Library announces changes for 2010

Patrons of the Peters Township Public Library will experience some changes in the library’s operations in 2010 due to cuts in state funding to public libraries.

Pier Lee, Library Director, recently learned she would not be received an anticipated check for $26, 912 from the state for funds generated through Access Pennsylvania. This shortfall is in addition to an already expected cut of about 20% from the state. During their recent meeting, the Library Board and Lee reviewed their options to cut operating costs and generate additional revenue, while maintaining the same level of service to library patrons.

One of the many measures to address this deficit will begin January 2, 2010, when the daily fine for overdue adult materials will be increased from $.10 to $.25 per day. The fine for overdue children’s materials will remain at $.10 per day.

The Board has also unanimously voted that the library will not offer Sunday hours during the summer months in 2010 from Sunday, May 30 through Sunday, September 5 to decrease its operating costs. Outside of this period, the library will continue to offer Sunday hours from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m.

To help prevent further reductions in service in 2010, the library is seeking pledges from the community in any amount to the Friends of the Peters Township Public Library. A form to submit a tax-deductible donation is available at the library or on the library’s web site and can be returned to the library by mail or in person.

Holiday Programs at the Library!

Please join us to celebrate the season at one of the many free holiday programs we are offering in December for you, your family, and your friends!

TRINITY BELL CHOIR
For all ages
When: Tuesday, December 1 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Join us for relaxing hour of beautiful holiday bell music. Refreshments will be served after the performance. Register at the library's circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

CHRISTMAS JOY: A HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH NICOLE MARIE GASSE
For all ages
When: Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Nicole will entertain us with an evening of selections from "Christmas Joy", her holiday CD released in 2008. Nicole Marie Gasse, soprano, is a graduate of the D'Angelo Department of Music at Mercyhurst College. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Nicole Marie has displayed a passion for opera beginning at a young age. Currently residing in the Pittsburgh area, she continues to pursue her dream of becoming a professional opera singer. Register at the library's circulation desk, call 724.941.9430, or email Carrie Weaver.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND
LIBRARY CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY PARTY
For all ages
When: Sunday, December 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. outside the library and be followed immediately by the Children's Holiday Party inside the library. Join us for an evening of crafts and fun for the whole family to enjoy! Refreshments will be served and Santa will join in the fun too!

HOLIDAY YOGA
For kids and parents of all ages
Duration: 5 weeks, November 30 - December 28
When: Mondays, 1:15 - 1:45 p.m.
The holidays can be hectic -- chill out with Miss Linda's holiday yoga class! Yoga postures and breathing techniques will be taught in a fun and playful way. Children will stretch, sing, move, and imitate in this 30-minute yoga class for youngsters. Have child dressed comfortably and prepared to "play" in bare feet! Register in the Children's Department or call 724.941.9430.

EDIBLE HOLIDAY TREATS
For kids and parents of all ages
When: Thursday, December 3 from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Join us for this annual library tradition. Santa never had better taste or tasted better! Register in the Children's Department or call 724.941.9430.

FAMILY ORNAMENT NIGHT
For kids and parents of all ages
When: Tuesday, December 8 from 6:45 - 7:15 p.m.
Join us for this annual library tradition. Plan on adding some sparkle to your holidays and your holiday gift giving! Register in the Children's Department or call 724.941.9430.

HOLIDAYS AND HOT COCOA
Grades 6 - 12
When: Wednesday, December 16 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Join us as we start the holiday season in style! We'll decorate cookies, drink hot cocoa, decorate our Teen Room tree and karaoke to our favorite holiday tunes. For our gaming enthusiasts, we'll even bring out our Wii Ski, so you can practice before you hit the slopes!

GIFT WRAPPING PARTY
For kids and parents of all ages!
When: Thursday, December 17 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Having trouble sneaking around to wrap gifts for that special someone? Bring them to the library! We'll provide the festive wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and bows-you provide the presents! A limit of three gifts per person please, and all "smaller than a breadbox." Let your holiday spirit shine! Register in the Children's Department.

HOLIDAY MOVIE MARATHON
For kids and parents of all ages!
When: Monday, December 21 from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
What better way to celebrate the season than by sharing your favorite holiday movies with your family? Even better-how about an all-day movie marathon at the library! Drop in for your favorite or stay for more-Christmas cheer and good tidings await! Bring a holiday snack to share and begin the week before Christmas in a special way.

Christmas Joy: A Holiday Concert with Nicole Marie Gasse

The Friends of the Peters Township Public Library will host "Christmas Joy: A Holiday Concert with Nicole Marie Gasse" on Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Nicole will entertain us with an evening of selections from "Christmas Joy", her holiday CD released in 2008. Nicole Marie Gasse, soprano, is a graduate of the D'Angelo Department of Music at Mercyhurst College. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, She has displayed a passion for opera beginning at a young age. Currently residing in the Pittsburgh area, she continues to pursue her dream of becoming a professional opera singer. Register at the library's circulation desk, call 724-941-9430, or email Carrie Weaver.

How to Stay Sane (and Organized) Through the Holidays!

Just in time to help us prepare for the holidays, Patty Kreamer returns to the Peters Township Public Library on Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. to discuss "How to Stay Sane (and Organized) During the Holidays!"

It's that time of year when everyone seems to turn into Scrooge. This year, you don't have to! If the holidays make you miserable because clutter and chaos are ruling your life, then this program is for you. Patty’s program offers simple, practical solutions on how to organize your life and WIN the clutter battle once and for all - all year round!

• Learn the 3 steps to organizing successfully.
• Discover how to make quick, logical decisions.
• Find Out how to easily maintain the daily flow of paper.
• Implement the E.A.S.Y. system -- Organizing has never been easier.

Due to the popularity of Patty’s programs, you must pre-register in advance to reserve a seat. Sign up at the library’s circulation desk, call 724.941.9430 or email Carrie Weaver.

Author, national speaker, consultant and organizer, Patty Kreamer, CPO® (Certified Professional Organizer®), is the Founding Past President of the National Association of Professional Organizers - Pittsburgh chapter and Past President of and The National Speakers Association - Pittsburgh chapter. She was named Women's Business Network's 2007 Woman of the Year as well as one of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business and one of Pittsburgh’s Fastrackers in 2005.

NEW Adult Writing Workshop

Are you passionate about writing and looking for someone to critique your work? If you would like to give and receive inspiration, motivation, and encouragement in a group atmosphere, the Peters Township Public Library is offering a new Adult Writing Workshop on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:00 p.m. beginning on November 3, 2009.

Facilitating the writing workshop will be author Linda Foltz, whose accomplishments include a published book and articles that have appeared in various magazines, including Seventeen, Teen Voices, and Family Resources Magazine. She has also been featured on local and national radio and television, including The Montel Williams Show. Linda believes her writing success is due largely to the ongoing support of members of her first writing group – eventually all of its members were professionally published. Linda is currently working on her second full-length manuscript.

Adult writers of all skill levels and genres are welcome to this free program. Please register for this program at the library’s circulation desk or call 724-941-9430.

Technology Tailgate

Put on your black and gold, and come tackle the new technology available at the Peters Township Public Library at a “Technology Tailgate” being offered on Saturday, October 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the library’s main lobby.

Staff members wearing Pittsburgh Steeler shirts will offer hands-on demonstrations of the library’s new materials. The Young Adult Department will offer patrons a chance to play the Madden NFL 10 video game, one of the many video games available for 7-day checkout. The Children’s Department will be holding an “Out with the Old” Mega-Sale of VHS tapes and cassettes, and will demo new interactive children’s books. Online resources for the whole family will be presented by the Reference Department staff, including the library’s online catalog, Rosetta Stone Language Learning, ConsumerReports.org, e-newsletter and Twitter account.

The library’s many books and DVDs about the Pittsburgh Steelers will be on display for checkout and light refreshments will be available. Please stop by for a few minutes (or more)and find out what your library has to offer to you and your family!

Senior Crime Prevention University

Every year, across Pennsylvania and the United States, senior citizens fall victim to many kinds of consumer fraud, especially home improvement, telemarketing, foreign lottery and sweepstakes scams. With 2.5 million residents over the age of 60 and the third highest percentage of senior citizens in the nation, Pennsylvania is a desirable place for con artists. With that in mind, the Attorney General expanded efforts to educate more seniors how to better protect themselves against fraud through his Senior Crime Prevention University program, which will be offered at the Peters Township Public Library on Tuesday, October 13 from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m. Register for this free program at the library’s circulation desk, call 724.941.9430 or email Carrie Weaver.

The presenter for this program will be Senior Supervisory Special Agent Richard Shaheen, who has spent 22 years serving the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Agent for the Office of Attorney General. He began his career with the Attorney General’s Office as a Special Agent with the Medicaid Fraud Control Section and after 13 years was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent in Medicaid Fraud. He was again promoted, this time to Senior Supervisory Special Agent in the Education and Outreach Unit.

As a recent victim of check fraud myself, I am looking forward to the information that will be presented by Special Agent Shaheen. If you are not a senior citizen yourself, please share this information with family, friends, or neighbors who would benefit from this valuable program.