WHAT’ S NEWS IN MT. LEBANON
MT. LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY NAMED PENNSYLVANIA LIBRARY OF THE YEAR
The Pennsylvania Library Association( PaLA) honored Mt. Lebanon Public Library with its 2025 Library of the Year Award— recognizing its exceptional service, community leadership and steadfast commitment to protecting access to information for all. It became the first library in Allegheny County to receive the prestigious statewide honor.
PaLA praised the library’ s longstanding role as a community hub since 1932 and highlighted its impressive 2024 impact: more than 764,000 items circulated, nearly 1,500 programs hosted, around 35,000 program attendees, and more than 23,600 reference questions answered. The organization also noted the library’ s strong investment in professional development and statewide leadership, including Library Director Robyn Vittek’ s election as PaLA’ s 2nd Vice President and Chair of the 2025 annual conference.
A major factor in the award was Mt. Lebanon Public Library’ s bold step earlier this year to designate itself a“ Book Sanctuary”— the first public library in Pennsylvania to do so— affirming its refusal to remove or relocate materials that meet established selection standards. The designation underscored the library’ s commitment to intellectual freedom and ensuring that all patrons feel represented.
Vittek celebrates the award as a reflection of the entire Mt. Lebanon community, crediting the board, staff, Friends of the Library volunteers, and residents for supporting a welcoming, inclusive and literacy-driven environment.
KEYNOTES MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
Keynotes is accepting applications for its 2026 music scholarship competition, set for May 9 at the Fine Arts Theater at Mt. Lebanon High School. More than $ 16,000 in cash awards will be available for outstanding young musicians.
Eligible applicants include instrumentalists under age 26( as of June 1, 2025) and vocalists under age 30. Students must be full-time music majors at a college, university or music school— or graduating high school seniors who have been accepted into a full-time music major program. Applicants must also be legal Pennsylvania residents for at least one year, or out-of-state students who attend school in Pennsylvania and can provide proof of a Pennsylvania address( such as a campus address, university mailing, or utility bill).
Applications are available online at keynotesmusicscholarship. com. You may also request one by contacting Scholarship Chair Lori Walter at 412.260.6972 or houdini5 @ hotmail. com.
April 30, 2026 is the application deadline. For more information, visit keynotesmusicscholarship. com or find on Facebook at Keynotes Music Scholarship.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE 20TH ANNUAL BOB FRYER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for its 20th annual Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship($ 5,000) and the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship($ 2,500)— both designed for outstanding undergraduate journalism students pursuing careers in print, broadcasting or multimedia.
Applicants must be sophomores or juniors enrolled in accredited colleges or universities with permanent residence in one of 29 Western Pennsylvania counties. Winners will be honored at the annual Golden Quills Awards Dinner in Pittsburgh, and scholarship funds will be applied directly to their school accounts.
The application deadline is Feb. 9, 2026, with recipients notified by April 15.
Applications and details are available at westernpapressclub. org, or by contacting the Press Club at pressclubwpa @ gmail. com or 412.281.7778.
UPCOMING EVENTS WITH CHABAD OF THE SOUTH HILLS
Seniors Lunches Location: Chabad of the South Hills, 1701 McFarland Road Wednesday, 1 / 14 / 26: Tips on Maintaining Good Posture as We Age Wednesday, 2 / 25 / 26: Safe Driving Through the Ages $ 5 suggested donation per lunch. Call 412.278.2658 to register.
CKIDS Jewish Discovery Club
Chabad of the South Hills invites children in grades K – 6 to the CKIDS Jewish Discovery Club, held Sundays from 10:30 a. m. to 12:30 p. m.
The program instills Jewish values through Aleph Champ Hebrew reading, holiday celebrations, and hands-on learning. Open to all, with no membership required.
A special monthly Jewish Story Hour is also available for ages 0 – 4.
Learn more at chabadsh. com / jdc or contact Hindy at hindy @ chabadsh. com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PCCSING. ORG
JOIN THE PCC FOR ITS 2025-26 SEASON
The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale( PCC) announced its 2025 – 2026 season, offering a lineup of performances that celebrate the richness and diversity of choral music.
In December, PCC’ s beloved holiday tradition, Sounds of the Season, returned with performances from Dec. 5 – 7.
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