GET THAT CARD Not all library cards are created equal. While an Allegheny County Library Association card is good at any library in the county, getting a Mt. Lebanon card unlocks some special benefits. Lebo cardholders have free access to Kanopy, a digital streaming service; Boundless, an ebook and audiobook collection; JSTOR, a digital database of scholarly journals, academic ebooks and primary historical sources; and Gale Courses, an online learning platform offering courses in a wide variety
of subjects.

“In addition to having unique access to our digital offerings, (patrons) having a Mt. Lebanon Public Library card helps our library to have an understanding of how many community members use our library,” said Associate Library Director Sharon Bruni. “This helps with communicating to our funders and measuring how well we are doing in reaching our community.”

All you need to get a library card is a drivers’ license, or some other photo ID with proof of your current address.

LOVE AND MONEY September is Love Your Library Month. The Jack Buncher Foundation will match any cash donation of up to $500 all through the month.

MIDSUMMER FUN The library’s inaugural Midsummer Night Folk Festival was, by all accounts, a success. Despite the rain, the music, storytelling, stage performances and food trucks attracted about 300 attendees, who also were able to take advantage of the Friends of Mt. Lebanon Public Library’s book sale.

The rain forced some changes to the plan, moving the children’s storytelling from the courtyard into the playroom. “We had a great turnout and I had almost like a larger group than I was expecting,” said children’s librarian Rachel Blier, who led the interactive storytelling program. “It was standing room only for the adults at the back.”

The staff conducted an after-event debrief and is aiming for another event next summer.

MUM’S THE WORD The Friends of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library fall chrysanthemum sale is happening from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on Saturday September 7, at the library. Price is $15 for a 9-inch pot with a flower spread of 20 inches, with five colors to choose from—red, white, yellow, orange and light purple.

PROGRAMS

Register for programs by visiting the events calendar section of the library’s website.

LIBRARY CLOSED September 1 and 2

Crafters Group
10 a.m., Wednesdays, September 4 and 18, Learning Lab

Materials and tools will be available including a sewing machine, embroidery threads, fabric, yarn, watercolor paints and brushes.

Board Game Night
7 p.m., Tuesdays in September, Learning Lab

Strategy and competition playing Euro-style board games. This group is intended for teenagers through adults. All experience levels are welcome, and games will vary every week depending on attendees’ interests. Feel free to bring your own games or just come to learn something new. Here are some examples of what may be available:

Strategy (Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Kingdomino, Small World, Sagrada, Azul, Barenpark, Parks, Wingspan)

Group/Party (Codenames, Just One, Dixit, 6 nimmt!)

Cooperative (Pandemic, Hanabi, Forbidden Island)

Deck Builder (Valeria, Splendor)

Sahaja Meditation
6:30 p.m., Monday, September 9, Meeting Room A

Meditation improves physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual health and brings out a well-rounded personality, if practiced regularly. These classes are offered free of charge or obligation. No reservations are required.

World War II Era Discussion Group
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, September 9, Meeting Room A

Focus is on Allied leadership that helped defeat the Axis Powers.

Current Readings:

Lynne Olson, Last Hope Island: Britain, Occupied Europe, and the Brotherhood That Helped Turn the Tide of War

Arthur Herman, Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II

Paul Dickson, et al., The Rise of the G.I. Army, 1940-1941: The Forgotten Story of How America Forged a Powerful Army Before Pearl Harbor

Debi and Irwin Unger, George Marshall: A Biography

Cozy Mystery Club
7 p.m., Tuesday, September 10, Meeting Room A

The meeting opens with a discussion of cozy and cozy-adjacent things members have read and watched recently, before beginning a discussion of Agatha Christie’s The Secret Adversary.

Paws to Relax
12:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 17, Meeting Room A

Therapy Dogs International brings dogs to the library on the third Thursday of every month. Ideal for seniors and adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Registration helpful for planning purposes, but not required.

Flu Shot Clinic
5-7 p.m., Wednesday, September 18 and noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday, September 24, Meeting Room A

Trivia Quiz Night at the Library
7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, September 19, Meeting Room A

Team up in groups of up to four to compete.  Don’t have a team? Don’t worry! Show up and they’ll make it work. Compete for the chance to win excellent prizes, and of course, bragging rights. (Also candy!) Adults 18 and over.

Carnegie Screenwriters
10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, September 21, Meeting Room A

This group meets monthly at the library and engages in script readings, networking, and discussions of writing and filmmaking. New members are welcome.

Talking Comics Book Club (6th Grade & Up)
3:30 p.m., Friday, September 27, 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.

Silent Film Screening
6:30 p.m., Monday, September 30, Meeting Room A

As part of the Pittsburgh Silent Film Society’s film festival, Mt. Lebanon Public Library will screen He Who Gets Slapped, a 1924 psychological thriller starring Lon Chaney.