Check out these upcoming programs at the Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg libraries
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The Cooper-Siegel Community Library and its Sharpsburg branch offer a variety of programming for visitors of all ages.
To view a complete list of offerings, visit coopersiegel.librarycalendar.com. Events at both libraries are listed and can be viewed according to age group and location.
Registration is required for most programs as space is limited and some programs fill up quickly. In some cases, drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
Registration through the online calendar is encouraged when possible so staff members can plan accordingly. To register by phone, call the respective libraries at 412-828-9520 for Cooper-Siegel and 412-781-0783 for the Sharpsburg branch.
Regular operating hours at Cooper-Siegel Community Library, 403 Fox Chapel Road in Fox Chapel, are from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Regular operating hours at Sharpsburg Community Library, 1212 Main St., are from 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; the branch is closed on Sundays.
Here are some upcoming events:
Cooper-Siegel Community Library
Kids
• Sing Me a Story Time (ages 0-18 months): 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. Nov. 12
Join us for snuggly, giggly fun that features songs, rhymes and stories for babies and their caregivers. The interactive story time provides ways to explore literacy with babies and is a great way to connect with other families with children of the same age.
• Make-n-Take … Yarn Pumpkin (grades K-6): 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12
Visit the craft room for this hands-on fall project that you get to take home with you. Mark your calendars: The Nov. 19 project will be harvest corn, and the Nov. 26 project will be shell turkeys.
• Saturday STEM with FCAHS Society of Women Engineers (grades 2-5): 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16
Students from Fox Chapel Area High School’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE NEXT) will explore various STEM concepts. Participants will experiment with science, technology, engineering and math concepts through hands-on challenges.
• Pokémon Club (ages 6-11): 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 16
Stop by to show off your cards, trade cards or play the Pokémon card game. A librarian or teen volunteers will monitor the trading of cards to make sure they are fair. There will be no Pokémon Club in December.
Teens
• Teen After Hours (grades 6-12): 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 15
Join us for Teen After Hours every third Friday of the month. There will be pizza and snacks. Come and play video games, sing karaoke, play hide and seek in the library with the lights off and more. This month’s special activity is Ghost Hunt.
• Crochet ’n Things (teens and adults): 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21
Drop in to crochet, knit or do any other fun yarn craft. Finley will be on hand to teach you how to crochet. Supplies are provided or bring your own. The library receives donations of yarn on a regular basis and has extra crochet hooks and knitting needles to start you on your yarn journey.
• Teen Art Club (ages 11-18): 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 7
Hang out and make some art. Participants can work on their own project or try out the art supplies out for that day, such as 3D printing, watercolors, digital art, cross stitch and more. Drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
Adults
• Author Talk — Stephen Graf: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7
Pittsburgh native Stephen Graf will discuss his debut novel, “The Third Traveler.” Graf’s novel spans three continents and four decades, exploring the intricate saga of an Irish family through triumphs and tribulations. The novel moves from Ireland to Antarctica to New York City and tells the story of three generations of Irishmen and the consequences of loss, regret and fear.
• Purls of Wisdom: 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 10
Knitters of all ages and experience levels are welcome to join Fox Chapel Area’s knitting circle. Bring your current work in progress and enjoy conversation, community and informal instruction. New knitters are always welcome — bring yarn and needles if you have them or just bring yourself if you don’t. Extra needles and yarn will be available for the knit-curious.
• The History of North Park: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13
On Feb. 11, 1927, Allegheny County’s commissioners passed a resolution establishing North and South parks. North Park, at 3,094 acres, is the largest park in the system. In fact, it’s more than 1,000 acres larger than South Park. Learn about its history from Allegheny County Parks.
• Art Workshop: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 14
Participants are welcome to join other artists and craftspeople to share projects, work together and learn from each other. Bring something you’re working on. All mediums are welcome, but bring your own materials. The space contains a sink. Beginners also are welcome; just let us know what you want to learn about and we can help get you started. Participants should park in the back of the library and enter on the ground floor. Space fills up quickly.
• Art Lecture … Abstract Expressionism: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 16
IUP professor Kimberlyn Bloise, a ceramic artist from Monroeville, will look at the processes of art making and the motivations of artists with critical examinations of how art and many aspects of society are interconnected.
Mark your calendars
• Breakfast With the Grinch at the Sharpsburg VFW: 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 1
Registration is open now for this Sharpsburg Community Library fundraiser. Tickets are $10 each.
• First Friday Fun: Gingerbread Edition: 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 at Sharpsburg
Drop in during First Friday for our annual Gingerbread House project. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. One house per family. This project is recommended for school-age children through adults. It will take at least 15 minutes.
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Library (18 and older): 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Cooper-Siegel
Dancing Gnome Brewery presents its quarterly, live comedy fundraiser featuring Pittsburgh’s best comedians. The headliner is Harriet Riley with host/opener McKinnlee McElroy. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online. All proceeds benefit the Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg libraries.
• Live Reading of “A Christmas Carol” (10 and older): 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 8 at Sharpsburg and 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 at Cooper-Siegel
An actor in period costume will read Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” by candlelight. Dickens’ novella was first published on Dec. 19, 1843.
• 2nd Annual Cookie Walk Fundraiser: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at Cooper-Siegel
Leave the holiday baking to us. Stop by to get your holiday cookies and support the library. Cookies will be $10 per dozen. Stick around for some hot cocoa. For details or to volunteer as a baker, email Dana Zinza at zinzad@coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org. Have children ages 5-11? They can build a mini-gingerbread house from 10:30 a.m. to noon while you shop for cookies. All proceeds benefit the Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg libraries.
Sharpsburg Community Library
Kids
• Read With Mishka (grades K-6): 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 8
Mishka, a certified therapy dog, and her handler are on hand for youngsters to read to and meet. They visit the library on the second Friday of every month. Registration is encouraged. The kids will take turns reading aloud to Mishka. Pre-K children are welcome with an accompanying adult, and drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
• PALS Meet-up (kids through adults): 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 9
Join parents and other families for this informal PALS meet-up, which meets monthly on the second Saturday. PALS, Parent Advocates for Learning Support, is a group of parents concerned about their children’s learning differences and their progress through the school system. The group offers mutual support, education and skill development. Membership includes parents of children with a variety of mental or physical concerns.
• Painting Studio (grades K-5): 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11
The season’s changes are most apparent when studying trees. Participants will read a story about trees and create a painting of their favorite season. Supplies will be provided, and different painting techniques will be taught. The session meets on the second Monday of each month. This staff-led program is free, but donations are welcome.
Teens
• Telltale Skulls with Tree Pittsburgh (grades 6-12): 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11
Maeve Rafferty from Tree Pittsburgh will present this hands-on activity that allows exploration of skull anatomies and adaptations of animals people might not know they share the city with. This program is made possible through Richard King Mellon grant funding. Space is limited so register early.
• Video Game Hangout (grades 6-12): 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20
Stop by the Teen Space on the third Wednesday each month to hang out and play video games on the Nintendo Switch and PS5 with Mr. Finley and your friends. The staff-led program is free, but donations are welcome.
Adults
• Workshop with The Writing Studio: 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 18
One November ritual is giving thanks. In this workshop, participants will read several poets who have written about gratitude. Then, everyone will write their our own poem that captures the same spirit. Supplies will be provided. This presenter-led program is free, but donations are welcome.
• Sharpsburg Sleuths Mystery Book Club: 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 19
This club meets monthly after the library closes. This month, the group is reading “Fateful Words” by Paige Shelton, one of the Scottish Bookshop mysteries. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Zoom is available for those who prefer to meet virtually.