A Summer Evening with Scott Blasey

Scott Blasey, lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Pittsburgh-based rock band The Clarks, will appear for a special solo "after-hours" show at the library on Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m.

In addition to his success with The Clarks, Blasey has found an audience for his solo work. He's released three solo CD's, beginning in 1995 with Don't Try This at Home. His second disc, Shine, contains the regional hit Born Too Late. In 2007 he released Travelin' On, an eleven-song journey through rock and blues, county and R & B. With the help of producer Salim Nourallah (Old 97's), Blasey enlisted some of Dallas, Texas' finest musicians, including Chris Holt on guitar, to interpret the road-weary songs of a Pittsburgher living in Texas. He has since moved his family back to Western Pennsylvania and enjoys being part of this community.

For more about Blasey and his music, visit his web site .

Register for this special event at the library's circulation desk, call 724-9041-9430, or email Carrie Weaver.

"Faces of the Civil War" with Dr. Paul D. Newman

Commonwealth Speaker Dr. Paul Douglas Newman will discuss Pennsylvania's role in the fighting and lasting memory of the Civil War at the Peters Township Public Library on Thursday, July 30 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The presentation will contrast the popular memory of the war with its messy and gruesome realities, as revealed by photographs. Newman will ask participants to compare the realities of the Civil War with 20th and 21st century conflicts and to debate its permeating themes. This program is free of charge and open to the public. Register at the library’s circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

Dr. Paul Douglas Newman is Professor of Early American history at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where he has taught since 1995, being awarded the Phi Eta Sigma Teacher of the Year Award in 2002, and the Pi Lambda Theta Educator of the Year Award in 2003. Dr. Newman earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in history at the University of Kentucky, and his B.A. in history from York College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Newman is the Editor of Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies, and has served as a consultant for a number of public history projects including the Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Fort Ligonier, the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, among others. Dr. Newman began offering Commonwealth Speakers lectures in 1998. He is the recipient of the History Channel’s 2008 “Save Our History” Teacher of the Year Award.

This presentation is a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, supported in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The Pennsylvania Humanities Council, a nonprofit organization, inspires individuals to enjoy and share a life of learning.

Downloadable audiobooks are here!

Our library has expanded our services with the addition of free downloadable audiobooks through a new digital media library. Patrons can check out and download titles anytime, anywhere by visiting the library home page and clicking on the green audiobook downloads graphic.

Library card holders may browse the collection of best-selling and classic titles. To check out, users will need a valid library card, a computer with an internet connection, and an email address. Once downloaded, digital titles can be enjoyed on the computer or transferred to a supported device, like an MP3 player. Many audio titles can also be burned to CD to enjoy in the car. At the end of the lending period, titles will automatically expire and are returned to the collection. There are never late fees or damaged materials.

“We are thrilled to offer our patrons another cost-saving use of their local library,” said Library Director Pier Lee. “With this free service, our busy patrons can listen to audiobooks while exercising on the trail, running errands in the car, or traveling on vacation over the summer months.”

Patrons will need to install free software, the OverDrive Media Console for audio titles, to use on a Windows operating system or Mac. The free and easy-to-use service is provided by the Peter Township Public library and powered by OverDrive, Inc, a leader in providing world-class infrastructure for downloading premium digital content.

Memorial Day Holiday Hours

The Peters Township Public Library will be closed on Sunday, May 24th and Monday, May 25th due to the Memorial Day holiday. Normal library hours will resume on Tuesday, May 26th at 9:00 a.m. Thank you for your cooperation.

OR Editor to discuss "Enter, With Torches"

Park Burroughs started in the newspaper business 38 years ago as a copy boy, back in the days of Linotype machines and carbon paper, when reporters pounded out their stories on typewriters, and newspapers were considered the most vital source of information. Much has changed since then, and newspapers are fighting for their survival. Burroughs wrote about those bygone days of newspapers and the characters who made them in The Business, a serialized story published on his Internet blog, Grumpy Old Editor.

The Business is one of nine stories included in Burroughs new book, Enter, With Torches: Recollections of a Grumpy Old Editor, which he will talk about at his presentation on Wednesday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the library. In addition to discussing the problems facing the newspaper industry today and the future of journalism, he'll read selections from other stories in his book, many of them humorous tales about growing up and learning to be an adult. Books will be available for purchase ($19.95) and signing after the presentation. Credit card or checks will be accepted; checks may be made out to "Observer Publishing Co." Register at the library's circulation desk or email Carrie Weaver.

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Saving Money by Growing Organically

Garden columnist and radio host Doug Oster will visit the Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, May 2 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss “Saving Money by Growing Organically.” Oster will teach tips and tricks for gardeners on a budget. His lecture will covers seed starting, composting and explain the simple things gardeners can do to save money and have their best gardens ever. Oster is co-author of Grow Organic : over 250 tips and ideas for growing flowers, veggies, lawns and more.

Register for the program at the library's circulation desk or call 724-941-9430.

Oster is the co-host of KDKA radio’s Sunday morning program The Organic Gardeners and is the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Backyard Gardener. His column is distributed regionally by the Associated Press and nationally by Scripps Howard News Service. He also works as writer, producer and on air talent for WQED-TV's OnQ program contributing stories related to gardening. Doug fills the same role at WYEP-FM's Allegheny Front program. He appears on KDKA-TV's Pittsburgh Today during their gardening segments. Doug's "Grow Your Own" gardening/cooking column is syndicated nationally through the Los Angeles Times News Service. He is also founder of Cultivating Success, a garden program for adoptive and foster children.

Copies of Doug's books Grow Organic ($18.95) and A Gardener's Journal ($15.95) will be available for purchase and signing. Purchase both copies for $33.00! Cash or checks made payable to Doug Oster.