These events are planned at Northland Library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless.

ALL AGES

ALL THE FEELS – Winter reading fun for ages up to 18

Jan. 1 through Jan. 31

Experience all the feels this winter! Learn about the history of emojis, explore the importance of emotions, and discover fun activities to express yourself fully —all while earning badges on a virtual bingo card!

Everyone completing their bingo card will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to Riverstone Books. Go to northlandlibrary.beanstack.org to sign up.

WINTER BOOKMARK CONTEST – All ages including adults!

Jan. 1 through Jan. 31

Children of all ages and adults may create an original design reflecting the winter months then enter their artwork in Northland’s Winter Bookmark Contest. Pick up an entry form in the Children and Teen Services or the Adult Services department beginning January 3 or download one from the Children and Teen page on the Library’s website beginning Jan. 1.

Follow the guidelines to enter your design which will be judged in the following age categories: ages 0 to 3, ages 4 to 7, ages 8 to 12, ages 13 to 17, and ages 18+. Bring your entry to the Children and Teen Services desk or the Ask A Librarian desk by Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Winners will be announced Feb. 6. Along with a certificate, each winner will receive 30 bookmarks printed with their winning design. Winners may pick up their prize package from the Children and Teen Services desk beginning on February 27. All winning bookmarks will also be distributed at the Library.

FEATURED EVENTS FOR ADULTS AT NORTHLAND LIBRARY

Registration required, where noted, to attend these free virtual and in-person programs. Go to www.northlandlibrary.org.

SASSY SENIORS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Thursday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.

Join performers from the Better Than Ever Independents as they perform songs, skits, and comedy to celebrate the season! Registration is required. Register to watch virtually at bit.ly/SassySeniorChristmas. A Zoom link will be emailed the week of the program.

DEMENTIA & THE HOLIDAYS

Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

For many people, the holidays are a fun-filled time packed with eating, drinking, celebrating and entertaining. For families taking care of a loved one with dementia, the holidays can be a time filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and even fear. Erin McMaster, Memory Care Advisor from Arden Courts, will cover common missteps around the holidays and how to avoid them, winter safety for people with dementia, tips for reducing stress, and answers questions you may have about helping you and your loved one get the most out of the holiday season. Registration is required.

UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY

Friday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Upstairs Nonfiction Section

Join in some holiday fun! We’ll enjoy some hot chocolate and treats, have stations set up for festive crafting, and you could even win a prize playing trivia and other holiday games! Registration is required for this adult after-hours program.

HOLIDAY COOKIE SWAP

Monday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

Get in the holiday spirit with cookies and hot cocoa! Bring cookies to share or just join members of your community for conversation and holiday cheer. We will provide pens and note cards for labeling your cookies, but feel free to also bring the recipe to share! Registration is required. If you would like to bring cookies, please email colemank2@northlandlibrary.org.

SIGNS OF THE HOLIDAYS

Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.

Are you interested in learning sign language? Join Katy Ondek, nationally certified ASL Interpreter who has been working in the field for more than 20 years, as she teaches ASL fingerspelling and signs for some of the holidays celebrated in the winter season. She will provide hand-outs for the ASL alphabet and a variety of useful resources to learn more about ASL. Registration is required.

THE BEATLES: FROM LIVERPOOL TO ABBY ROAD

Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. A zoom presentation.

Beatles Scholar and storyteller Vinnie Bruno takes us along in the footsteps of The Beatles. He will cover their historic journey from their early days as a cover band in Liverpool and Hamburg, into the excitement of Beatlemania, through their creative ground-breaking studio albums, and finally to their remarkable last recordings at Abbey Road Studios. Coming full circle, he will end with highlights of each individual’s post Beatles work. Registration is required for this virtual program. A Zoom link will be emailed the week of the program.

ONGOING ADULT PROGRAMS

Registration required, where noted, to attend these free virtual and in-person programs. Go to www.northlandlibrary.org.

BOOK DISCUSSIONS

NONFICTION AT NORTHLAND – Every first Tuesday of each month

Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

An informal discussion of current nonfiction books on a wide variety of topics. Email

colemank2@northlandlibrary.org to join the group’s email list.

December title: “Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest” by Suzanne Simard

January title: “Spook: Science tackles the Afterlife” by Mary Roach

READINGS IN ALTERNATIVE EVERYTHING – Every second Wednesday of each month

Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Are you enticed by the various mysteries of the mind or interested in “alternative” ways of looking at the world? Facilitated by Richard Kajuth, a former educational consultant and lifelong student of esoteric inquiry and Eastern philosophy. Email him at rkajuthdd@gmail.com to join this Zoom discussion.

BOOKED FOR LUNCH – Every second Friday of each month

Friday, Dec. 9 at 11:30 a.m.

A mid-day popular fiction book discussion group. You’ll love talking about our selections with fellow book lovers. Email colemank2@northlandlibrary.org to join the group’s email list.

December title: The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

January title: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdich

BANNED BOOKS BOOK CLUB – Every third Thursday of each month. There is no meeting in December.

Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Wonder why these books are banned? Discuss themes or controversial content in a safe space. Email georgica@northlandlibrary.org for questions or to join the group’s email list.

January titles: “Prince and Knight” by Daniel Haack; “Something Happened in Our Town” by Marianne Celano

February Title: “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas

MYSTERY LOVERS BOOK GROUP – Every third Thursday of each month

Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

If you enjoy reading and discussing good mysteries, then join us! No registration is required.

December title: Movie night – Murder by Death

SERIOUS READERS – Every fourth Saturday of each month. There is a date change due to the holiday.

Saturday, Jan. 7 at 11 a.m., which will constitute the December meeting.

Focused on nonfiction books of philosophical, political, economic, and scientific matters which have influenced the western world. Meeting via Jitsi.org, email dpkissane@verizon.net to join.

December title: “The Second Amendment: A Biography” by Michael Waldman

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

MOVIE MATINEE – Every third Wednesday of each month

Peek into the sights and culture of other lands through a travel or foreign film feature. No registration is required.

Dec. 21 – Travel Films: Myanmar (Burma) and Zanzibar: Bagan, an ancient city of more than 2200 temples; exotic Mandalay; Swedagon Pagoda, a Buddhist pilgrimage destination in Yangon, Burma’s capital. Learn about slave trade in Zanzibar while visiting important sites: Sultans’ Palaces, Arab Forts, dungeons, and a spice plantation.

Jan. 18 - The Father - Told through the mind of an Alzheimer’s patient, Anthony Hopkins gives an Oscar winning performance as a delightful and humorous father going through the effects of this devastating disease.

NORTH HILLS GENEALOGISTS – Every third Monday of each month. There is no meeting in December

Monday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.

For more information or to register, go to northhillsgenealogists.org then click on Meetings & Events.

January Topic: I Have a Civil War Ancestor… Now What?

CONVERSATION SALON – Every fourth Wednesday of each month. No meeting in December.

Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.

Come meet some new friends and neighbors to engage in informal chats on current events, local issues, or national headlines. Conversation salons provide the opportunity to share ideas, listen with respect to other’s opinions, and learn from each other. No registration is required.

FEATURED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN AT NORTHLAND

Registration required, where noted, to attend these free virtual and in-person programs. For more information and to register, go to www.northlandlibrary.org or call the Children and Teen Services desk at 412-366-8100, ext. 123.

GIVING TALES

Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Friendship and generosity are the themes of four folktales featuring the whimsical puppets designed by Pittsburgh puppeteer Cheryl Capezzutti. Written and directed by Kellee Van Aken, the puppet show will be performed by Lexie Hellinger and Ryan Jordan. Families with children in kindergarten and older are invited to attend. Registration is required by all attending.

TAIL WAGGING TUTORS – HOLIDAY EDITION!

Friday, Dec. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon

Take a few minutes this holiday season to read to a therapy dog! The number of available spots will depend on the number of available dogs at this event for children in grades from kindergarten on up. Registration is required. Beginning on December 30 at 9 a.m., call 412-366-8100 option 4 to register. If you do not get through, please call back. Please do not leave a message.

HOMESCHOOL MEETUP

Friday, Jan. 6 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Mandy Cousins from McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority will be here to discuss basic first aid, when to call 911, and what to say when you call 911. An ambulance, subject to availability, will be here as well for tours following this program for teens and children over age 7. Registration is required.

ONGOING CHILDREN AND TEEN ACTIVITIES AT NORTHLAND

Registration required, where noted, to attend these free virtual and in-person programs. For more information and to register, go to www.northlandlibrary.org or call the Children and Teen Services desk at 412-366-8100, ext. 123.

TODDLER TIME

Wednesdays at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.

Toddlers 12 months to 35 months with a caregiver are invited to participate in songs, rhymes and library fun that build important pre-reading skills. Registration is required. Space is limited. The 10 and 11 a.m. sessions are identical, register for either session. A one-time registration for all four programs in a session.

Wednesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 at 10 a.m. – Registration begins Jan. 15

Wednesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 at 11 a.m. – Registration begins Jan. 15

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME!

Wednesdays at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.

Children will enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and rhythms at this 30-minute storytime. Registration is required. Registration information: The 10 and 11 a.m. sessions are identical, register for either session. Register each child attending separately. A one-time registration for all four programs in a session. Child must be at least age 3 to attend. An adult may also attend with their child. Infants under the age of 1 year may attend with their registered sibling(s).

Wednesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 at 10 a.m. – Registration begins Jan. 15

Wednesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 at 11 a.m. – Registration begins Jan. 15

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Thursdays at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.

Dance a little, play a little music, and listen to a story. Children ages three and up will have fun with scarves, bean bags, egg shakers, and other simple instruments each week.

Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9 at 10 a.m. – Registration begins Jan. 15

Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9 at 11 a.m. – Registration begins Jan. 15

LAB MICE

Mondays at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.

During this STEAM based program, we will read a story, talk about what happened, and do a hands-on STEAM activity based on the book. This program of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math exploration is for kids ages 3 to 6.

Mondays, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6 at 10 a.m. – Registration begins Jan. 15

Mondays, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6 at 11 a.m. – Registration begins Jan. 15

‘TWEEN & TEEN PROGRAMS

TEEN GAME NIGHT – ON DISCORD! – Every Tuesday evening

Tuesdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20; Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Join us on Discord for a virtual game night! Games we’ve played (and will play again!) include Among Us, Roblox, Minecraft, Jackbox, and much more! Teens ages 13 to 18 can go to tinyurl.com/y2kq6wht to sign up to join the county-wide Discord server.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS - ON DISCORD!

December 7, 9, 10; January 4, 5, 6, 7 at 7p.m.

Calling all adventurers! The Sheep Farmers Guild is setting off on their next mission. Join us on Discord to help us take down some baaaa-d guys! Teens ages 13 to 18 can join the countywide Discord server. Go to www.northlandlibrary.org for more information.

TEEN TIME - Every first Thursday of each month

Thursdays, Dec. 1; Jan. 5; Feb. 2; March 2 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Join us for a mystery activity at this program for ‘tweens and teens ages 12 to 18. No registration is required.

New! TEEN GAME ROOM – Every second Thursday of each month

Thursdays, Jan. 12; Feb. 9; March 9 from 3:30 to 4 :30 p.m.

An hour of gaming for those ages 12 to 18. No registration is required.

NORTHLAND TEEN GENDER AND SEXUALITY ALLIANCE (GSA) – Every third Tuesday of each month

Tuesdays, Dec. 20; Jan. 17; Feb. 21; March 21 from 6 to 7:45 p.m.

Come hang out with a group of LGBTQIA+ friends and allies to have fun, be your true self, and strengthen community! For ages 13 to 18. No registration required.

ANIME CLUB - Every third Thursday of each month

Thursdays, Dec. 22; Jan. 19; Feb. 16; March 16 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

An hour of anime and manga fun celebrating all things Japanese pop culture! This program is for kids ages 12 to 18. Registration is not required.

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