Biesecker library announces summer programming schedule
The Mary S. Biesecker Public Library is excited to announce its library summer programming. Besides the annual summer reading events, they’re offering other exciting new learning opportunities for children and teenagers.
This year, they're offering young readers "Oceans of Possibilities" with the annual summer story time. They’re holding the story times at 10 a.m. Tuesdays June 14, 21, 28 and July 5 and 12 at the Union Street Playground. Toddlers, preschoolers and children grades kindergarten-second (and their parents) can join for stories, sing-a-longs, games and other fun activities every week.
Children grades 3 through 5 can join the self-directed summer reading programs. Participants can sign up at the library, pick up a reading log and read for 30 minutes each week between June 14 and July 12. In order to be eligible for a free book, children must complete one activity in the log each week. Children and adults are also welcome to register for the online summer reading challenges through Beanstack.
They’re also teaming up with the Penn State Master Gardeners of Somerset County (Penn State Extension) to offer the Budding Gardeners Program for kids from kindergarten through fifth grade. These meetings will be from 10-11 a.m. Thursdays June 16, 23 and 30 and July 7 at the Mary S. Biesecker Public Library. Special instructors from the community will teach children gardening, seeds and germination, the parts that make up a plant, worms and compost tips, and what kind of bugs you'll find in the garden, while working to create and maintain their own gardens.
While the summer programs continue, children and teens can join at 11 a.m. for the Summer Youth Cafe on Tuesdays at the playground and Thursdays at the library. They're working with the Summer Food Services Program of the Pittsburgh Food Bank to provide free lunches to anyone under 18.
Finally, they’re partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA, Carnegie Mellon University, PPG, and NVIDIA to host a free Artificial Intelligence Pathways Institute program in Somerset. Students in grades 9-12 will spend three weeks, from July 25 to Aug. 12, exploring the basics of AI, debating the intricacies of living with AI in our complex human society, understanding how Artificial Intelligence is used through fun hands-on projects, touringAI rich industries, and designing and creating AI projects that allow us to affect our society.
Participating students receive such experiences as visiting innovative local technology companies, a monetary stipend of $500, and a certificate from Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Academy upon passing a proficiency exit exam. Second or Third Year AIPI students may apply for and be placed in internships.
To sign up for any of these programs, parents can visit the website at maryslibrary.com, call thelibrary at 814-445-4011 or visit the library in person.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Mary S. Biesecker library announces summer programming schedule
