West End Library

Readers of all ages are invited to unearth a good book this summer and Dig Into Reading during the 2013 summer reading program—kicking off at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 at the Mifflinburg Community Park featuring award-winning children’s performer Steven Courtney.

This year’s theme is about all things underground—dirt, plants, fossils, animals that burrow, buried treasure and more. Special programs and events incorporating this theme will be held at each of the three Union County Libraries–Herr Memorial Library, Mifflinburg; Public Library for Union County, Lewisburg; and West End Library, Laurelton. All programs are free and open to children of all ages and abilities.

The overall goal of the reading program is to encourage children to continue reading and learning throughout the summer. Children to complete the summer reading program are eligible to receive prizes.

This year, the UCLS libraries, in  partnership with Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, are excited to announce that each child who completes the summer reading program will receive a free pass to Reptiland where they can see the ‘Dinosaurs Come to Life’ exhibit. Other prizes may be awarded depending on each library’s program details.

The libraries are also partnering with the Susquehanna River Valley Heritage Alliance with a historical passport adventure to encourage children in the summer reading program to explore local historical sites including landmarks and museums. More information about this program will be available later this spring.

A traditional May Day Celebration, complete with a garland dance around the Maypole will be held Saturday, May 4 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the West End Library.

Adults and children are invited to dress up in their best enchanting garbs and join in the fun! There will be live music, Maypole weaving, dancing around the Maypole, flower garlands, props, costumes, games and more! Learn about the tradition of May Day and why it’s celebrated while having fun with your family.

Please register to attend this program by calling the library at 570-922-4773 or visiting the circulation desk at 45 Ball Park Road, Laurelton. In the event of rain, this event will be held at the Hartley Township Community Center.

The West End Library is currently looking for a few volunteers to assist with a shelving project scheduled for Saturday, May 11. The library will be closed while new shelving is installed.

Volunteers are needed to remove books from the current shelves so the new units can be installed. Volunteers will then return the books to the new shelves.

Those interested in helping with this one-day project should contact Susan Epley, library director, at 570-922-4773.

While the library is closed, books can be returned using the book drop out front or renewed using the ‘My Account’ feature. The library will reopen at 1 p.m. Monday, May 13.

Union County is celebrating its 200th birthday and has created a Passport to kick-start your exploration of the county while imagining what it might have been like to live, work, and celebrate here during other time periods–all while enjoying what Union County has to offer today and in the future.

Each of the three libraries in Union County–Herr Memorial Library, Mifflinburg; Public Library for Union County, Lewisburg; and West End Library, Laurelton–have these Passports available for community members and visitors to pick up.

By completing your passport, you’ll experience local history at its best during your travels, plus become eligible to win some great prizes along the way!

The Passport program is just an appetizer to wet your Bicentennial appetite, so please fill your place with more offerings from the website at www.UnionCounty200.org or by clicking on the logo below!!

Local historian Van Wagner will discuss the iron ore mining heritage of our area during Iron in Their Veins slated for 6 p.m. Monday, March 11.
As part of this educational program, Wagner will focus on the local iron ore mining with an emphasis on who mined it. Tools, maps, ore samples, demonstrations, and music will help bring this important part of local history to life.
This program is funded by a grant from Community Partnerships RC&D. Please register to attend by calling 570-922-4773.
This program is one of the ways in which the West End Library supports the PA Forward Initiative by providing Civic and Social Literacy opportunities for learning.

Union County is celebrating its Bicentennial this year with a variety of community events, educational and historical programs and interesting displays and features throughout the county.

The West End Library is currently featuring a Bicentennial display in its from lobby which will be up through April. Stop in to check out this fascinating display and check out a book while you’re here!

The library is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Saturdays.

For more information, visit the library at 45 Ball Park Road, Laurelton or call 570-922-4773.

Spring is just around the corner and the West End Library has resumed its regular business hours.

The library is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The library is closed Wednesdays and Sundays.

Books can be returned using the book drop near the front door and books can be renewed or requested using the My Account feature. To set up your account, visit the circulation desk.

The West End Library is excited to announce the launch of Discover, a new early literacy program for children up to age five and their parents.

The Discover program features theme-based sessions that feature activities to enhance alphabet knowledge, phonetic awareness, and number, color, and shape recognition. Additional benefits of participation include following directions, interacting with other children, being patient and respectful, listening comprehension, vocabulary development, visual processing, and grammar.

Discover also introduces parents to simple activities that can help their child with reading and preparing for school, while exploring books together. Parents are encouraged to continue the learning process with take-home activities such as coloring pages, songs, and activities.

Discover will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the library. Children will be enrolled in a level that matches their age and a parent or caregiver must accompany children to the program. For more information, or to register, call 570-922-4773 or stop by the library at 45 Ball Park Road, Laurelton.

Each year, the West End Library embarks on an annual fund drive and the response from the entire community is heartwarming. Past contributions have allowed us to purchase new materials, offer new and exciting programs, and continue serving the community as the center of information, technology, and learning.

This year, we have set a new Fund Drive goal and are once again asking for your support!

The value of your giving is returned to you in our many library services that benefit the entire community including a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books, home-town newspapers, eBooks and audiobooks, DVDs, children’s Discovery Packs, and more. We also host fun, educational, and historical programming, the West End Readers adult book group, story times for children and our successful Summer Reading program for children and adults of all ages—reading over 3,200 books in 2012.

Once again, we thank you for your continued support of the West End Library. To make a contribution to this year’s annual fund drive send a check or money order to The West End Library, P.O. Box 111, 45 Ball Park Road, Laurelton. You can also drop off your gift at the circulation desk!

As you know, every dollar counts and will be used toward creating a community resource for all ages as the center of information, technology, and learning.

The West End Library is now following its winter hours through February.

The library will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The library is closed Wednesdays and Sundays.

When the library is closed, books may be returned using the book return located near the front door. Those who have set up the ‘My Account’ feature may use it to renew or request books.

For more information visit the library at 45 Ball Park Road, Laurelton, or call 570-922-4773. The library website is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for your use at www.westendlibrary.org.

Weather related closings will be posted on the library’s website and Facebook www.facebook.com/west.end.reads. Closings are also reported to local radio and television stations.