Library offers free FAFSA Completion Session

The library will offer a free FAFSA Completion Session on Tuesday, January 22 at 6:30 p.m. This workshop, for college-bound seniors and their parents, provides the opportunity to get personalized help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the chance to ask questions related to the financial aid process.

Session information will be provided by Jayeann Harr, Higher Education Access Partner of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Space is limited. Preregistration is required for this program. You can register online, call 724.941.9430, or visit the library circulation desk.

Families should be aware of FAFSA filing deadlines for all schools being considered and meet the earliest date. The deadline for submitting the FAFSA to determine eligibility for a need-based Pennsylvania State Grant is May 1 or August 1 for first-time students entering programs of study at community colleges, business, trade or technical schools, and hospital schools of nursing.

The FAFSA is used to determine if students qualify for almost all forms of need-based financial assistance, including the Pennsylvania State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, many scholarships, work-study programs, many school-based awards, and low-cost federal student loans.

Library Holiday Hours

The library will be closed on Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday. The library will reopen on Wednesday, December 26 at 9:00 a.m.

The library will be closed on Monday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 1, 2013, and will reopen on Wednesday, January 2 at 9:00 a.m. We wish all a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND HOLIDAY PARTY

Join us at the library for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Party, held in partnership with the Peters Township Parks and Recreation Department. Festivities will include lighting and decorating the outdoors township tree at 6:00, followed by holiday caroling. Refreshments, visits with Santa, and holiday crafts for children will also be offered in the library, as well as a special performance by the South Hills Brass Quintet.

We'll also be welcoming Rose Tennent, author of Thanking Our Soldiers and Susan Castriota, author of Wilson and the White House Pups and other Wilson books, who will be offering copies of their books for purchase and signing. It’s a wonderful way to get in the holiday spirit and spend time with family and friends!

Library welcomes noted author and poet Dr. Samuel Hazo

The Peters Township Public Library will welcome author of poetry and fiction Dr. Samuel Hazo who will discuss “Poetry in Public Speech” on Sunday, December 2 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the library. To attend this memorable event with Dr. Hazo, register online, visit the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430. A book signing and reception will follow the program.

Samuel Hazo is the author of poetry, fiction, essays, and four plays. In 1993, Governor Robert Casey named Dr. Hazo Pennsylvania’s first State Poet Laureate and he held this honor until 2003. From his first book, through the National Book Award finalist for Once for the Last Bandit, to his newest poems, he explores themes of mortality and love, passion and art, courage and grace in a style that is unmistakably his own.

Dr. Hazo suggests that “the absence of poetry in public speech can only be remedied by poetry itself. Poetry is the language of ‘felt speech,’ which is the only form of speech that is memorable. We cannot forget it even if we try. I will try to give examples of this from my own poetry and by the poetry of several other poets and let the differences speak for themselves. The unpoetic language that we hear and read on a daily basis simply does not answer the need we have for something deeper. Only poetry gives that.”

As the founder and Director/President of the International Poetry Forum, Dr. Hazo has brought more than 800 poets and performers to Pittsburgh in the past forty years. These have included Nobel Awardees (Heaney, Walcott, Paz, Milosz), Pulitzer Prize winners (Merwin, Kumin, Wilbur, Kinnell, Kooser and others), Academy Award recipients (Gregory Peck, Princess Grace of Monaco, Eva Marie Saint, Anthony Hopkins, John Houseman, Jose Ferrer) as well as public figures who understand the relationship of poetry to public speech (Senator Eugene McCarthy and Queen Noor of Jordan), playwrights and composers (Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Gian Carlo Menotti) and new poets of significance and promise.

Dr. Hazo is McAnulty Distinguished Professor of English Emeritus at Duquesne University, where he taught for forty-three years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Arts degree from Duquesne University and his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. He has received eleven honorary doctorates and has been awarded the Hazlett Award for Excellence in Literature from the Governor of Pennsylvania, the Forbes Medal from the Fort Pitt Museum for Outstanding Cultural Contributions to Western Pennsylvania, the Elizabeth Kray Award for Outstanding Service to Poetry from New York University, and the Griffin Award for Creative Writing from the University of Notre Dame. In 2003, Samuel Hazo received the Maurice English Poetry Award for his 2002 distinguished book of poems – Just Once: New and Selected Poems. His most recent book, The Time Remaining, was published earlier this year.

R.E.A.D. Library Cookbook Launch Party

The library's first ever cookbook will be available for purchase beginning October 21- the first day of National Friends of the Library Week. From 12 noon until 4:00 p.m., you can buy one for yourself, or buy copies as gifts - the good cooks at the library are offering 225 of their finest recipes, and all proceeds benefit the library!

We will be offering dessert samples from the cookbook during our launch party, along with a special story-time for children from 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. with local resident Nancy Hahn.

Cookbooks will be available at the library for $10 or by mail order. To purchase by mail, please send your check ($10.00 plus $3.00 for shipping and handling) to: Friends of the Peters Township Public Library, 616 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317, along with the address where you would like the cookbook shipped.

Choosing Your Best Natural Cosmetics and Skin Products

Choosing natural cosmetics is a smart decision for your health and for the health of our planet. Learn more about the products you are currently using and if there may be a better choice available for you. Peters Township Public Library’s GO Green Club will host “Choosing Your Best Natural Cosmetics and Skin Products” on Saturday, October 20 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

GO Green Club member Pam Kuhn will be providing an overview of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) web site, whose mission is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. Persons attending the program are asked to bring a cosmetic or skin product with them that they would like to learn more about. Register for this program online or call 724-941-9430.

Library hosts Free On-site Shredding Event with BBB

The Peters Township Public Library and the Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania are hosting “Secure Your ID Day” on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the library’s parking lot. This identity theft and fraud prevention event will feature FREE on-site shredding plus tips to protect your identity.

Did you know that protecting your identity is largely in your own hands? Fifty-six percent of identity theft victims traced the theft to something that was stolen from their own possession. At the October 20 event, BBB volunteers will guide cars through a moving line in the library parking lot, offload your disposable items, shred them on the spot and distribute goodie bags with educational ID theft and fraud prevention materials.

Each vehicle may dispose of a maximum of 3 boxes/bags of paper-based materials.

Major sponsors of the program are the Peters Township Public Library, The Paper Exchange, and First Commonwealth Bank. For more information about “Secure Your ID Day,” call the BBB at 877.267.5222.

150th Anniversary of Civil War to be remembered through “Homegrown Heroes” program

As part of the state-wide commemoration of the150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the Peters Township Public Library and Pennsylvania Humanities Council will host “Homegrown Heroes: Pennsylvania Communities in the Civil War” on Sunday, October 14 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Actor/storyteller Steven Anderson will share remarkable true stories of the Civil War as experienced by civilians who found themselves in harm’s way. How did people react when their neighborhood became a battleground? How did the ideas and concerns that matter to you play out in Gettysburg, along the Underground Railroad and throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? You might even hear Civil War stories that are rooted right in your own backyard. This classic American storytelling is performed in 19th century garb and invites audience participation and the use of imagination as you will learn than heroes don’t always wear uniforms.

Steve Anderson is a professional actor and storyteller with more than twenty years of performance experience. His credits include more than hundred stage plays, ten years with the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and five years as a certified living-history interpreter with the Pennsylvania Past Players. When he’s not performing live, he narrates audiobooks, writes and produces online videos, and explores Pennsylvania history. Anderson is also an experienced playwright and a former college professor.

This presentation is a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council (PHC) supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The PHC, a nonprofit organization, inspires individuals to enjoy and share a life of learning.

Register in advance to attend this free event online, at the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

International Program Series begins Thursday, October 4

The struggle between Russia and Great Britain over Central Asia in the nineteenth century was the original "Great Game." But in the past quarter century, a new " Great Game " has emerged, pitting America against a newly aggressive Russia and a resource-hungry China, all struggling for influence over the same region, now one of the most volatile areas in the world: the long border region stretching from Iran through Pakistan to Kashmir.

On Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m., the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and the Peters Township Public Library will welcome Dr. Alexander Cooley, one of America's most respected international relations scholars. In his new book, Great Games, Local Rules: The New Great Power Contest in Central Asia, Cooley explores the dynamics of the new competition for control of the region since 9/11. All three great powers have crafted strategies to increase their power in the area, which includes Afghanistan and the former Soviet republics of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Each nation is pursuing important goals: shipping materials/equipment rights for the US, access to natural resources for the Chinese, and increased political influence for the Russians. This struggle for power and influence in Central Asia reflects a new multi-polar order. With three of the world’s largest superpowers competing for influence, how will Central Asia come to define geopolitics in the twenty first century?

Register in advance to attend this free program online, at the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430. The Peters Township Public Library is located at 616 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317.

Dr. Alexander Cooley is a Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College and an Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He is also a Ph.D. Advisor in Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Cooley has authored several books and he has published policy-related articles in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Foreign Affairs, and Washington Quarterly. Most recently, he has published an opinion piece in the New York Times.

The McMurray Veterans Foreign Wars POST 764 generously provides support for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh International Program Series at Peters Township Public Library.

Learn how to pay for college!

Discover the ins and outs of the college financial aid process at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. A representative from the Pennsylvania High Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will discuss a variety of methods to finance a college education, as well as looking at alternatives to the traditional college experience.

Parents and students are invited to the presentation by Jayeann Harr, Higher Education Access Partner from PHEAA, which will describe all federal and PA-state financial aid programs, scholarships and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application processes. Other topics will include how colleges award aid to families and how financial aid deadline dates interface with the college admissions process. Loan rates and interest rates for students and parents will also be explained. A question and answer session will follow the program.

Registration is necessary for this free program either online, at the Library's circulation desk, or call 724-941-9430.

Author Talk with Professor David Shumway

As part of Independent Film Week (Sept. 16-20), David Shumway, Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies, Carnegie Mellon University, will discuss the works of legendary independent filmmaker John Sayles at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. By showing film clips and reading excerpts from his recently published book, John Sayles, Professor Shumway will provide an overview of the director's career, followed by a question and discussion period. A book signing reception will begin at 8:00 p.m.

To attend this program and reception, register online, at the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430. If participants would like to view one or more of Sayles’ films prior to the event, especially Return of the Secaucus Seven, Matewan, and Lone Star, the library has the DVDs of these films in their collection available for a 2-day loan.

"Like Classic Era directors such as Howard Hawks and Alfred Hitchcock, John Sayles is a great storyteller," said Shumway, professor of English within the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and director of the Humanities Center. "But unlike their films, his also ask us to think critically about the world in which we live. He has been able to make such films because he has not had to depend on entertainment conglomerates to finance them, and thus has retained artistic control of his work. His films teach us about historical events we are unlikely to know much about-such as Baseball's Black Sox scandal, the Stone Mountain Coal War, or the Philippine-American War - but they also, like a good teacher, raise questions about assumptions viewers are likely hold before seeing them."

John Sayles was published by the University of Illinois Press as a volume in the Contemporary Film Director Series. Copies will be available for purchase at the special book signing price of $15 each.

David R. Shumway is the director of the Humanities Center and a professor of English and literary and cultural studies at Carnegie Mellon University. His many books include Modern Love: Romance, Intimacy, and the Marriage Crisis. He has recently received a Fulbright award to lecture in Barcelona in the spring of 2013.

"Listen While You Walk" Resumes!

A new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that although more Americans are walking, they are not exercising enough to reap the health benefits. At least 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, helps prevent heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and some forms of cancer.

To help patrons in their efforts to exercise daily, the library is resuming our popular “Listen While You Walk” program beginning Thursday, September 6 at 9:15 a.m. The program, beginning its second year, offers walkers another way to exercise – while listening to a new book or favorite author. Staff will introduce attendees to a selection of “Playaways,” all in one portable audiobooks, and then lead a 30-minute walk on nearby Arrowhead Trail. The program will continue each Thursday at 9:15 a.m., weather permitting.

Register for this free program by emailing programs@ptlibrary.org, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430. For more information about the program, call the Reference Department at 724.941.9430 ext. 327.

3rd Annual Local Foods Potluck Dinner!

Celebrate the season’s bounty at the 3rd Annual Local Foods Potluck Dinner at the Peters Township Public Library on Friday, August 3 at 6:30 p.m. The event is being hosted by the library’s GO Green Club and Cooking Club and is open to the community.

Attendees are asked to bring a potluck dish to share made with locally grown foods or some samples from their home gardens. Bring along your recipe to share with the group.

Register online or at the library’s circulation desk by Wednesday, August 1, 2012. For more information, email the GO Green Club.

PLAYAWAY DAY @ the library!

The library will host a “Playaway Day” on Thursday, July 19 to feature their Playaway and Playaway View collections from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the main lobby.

Donna Destefano, Account Manager Eastern Region at Findaway World, will be available to demo the devices and help patrons with any questions. Those attending will receive free giveaways to use with the Playaways including ear buds and audio cables to use in their car. Patrons will also be eligible to win a basket filled with items to use along with Playaway products.

Peters Township Public Library is one of nine libraries in the country and the only one in Pennsylvania selected as a beta testing site for the new Playaway View™ from Findaway World. There are 30 Playaway Views, the first portable all-in-one video player, available for adult patrons to checkout, each preloaded with a different video selection. The Children’s Department has over 60 Playaway Views available for the younger patrons.

As the library is participating in a trial program for this new product, patrons who check out a Playaway View will be asked to complete a short online survey to give feedback about the device.Hard copies of the survey will also be available at the library. Patrons who participate in this special beta testing and complete the survey will be eligible to win a $100 Visa gift card.

For more information, call the library at 724.941.9430.

AARP Driver Safety Refresher Course coming soon!

For those who have completed the AARP Driver Safety Course within the past 3 years, a refresher course will be offered at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, July 24 from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m.

This course will offer the latest information on accident prevention, new car innovations, and rules of the road, and how to prevent injuries to you and your passengers. Verification of previous course completion is required -- please bring your course completion certificate or a copy of an auto insurance bill that lists the discount applied from previous course completion.

The fee for the course is $5. Please make checks payable to AARP if registering at the library; if registering through the AARP website at www.aarp.org, please pay by credit card. Remember to bring your current driver’s license and AARP membership number (if a member) to class.

GO Green Camp for Kids!

To introduce young children to green lifestyle choices, the Peters Township Public Library’s GO Green Club will host a new GO Green Camp for Kids at the library on June 12, 13 and 14 from 10:00 a.m. to noon each day. The camp is free and open to children entering grades 3 through 5 in the fall. Registration at the library circulation desk is required as space is limited.

The 3-day camp for kids will offer a different “green” topic each day, and participants can sign up for one, two or all three days of the program. Themes for each day of the camp will include:

Tuesday, June 12: Day One will be all about the WATER CYCLE, featuring speaker Josie Posti from Pennsylvania American Water Company. Featuring the story of our water cycle, an interactive watershed model, creating water cycle bracelets, and a water taste test, you will never think about a glass of water the same way again.

Wednesday, June 13: In Day Two, you will find out RECYCLING from Scott Dellinger from Greenstar. Where does all that stuff you put in your green recycling bin end up? What should you be putting in the bin anyway? Also, GO Green Club member Angie Phares will explain how to turn your food scraps and other materials into wonderful compost – with a little help from some friendly worms.

Thursday, June 14: In Day Three, you will learn all about LOCAL FOODS – and we don’t mean what you buy at the supermarket! You will plant seeds, taste local foods, and prepare simple recipes with Erin Hart of American HealthCare Group. Ms. Hart is also the Director of Farm to Table Pittsburgh. Have you ever visited a local farmer’s market? Find out where you can go to get fresh, local food that tastes great and is SO good for you. Bring a healthy appetite to this program.

Are you a high school student interested in helping with this camp? Email the club, and you will be contacted with more details about volunteering at the GO Green Camp for Kids.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind

The library will host Susan Dishart, Vice President of Marketing and Development for Guiding Eyes for the Blind on Wednesday, April 18 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Dishart will present information about Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an internationally accredited nonprofit guide dog school founded in 1954. One of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, it is known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs. The school provides professional instruction and follow-up support services to the blind at no cost. Visit their web site for more information.

A local graduate of the program, Mike Gravitt, will be present. Gravitt is originally from South Boston, Virginia, but has resided in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania since early 1998. Presently, he is using his first guide dog, Rick, who is a black and tan Labrador, which GEB provided him in November of 2005. Mike is a manager at Bender Consulting Services, his employer since 1998, where he currently works on-site in Bayer Corporation's Communications Technology group. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. He is active in the American Council of the Blind and the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International. He is also an alumnus of the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, and Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.

Register to attend this program online, at the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Social Media Implementation on Tuesday, April 24

A 2012 study by Forrester Consulting, a global research and advisory firm, has revealed that “To succeed in the connected world, marketers must create connected brands: brands that continuously engage with people when they want, where they want, and how they want – particularly through social media.”

To help you learn how to use social media most effectively for your small business, the Peters Township Public Library will host “Social Media Implementation: How to Take Your Business to the Next Level” on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. The program will be presented by Robert Stein, Director of the Informational Technology Leadership program at the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, and will begin with a continental breakfast from 8:00-8:30 a.m. followed immediately by the presentation. The cost for program is $15.00. Register by Friday, April 20 at the library's circulation desk. Registration is not complete until payment has been received.

Do you have a Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn – but don't know how to get your business on the sites? Do you want to learn step-by-step how to best use the features available to you? These topics and more will be addressed when Robert Stein, a nationally renowned innovator and advisor in the technology industry, discusses the intricacies associated with implementing social media for your small business. Learn step-by-step how to get your business on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Stein will review all the basic features of the sites as well as some advanced ones.

This program is presented by the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center and hosted by Peters Township Chamber of Commerce and Peters Township Public Library.

Celebrate Earth day 2012!

Make a seed necklace, listen to a celebrity storytime, join in a family sing-a-long , and learn how to live your life “greener” at Celebrate Earth Day 2012 at the Peters Township Public Library on Sunday, April 22 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The afternoon of family-friendly activities is being hosted by the library’s GO Green Club.

Kicking off the day’s events at 1:00 p.m. will be a celebrity storytime with Scott Blasey, lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Pittsburgh-based rock band The Clarks. Blasey will read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, followed by a family sing-a-long. Immediately following, those attending can spend their afternoon learning how to live a greener more sustainable life through hands-on activities, games, displays, and library materials in the Meeting Room on the 1st floor.

At 3:00 p.m. a free screening of the film “Bag It!” will be offered in the 2nd floor Reading Room. The documentary follows the story of an average guy who makes a resolution to stop using plastic bags at the grocery store. Little does he know that this simple decision will change his life completely. No registration is necessary for the afternoon drop-in events. To attend the film screening, please register online, at the library's circulation desk, or call 724-941-9430.

Families are encouraged to bring their empty ink cartridges to be recycled, and there will be free earth-friendly giveaways for program participants.

The Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club was established in January 2010 with a mission to provide the community with educational resources through programs, library materials, and volunteer activities to help create a more environmentally- friendly and responsible lifestyle. For more information about the club, email ptplgogreenclub@gmail.com.

April Reading Challenge for Young Readers

National Library Week will be observed April 8-14, but the Peters Township Public Library will be celebrating the entire month of April with a special challenge for young readers from 12 months to 18 years.

Beginning Monday, April 2, children who read 5 library books will receive a “This Little Piggy Went to…the Peters Township Public Library” Knowledge Bank. For each library book read or read to them subsequently, children will receive one raffle ticket to be placed in the bank, which will be kept in the library lobby for the duration of the challenge.

On Monday, April 30, all the tickets from the banks will be entered in a raffle, and three lucky winners will be selected for special prizes. Everyone who participates may pick up their bank to take home after April 30. Visit the Children’s Department or call 724.941.9430 ext. 316 for more details.

PROGRAM UPDATE: The Future of the European Union

Dr. Steve Sokol, President, Pittsburgh World Affairs Council, will present the program on The Future of the European Union on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the library. Dr. Sokol is well trained in global issues and international affairs including German political affairs. Our scheduled speaker, Jan Techau, is not able to join us due to a sudden illness. To attend the program, register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Dr. Sokol joined the Council in June 2010 after roughly 20 years working with non-profit foundations and think tanks in Europe and the United States to promote greater transatlantic cooperation and to further the deeper understanding global issues and international affairs. Most recently he served as Vice President and Director of Programs at the American Council on Germany from October 2002 until June 2010.

Previously he was the Deputy Director of the Aspen Institute Berlin, Head of the Project Management Department at the Bonn International Center for Conversion, and a Program Officer with the German Marshall Fund of the United States. He is a frequent commentator on transatlantic relations and German and American political affairs in the U.S. and European media.

Dr. Sokol is a frequent commentator on transatlantic relations and German and American political affairs in the U.S. and European media. He holds a Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University as well as an M.A. in International Relations and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University’s Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. He has also studied at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität in Heidelberg and as a Fulbright Scholar at the Freie Universität in Berlin.

Experts discuss planning a traffic-free bike trip

Husband and wife team Mary Shaw and Roy Weil will give practical advice on planning a traffic-free bike trip at “Linking Up: Planning Your Traffic-Free Bike Trip between Pittsburgh PA and Washington, D.C.” on Thursday, March 29 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Peters Township Public Library. Register to attend online, at the library circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Participants will learn how to select an itinerary, whether to travel independently or with an organized trip, and options for transportation to the trailheads. Find out how to choose between camping or indoor lodging, equipment selection and preparation, and the cost of the trip. They will discuss physical demands of the trip, how to prepare, and what resources are available along the way. Mark Imgrund, President, Friends of the Montour Trail in Peters Township, will also comment and answer questions about our local trails.

Dr. Mary Shaw is the Alan J. Perlis Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, and Roy Weil is a Civil Engineer for Baker Corporation. Shaw and Weil have jointly authored Linking Up: Planning Your Traffic-Free Bike Trip between Pittsburgh PA and Washington D.C. via the Great Allegheny Passage and the C & O Canal Towpath. The newest edition will be available for sale following the program and the proceeds will go towards trail development.

Jan Techau, Director of Carnegie Europe

The library continues its eight year partnership with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and welcomes Jan Techau, Director of Carnegie Europe, to discuss The Future of the EU – the Three Revolutions Europe Needs on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the library.

The McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764 is providing support for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh 2011-12 program series. Register for this event online or call 724.941.9430.

Techau will speak about the sovereign debt crisis that has gripped the eurozone over the past year and has posed a mortal threat to the future of the European Union as a political and economic bloc. As countries like Greece teeter on the brink of collapse, political wrangling over a bailout has exposed divisions in the 27-member union. However, even before the eurozone crisis, Europe was facing decline. While its social stability, economic strength, and political influence may still be strong, the “old world” is rapidly losing ground as new powers in Asia and elsewhere increasingly flex their muscles on the world stage.

Jan Techau is director of Carnegie Europe, the European centre of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is a noted expert on EU integration and foreign policy, transatlantic affairs, and German foreign and security policy. Techau served at the NATO Defense College’s Research Division from February 2010 until March 2011. He was director of the Alfred von Oppenheim Center for European Policy Studies at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in Berlin between 2006 and 2010 and from 2001 to 2006 he served at the German Ministry of Defense’s Press and Information Department.

Techau is an associate scholar at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) and an associate fellow at both the German Council on Foreign Relations and at the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS). He is a regular contributor to German and international news media such as the BBC, Deutsche Welle, Bloomberg, Deutschlandradio, and Irish Times.

Author Visit: Robert J. Gangewere

Robert J. Gangewere will discuss his new book Palace of Culture: Andrew Carnegie’s Museums and Library in Pittsburgh at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. A book signing will follow the program. To attend, register online, visit the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430.

Believing that education and culture were not just for the wealthy, Andrew Carnegie founded the Carnegie Institute in 1896, which included a music hall, art museum and science museum. Today, his cultural institution has expanded to include a library, music hall, natural history museum, art museum, science center, the Andy Warhol Museum, and the Carnegie International art exhibition.

In this first history of The Carnegie Museums and Library of Pittsburgh, Gangewere details the political turmoil, budgetary constraints, and cultural tides that have influenced the caretakers and the collections. He profiles the benefactors, trustees, directors, and administrators who have stewarded the collections through the years and provided individual histories of the library, music hall, museums, and science center.

Gangewere is a former editor of Carnegie Magazine and adjunct professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University. He is the author or editor of several books, including The Bridges of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and The Exploited Eden: Literature on the American Environment.

Program to assist with starting a new business

Starting a small business can be an exciting and challenging adventure. To help you in launching your new business, the Peters Township Public Library is partnering with the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce and the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center to present “The Mechanics of Starting a Small Business.” This free program will be offered at the library on Thursday, March 8 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Presenters for this event will be Lindsey Biddle, Management Consultant, University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center; Jonathan Higie, Attorney, Peacock Keller Law Firm; and Edward Nemeth, Senior Loan Officer, Washington County Council on Economic Development.

Attend this event to learn about financing and business structures, how to access helpful resources and to understand the forms necessary for establishing your successful business. As space is limited, reservations are requested. Register online, at the circulation desk, or call 724.941.9430 by Tuesday, March 6 to reserve your space.

AARP tax help available beginning Feb. 9

In partnership with the AARP, tax assistance will be available at the Peters Township Public Library each Thursdays beginning February 9 through April 12. AARP Tax-Aides will provide this free service to help low and moderate income taxpayers who are age 60 years and older.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling 724-941-9430 or by visiting the library circulation desk. At the time of registration, the library will provide you a list of the forms eligible for preparation by the AARP Tax-Aide consultant, as well as a list of items you will need to bring when you arrive for your personal tax preparation session. It is recommended you visit the library to pick up both of the lists before your scheduled appointment.

As a community service, the library participates with the IRS and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to provide both Federal and State Tax forms for library patrons. As forms arrive, they are added to the tax display on the second floor of the library. If a desired form is not available, individuals with a valid Peters Township Public Library card may access library computers for tax forms and publications. Printing charges are $.15 per page to cover library costs. To access federal forms, visit www.irs.gov and to access state forms, visit www.revenue.state.pa.us. For help with federal tax questions please call 1-800-829-1040; for help with federal tax forms and publications please call 1-800-829-4059. For help with state tax questions please call 1-717-787-8201.

The Gallery Photography Exhibit

The Peters Township High School Photography Classes will exhibit their work in the main lobby of the Peters Township Public Library from February 23 through March 8 during library hours. "The Gallery" is a display of hundreds of student photographs from the classes and club at the high school. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 23 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

FAFSA Completion Session for College-Bound Students and Parents

The Peters Township Public Library will offer a free FAFSA Completion Session on Saturday, February 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the first floor Meeting Room. This workshop, for college-bound and seniors and their parents, provides the opportunity to get personalized help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the chance to ask questions related to the financial aid process.

Session information will be provided by Jayeann Harr, Higher Education Access Partner of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Preregistration is required for this program online, call 724.941.9430, or visit the library circulation desk.

The deadline for submitting the FAFSA to determine eligibility for a need-based Pennsylvania State Grant is May 1 or August 1 for first-time students entering programs of study at community colleges, business, trade or technical schools, and hospital schools of nursing. Families should submit their FAFSA as early as possible after January 1 to ensure meeting earlier financial aid deadlines that may be required by selected schools.

The FAFSA is used to determine if students qualify for almost all forms of need-based financial assistance, including the Pennsylvania State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, many scholarships, work-study programs, many school-based awards, and low-cost federal student loans.

Last year, 98% of all applicants completed the FAFSA online which provides for faster and more accurate results. A new feature this year will allow tax filers to have their IRS data automatically populate certain FAFSA questions, making the process easier. Families are advised to be cautious of online FAFSA sites that require a fee to complete the free application, as help is available through PHEAA staff and the U.S. government at no charge.

Learn the ins and outs of online banking

According to a recent survey, 73 percent of online households – 58 percent of all U.S. households – reported paying a bill online at a biller or bank website in the last month.* Have you hesitated becoming part of this trend and would like to learn more?

The Peters Township Public Library will host Kristen Painter, Branch Manager, Washington Financial Bank/Valley Brook, who will discuss how online banking makes it easy and convenient to check account activity, transfer funds, and pay bills. Learn how to easily navigate these features on Tuesday, February 7 from 7 – 8:45 p.m. The fee for this program is $5 and advance registration is required at the library circulation desk.

Kristen Painter has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association School of Banking and Leadership Washington County.

"Making Sense of the Civil War" program filled within a week!

Peters Township Public Library will host a five-part reading and discussion series which will focus on making sense of the American Civil War. The library is one of more than 150 sites throughout the country that will host the reading and discussion series, a 2012 project of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. Additional support in Pennsylvania is provided by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council. Registrations for the program opened on January 9 and quickly filled within a week.

Peters Township Public Library is one of four Pennsylvania libraries chosen to partner with Pennsylvania Humanities Council. Readings selected for the program will provide a glimpse of the vast sweep and profound breadth of Americans’ war among and against themselves, and include:
• March by Geraldine Brooks
• Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam by James McPherson
• America’s Wars: Talking about the Civil War and Emancipation of Their 150th Anniversaries, a forthcoming anthology of historical fiction, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biography, and short stories, edited by national project scholar Edward L. Ayers.

Program books are provided to participants through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, American Library Association and through the Pennsylvania Humanities Council for Peters Township Public Library participants.

Dr. Elaine Parsons, Civil War scholar and Associate Professor of History at Duquesne University, will lead all five discussion sessions. Dr. Parsons received her PhD at Johns Hopkins University. Her work focuses on social movements and popular culture in the nineteenth-century United States, with a focus on the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. She is currently completing a book about the Ku Klux Klan, entitled “Constructing the Kuklux: The Ku Klux Klan and the Modernization of the Reconstruction-Era South.” Dr. Parsons is the recipient of a Harry Frank Guggenheim Fellowship for the study of violence in culture.