At the library: Here are some upcoming programs at Northland Public Library

Preview screening set on ‘Free for All’ documentary

Northland Public Library is giving the public the opportunity to view the documentary “Free for All: The Public Library” before it premieres April 29 on PBS.

The screening will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 11 in the library’s upper level of the adult nonfiction area.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

“Free for All” tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen. From the pioneering women behind the Free Library Movement to today’s librarians who service the public despite working in a contentious age of closures and book bans, meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free and the doors are open to all.

To learn more about the documentary and its filmmakers, visit pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/free-for-all.

Registration is required. Tosign up, register online through the event calendar, stop by the Ask a Librarian Desk or call the library at 412-366-8100, ext. 113.

Notice to patrons

The library will be closed on April 20 for Easter.

Volunteers needed for library’s book sale

Northland Public Library is looking for volunteers to help with its Spring Book Sale.

Volunteers are needed to help set up, sell items and tear down after the four-day event.

To sign up, visit the volunteer page at northlandlibrary.org. For questions, contact Kelley Moten at motenk2@northlandlibrary.org.

The public is invited to beat the crowds and register for the preview sale from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 1.

Registration, which opened April 1 and runs until April 30, costs $10 — or patrons can pay $15 at the door. Space is limited to 60 attendees, and tickets are not refundable.

To register, visit https://northlandpubliclibraryfoundation. salsalabs.org/Spring2025BookSale.

The regular book sale will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 and 3. There will be a $5 bag sale from 1 to 4 p.m. May 4; bags will be provided by library staff.

Programs for adults

• Pittsburgh’s Historic Ballparks: 6 to 7 p.m. April 10

Mark Fatla, a lifelong baseball fan and author of “Pittsburgh’s Historic Ballparks” (Arcadia Press, 2023), chronicles the nine ballparks that hosted Major League Baseball in Pittsburgh between 1876 and today, including the Negro Leagues. Historic photographs illustrate design and construction phases, the major changes as parks expanded and aged, and eventually their demolition. Registration is required.

• Identity Theft: What Every Consumer Should Know: 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 14

Each year, more than 10 million Americans have their personal information — including name, Social Security number, bank account or credit card number — stolen. Join Phil Little from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General as he talks about identity theft tactics, steps to take to protect your identity and personal information and information on reporting identity theft. This is a virtual session and a Zoom link will be emailed the week of the program. Registration is required.

• Simplify Your Shakespeare: 6 to 7 p.m. April 21

Join Northland staff and friends as they perform monologues and scenes from famous works while talking about the plays and giving context for the scenes, helping you fully appreciate the bard’s words. Registration is required.

Programs for young people

• Middle School Writing Group: 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 7

This gathering held the first Wednesday of each month is for students in grades 5-8 who enjoy creative writing and would like to meet other students with similar interests. Join us for writing games, group writing exercises and interesting prompts. Bring your notebook or laptop because there will be plenty of unstructured time to start a new project or continue working on an old one, as well as opportunities to share your work, if you wish. No registration is required.

• Animal Crossing Club: 4 to 5 p.m. April 15

Villagers ages 10 to 16 can join us as we collaboratively build Northland’s island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch. Villagers can bring their own Switches to show off their own islands, but no experience with the game is necessary to participate. No registration required.

• Nature Friends Storytime: 10 to 10:30 a.m. April 15

Children 3 to 5 are invited to join us for nature-themed stories, songs and library fun. No registration is required, but space is limited.

Ongoing programs

• Crafting With Ms. Kim: 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Thursday

Children 3 and older can create a 15-minute craft with Ms. Kim. This is a drop-in program. Meet in the program room in the CATS Department near the Early Readers.

• Pajama Storytime: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. last Wednesday of each month

For families with children in preschool through third grade. Pajamas are optional — but welcome — as we listen to stories, songs and action rhymes to get the wiggles out. A simple art activity will round out the evening.

• Movie Matinee: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 16

Adults are welcome to a showing of “Discover London.” The film offers a tour of the Bloomsbury and Marylebone neighborhoods. In Bloomsbury, there will be stops at Charles Dickens’ house, the Silver Vaults, a posh umbrella store and the Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School. In Marylebone, the Wallace Collection will be highlighted, featuring the paintings of Frans Hals, Peter Paul Rubens and other old masters. We’ll also learn how the streets of London received their names. Mark your calendars: The May 21 showing will be “Nowhere Special,” a film set in Northern Ireland about a terminally ill father who needs to find a new family for his 4-year-old son.

For a full listing of events, activities and ongoing groups, and to register for programs at Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless, visit northlandlibrary.org.

Workshop to explore writing authentic dialogue

Pittsburgh author Carrie Ann DiRisio will lead a workshop on “Dynamic Dialogue” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 1 via Zoom.

Participants will learn how to master the art of natural, compelling conversations to reveal character, advance plot and engage readers with tension and emotion.

To sign up, register online through the event calendar, stop by the Ask a Librarian Desk or call the library at 412-366-8100, ext 113.

A Zoom link will be emailed the week of the program.

DiRisio writes young adult works and is the creator of @BroodingYAHero.

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