What's going on this summer in some of the Somerset County libraries?
Summer time is hopping at Somerset County's libraries and they sponsor a variety of programs for the communities. Here are some of the county's libraries' activities planned for July and August.
Mary S. Biesecker
The Mary S. Biesecker Public Library, 230 Rosina Avenue, Somerset, is featuring 2023 SummerQuest summer learning programs. The annual outdoor story times began in June and run at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, at the Union Street Playground. The stories are designed for toddlers, preschoolers and students grades kindergarden through second and will be held July 11 and 18.They’re also introducing Baby Rhyme Time for children under 2 years old. In case of inclement weather, the program will relocate to the library.As a participant in the Summer Youth Cafe Program, they will serve free lunch at the Union Street Playground from 11 a.m. to noon, on Tuesdays through July 18. Lunches are provided by the Summer Food Service Program of the Pittsburgh Food Bank. Sign up in advance so that they can prepare an appropriate amount of lunches.Older children and teens are also invited to take part in the summer learning program. These programs run through July 25. Grades 3-5 can register at the library and pick up a reading bingo card. If they are completed by July 25, return it to the library for a free book.
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Grades 6-12 can read at least two books and write two teen book reviews in order to be eligible for a free book. For anyone who’d prefer to keep track of the books online, sign up online to create an account on Beanstack. Read and complete the online activities to be eligible for a free book.Participants can also pick up a Badge Book at the library.For those interested in any of these programs, sign up using the online form at maryslibrary.com, by calling 814-445-4011 or registering in person at the library.
Windber
The Windber Public Library, 1909 Graham Ave., Windber, windlib@windberlibrary.org has classes and camps planned for the summer.Genealogy Class is 3-4 p.m. July 12, and 3-4 p.m. Aug. 2.STEAM Camp:littleBits Coders July 10–14, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn coding basics using the power of littleBits. Learn the basics of programming, how computers think and creative design. Campers will use drag and drop block-based programming to code hardware. Make games and inventions to test and play with friends and family. This is a great introduction to coding, thinking logically and developing problem solving skills. Ages 8 and up. Limit 14 attendees. Register online at https://cutt.ly/STEAM2023 or contact the library, 814-467-4950. Lunch will be provided.Lego Club 3-4 p.m. WednesdaysStory Time and Craft (summer themes) 11 a.m. Wednesdays July 5, 19, and 26, and Aug. 2 and 9.
Meyersdale
Meyersdale Public Library, 210 Center St., Meyersdale, has plenty of fun planned for the summer. Pre-registration is encouraged for these programs:On July 7 at 10 a.m., the Summer Quest program will kick off with a hockey-themed session, and a visit from Chopper, the mascot of the Johnstown Tomahawks.The Friday morning Summer Quest program is for children ages 2 through 11, at the Paul Fuller Playground Fridays from 10-11:30 a.m., with a final session at the Community Center gym Aug. 4. The fun includes stories, games and crafts. Children ages 5 and under must attend with an adult.The Summer Quest Teen Reading Challenge is the independent reading program for teens. After registering and picking up a log sheet, teens may log their time spent reading between July 7 and Aug. 4. Each hour completed in the log earns an entry into a drawing for the reader’s choice of four prizes. The program ends with a pizza party at 6 p.m. Aug. 4. Prizes include an iTunes gift card and an Amazon gift card.There are also books-made-into-movie sessions – pick up a copy of the book at the library, then come discuss it and watch a movie. Discussions for Tweens: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, at 2 p.m. July 12; The One and Only Ivan, at 2 p.m. Aug. 9. For Teens (high school): The Book Thief, 2 p.m. July 19; The Maze Runner, 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.
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The following program requires no pre-registration:Adult Reading Program: Adults are invited to fill out an entry slip for each book read during the time period July 7 through Aug. 4. There will be a weekly prize drawing. Prizes include gift cards for Thomas Drug Store and Sheetz.To register or for more information about any of these programs, stop by the library at Center and Main streets in Meyersdale, or call 814-634-0512.These programs are designed to promote Basic Literacy within the PA Forward® initiative for libraries. PA Forward® seeks to move Pennsylvania forward by promoting literacy. Meyersdale Public Library is a gold-star-level library in the PA Forward® Star Library Program.
Somerset County/Conemaugh Township
The SummerQuest 2023 catalog of activities for Somerset County Library and its Conemaugh Township Library branch can be found here: SummerQuest – Somerset County Library (somersetcolibrary.org) This summer the libraries are developing teamwork, friendship and community. They have a variety of camps for all interests, plus Summer Reading & Activity challenges for all ages (including adults) at the main Somerset location and the Conemaugh Township Branch libraries.
Everyone that completes the challenge will be entered into a drawing for $50 Local Loot gift certificates, good at many businesses around Somerset County. There will be a winner in each of the four age groups ― preschool, elementary, teen and adult.
Somerset County Library meets at 10 a.m. each Friday for SummerQuest Club with activities and stories for pre-school and elementary ages groups. For the teens they are meeting at the same time for a SummerQuest Game Day, offering teens an opportunity to hang out with friends in a safe environment. Conemaugh Township Library's SummerQuest Club meets at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays.
In addition to the Summer Reading and Activity Challenges, several STEAM camps in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics are being offered for children and teens ages 8 and up through the SCFLS STEAM Initiative. Free advance registration is required for summer camps, register online at https://cutt.ly/STEAM2023 or by calling the host library. All of the summer camps are currently full except for the Teen Podcasting Camp to be held Aug. 2-4 at Somerset County Library's main location and the littleBits Coders Camp for ages 8 and up to be held at Windber Public Library July 10-14.
People may request to be added to a waiting list in the event that somebody who is currently registered is unable to attend. A free lunch is being provided for children 18 and under each day that a summer camp or summer Quest Club is open. They will be celebrating the end of our SummerQuest programming with a visit from the Johnstown Tomahawk's Chopper on Aug. 11.
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The AIU8 STEM Outreach Center will be presenting a free all day Summer Camp Aug. 15, at the Somerset County Library that is geared toward girls 9-12. Elevate-Her will offer activities such as mindfulness, hiking, coding, a picnic lunch, games and other STEM activities. Registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/2023ElevateHer
For adults and families: The Upcycling Workshop that was scheduled for July 11 has been canceled because of the unavailability of the presenter. They will be doing an upcycling craft on July 18 during Ms. Beth's Craft Corner. Join Ms. Beth in creating a T-shirt bag or a bug motel.
Year-round activities for all ages also continue. This month the Wednesday 6 p.m. Computer How-to classes will include creating Google Forms, how to use Canva and Computer Basics. The Next Chapter Book Club is starting a new book so now is the perfect time to join at 5 p.m. Tuesdays.
Somerset County Library is at 6022 Glades Pike, Suite 120, Somerset, 814-445-5907. http://somersetcolibrary.org.
Conemaugh Township Public Library is at the Hollsopple Community Building, 959 South Main St., Hollsopple, 814-479-0766.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: What's going on this summer in some of Somerset County libraries?
