At the library: Here are some upcoming events at the Glenshaw, Millvale and Shaler North Hills facilities

GLENSHAW PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Glenshaw Public Library, 1504 Butler Plank Road, Shaler, was established in 1895 and is known as the oldest free library west of the Alleghenies.

Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays for a quilters meet-up, 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Various preplanned private classes and events are offered as scheduled, including:

• Holiday Photos Fundraiser: Tuesdays and Saturdays Oct. 25 through Dec. 9. Are you looking for a fall seasonal photo with your pet, family or someone special? Or are you looking to take a holiday photo and have it framed as a gift or used as a Christmas card or postcard? The library is taking appointments now for portraits at the library, where a seasonal and a holiday background have been set up. To participate, email glenshawlibrary@gmail.com. Reservations will be taken for Tuesday evenings and Saturday library hours. The cost per session is $35. Digital photos will be sent to you by email.

• Roots: Adult Storytelling: 7 to 8:15 p.m. Oct. 30. Every other month, Glenshaw Public Library hosts a “Roots: Storytelling” event. This storytelling event for adults is a great opportunity to come and listen to some great stories or to share your own. The theme is any variation of homecoming, including home coming or coming home. Stop by and enjoy a fun-filled evening with us.

• America’s Tapestry: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through May 2026. The Pennsylvania branch of a national needlework group is creating a panel to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The public is invited to stop by at this time to view the panel’s progress and add a few stitches. Be sure to sign the guest book.

• Santa … Just Believe!: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13: The Big Man in Red will be checking his naughty and nice list during a pit stop at the library. The cost is $5 per child, and all proceeds benefit the library. Bring your camera. Tip: Later-arriving guests likely will encounter less of a crowd so consider arriving after noon.

For details, visit glenshawpubliclibrary.org.

MILLVALE COMMUNITY LIBRARY

The Millvale Community Library, 213 Grant Ave., is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The library will be closed Nov. 27-28 for Thanksgiving.

The Tool Lending Library is open from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

For a complete list of ongoing programs and services, visit millvalelibrary.org.

Volunteers needed

Millvale Community Library is looking for volunteers to help in a variety of areas, including:

• Tool Lending Library: Help patrons check out tools, explore the library’s extensive collection of 800-plus tools, keep everything organized, fix and maintain tools, and sign up new Tool Library members.

• Front desk: Help patrons locate materials, answer the phone, get up-close and personal with our books, tools, DVDs, and more — perfect for an avid reader.

• Free Fridge and Pantry: Help keep the library’s fridge and pantry stocked, cleaned and well documented.

• Workshop/program leaders: We are always looking for people who are interested in sharing their interests/talents with the community. Do you have a skill or hobby you would like to share with children, teens or adults? Let us know!

• Plant parent: We are looking for someone to care for our indoor and outdoor plants. This would include watering, pruning, repotting, etc.

• Yard work: Help our Building and Grounds Committee keep our yard happy, healthy and ready to be used by the community. Work includes weeding, cutting grass, trimming trees and bushes, etc.

Visit tinyurl.com/mrxsfk39 to fill out a volunteer application online or stop by the library for a paper version.

Volunteers must be 14 or older, and everyone must submit a criminal record check and PA child abuse history clearance, as well as a fingerprint-based federal criminal history background check.

For details, call the library at 412-822-7081.

Baby Bag Program promotes early literacy

Millvale Community Library offers a Baby Bag Program for parents of infants from birth to 12 months.

Parents can receive a free bag filled with books, games and toys to support their child’s growing mind and get them ready for reading.

A library card is required to participate.

To learn more, stop by the library’s front desk.

Youths 18 and younger invited to learn chess

Millvale Community Library is offering a free Youth Chess Club for fall.

Children 18 and younger are invited to stop by, meet new friends and play chess from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. every Friday, through Dec. 19.

Pizza will be served to participants.

There will be no session Nov. 28 because the library will be closed for the Thanksgiving break.

No experience is necessary. Queens Gambit will provide instruction.

Community fridge, pantry open 24/7

The Millvale Free Fridge is a community fridge located on the deck behind the Millvale Community Library.

The Millvale Free Pantry is now at the same location behind the library. Both are accessible to the public 24 hours a day.

The fridge is stocked with fresh and frozen groceries and meals from community members, as well as local food partners including 412 Food Rescue, the Gardens of Millvale, Sprezzatura, Lemon Tree Coffee, Abielle Voyante Tea Co. and more.

The fridge and pantry aim to promote food security and reduce food waste. The pantry also is stocked with hygiene and personal care products.

Residents who would like to contribute financially to the fridge and pantry fund can do so online at givebutter.com/MCLCommunityFoodResources.

To donate items or become an ambassador for the effort, email millvalefreefridgeandpantry@gmail.com.

Other places in Millvale also offer help with food insecurity, including:

• North Hills Community Outreach, 416 Lincoln Ave.: Distribution from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. If you need emergency food assistance, call 412-487-6316.

• Gardens of Millvale, 22 Butler St.: Nonperishables available at its Free Little Food Pantry.

• Christ Lutheran Church, 917 Evergreen Ave.: Food pantry open from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays and 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. There also is a Free Little Food Pantry available 24/7 on the North Avenue side of the church.

Music lessons available for free

You Be You Inc. offers free music lessons for all ages at the library:

• Grown-up and Me Music: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the community room. This free music and movement class is geared toward infants through age 4 with a caregiver. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is advised at youbeyouinc.com.

• Tween Guitar: 4 to 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday in the backyard/deck area. These free guitar lessons are geared toward children 8 to 12. Students do not need experience, and several guitars are available. The program is funded by the Grable Foundation as part of You Be You’s Neighborhood Empowerment Music Project. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is advised at youbeyouinc.com.

• Adult Guitar Lessons: 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday in the community room. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is advised at youbeyouinc.com.

SHALER NORTH HILLS LIBRARY

For details about any of the programs below or to register, visit the library’s website at shalerlibrary.org, call the library at 412-486-0211 or email Sharon McRae at mcraes@shalerlibrary.org.

Shaler North Hills Library is located at 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For a complete list of offerings, check out the online calendar of events.

Note: The library will be closing early, at 5 p.m., on Oct. 30, Oct. 31 and Nov. 26. The library will be closed all day Saturday, Nov. 22, for Shaler’s Light-Up Night festivities and Nov. 27 and 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Upcoming programs

• Dance and Shine: 6 to 6:45 p.m. Nov. 16. Join Miss Ing and her friends, Miss Nora and Miss Gigi, award-winning dancers from DancExplosion Arts Center and members of the Avonworth Marching Band, for exciting, kid-friendly dance lessons at the library. The lessons are geared toward preschool and early elementary children, but are fun for all ages. Then, as a special option, you are invited to the Adopt a Grandparent Storytime at Arden Courts, 1125 Perry Highway, at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 1 to share your holiday cheer and new dance moves with the residents. Registration is required. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Note: You do not have to attend every session or the Adopt a Grandparent Storytime; the dance sessions are not required to attend the storytime at Arden Courts.

• Monday Lunch Bunch: 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. every Monday through Dec. 15. Bring your lunch, and we’ll supply the drinks and great fun as we explore stories and crafts each week for ages 4, 5, and 6 without a caregiver. Registration is required.

• “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” Watch Party: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29. This showing of the 2005 animated comedy is for children in grades 7-12. It won an Academy Award for best animated feature film. Pizza will be served. Registration is required.

• Tail Waggin’ Tutors (Therapy Dogs): 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 29. Children in kindergarten and up are encouraged to sign up for a 15-minute session to read to their favorite therapy dog on the last Saturday of every month. To give more youngsters an opportunity to read, registration is required, and a child may register for up to two sessions. You can sign up for more if slots are still open on program day. Register online or call the library.

• Pittsburgh Rug Hooking Guild Exhibit: 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 7 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8. Come view the wide variety of handmade rugs in the community room. There also will be a free Woolworks rug hooking class from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 for patrons 16 and older in the quiet study room. The project will be a snowman. Bring a small pair of scissors and a 14-inch quiltin hoop if you have one; there will be loaners available during the class. Registration is required for the class.

• Understanding Veterans and Military Culture: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Nov. 13. Adults are invited to join retired mental health professional and Army Col. Thomas Stokes as he shares his story as a mental health officer in Afghanistan. He will talk about the challenges and needs of veterans and members of the military community, as well as help us all learn how to better relate to and connect with those members of society. Stokes, who served more than 30 years in the Army, has a background in nursing and social work. Learn more at operationstrongmind.org. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required; drop-ins are welcome as space permits.

• Friendsgiving: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Teens in grades 7-12 are welcome to stop by for an evening of games, prizes and sweet desserts. Registration is required.

Theater troup to share free performance

Members of Act Out, the library’s theater troupe, will stage a free public performance at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the library.

Fans voted for two favorites: “The Pumpkin Who Couldn’t Smile” and “Miss Nelson Is Missing.”

The event is sure to be filled with fun and laughter. Everyone is encouraged to bring a friend and come on out for a night of live theater.

No registration required.

Save the date for “The Wizard of Oz,” which will be performed at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Shout-out to library donors

The Shaler North Hills Library is thanking donors for their kindness and support during September’s Love Your Library Month.

In one month, supporters donated $71,000 to the library. According to the library’s website, that number reflects a 17% increase from 2024. As one donor noted: “May this library continue to be the heart of Shaler Township.”

While funds raised in September qualify for a pro-rated match by the Buncher Foundation, patrons are encouraged to continue to give the library’s 2025-26 campaign. To donate, visit http://tinyurl.com/LYL2025appeal.

For a flipbook of names of area residents who responded to the library’s Love Your Library appeal letter and supported programming in September, visit https://tinyurl.com/lyldonorlist2025.

The library also would like to recognize and thank everyone who purchased raffle tickets, swag, snacks, used books, wish tree items and more, as well as those who participated in the “dueling donations.”

Fall book sale, mini book sale coming up

The Friends of Shaler North Hills Library will host its fall used book sale from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 in the library’s community room.

A preview night for SNHL Friends will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30. The sale will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the following three days.

There will be something for all ages, including books, audiobooks, DVDs, puzzlies and games.

Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

A mini book sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Nov. 3 and 4 in the library’s quiet study room.

All proceeds benefit the library.

Guest ‘beertender’ benefit to help library

This daylong event Nov. 15 at Acrospire Brewing Company, 1702 Mt. Royal Blvd., will feature guest “beertenders” in a friendly competition, serving your favorite beers to raise money for community causes.

Come out and support the Shaler North Hills Library team from 6 to 8 p.m.

Invite your friends, family and library supporters to enjoy a beer while making a difference.

All ages are welcome as Acrospire Brewing Company offers a family-friendly kids corner.

Collection of unwanted meds scheduled Oct. 25

The library, in conjunction with Shaler police, is offering an opportunity to responsibly dispose of unwanted medication during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 in the rear parking lot.

Drop-off will be conducted in a drive-through format. Participants should have their medications in a bag and stay in their vehicle.

Here are the rules:

• Medications from households and residences are accepted, whether prescription or over-the-counter.

• Medications may be disposed of in the original container or in a sealed plastic bag.

• Liquids must remain in the original container.

• Vaping cartridges are accepted.

• No needles, syringes or lancets.

Please do not arrive early as library staff are not permitted to accept any medication.

If you are unable to make it on this Saturday, ask for a flyer about dropping off at the Shaler Police Department building.