December 2022

Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

9AM 9AM 9AM 1PM

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9PM 6PM 5PM 5PM

(412) 741-6920 | www.sewickleylibrary.org

The library will be CLOSED Saturday, December 24 through Monday, December 26.

The library will CLOSE AT 5PM on Saturday, December 31.

In this issue Executive Director Announces Retirement Page 3

A Sweet Gift for the Holidays - We’re Going Fine-Free!

Sewickley Public Library Will No Longer Charge Late Fees

In Rememberance Page 8 Free Online Access to National Newspapers Page 10

Sometimes the best gifts don’t cost a penny, and that’s the case this year for the Sewickley Public Library! We want to make sure everyone has access to library books, movies, and resources - regardless of circumstances. So we’re removing the barriers that keep folks away from the library!

Starting December 1, 2022, the Sewickley Public Library will no longer charge late/ overdue fees on any of items we lend.

Books, movies, audiobooks, music—there will be no fees if you return them late.

Any items checked out at the Sewickley Public Library will not have overdue fines, even if you return them to another library.

And any materials returned to SPL will not have overdue fines, even if you checked them out from another library.

Already have an existing overdue fine on your account? Not anymore! We’re waiving

all overdue fines for users who live in the (Continued on page 2...)

Find Holiday Cheer at the Library on Light Up Night

Library is Going “Fine Free”! (...continued from page 1)

Kick-off the holidays with fun and good

Quaker Valley School

cheer at the library! Sewickley’s annual

District starting Dec 1 to

Light Up Night returns Friday,

give all of our users a

December 2nd! The Sewickley Public

fresh-start.

Library welcomes you to stop by the

Does this mean you can

library for festive fun between 5-8pm!

keep items forever? No. Fine-free does not mean

We invite you to warm up inside with some

consequence-free. If you

jolly tunes from Chris Burgh’s Middle School String Students.

lose/damage/never

Following the performance, you can also belt your heart out

return materials, the

to holiday hits at our karaoke station in the Reference

library will still charge

Department. For a truly memorable moment, stop by our

replacement fees for

holiday photo booth where you can pose for pics with your

those items.

family and friends in front of holiday-inspired scenes.

What this does mean for

Little ones can spend the evening creating their own tokens of

many of our library

holiday cheer at the kids craft stations throughout the

users is that we are removing barriers. We understand that

Children’s Department.

our users are busy. Life can get in the way and sometimes

The library will close at 4pm to prepare for the event &

returning library books on-time isn’t a top priority. We want to

reopen again at 5pm. This festive evening of merriment and

make sure library users can continue accessing the library’s

delight is sure to start your holiday off right!

valuable resources without fear of racking up a debt in fines if they are a few days late. (Here’s looking at you Children’s Picture Books!)

Call for Library Memorabilia

But doesn’t the library need the money for it’s budget? Less

The Sewickley Public Library will celebrate its 150th

than .05% of the library’s budget comes from overdue fines.

anniversary in 2023! In order to tell the full story of the library,

The mission of Sewickley Public Library is to “serve as a center

we’re in search of memorabilia related to the library’s lengthy

for lifelong learning by providing free access to informational,

history.

educational, cultural and recreational library resources…” We believe this action will better help us serve our mission by

Do you have photographs of the library from your childhood?

eliminating barriers to access for users that need our services

Did your parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, have any

the most. We continually explore additional ways to

keepsakes or souvenirs from their time spent at the library?

supplement the library operating budget.

Were you a member of the Friends

Will people still return their materials in a timely manner?

of the Library or Board of Directors

Evidence shows yes! At least 29 libraries in Allegheny County

who held on to interesting artifacts?

are already fine-free. Launched as a pilot in 2019, the fine-free

We’d love to display them!

initiative has shown increased circulation and patron

If you have memorabilia you’d like

registrations, with no significant change in the rate of items

to share for the historic occasion,

that are overdue. Too often, patrons that accrue high overdue

please snap a photo of the items

fines never return to the library and never return the items. By

and email it to

going fine-free, the Sewickley Public Library aims to get both

clearym@sewickleylibrary.org.

our patrons and materials back in the library.

Please send all submissions by

For more information about SPL’s Fine Free program, visit

Friday, December 23rd. We will

sewickleylibrary.org/fine-free.

let you know if we can include it in our display in 2023!

SEWICKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued on page 6...)

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Executive Director Set to Retire After 25 Years

C

arolyn Toth, Executive Director of directors, Friends of the Library, Quaker staff. I leave the library in their capable the Sewickley Public Library, has Valley School District, local nonprofits hands, and know that they will continue announced her plans to retire in and businesses to ensure that the library to serve the community well.”

early 2023. Carolyn’s career spanned 35 reflects the community that helps fund it. years in public library service. She joined “I was welcomed into the Sewickley the Sewickley Public Library in 1998 and community where I raised my daughter, has spent the last 25 years overseeing a Lindsay, in the Quaker Valley School beloved community asset.

Carolyn,

a

native

of

Please join us in congratulating Carolyn on her distinguished career and thanking her for her service to the Sewickley community. Carolyn will be missed by her staff and all those library users

Bethel

Park,

developed a love of books and libraries from a young age. After starting out working in retail, she decided to go back to graduate school for library science in her late 20s. Before coming to Sewickley, Carolyn worked for nine years as the director of the Castle Shannon Public Library.

From the outset of her time at Sewickley, Carolyn was tasked with overseeing major change. Under her direction, the

“[The Sewickley community] made my job an easy one to love.”

library completed a major construction

who’ve gotten to know her over the

years!

The board of directors will soon begin their search for Sewickley’s next director.

They plan to introduce the new director in early 2023. For those who would like to

honor

Carolyn’s

long

and

distinguished service to the library, the board suggest gifts be made to the library’s

endowment

in

her

honor,

ensuring library staff has the necessary operating resources required to carry

her legacy far into the future.

project expanding the library from 8,800 District” says Toth. “It is a special place to 23,800 square feet. The expansion where people care about education, and added a second floor with a children’s consistently show their love and support department, meeting rooms, and space for the library. They made my job an for growth. That growth came in the way easy one to love.” of larger collections, an expanded staff, The last 25 years has seen dramatic and space for programming for all ages. shifts in how we get information, She led the library through a period of consume media, and use technology. exponential growth in library circulation Carolyn helped lead Sewickley Public and visitors yearly. Carolyn and her staff Library as it adapted to these changes. worked to make the library a welcome Adopting the latest technologies and place for everyone in the Quaker Valley hiring staff who could assist the public and surrounding communities. Annual with them was crucial. She saw the circulation of materials doubled between importance of diversifying the library 2001

and

2021.

The

library

now collections as media formats have welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually. changed. In 2021, eBooks accounted for Carolyn has become a well known “face more than 20 percent of the library’s of the library” and a pillar of the civic overall circulation. Toth says, “I believe in community in Sewickley over her career. hiring good people, and the secret to the She has worked with the library board of library’s success is the strength of our

Executive Director, Carolyn Toth, joined the Sewickley Public Library in 1998.

SEWICKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT 3

MOTHER GOOSE ON THE LOOSE Tuesdays | 10am, 11am & 1pm Build your baby’s reading readiness skills through music, stories, and movement in this nationally acclaimed early literacy program for babies and toddlers. For children 0-3 years old with a caregiver. Weekly registration required.

STORIES FOR TWOS & THREES Wednesdays | 10am & 11am Stories, songs, rhymes, and more help build early literacy skills in this thirtyminute class. Children 30 months to 48 months (2 ½ to 4), with a caregiver.

Please, no older children. Weekly registration required.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME Thursdays | 10am Join us for reading, singing, and learning together in this thirty-minute class for preschoolers. Ages 4 entering Kindergarten, without a caregiver. Weekly registration required.

FAMILY BLOCK PARTY Saturdays | 10:30am-12pm (No program 12/10 or 12/31) It’s a Block Party! PLAY, BUILD, READ and LEARN together with blocks.

Develop hand-eye coordination and learn STEAM concepts.

Birth-age 6.

Winter Break: No Storytimes December 19 - January 8

HOLIDAY WREATH MAKING Thurs | Dec 1 | 4-5pm

STORIES IN ART WITH SWEETWATER CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The Village Garden Club of Sewickley will show us how to make our own holiday wreaths, from grapevine frames, using

Thurs | Dec 8 | 6:30-7:30pm Join the art educators from Sweetwater Center for the Arts for an art class at the

fresh evergreens. Please bring a bow or a library! This class will combine the art of small holiday decoration for your storytelling with art! During these classes’ wreaths. Space is limited, please children will be introduced to different register. GRADES 3-8.

Note of appreciation: Long time Holiday Wreath making volunteer, Susan Craig, passed away this fall. In honor of her dedication to this program, the Village Garden Club of Sewickley will continue to host this event in her memory.

PARACHUTE PLAY Fri | Dec 2 | 11-11:30am Thirty minutes of activities that includes music, creative movement and fun, all with one colorful parachute! AGES 2-5, WITH ADULT. Registration required.

FAMILY STORY TIME AT OHIO TOWNSHIP NATURE CENTER Mon | Dec 5 | 10am Sewickley Public Library is hosting a family storytime inside the Ohio Township Nature Center. Join us for

styles of art, and have the opportunity to use various art mediums and materials to create marvelous masterpieces based on our storybook theme!

GRADES 2-5.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVENT Sat | Dec 10 | various times New this year, we have 4 time slots to choose from: 11am, 11:45am, 12:30pm OR 1:15pm You supply the imagination—we supply the fixings! Decorate your own Gingerbread House made with graham crackers, Royal Icing and plenty of sweets! Please bring a shipping box to transport your creation home.

Registration required. Family program.

TWEEN GINGERBREAD HOUSE stories, songs, and a craft-kit to go for the Mon | Dec 12 | 4pm whole family. Weekly registration Why do all the little kids get required. Family program. all the fun? Join us for a TREE LIGHTING AT OHIO TOWNSHIP Gingerbread House COMMUNITY PARK program for Tweens Tues | Dec 6 | 5:30-8:30pm Grade 3 and up! Make Celebrate the holidays with our friends at your dream house Ohio Township Community Park. Miss out of candy while Bridget will be there passing out crafts we watch a holiday and free books. There will be other fun movie! Registration activities like the Holiday StoryWalk, a lit required. tree trail, meet Santa and more!

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DOG TALES Sun | Dec 11 | 2-3pm

building awesome Lego creations. We supply the Legos, you supply the

learn? How about a seasoned chess master? Come to learn, expand your

Certified Therapy Dogs LOVE to be read to! Come pick out a picture book of your choice and snuggle up with a furry

creativity. No registration required, just drop into the Children’s Department at any time during Lego Club to show off

knowledge, and just have fun in our Chess Club for kids in Grades 1-7. The library will provide some chess sets.

reading companion. Join us for a 15minute time slot to read to a dog.

GRADES K-5. Registration required.

your skills! GRADES 1-5.

Registration required.

WINTER CRAFT TO-GO KITS Sat | Dec 17 | starting at 9am

A MOUSE CHRISTMAS Tues | Dec 27 | 2-3pm

LEGO CLUB Thurs | Dec 15 | 6:30-7:30pm Put your building skills to work by

Stop by the Children’s Department to pick up a winter-themed Craft To-Go Kit! Supplies and instructions are included.

Celebrate the holiday with your favorite mouse. Join us for a craft, snack, and viewing of If You Give a Mouse a Christmas

These kits are geared for children preschool to 2nd Grade. Available while supplies last.

Cookie (Not Rated). Family Program.

TODDLER DANCE PARTY Sat | Dec 17 | 10:30-11am Little ones learn so much through

Ring in the New Year at the library! Join us for a very special New Year’s Eve

movement! Join us to dance, jump, shake, clap & more! For children 1-3 years old with a caregiver. Registration

party as we celebrate twelve hours early! There will be activities, stories,

HOLIDAY MOVIE – HOME ALONE Thurs | Dec 29 | 1-3pm Looking for something to do between Christmas and New Year’s? Join us for an afternoon of holiday movies & popcorn! Don’t forget to bring your blanket & pillow for movie time. Home Alone (Rated PG) Family Program.

Save the Dates Mark your calendars for these upcoming programs after the new year!

Preschool & Kindergarten Open House Wednesday, January 25 from 6:30 – 8pm (snow date – Wednesday, February 1 from 6:30 – 8pm)

Battle of the Books 4/5 Grade Parent Zooms: BOB 4th Grade Parent Meeting on Zoom Thursday, January 26 from 6:30-7:15pm BOB 5th Grade Parent Meeting on Zoom Thursday, January 26 from 7:30 -8:15pm Battle Dates: 4th Grade Battle of the Books April 11 at 7pm at Sewickley Academy 5th Grade Battle of the Books April 13 at 7pm at Sewickley Academy

required.

CHESS CLUB FOR KIDS Sun | Dec 18 | 1:30-2:30pm

TWELVE BEFORE TWELVE Sat | Dec 31 | 11am - 12:30pm

and food for the whole family! Family Program.

Brand new to chess and want to

Holiday StoryWalks at Ohio Township Nature Center & Henle Park Tuesday, December 6 - Saturday, December 31 Celebrate the season with two very special Holiday StoryWalks at Ohio Township Nature Center and Henle Park. Take a stroll through the StoryWalk at Henle Park to find out who Bear stays up for then

wander through Ohio Township Nature Center to read all about what Snowmen do at night. A StoryWalk places pages from a children’s picture book along a walking path so that children and their caregivers may enjoy nature and reading together.

OHIO TOWNSHIP NATURE CENTER (325 Nicholson Rd) Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner HENLE PARK (the corner of Beaver St and Ferry St, Leetsdale) Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

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At-home craft kit

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TAKE A WISE WALK Thursdays | 9:30-11:30am Wise Walks is ideal for active 50+ adults who are interested in a lively social exercise program. Meet at the library and walk between 1-3 miles before returning to the library for a healthy snack. There is no need to sign up and new walkers are always welcome!

FRENCH CONVERSATION Thursdays| 2-3pm Do you have an intermediate knowledge of French? Are you looking to improve your conversational skills?

Join us for a discussion! This group meets in-person and online. Register for the Zoom link. (No meeting 12/22) WRITE NOW! Fridays | 10am-12pm Participants enjoy writing from prompts in an encouraging and supportive atmosphere. This group meets inperson and online. Register for the Zoom link.

SAHAJA MEDITATION Saturdays| 11am-12pm Enjoy the silence, peace, and stress release that is always free with this weekly meditation program.

Newcomers welcome.

TEA & INSPIRATION Thurs | Dec 1 | 7pm Gather on the first Thursday of each month to read, reflect and explore a different inspirational theme each month.

Share uplifting quotations gleaned from the world’s Scriptures and other wise sources - all over a cup of tea and a sweet tidbit. December’s theme: Social Justice CONVERSATION SALON Wed | Dec 7 | 10am All are welcome to join this engaging group Virtual option available

At-home craft kit

of adults in-person or virtually for great discussions. Newcomers always welcome!

This group meets in-person and online.

Register for the Zoom link.

SPL KNITTERS GROUP Wed | Dec 7 & 21| 10:30am-12pm New to the hobby or have years of experience, everyone is welcome! Join us in the library to work on current projects or come to learn tips.

Meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month.

BROWN BAG BOOK GROUP Thurs | Dec 15 | 11:30am Ordinary Grace by William Ken Krueger EVENING FRENCH Mon | Dec 19 | 6:30pm Join the conversation with our evening edition of French Conversation! Improve your speaking skills when you join the discussion. This group meets in-person and online. Register for the Zoom link.

ERESOURCES FOR EVERYONE Wed | Dec 21 | 12-2pm Your library card gives you access than MYSTERY BOOK GROUP more than just books. Come learn about Tues | Dec 13 | 7pm Christmas Cookie Murder by Leslie Meier all of the digital resources your can use with your library card. You can save DIY CRAFTS FOR ADULTS hundreds of dollars a month by taking Tues | Dec 13 | starting at 10am Want to try a new DIY project? Grab one of advantage of these resources that are provided by Sewickley Public Library and our DIY Crafts for Adults kits! Find the supplies & instructions you need inside our Allegheny County Libraries. Registration required. kits to make your own craft project at home. While supplies last.

HOLIDAY CARDMAKING CLASS Wed | Dec 14 | 10am-12pm OR 1-3pm Everyone's favorite Christmas card is coming from you this year! Come for the carols and creativity and leave with 3 handmade holiday cards. Class size limited to 5. Registration required to ensure your class packet. $10 materials fee payable at class.

SPANISH CONVERSATION Wed | Dec 14 | 2-3pm Looking to practice your Spanish speaking skills? Join our new Spanish convo group!

Meets the 2nd & 4th Wed. of the month.

Meets in-person and online. Register for the Zoom link. (No meeting 12/28) TECH ASSISTANCE MEETUPS Wed | Dec 14 | 12-2pm Drop in at the library for help with your phone or tablet device from one of our librarians. No need to register.

12pm - Help with iPhones/iPads 1pm - Help with Android Devices

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LET’S TALK ABOUT MURDER Mon | Dec 19 | 7pm Calling all True Crime fans! Join us to talk about murder and other crimes. Come with a story to share based on this month’s theme: HOLIDAYS. No need to register.

Meets in-person in the Community Room & virtually via Zoom with this link: tiny.cc/ ltamdec22

HOLIDAY MOVIE AFTERNOONS Fri | Dec 9, 16 & 23 | 2-4pm Celebrate the yuletide season with weekly screenings of heartwarming, made-for-tv holiday romance movies at the library! Enjoy a cup of cocoa as you cozy up for great afternoons of holiday love-stories.

HONOR GIFTS

Stanley and Judith Brown

Jennifer Keating

The Podroskey Family In Honor of Ellie Neal’s 7th Birthday

Mary Florence Brown

Juergen and Julie Kloo

Robert and Gretchen Burnham

Terry and Marilyn Newton

Ron and Bonnie Casper

Dan and Elaine Park

Bill and Melissa Cook

Proteus Foundation

Lynn A. Dermott

Mariah Rawding

Duquesne Light

Thomas and Nancy Rostek

Robert Fadden M.D.

Sewickley Civic Garden Council

Janet Frissora

Ken and Mary Urish

Josh and Jen Gould

The Elsbeth and Kirk Vincent Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Daniel Weiner In Memory of Aviva L. Katz MD Beverly McCormack In Memory of Margaret M. McCormack Michael and Melanie Oyler In Memory of Clara Jane Oyler Cathy and Tony Renda In Memory of Walt Reuter

Cynthia M. (Dingy) Hays Kathrin F. (Robin) Hays Rich and Catherine Hollein

SPL GIFTS

Starr L. Hull

Rachel and Brian Allen

FRIENDS OF SPL GIFTS William and Patricia Ferguson

Ruth G. Jonas

Elizabeth Andrews

In 2022, the Sewickley Public Library lost two dear

Additionally, the library lost a dedicated library

members of the library family.

volunteer, Mary Walker. Mary served as a member of the Friends of the Library for decades and was best

We mourn the passing of dedicated library staff

known as the “Queen of Book Donations.” She could

member, Heather Summers this past September.

usually be found arranging

Heather worked at the library

displays on what was

for 7 years as a clerk, in

warmly dubbed the “Mary

technical processing, and as

Sale Table (MST).” Mary’s

our in-house craft guru.

sparkling personality and

Heather had a love for

sense of humor made her

reading and an equal passion

well-loved by all who knew

for scrapbooking and

her.

cardmaking. For many years,

Heather Summers (1965 -2022)

her homemade cards were

We extend our heartfelt

on sale at the library.

condolences to the families

Heather will be

and friends of Heather and

remembered for her bright

Mary. They will forever be in

smile, outgoing personality,

our hearts and will be

and kind heart.

greatly missed.

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Mary Walker (1942-2022)

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LIBRARY CLOSES AT 5PM

Children’s

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Adult

All Ages

500 Thorn Street Sewickley, PA 15143 sewickleylibrary.org

Phone 412-741-6920 Children’s 412-741-0937 Renewals 412-622-1895

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

NEW Resources Give More Access to National news

Have you made your list? Are you checking it

News helps keep us informed of the changing events, issues, and

twice? Has Sewickley Public Library been nice? In this seasonal time of giving, you can give the gift of library services to your entire community.

Many of your friends and neighbors, some of

characters in the world. We are pleased to announce the addition of two news resources, free for Sewickley Library users. Your library card now gives you full digital access to the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post online. You can access these

whom you don’t even know, come to the library

from a library computer or from

for educational resources, job assistance, internet

your own device at home. Along

access, and most importantly, connection with

with these resources we also

one another. Including the library on your holiday

continue our access to The New

gift list expands the reach of your generosity far

York Times and the Pittsburgh Post-

wider than you could accomplish independently.

Gazette (in-library only). To

It’s the ultimate pay-it-forward gift.

access these resources please

We are grateful for the partnership between our

visit sewickleylibrary.org/newspapers.

donors who make quality programming and services possible, and our staff who steward that funding into a remarkable selection of offerings for our patrons that meet the right need at the right time. It makes it possible for great stories to be told here. Make your gift before December 31 to be included on our 2022 list of donors in our published annual report.

Donation forms are available at the circulation desk, or online at sewickleylibrary.org/ donate.

tiny.cc/hooplaxmas22

tiny.cc/hooplahanukkah22

SEWICKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT 10