Northern Tier Library offers holiday programs galore

Last year the pandemic restricted the Northern Tier Library’s Holiday Boutique, but this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever! Offerings include tickets to cultural events, holiday gifts, toys, books, “spirited” baskets and more!

You can browse this year’s Winter Wonderland of themed trees on our website northerntierlibrary.org

Bids will be accepted until Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. for Christmas trees, and Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. for all other boutique raffle items.

All proceeds benefit the library.

Holiday hours

Richland Center: The library will be closed Dec. 24-27. The library will also close at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 and will be closed Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday.

Pine Center: The Pine Center will be closed from Dec. 27-30.

Pine Tree Shoppes Bookmobile: The last day of service is Dec. 17. It will resume Jan. 7.

Pine Community Center Bookmobile: The last day of service is Dec. 13. It will resume Jan. 3.

Pop-up book sale

The Friends of the Library will host a Pop-Up Book Sale Dec. 11-18.

The Friends group will meet Jan. 4 at 10 a.m.. The Friends sponsored the annual used book sale and many other programs in support of the library. New members are welcome to join us!

For the kids

Kids of all ages are invited to enjoy a simple, weekly take-home craft. Call or register online to reserve a weekly supply kit that can be picked up every Tuesday inside our lobby and enjoyed at home.

The Weekly Project features a variety of activities that can be enjoyed from home such as cooking, crafting, art, and STEM. Each week will showcase a different take-home project for children to work on with their families.

A six-week session of these two take-home programs will be available every Tuesday through Dec. 14. Both of these programs are for kids of all ages, and registration is required each week to account for supplies.

Family story and playtime

Join us on the lower-level for an indoor story and playtime. The same program will be hosted on different days twice per week, like theFresh Air Story Times, and each week will feature a new theme. The program will be hosted at 10:30 a.m. in the lower-level program room.

All are asked (ages 2 and up) to wear a face covering and to bring a blanket to sit on. The blanket will be on a carpeted floor, and will be your area to maintain social distance while sitting down to enjoy the program. Program dates are Dec. 15 or Dec. 16.

Registration is required and encouraged to be early, because only 12 families will be able to attend any given session. Please make sure to attend if you register. We want everyone to have an opportunity to participate, but space will be very limited. This program is for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families.

The Holiday Take-Home Bundle will have a variety of holiday themed crafts to make at home and share with your family. We’ll be offering cookies to those who can pick up their bundle on Dec. 22 between 12-8 p.m. If you can’t come on that date, you can still request the crafts and pick them up in the lobby, but no cookies will be offered beyond this date. This bundle is for children of all ages and registration is required by Dec. 19 to account for supplies.

What is out there beyond our solar system? The Kuiper Belt? Planet 9? What is an Oort Cloud? And for goodness sakes, why would a galaxy cluster have the Hawaiian name, Laniakea? Discover more information and new mysteries in Outer Space at Natureology with Tony on Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Registration is required, and all attendees age 2 and older must wear a mask while inside.

For teens, adults

Hey teens! Join in each week at the Pine Center location for Maker Mondays, a program where you can create fun projects related to arts, crafts, electronics, sewing, and more.

Dec. 6: Origami tree

Dec. 13: Ornaments

Dec. 20: Mini Sleds

This program is held from 2:45-5:30 p.m. every Monday in Northern Tier Library’s Pine Center.

The Richland location will offer a take-home kit the last Monday of every month that can be picked up inside the lobby and enjoyed at home. Each kit will feature directions and supplies for the featured project. This month’s is Dec. 20: mini sleds.

Please call or register online to reserve a take-home kit. Registration is required to account for supplies.

Adult take-home kit

Celebrate the holiday season with homemade decorations that you and your family can make together in the comfort of your own home. Take-home kits can be picked up after 12 p.m. on Dec. 21. Registration is required to account for supplies.

Bridget’s Book Club

When newly divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life—but Ivy didn’t bargain on just how much labor. At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit with a note in the pocket. It’s from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did that family hold? Ivy’s quest brings her into the community, and she just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.

Join Bridget’s Book Club at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 for a holiday discussion of “The Santa Suit” by Mary Kay Andrews.

Knit Lit

Do you knit, crochet, or craft in any way? If not, would you like to learn? Beginners are invited to come and learn; experienced crafters are invited to bring a project to work on. Everyone is encouraged to bring their latest book to talk about!

This group will meet on 7-9 p.m. Dec. 22 inside the library in the new book section. Registration is required.

Diversity Book Club

Welcome to a volunteer-initiated book club taking place at Northern Tier Library every other Saturday in December.

This book club encourages high school students to read and discuss children’s books from diverse authors about diverse topics. Featured story topics will include women’s empowerment, and disabilities. Afterwards, everyone can participate in a related activity.

The featured children’s books are targeted toward young children (ages 4-10), although the book club itself is geared towards high school-aged students.

Session Three: Women’s Empowerment

Date: Dec. 4, 1-2:30 p.m.

Books:

• “Grace for President” by Kelly DiPucchio

• “Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World” by Kate Pankhurst

• “The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do” by Ashley Spires

Activity: Decorating paper dolls with capes

Session Four: Disabilities

Date: Dec. 18, 1-2:30 p.m.

Books:

• “Dad Has a Wheelchair” by Ken Jasch

• “Proud to be Deaf” by Lilli Beese & Nick Beese

• “Looking Out for Sarah” by Glenna Lang

Activity: “Hi, my name is” in ASL

All attendees are required to wear a mask, and hand sanitizer will be available at the program. Registration is required.

RAD Pass

What is RAD Pass? It’s an online ticket lending system that allows Allegheny County library cardholders ages 18 and older to access free or discounted tickets to regional attractions! RAD Pass helps make our region’s cultural resources available and accessible to everyone. Check it out online by visiting radpass.org

Membership opportunities

The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh have created three new Community Access Memberships for local teenagers. Sign up for a free teen membership to enjoy the benefits from being part of the Carnegie Museums member community all year long.These free memberships are available for teenagers who are eager to learn, be challenged, and feel inspired by new experiences. To qualify, teens must be between 13 - 18 years old and their parents or legal guardians must consent and agree to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh terms on the signup page. These free benefits are valid for one named teen per membership, and do not extend to parents, legal guardians, caregivers, household members, or additional guests.

For the registration page and additional details about this free teen membership opportunity, visit: carnegiemuseums.org.

Planning ahead for college

PSAT scores will start to become available by the second week in December. This is the perfect time to start putting your college admissions strategy in place. On Dec. 15 from 6:30-8 p.m., Axios Tutoring will explain what colleges are looking for and what is and isn’t changing in admissions. This seminar is ideal for parents of sophomores and juniors. This program will be limited to 40 attendees, and registration is required. All attendees must wear masks.