January 3, 2025 Squonking in the Library Part 2 This workshop offered by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh enables children to explore science and art. Learn More Squonk’s Lindsay Herring and Mia Taylor will lead the workshop, which is aimed at children between the ages of 6 and 13. In the workshop, participants will use Rube Goldberg Machines and learn how to harness the flow of energy, using everyday objects to create quirky, complex contraptions with chain reactions. The event will run from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 25 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburg’s Hazelwood branch, located at 5006 Second Avenue. For more information, visit the library’s website.
January 2, 2025 Carnegie Library: Little Artists The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will hold an event to help children learn and grow through art at its Lawrenceville branch in January. Learn More Little Artists is a sensory experience for young children and their caregivers. It will enable them to explore colors, shapes, textures, and materials. The program encourages open experimentation and self-expression and focuses on the process of creation, rather than the finished product. Children and their caregivers are advised to dress accordingly, as the class could get messy. It is aimed at children from birth to age five and their caregivers. The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, January 24 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Lawrenceville, located at 279 Fisk Street.
December 11, 2024 The Buzzword is DIRECTION As part of its programming, Buzzword distributes its signature “BUZZ Boxes” to local families to help excite children from birth to age five as well as their caregivers about new words that are all around them. These family engagement kits come complete with a high-quality children’s book and enriching activities that support early literacy skills and development. This month’s Buzzword is DIRECTION, which means the path along which someone or something moves. Buzzword’s DIRECTION Activity Book will give children – ages birth to five – and their caregivers the opportunity to connect through science, art, music, and early literacy activities. Caregivers are encouraged to read through Tap! Tap! Tap! by Hervet Tullet with their child. Then, they should go through the different activities and ideas together, taking time to explain the meaning of the words and connecting them to their child’s real-life experiences. Buzzword has also provided a DIRECTION book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading. View the DIRECTION Activity Book and book recommendations. More Information Want to learn more on how to get involved with Buzzword? Ask your local Allegheny County Family Center about the program, or email buzzword@tryingtogether.org.
October 2, 2024 Carnegie Library Announces Science Programs for Children The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is launching Super Science programs for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Learn More Super Science programs not only teach children about science, but also show them how to actively explore, experiment, and discover answers to questions, from how fossils form to how geological forces shape mountains. The programs pair books with hands-on STEM activities that promote scientific inquiry while igniting wonder about the world of science. Some of the topics covered in Super Science programs include: Animal Features and Adaptations Bugs Physics Paleontology Geology Human Anatomy The complete lineup of the Carnegie Library’s Super Science programs is available on its website.
September 24, 2024 Carnegie Library Celebrates Banned Books Week The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has provided a list of resources and titles to celebrate this year’s Banned Books Week. Learn More Banned Books Week runs this year from Sept. 22 to 28. This year’s theme is “Freed Between the Lines.” The library cites various forms of censorship that the week aims to combat – outright banning of books, restricting access to certain works, or relocating a book’s place on the library’s shelves. By highlighting books that have been censored, the library is aiming to raise awareness on the way censorship impacts communities. The library’s efforts include displays of banned titles or providing access to information and resources that are difficult to find. Among the library’s resources is Safeguarding Your Right to Read, which describes how the Carnegie Library protects the integrity of the library and readers’ access to books and information. The library has also created a Banned Books Week Bingo card that includes such suggestions as sharing a banned book suggestion on social media, reading a banned book to your child, or reading the library’s bill of rights. The library’s website also includes lists of banned books for: Children Teens Adults For more information on Banned Books Week, visit the Carnegie Library’s website.
September 9, 2024 Carnegie Library Presents Jane Addams Peace Award Author Dr. Michael Genhart The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Jane Addams Peace Association will host author Dr. Michael Genhart for an event in October. Learn More Genhart is the author of “Spanish is the Language of My Family,” a finalist title for the 2024 Jane Addams Peace Association book award. The author will discuss his picture book about a young boy preparing for his school’s Spanish language spelling bee while learning the stories of his relatives who faced adversity for speaking Spanish. The event is recommended for grades K-5 and their caregivers. It will take place on Oct. 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Library’s Hill District branch, located at 2177 Centre Ave. in Pittsburgh.
August 12, 2024 CLP Introduces Library of Things Collection Featuring Board Games and Activities The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has introduced its Library of Things, a collection of outdoor activities and board games that is available at all library locations. Outdoor Activities Library cards will give holders access to a variety of outdoor activities and games of various sizes. These include: A giant Connect Four game that’s four feet tall and wide Portable options such as tabletop curling and Bocce ball Pickleball and Spikeball sets A variety of other outdoor games are available at library branches. Board Games All Carnegie Library locations also feature board games, from role playing to epic quests that library card holders can use on a tabletop. These include: Trekking the World Azul: Master Chocolatier Dinner in Paris Really Loud Librarians Hanabi A list of more board games available at library locations can be found online. Those interested in using the library’s outdoor activities and board games can sign up for a library card online.
July 23, 2024 Report: Hundreds of Thousands Suffer from Food Insecurity in Allegheny County More than 140,000 people in Allegheny County are struggling with food insecurity, which is defined as a lack of access to adequate food that prevents individuals from leading a healthy life, according to a report by Feeding America. Learn More According to the report, food insecurity is associated with numerous social and health outcomes and is considered a critical public health issue. Key drivers of food insecurity include unemployment, poverty, and income shocks – or, a sudden decrease in a household’s income – which can prevent adequate access to food. A total of 142,190 Allegheny County residents – or 11.4% – were found to struggle with food insecurity, according to the report. Additionally, 44% of county residents were found to be above the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threshold, while 56% were below the threshold of 200%. The report’s map includes estimated food insecurity by race and ethnicity for select populations and places. The report’s methodology and data are also available. More Details More information on SNAP can be found on the state’s Department of Human Services website. Residents can apply online at COMPASS, via phone at 1-800-692-7462, or at a local county assistance office, which can be found online. Those applying for assistance will need to provide their name, birthday, address, gross income, and Social Security number. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh are offering food programs to provide free meals for children while they are out of school this summer. The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center operates a walk-in food distribution program every Monday.
July 1, 2024 Storytime: Family Fun The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is hosting storytime events in July and August in which children can develop literacy skills and take part in fun activities. Learn More The 30-minute events will combine stories, songs and action rhymes. Families will meet new friends and develop early literacy skills. The events are aimed at children from birth to five years and their caregivers. Storytime events run from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Mondays and are held at Carnegie Library’s Homewood branch. Upcoming storytime events include: July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Aug. 5 Aug. 12 Aug. 19 Aug. 26
Storytime: Family Fun The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is hosting storytime events in July and August in which children can develop literacy skills and take part in fun activities. Learn More The 30-minute events will combine stories, songs and action rhymes. Families will meet new friends and develop early literacy skills. The events are aimed at children from birth to five years and their caregivers. Storytime events run from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Mondays and are held at Carnegie Library’s Homewood branch. Upcoming storytime events include: July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Aug. 5 Aug. 12 Aug. 19 Aug. 26
