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Summer story hour, crafts come to Millvale library
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Children in Millvale can take advantage of a free story hour and activities right in their own community.
In a partnership with Shaler North Hills Library, Millvale Community Library is offering a summer reading and arts/crafts program from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Aug. 28 on the back deck of the library at 213 Grant Ave.
Lisa Seel of Shaler, treasurer of the Millvale Library board of trustees, coordinated the program with Dolores Colarosa, early literacy specialist/community literacy coordinator at Shaler North Hills Library in Shaler.
Mrs. Seel said all ages are welcome, but those from 5 to 11 years old were expected to attend the program. Her daughter, Maddie, 16, who will be a junior at Shaler Area High School in the fall, and Anna Lampe, 17, a senior at Vincentian Academy, are coordinating the crafts and choosing a theme for each week.
A tent shades the deck from the sun and activities will move into the library's newly painted and carpeted community room in case of rain, Mrs. Seel said.
Ms. Colarosa said the program was planned after Brian Wolovich, founder of the ongoing Millvale Library project, gave a presentation at the Shaler library.
"We reach out to all children and we talked to him about a summer program that would include stories and activities, all that early literacy encompasses," she said.
The Shaler library will provide materials and prizes for books read (or listened to, for younger children). Each participant will receive a log to keep track of the books, Ms. Colarosa said.
Librarians from Shaler North Hills Library also conduct summer reading programs in Etna and Reserve, the other communities in Shaler Area School District.
The Etna sessions are held Thursdays at the swimming pool area on Pine Street and Reserve's are Mondays at the Reserve Fire Hall on Lonsdale Street.
Shaler North Hills Library's director, Sharon McRae, said the outreach programs are funded for the most part by Friends of the Library, but support also is received from the township and the Allegheny County Regional Asset District. Discount store Half Price Books contributed books.
The Shaler library has been recognized for its outreach programs, which include early literacy programs in day cares and preschools, and an anti-bullying program, Rumble in the Jungle, which won a Best Practices Award from the Pennsylvania Library Association.
The library also has been nominated for a national Medal of Museum and Library Services, which recognizes outreach to area communities.
The winner will be announced in the fall, Ms. McRae said.
Another important award was the David J. Roberts EXCEL Library Service Award for the year's most creative and/or most influential program for early learning in libraries.
The award was for the library's Discovery Kids program for children between ages 4 and 6.
Mr. Wolovich acknowledges the importance of the summer reading program and the GED preparation classes, which the Millvale library is sponsoring and operating through Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. Weekly classes are held at Mount Alvernia Scotus Hall in Millvale.
The classes prepare people who did not complete high school graduation requirements to receive a General Education Development certificate.
"The summer reading program and the GED preparation program are collaborative efforts which allow the Millvale Community Library to engage local children, families and individuals in fun, positive and educational activities," Mr. Wolovich said.
"With each positive relationship we form, more people return and bring their friends and families. Through these programs, we are building interest for the library's opening and long-term operations."
Renovation of the library site continues and depends on funding and volunteers. News of the latest grant, $67,000 from the Grable Foundation for the sprinkler and fire suppression system, was received last week and provides another step in its completion.
Estimated opening date is early 2013, Mr. Wolovich said.
First Published July 26, 2012 5:13 am
