DIRECTOR’S CORNER

Storytelling – something we all do almost daily without thinking about it – describing your day at work or at school, telling friends about a fun vacation, passing on family stories to your grandchildren or telling your preschooler your version of the home invasion by that pesky blonde.  Northland’s annual family event – the Three Rivers Storytelling Festival on August 10 and 11 features a number of special tellers who will share a wide variety of stories.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and generally enjoy yourself as you participate in an enduring tradition and the first form of social media.  Northland can also help you shape and share your personal story with other featured programs in August including Indian cooking and how to use Linked In for networking and job searching.  

Director's Corner



Play is important work and a vital early literacy practice.  For young children, especially, play is the process of building knowledge of the world and their place in it.  Play provides positive socialization and aids in the child’s transition to the world of abstract learning.  Studies have shown that children deprived of play opportunities demonstrate social, emotional and cognitive narrowing and are less able to handle stress.

Starting this month, with the opening of the Playful Parenting Room,  Northland continues to expand its emergent literacy services to the young children and their caregivers.  Featuring age appropriate toys and books, the area will provide a special place for children under the age of 5 and their caregivers to share the fun of play with and to learn together through imagination.  As Pittsburgh’s own Mr. Rogers noted:  “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.”   

eBooks for non-Kindle eReaders

Monday July 16th at 2:00 pm
In this class you will learn how to borrow e-books from Northland and download them onto your non-Kindle eReader device (Sony, Nook, Kobo, Literati, Pandigital, etc.). You do not need to bring your device to this class. Please register in advance by calling the computer center at 412-366-8100 ext. 131

eBooks for Mobile Devices

Thursday July 12th at 7:00 pm
In this class you will learn how to browse, check out, and download free e-books from Northland and read them on your Android, Blackberry, iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, or Windows Phone 7. Bring your mobile device with you and get ready to read! Please register in advance by calling the computer center at 412-366-8100 ext. 131

Director's Corner

I have always thought fondly of June. When I was a child, June signaled the end of the school year and the beginning of, what seemed at the time, a long, long summer. As an avid reader, June was also the start of the Summer Reading Club at my local public library and provided an unneeded excuse for indulging in my favorite sport. Little did I know or care that what I viewed as fun and enjoyable was actually helping me maintain the literacy skills that provide the foundation of all other learning. Evidence from many studies in North American and Europe demonstrate that participation in summer reading programs result in improved reading skills.

Northland continues the tradition of supporting the continuing development and maintenance of basic literacy skills through its Summer Reading Clubs –and not just for children. Find out more about our summer reading activities for children, teens and adults in the newsletter as well as our website http://northlandlibrary.org/. Summer Reading – just one of the connections your public library provides to serve a real-life community need and to support a critical skill that all need to succeed in all aspects of our lives.

I’m No Angel

A One-Act Play Showcasing The Life Of The Legendary Hollywood Screen Siren, Mae West

Thursday, May 10 at 7:00pm

The original Blonde Bombshell, Mae West made a name for herself in vaudeville and on the New York stage before becoming a Hollywood star in the 1930’s. Her career spanned seven decades and The American Film Institute named her one of the 15 greatest female stars of all time. Karen Dunham, who performs in local theatre and television, “becomes Mae West, herself” as she presents her performance piece about the life, career and music of the famous siren, who was sometimes in trouble with the censors. Join us for an hour of delightful comedy and nostalgia. As Mae West said, “why don’t you come up and see me sometime?”

Please register for this program online or by calling the adult services reference desk at 412-366-8100, ext.113

Savvy Social Security Planning

Wednesday, May 2 at 7:00 pm

The process of applying for Social Security benefits can be puzzling to many people. Questions such as, "How much can I expect to receive" and "How should I coordinate benefits with my spouse” can be difficult. Mark Ambrose of S&T Bank will help you navigate the maze of Social Security on Wednesday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. He will provide straight answers to all of your questions.

Please register for this program online or by calling the adult services reference desk at 412-366-8100, ext.113.

NATIONWIDE DRUG DISPOSAL DAY PROGRAM

Northland Library, in cooperation with the Town of McCandless Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, will host a program where people can bring unused or expired medications to the library for safe disposal on Saturday, April 28 from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Board Room.

Officers from the McCandless Police will be on hand to collect the drugs and arrange for their safe disposal. This is a nationwide program being held on this date…we are the local site for the program.

MAY “BREAD FOR BOOKS”

The NPL Foundation will be sponsoring a "Bread for Books" fundraiser every Monday & Tuesday in May at Chili’s for eat in, take-out or online ordering.

7404 McKnight Road, 412-364-5678

The following coupon must be presented for the library to get a 10% donation of the total bill. Coupon

SPRING BOOK SALE BLOWOUT

Our annual Spring Book Sale Blowout will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 4-6, in the meeting rooms on the lower level of the library. Thousands of items, including books, DVDs, and CDs, will be available at deep discount prices. Sunday will also be our popular $5 Bag Day, where you can fill a bag with as many items as possible and pay just $5. Here is the complete Book Sale Schedule:

Friday, May 4 9:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday, May 5 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, May 6 1:00pm to 5:00pm $5 Bag Day

Remembering Mike Wallace, 1918-2012

Mike Wallace "60 minutes" legend died he was 93

Tea: A Culinary Delight

Thursday, April 26 at 7:00pm

Danielle Spinola, owner of Tupelo Honey Teas, returns to Northland Library to talk about the wonderful world of tea. With warmer weather approaching, Danielle will focus on her recommendations for delicious iced teas, especially using many of the popular herbal teas. Sip some of the samples she will prepare and decide for yourselves on your favorites. She will also include some interesting ways to include tea in recipes.


Tea is the most popular drink in the world and it’s said to be good for our health. What could be better than an evening of learning, tasting, and appreciating such a beverage? Please register for this program online or by calling the adult services reference desk at 412-366-8100, ext.113.

Poetry Forum: An Evening of Verse

Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00pm

April is National Poetry Month, so a fitting celebration is an evening for those who enjoy writing poetry, reading poetry, or just listening to others recite a favorite poem.

We invite any poetry authors to read one or two of their own creations and we invite others to read a favorite poem or say a few words about a favorite poet. Let’s celebrate poetry and talk about what it means to so many people. Please register for this program online or by calling the adult services reference desk at 412-366-8100, ext.113.

April “Bread for Books” is Monday, April 9th

The NPL Foundation will be sponsoring a "Bread for Books" fundraiser on Monday, April 9 at Bella Frutteto Resturant on Brandt School Rd Wexford.

The following coupon must be presented for the library to get a 20% donation of the total bill.

Bella Frutteto coupon
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Meet Our Local Authors

Thursday, April 12 at 7:00pm

In celebration of National Library Week, we are pleased to present a panel of four local authors who will talk about their books and share with us the ideas for their publications, the joy (or agony) of putting the words together and the inspiration for the topic. If you’re a fledging writer, you may get some helpful publishing tips. If you just enjoy hearing about books, the writing experience or the way a book finally gets to our library shelf, you’ll enjoy spending an evening with these creative authors.

Anne Faigen has published several young people’s novel and her latest novel, Out of Turns, is a mystery-lover’s delight. A former high school and college instructor, her mystery has twists and turns that keep you guessing.

Debbie Frye’s book, written with her sister, is a true story of their discovery of their father’s life of crime. Our Father, Who Aren’t In Heaven, is a fascinating tale of the effects of the secrecy and shame the family endured and what made them decide to tell his story.

Dr. William Kraft is a professor emeritus of psychology at Carlow College, has published 12 books and has 3 more on the way. In his books, The Normal Alcoholic and When You Love an Alcoholic, his focus is on the integration of the psychological and spiritual aspects of addiction, an unusual and innovative approach.

Debbie Furey has written The Rapture, in which she explores the hidden prophecies in the Bible about the second coming of Jesus. There are many interpretations of the subject and Debbie presents in her book the results of her many years of study.

Please register for this program online or by calling the adult services reference desk at 412-366-8100, ext.113.

Don’t get frustrated!

The computer Center offers a variety of introductory small group classes which are taught each month. The schedule of our classes is on the last page of the Library newsletter or you can pick up a schedule at the Computer Center desk.

Pre-registration is required by stopping at the Computer Center desk or calling (412) 366-8100 ext. 131.

You can’t beat the price—they’re FREE!

We only ask that you call if you can’t make the class so that someone on the waiting list can take your place.

Cold War Air Defense Of Pittsburgh

Thursday, March 29 at 7:00pm

Did you know that there are a number of locations in the North Hills and surrounding areas that served as Cold War defense sites during those days following World War II of high tension between the United States and the USSR? Pittsburgh was considered a possible prime target for a nuclear attack, so preparations were soon underway to detect possible attacks and prepare for retaliation. Some of the sites were later dismantled, some underground bunkers were paved over and some of the buildings were remodeled for other purposes. Where are they now? What are they today?

Join us for an evening of fascinating local history presented by Tom Koedel and Rob Skertich who have done extensive research to uncover these sites. They'll present maps and pictures that may surprise you! Please register for this program online or by calling the adult services reference desk at 412-366-8100, ext.113.

Bill Campbell Presents Unique Country Music

Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00pm

Bill Campbell, from Oakdale, loves country music and enjoys presenting an evening of entertainment singing many of the old favorites as well as some of the newer country tunes. He’ll trace the history of country music with words and songs and even encourage you to sing along on some of your favorites. Join us for a foot-tapping evening. Please register for this program online or by calling the adult services reference desk at 412-366-8100, ext.113.

Ask The Organizer

Thursday, March 8 at 7:00 pm

Have you resolved to Get Organized? Ask the experts! NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) Pittsburgh is here for you! A panel of local professional organizers will hold an informative program at the library to help with all of your organizing dilemmas-home, office, family, paper, and downsizing. You’ll learn down-to-earth valuable tips to use for a lifetime of order. Questions and answers will follow their presentation.

Please register for this program online or by calling the adult services reference desk at 412-366-8100, ext.113.

The Beard has been sheared