�� Blooming with Books: A Family Literacy Celebration ��
This May we celebrate National Get Caught Reading Month with Blooming with Books, a fun and flowery family literacy event! Families are invited to enjoy a variety of hands-on activities that blend the beauty of spring with the magic of reading. Snap a photo in our whimsical “Get Caught Reading” garden photo area, craft paper blossoms featuring your favorite book titles, and add your creations to our community display! Plant a reading garden to grow both flowers and imagination, and don’t miss our Read-Aloud Garden Party, full of garden magic and floral fun. It’s the perfect way to celebrate spring and share the joy of books together! Drop in - no registration needed
Summer Reading Family Events
Join us for a colorful summer of creativity, fun, and imagination! The Community Library of Allegheny Valley invites families to dive into our Color Our World summer reading program with exciting events and activities for all ages.
�� Kickoff Event: Carnival of Colors
��June 13 from 4:00-6)) pm
�� Celebrate the start of summer with a fun-filled carnival! Enjoy classic games, win prizes, and get creative with fabric markers to design your own pencil case. Treat yourself to carnival favorites like hot dogs, chips, and freezer pops. Plus, sign up for the summer reading program and start your colorful adventure!
�� Family Fun Saturdays: Color Our World
�� Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
�� Drop by each week for a new art adventure! Families can collaborate on hands-on projects inspired by different colors, textures, and creative techniques. These all-day activities are perfect for sparking imagination and making memories together.
�� Life-Sized Candyland Adventure
��July 26 from 5:00-7:00 pm
�� Step into a larger-than-life version of the classic board game! Travel through colorful lands, encounter sweet surprises, and race to the candy castle. This whimsical experience is fun for the whole family – no game pieces required, just your imagination!
�� Creative Chaos – Family Art Event
�� July 30 from 1:00-3:00 pm
�� Let your creativity run wild in this free-form art extravaganza! Families can collaborate on large-scale projects, experiment with different mediums, and embrace the beautiful mess of making art together. Wear clothes that can handle a splash of color!
�� Color Our World Art Exhibit – Summer Reading Finale
�� August 2 from 5:00-7:00 pm
�� Celebrate a summer of creativity at our Color Our World Art Exhibit! Enjoy a display of artwork created by all ages throughout the summer. This exhibit showcases the imagination, skill, and colorful spirit of our community. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of artistic expression and summer fun!
S.T.E.M. Social: Explore, Create, and Discover!
Join us for a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) experience where you can explore, create, and discover at your own pace! This selfguided program lets you choose from a variety of STEMrelated activities for the whole family that will challenge your creativity and problem-solving skills Code with Code-a-Pillar, build exciting circuits with Snap Circuits, explore mechanical computers powered by marbles with Turing Tumble, or design your dream creations with Keva Planks and Magna-Tiles. Most activities are suitable for age 8 and older, on a first-come, first-serve basis while time and space permits Drop in No registration needed
Carnival of Colors –Summer Reading Kickoff!
Join us as we kick off our Color Our World summer reading program with a Carnival of Colors celebration! �� Enjoy carnival games and activities. Savor classic refreshments like hot dogs, chips, and freezie pops. �� Plus, this is your chance to sign up for the summer reading program and start your colorful adventure!
�� Date: Friday, June 13
⏰ Time: 4 to 6 pm
Don’t miss this fun-filled event that sets the stage for a summer of creativity, imagination, and colorful exploration! ��
Get ready to discover new adventures and timeless favorites at our Scholastic Book Fair! �� Explore a wide selection of books for all ages, from exciting new releases to beloved classics. Every purchase helps support our library and encourages a love of reading.
Saturday, May 31st - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday, June 2nd - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 3rd - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 4h - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 5th - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday June 6th - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Local History Department Hours
Monday-Thursday: 12:00-6:00 pm
Closed Friday / Saturday by appointment
Call the library at 724-226-3491 to schedule appointments.
Questions for local history requests my be emailed to: alvalley@einetwork.net
Sip & Stitch
Wednesday, May 14
2:00-4:00 pm
Bring any tapestry or needlework such as sewing, embroidery, lace, knitting, crochet, weaving, etc. to our Sip & Stitch monthly sessions. Enjoy provided refreshments (coffee & tea) while chatting with other crafters. Ages 16 and up.
Adult Craft: Star Spangled Centerpiece
Monday, May 19
5:30-6:45 pm
We’ll be making patriotic centerpieces for our upcoming national summer holidays. Bring some red, white & blue faux flowers and dollar store bling if possible to fill in the pails. Enjoy your favorite drinks & snacks. Adults only. Please register
Anime Club
Wednesday, May 14
5:00-7:00 pm
Join our group of fellow anime enthusiasts for good discussions, food, and showings of awesome anime! While this group is focused for adults, any teens grade 9 and up are welcome. If you are under 18, please provide a permission slip to attend. Permission slips are available at the library's front desk. Please register to attend.
50 Book Club Challen
Tuesday, May 27 5:30-7:00 pm
The library challenges you to read 50 books in a year, and it’s never too late to start! Share your latest reads, swap your book recommendations, and socialize with fellow readers.
This is a very fun and relaxed structure that allows you to share in all things reading. Registration is not necessary.
The Kitchen Sink Book Club
Wednesday, Wednesday, May 28 | 5:30-7:00 pm Wednesday, June 25 | 5:30-6:30 pm
We’ll read Woman With a Secret by Sophie Hannah in May a dark and chilling psychological thriller in which a woman desperate to hide a devastating secret in her past is drawn into a murder investigation.
For June, our book choice is The Heiress of Pittsburgh by New York Times bestselling author Ken Gormley, who delivers a powerful drama about the decent, largely-forgotten qualities that once were the bedrock of simple towns whose inhabitants built America The Heiress of Pittsburgh reawakens hope that the precious qualities of past generations can be reimagined to create a dazzling new future. But only if a few courageous people are willing to boldly redefine success
Starting June1
Meet the Crew: Suzy, Library Director
Suzy Ruskin has been a familiar and welcoming presence at the Community Library of Allegheny Valley for the past seven years. She first joined the library team in 2018 as Circulation Manager and has served as Library Director since 2021
A lifelong Pittsburgh resident, Suzy lives in the suburb of Dormont with her husband of 20 years, John, and their two sons, Alex and Henry
Suzy’s love of reading began with Charlotte’s Web, the first book she remembers falling in love with as a child. That early spark turned into a lifelong passion she reads across all genres, always has a book by her side at night, and enjoys audiobooks during her daily drives. Among her favorite authors are Frederik Backman and Louise Penny, whose storytelling continues to inspire her
Whether she’s helping shape library programs, recommending a good book, or chatting with patrons, Suzy brings warmth and enthusiasm to everything she does. Stop by and say hello you’re likely to leave with a great book suggestion!
Color Our World Summer Reading Program 2025
Join us for a colorful, creative, and fun-filled summer at the library! Our Color Our World Summer Reading Program is designed for all ages babies through adults. This year, we’re celebrating the vibrant spectrum of life through reading, arts and crafts, exciting programs, and special guests
The program runs for 7 weeks, from June 13 to August 2, with a variety of activities to inspire all ages to explore new books, unleash their creativity, and engage with the world around them.
Weekly Activities
Throughout the summer, we’ll host a variety of programs, from interactive storytimes for younger children to arts and crafts sessions and challenges for teens and adults. Each week offers something new to spark your imagination and bring out your inner artist.
Track Your Progress with Beanstack
This year, we’ll be using Beanstack to track your summer reading and participation! Simply sign up online or through the Beanstack app, where you can log your reading, complete challenges, and earn rewards as you go. Whether you’re reading for fun or completing special tasks, Beanstack makes it easy to stay on top of your progress and celebrate your achievements.
Reading Incentives and Prizes
Earn points by reading books, attending events, and completing fun challenges! Every participant has the chance to win exciting prizes, including books, art supplies, and special rewards for completing milestones along the way
Our Website www.alleghenyvalleylibrary.org
Facebook @CommunityLibrary ofAlleghenyValley
Instagram @clavlibrary
Pinterest @clavharrisonlib
YouTube @CLAVLibrary
Library Hours
Monday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Friday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
