Library preparing for busy summer
WAYNESBURG – Eva K. Bowlby Public Library is currently holding its Spring Used Book Sale, and the library is encouraging patrons and supporters to stop by and investigate the many adult and children’s titles that are available for purchase.
The sale will be ongoing through June 22 and is taking place in the library’s gazebo.
This year’s Summer Reading Programming in Greene County’s Library System will feature the “Dig Into Reading” theme for children, “Beneath the Surface” for teenagers and “Groundbreaking Reads” for adults.
Bowlby will host its kick-off June 22 with various programs on local animals, reptiles and gardening. Weekly programming for baby-lapsit through adults will run for six weeks beginning the week of July 8. Bowlby’s programming for school-age children will feature a five-hour camp-style program running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including lunch and a movie, as well as weekly challenges in a special series called “Gnome Sweet Gnome.”
And, in the spirit of challenges, three Bowlby librarians will be issuing a summer fundraising challenge to Greene County residents. So, if the idea of seeing your Bowlby librarians duct-taped to a wall inspires you, then be sure to stop in this summer and contribute.
Most importantly, these weekly programs at the library are free to the public and will feature activities designed to keep kids and adults reading and learning during the summer. Free lunches for any child 18 or younger will be available on-site through a partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.
The library also is currently selling tickets for Library Night at PNC Park for the evening game slated for July 30. Ticket prices are $18 for grandstand seats and $11 for upper grandstand seats. The giveaway will be a Pirates hat. Tickets are also available for purchase for a local Washington Wild Things game Aug. 21.
The library’s annual trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will be Aug 17. Ticket prices are 2 and under, free; ages 2 to 12, $10; 13 and older, $12. Tickets include admission to the zoo and bus transportation.
In addition to all the summer programming being offered, Bowlby Library also has numerous opportunities available year-round through its Family Literacy Program.
Partially funded by a grant from United Way, Family Literacy provides educational opportunities for patrons of all ages, from preschoolers in kindergarten-readiness classes to adults preparing for GED exams. Other services range from helping adults learn to read or balance a checkbook, to teaching them to use a personal computer.
Family Literacy is strongly encouraging adults who wish to obtain a GED credential to enroll for free, one-on-one prep classes and to register to take the exam before the end of 2013. The current version of the GED test series will be replaced with a new, more rigorous exam January 1, 2014. After that date, all scores from tests previously taken will be invalid and the entire exam will have to be retaken. The new test will contain more content based on emerging national and state standards in language arts, mathematical reasoning, science and social studies.
Bowlby’s Family Literacy is currently accepting new students for free online diagnostic testing and one-on-one sessions during both day and evening hours. Adult learners may call to schedule an appointment.
Even though school has just ended, Bowlby’s Family Literacy continues to offer one-on-one summer tutoring in subjects that students may have struggled with during the school year. For one to two hours a week, students can solidify their understanding of difficult math topics or improve their reading skills by working with our qualified staff and volunteers. Then, when school resumes in August, students can enter the new year confident in their abilities.
For more information on any of these programs, call the library at 724-627-9776, or check out the website at www.evakbowlby.org.