NEW AT THE LIBRARY Jane Millard is Mt. Lebanon Public Library’s senior services librarian, filling the vacancy left by retired librarian Laurie Schultz. Millard is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and has experience working at Point Park University Library, Duquesne University Library, and Shaler North Hills Library.

Millard will be stationed at the library’s reference desk for 12 hours a week, and will spend the balance of her time working on programming and outreach for senior patrons. One thing she is focusing on now is finding ways  to better serve homebound patrons.

With an undergraduate background in psychology and communication, Millard, who lives in Bloomfield, first considered a career in therapy or social work, but thought the work might prove to be too confining for someone with a wide range of interests, including music—she hosted a radio show at Pitt—and photography. Whatever her choice, she knew she wanted to be in a position to help people.

“I’m a preacher’s kid,” she said with a smile. “I’ve always had a service mindset.”

Although her mother, Jill, is a librarian, Millard didn’t really consider that as a career until she worked as a nanny for a couple of years and loved taking her charges to libraries.

“It was always such a safe and comfortable space,” she said, “and I realize not everyone feels that way, and I’d like to change that. The library is a great, free third space (a space outside of work and home) where you can do so much, and have zero obligation to pay anything.”

THE CHRISTMAS BOOK FLOOD On Christmas Eve in Iceland, it is a long-standing tradition for people to give and receive books. This is called Jolabokaflod, Icelandic for “Christmas book flood.” It’s a tradition that dates back to World War II, when just about everything in the country was rationed, except for paper.

Once you receive your Jolabokaflod books, you may then progress into a state of hygge, Danish for “a quality of coziness that engenders a feeling of contentment,” or possibly even kalsarikannit, Finnish for “hygge but also drunk at home in your underwear.”

Mt. Lebanon Public Library wants to make this happen for you. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 18, the flod-gates will open and pour out a winter wonderland of crafts, music, treats, merchandise, and, of course, books.

The Friends of Mt. Lebanon Public Library will hold their annual holiday book sale in Room A.  All year long, Book Cellar volunteers set aside gift-worthy books for Jolabokaflod. Shoppers will find all genres represented—from cookbooks and coffee table books to fiction and biographies. Susan Tracey, Friends president, says the children’s collection is particularly good this year.

Go next door to Room B for cookies, hot cocoa, library swag, book wreaths, and tickets for raffle prizes.

Outside, along the driveway, local artists and crafters will sell unique handmade goods, including paper art, felted items, pottery, and more. The warming room and the craft tables will shut down at 3.

Upstairs in the library, enjoy the music of singer-songwriter Amy Melissen and the Quartz String Quartet. Amy is known for her hauntingly honest lyrics and varied guitar styles, while the Quartz String Quartet performs an extensive repertoire of classical music. Bands will perform throughout the day in the adult section of the library. Check the library’s online calendar, for times.

Over in the children’s library, kids can create a gift notebook or a wintertime luminaria. Rachel Blier will be in costume to weave some wintertime Nordic folktales. In the Learning Lab, Katie Donahoe will have a Yule Lad apple doll making craft for teens. These dolls are modeled after the Icelandic Yule Lads—traditional mischievous gnomes that make a mess of your home if you don’t leave them gifts in the days leading up to Yule. In addition, there will be a traditional yule cat statue in the Teen Space where people can hang their wishes for the New Year on origami snowflakes. This year’s crafters are:

Beth Hedin – weaving

Jen Scheib – crafts

Kitty Spangler – paper arts

Jude Ernest – felting

Amelia Kieras – paper arts

Karen McKee – pottery

Linda Sloan – pottery

Library sales table

Amanda DeKnight – paper quilling

LIBRARY PROGRAMS