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.