Adults and teens 15 and older are welcome to join us for an evening of roleplaying gaming. No experience is necessary.
• Movie Matinee: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. May 20
Join us as we check out “Central Station.” This heart-warming 110-minute film from Brazil snagged two Oscar nominations: Best Actress and Best Foreign Language Film. Dora is a soured ex-schoolteacher who writes letters for those that are illiterate then throws them out. When one of her clients is killed in front of her, Dora takes the woman’s orphaned son home with her. However, she proceeds to sell him for a TV set. When she finds out that he is going to be used for body parts, she “steals” him back. This movie is about her redemption, not about the boy finding his father, whom he has never seen. No registration is required.
Programs for young people
• 4H Information Program: 4 to 6p.m. May 6
A lot of people think 4H is just for animals, but they offer so much more. Whether your interest is animals, art, sports, computers or just about anything else, there is something for you at 4H. Children 5 to 15 and their families are invited to drop by the Children and Teen Services area and get some information on various activities, clubs and meet-ups. No registration is required.
• From Seed to Soil: A National Love a Tree Day Storytime: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. May 15
Celebrate National Love a Tree Day and uncover the hidden science of how trees give back to the world around them. In this interactive storytime, we’ll explore stories that reveal the amazing ways trees support animals, other plants and the soil beneath them. Learn how trees share nutrients, provide shelter and keep ecosystems thriving through every stage of their lives. There also will be a hands-on activity that shows just how amazing trees are and how connected everything in nature really is. Registration is required.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Artistic Afternoons: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. first Thursday of the month
Teens 12 to 18 can join us for an hour of artistic expression and crafting. No registration 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.
• Family Storytime: 10 to 11:45 a.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month through May 16
Families of all kinds are welcome at this storytime. We’ll read stories and sing songs — and sometimes do a craft. No registration is required. This program is best suited for children of preschool and early elementary age, but all ages are welcome.