@ the library
MIDSUMMER FUN For the past few years, Mt. Lebanon Public Library’s popular Jolabokaflod—an adaptation of an Icelandic book-themed gift-giving tradition, also featuring food, crafts and music—has served as a charming kickoff to the holiday season. Associate Library Director Sharon Bruni and library staff want to try something similar to welcome summer.
“Jolabokaflod attracted more families last year, and we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to do a summer festival?’”
Bruni attributes the increase in families’ attendance to more staff involvement—storytelling and a scavenger hunt for kids, and other events for teens. She sees the Summer Folk Fest as an opportunity to build off of that success.
The event, scheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 14, is still in the planning stages, but expect to find more information in next month’s issue. Bruni and her planning team—Rachel Blier, Connie Mathews, Eric Meisberger and Katie Donahoe—envision a folk music concert on the manse lawn of neighboring Southminster Presbyterian Church, followed by a storytelling session geared toward adults, activities for children in the library’s courtyard, teen cosplay based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream and other seasonal activities.
The event will also feature food trucks, crafts and a pop-up book sale by the Friends of Mt. Lebanon Public Library.
Book Babies
9:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 to 11 a.m., Wednesdays, May 1 and 8, story room
Learn early literacy skills through stories, rhymes and songs in this fun, interactive program for babies birth-2 years old with a caregiver. One registration per family. Registration opens at 9 a.m., one week in advance of the program.
Storytime for 2s and 3s
9:30 to 10 and 10:30 to 11 a.m., Thursday, May 2, story room
Discover delightful fingerplays, stories and songs in this participatory program created especially for 2-3 year olds and their caregiver. Register for each session individually. One registration per family please. Registration opens at 9 a.m. on the preceding Thursday.
Afterschool STEAM
4:30 p.m., Thursdays, May 2 and 9, story room
Have fun with friends each week as you learn about circuits, coding, animal science and more. For kids in 4th & 5th grade. Register for each session individually. Registration opens one week in advance of the program.
PROGRAMS FOR TEENS
Stroll-Playing Teen RPG Meetup (6th grade & up)
5:30 p.m., Friday, May 24, Orbis Caffe.
Stroll playing is a form of journalling solo role playing. Each month there will be a different game notebook to play through.
Talking Comics Book Club (6th Grade & Up)
3:30 p.m., Friday, May 24, learning lab classroom
Talking Comics is a monthly graphic novel book club for middle and high school students, with an accompanying craft project. Books are available to pick up the first week of each month.
PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS
International Parents Group
2 p.m., Sunday, May 5, story room
Meet other international parents, ask questions, learn about the community, and explore new ways to support your child at school. This group, run by local parents, will meet monthly at the library. If you know an international family who is new to the community, encourage them to join us. Children welcome.
History Haven Book Club
10 a.m., Monday, May 20, learning lab
A book club dedicated to historical fiction. May’s book is Dust Child, by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai.
Guitar class
1 p.m., Wednesdays, May 1 through June 5
Guitar teacher Brannon Lyons teaches a guitar class for beginners and intermediate players. Topics covered will include chords, strumming, and basic technique. Class will meet for six consecutive weeks.
Must have own guitar. Registration required. Meeting Room A.
Mother’s Day Flower Arrangement Workshop
10 a.m., Friday, May 3, learning lab
Learn to create a unique flower centerpiece for your Mother’s Day decor from Lianne Chen of Miss Flower Services. No experience necessary. Chen has seven years of floral arranging experience and was part of the 2022 International Orchid Exhibition designing crew. Come with your love of flowers and take home a beautiful work of nature.
Registration is required and limited.
Please bring your own scissors and one cutting knife or pruning shears for the workshop.
