Participate in the Reading Royals Slapshot’s Winter Reading Challenge to earn a free ticket to Lancaster County Libraries Day at the Reading Royals!
Sunday, March 5,2023
Challenge ends February 25, 2023
Read 20 minutes a day for 20 Days
Readers between the ages of 5-15
Go to your local library and ask the staff for a Reading Log and more information!
Our answers to questions submitted by interested Service Providers regarding our RFP for Internet and WAN Services per Form 470 #220001272 can be find at the link below. Please remember that bids for this RFP are due by December 14th, 2021.
The first book about this character was published over 55 years ago, and still delights plenty of young children and early elementary students as well as adults. A New York Times Book Review reads, “No child can resist Amelia Bedelia and her literal trips through the minefield of the English language—and no adult can fail to notice that she’s usually right when she’s wrong.”
Milanof-Schock Library, Mount Joy
Saturday, November 2 at 2:00 pm
Ephrata Public Library
Monday, November 4 at 10:00 am and 11:00 am
Eastern Lancaster County Library, New Holland
Tuesday, November 5 at 10:03 am
Pequea Valley Public Library, Intercourse
Tuesday, November 5 at 4:00 pm
Moores Memorial Library, Christiana
Wednesday, November 6 at 10:30 am
Manheim Township Public Library
Friday, November 8 at 10:30 am
Columbia Public Library
Tuesday, November 12 at 3:00 pm
Adamstown Area Library
Wednesday, November 13 at 10:00 am
Lancaster Public Library Mountville Branch
Thursday, November 14 at 10:15 am
Quarryville Library
Friday, November 15 from 10:30 am
https://www.ameliabedeliabooks.com/
For a listing of the local public libraries, click here.
The Columbia Public Library just launched their new podcast, the first library podcast in Lancaster county! The podcast debuted with “Story Time with Ms. Lisa,” a collection of classic children’s tales read by the Columbia Public Library’s Library Administrator, Lisa Greybill!
The idea was first conceived by Jeffrey Beck, as part of the library’s fall marketing / fundraising campaign. Mr. Beck formed a small podcast committee made up of board members Robin Gamby, Brenda Paxson, and Coni Haas, along with Greybill. Beck provided the technical recording expertise and Haas did extensive research into copyright legalities. The podcast was introduced at a Stuffed Animal Sleepover led by Heather Beury.
The podcast is now on the library website, with new stories expected to be uploaded on a regular basis. It is hoped that different members of the community will reach out to read for the podcast.
Greybill remarked, “We’re very happy to offer this free community service. it’s a great opportunity for the children and families here – and all over the world – to hear these classic stories.”
Click the link here to listen the podcast yourself
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Each summer Lancaster County’s youth are invited to participate in their Public Library’s Summer Reading program that will enhance their summer learning through reading and attending special events. This year Public Librarians are offering an extra component for young children ages 5-9 to extend their learning beyond the library by participating in the Summer Fitness Quest!
Summer Fitness Quest is a get outside physical activity program to support and encourage a healthy lifestyle of youth and family members. Beginning Saturday June 1, 2019, Libraries will have Summer Fitness Quest Booklets to extend learning and instill young children (ages 5-9) with an appreciation for the outdoors. The program supports free opportunities for children and adults to visit and enjoy the natural beauty of Lancaster County parks, trails, and Conservancy Nature Preserves. Locations of these outdoor places are divided into 5 areas: Central, Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western areas of the County.
To participate in The Summer Fitness Quest, youth are instructed to visit any combination of at least five parks, trails, or preserve locations listed in the Booklet. While visiting the locations, they are encouraged to try healthy yoga poses, and stay nutritionally fueled! Children, youth, and adults will benefit with a healthy “nature prescription” of being outdoors and moving around!
Booklets are available until supplies last. The Summer Fitness Quest runs until Saturday, August 10, 2019. Prizes for participating are available until supplies last.
To instill one’s appreciation of nature, and support a youth’s curiosity about the natural world, local public libraries will have Nature Explorer Bags for loan. Take one on a hike, look for bugs or identify trees with the helpful guides inside the bags. Discover and learn more while enjoying the beauty of our local habitats.
Partners in the program include Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Giant Food Stores, Lancaster County Conservation District, Lancaster County Conservancy, and the Lancaster Recreation Commission.
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The Library System on behalf of public libraries throughout Lancaster County was awarded a grant from Music for Everyone Foundation in the amount of $1,216.00 that will be used to support the acquisition of percussion instruments to enhance library programs. The musical instrument collection is available to all public youth librarians, Be Ready Rover program coordinator and the Bookmobile staff. Libraries are hosting “Together We Are Music” events, and other music-oriented programming for youth and families this summer and in the future.
Library programs and library outreach supports children’s learning and creative needs by giving them access to materials (instruments) and opportunities. Using their imagination, children will learn about tempo and volume, creatively express themselves and perform in a non-judgmental atmosphere.
Percussion instruments made available through this grant funding include xylophones, egg shakers, rhythm sticks, log drums, hand drums, and band bongos.
The instruments are a resource for year round programs and a welcome addition to supporting the role that a library has in the community–being accessible and fulfilling the needs and interests of residents of the county. In these library settings, coming together socially, a child will delight in making music with others.
Research shows there are many benefits to playing percussion instruments. For the youngest, music builds emergent literacy skills (i.e. phonological). Children develop better verbal memory and reading ability, along with better motor coordination, motor development (exercising hands, fingers, and arms), mood improvement, listening skills, taking turns, happiness in being creative, social skills, and more.
Renee Christiansen, youth services manager, acknowledges the value of the partnership that has been established with MFE over the years, “I applaud the success of Music for Everyone for bringing musical opportunities to many, so that in turn, organizations such as libraries can promote the creative development of our local youth.”
The Music for Everyone Foundation is committed to supporting music as a positive impact in the community by awarding grants to schools and community groups to support music programs. The foundation, through their grant program, is committed to easing the financial difficulties that music programs face due to funding cuts. The MFE Foundation raises money through live music events, merchandising efforts and donations. Since April 2006, MFE has awarded over $1.5 Million in grants, scholarships and direct program support to schools and community arts groups in Lancaster County.
For more information about the Music for Everyone program, go to: www.musicforeveryone.net
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Public Libraries of Lancaster County and the Bookmobile will be presenting this year’s Summer Reading Program that starts on June 2 and will run until August 11, 2018. Youth may join anytime during this time period. Readers of all ages are invited to read all things related to this year’s theme as local public libraries present “Libraries Rock!”
The countywide Summer Reading Program is open to children and teens of all ages. The program components include four reading levels: Read Aloud (birth-4 years), Elementary (ages 5-9), Tween (ages 10-12) and the Teen level (ages 13-19).
The library is the perfect place for children and families to learn and explore this summer as the public libraries present activities and events related to youth literature, STEM, health & wellness, music, physical movement, the arts, and more!
Cylo, Barnstormer’s Mascot Visits
PRINCESS of Dutch Wonderland Visits
Corduroy Story Book Costume Character Visits
Lancaster County Department of Parks & Recreation Programs
Heads Up Lancaster Drumming & Break Dancing Events
Geologist Jeri Jones “Rocks Are a Blast From the Past” Programs
Mark DeRose Singer & Songwriter Music Performances
Giggle Magic Shows with Marcy Klutchka Programs
Science Explorers Present “Science Matters”
CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health: Hank the Health Hero Programs
Center for Aquatic Sciences: “Swamp Songs & Marsh Melodies” Programs
Find out more about the Summer Reading Program
Please contact library listed to register for programs.
Find Your Local Library
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The Quarryville Library’s Artist Trading Card project was awarded an Honorable Mention for Family Programming by the 2017 PA Library Association’s Best Practices Award Committee. The project that started as a partnership between the Library’s children’s librarian and two art teachers from Solanco School District has had much success with artists of all ages. The trading cards can be made at the Library or at home and are then displayed and available for trading. The Library has had people from across the County participate. The cards have also been a hit on social media and continue to be a fun way to share the talent in our local community.
Join us for an all-day event at Manheim Township Public Library, 595 Granite Run Drive Lancaster, PA, on Saturday, April 15th from 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM! Our entire library will be devoted to “making.” There will be a variety of high and low tech skills demonstrated for our visitors as well as many opportunities to get some hands-on experience. Registration is not required so come in, browse and sign up at individual tables for what you would like to do! Staff and volunteers will be stationed all around the library with lots of great maker technology like 3D printing, Arduino, textiles, ceramics, mini-robots and more. There will be maker activities for the younger folks as well in our Lapp Story Time Silo. A few activities, such as soldering, will be restricted to teens and adults. If these events are in high demand, signing up for a time slot to train with our professional volunteers may be required.
While you’re here, find out about our new relationship with make717, a place where you can learn to use high-end 
tools and software. Making can be a pastime or a profession. Our STEM-Maker passes will allow you to access this facility to be trained on the equipment of your choice. You might take it further by manufacturing your own designs using their facility!
In addition to make717, we are excited to welcome Jen Switch from Jen’s Pottery Den who will lead a community-built project. A group of master carvers from the Manheim Township Wood Carvers will guide patrons in soap carving, while also teaching the techniques that would be applied in wood carving. Our ranks of volunteers include a dedicated group of teens from the community, as well as adult volunteers from nonprofit organizations such as Lancaster Coder Dojo, and individuals employed by area businesses, including Industrial Resolution and Listrak, who also frequently contribute their time and talent to our children’s tech programming.
If you’re hungry while you are visiting the Maker Fest, we encourage you to patronize Primo’s Hoagies right down the road. When you place your order, mention Manheim Township Public Library. They will support our Maker Fest by contributing 10% of proceeds to all of our sales that day (11 AM to 5 PM). Or for convenience, visit the Tell Cafe right on the Library’s premises (11:30 AM to 2 PM).
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Public Libraries are pleased to announce special Maker Fests that are happening at several of the libraries as part of the ‘make717 on the Road’ events where participants can explore STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with a hands-on approach!
With the current emphasis on STEM (S.T.E.M: Science, Technology, Electronics and Math) learning, the Library System of Lancaster County formed a partnership with Lancaster-based make717 Innovation Center** this past fall. One component of this partnership, in addition to the availability of STEM Maker Passes to the make717 Innovation Center, is to increase technical educational resources by offering STEM programs at our local public libraries.
These STEM Library Maker Fests may be of interest to young learners, high school students, post-graduates, residents who may be underemployed or seeking to improve their current job status. Public libraries and the bookmobile in addition to programs and events also have increased their collection with items in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math that are ready for checkout.
Here are the Maker Fests Happening @ Public Libraries!
Maker Fest
Saturday, April 8
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Quarryville Library
Maker Fests
Saturday, April 15
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Manheim Township Public Library
Maker Fest
Saturday, May 13
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Lancaster Public Library
Maker Fest
Saturday, June 17
10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Milanof-Schock Library (Mount Joy)
**The make717 Innovation Center is a well-equipped facility where independent project-based learning can happen. The Public Libraries and the Bookmobile will loan STEM Maker passes for use at the Center. These passes will allow library patrons to visit the facility where they will learn how to use hi-tech equipment and have access to a variety of commercial and open source software.
For more information about the STEM Maker Pass, please visit: stempass.make717.org
This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor.
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