A Great Story Begins
Here: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Every great reader starts with a single story, and this fall we’ re excited to help families begin that journey with the launch of our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program! This nationwide program encourages children and parents to read 1000 books before entering kindergarten.
Kick off the program with a special celebration on September 24, featuring snacks, crafts, storytime, registration, and a keepsake Polaroid photo to compare the beginning and end of the reading adventure. Those interested in attending should register on our library website events calendar. Throughout the challenge, families will track their progress, be rewarded for milestones of 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 books, and build lifelong reading habits together. Along the way, children develop important early literacy skills while creating special memories one story at a time.
Whether your family is just beginning its reading adventure or already has a stack of favorite bedtime books, the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a wonderful way to encourage a lifelong love of reading. We hope you’ ll join us as we celebrate the launch and take the first step toward 1000 stories together!
Molly’ s Trolley Returns This Holiday Season
One of Jefferson Hills Public Library’ s most beloved holiday traditions is rolling back into town! Mark your calendars for this year’ s Molly’ s Trolley Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 15, from 5:30 to 8:00 p. m.
Families will enjoy an evening filled with holiday cheer, including festive crafts, a holiday movie, snacks, and a magical trolley ride through the neighborhood accompanied with a special storytime.
This annual event is one of our most popular programs, and spaces are known to fill quickly. If you’ d like to take part in the event, have your phone or computer ready! Registration opens on the library website events calendar on November 16 at 6:00 p. m.
We look forward to celebrating the season together and making new holiday memories!
Unearthing a Summer Full of Stories
This summer, Jefferson Hills Public Library invited the community to dig a little deeper, explore new ideas, and discover adventures waiting around every corner through our Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program.
From June 8 through August 6, the library was filled with curiosity, creativity, and plenty of opportunities for fun. Young explorers built, created, and experimented during Summer Expeditions, Engineering Challenges, and Tween Takeovers. Special guests helped bring learning to life with visits from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Humane Animal Rescue, and the Allegheny County Park Rangers, giving participants the chance to connect with animals, nature, science, and the world around them.
The summer fun went beyond the library walls as staff visited the Borough of Jefferson Hills Summer Recreation Camp every Monday and Friday, bringing handson crafts and activities directly to local campers. Storytime regulars also ventured to Jurassic Alcove in South Park for a special off-site storytime adventure.
Of course, reading remained at the center of every adventure. Throughout the summer, participants tracked their reading, collected prize machine tokens, and earned raffle tickets for a chance to win one of our themed summer reading baskets. Families also added a little extra fun to their summer with the Summer Reading Bingo Challenge, completing activities to earn prizes and earning an entry into the grand prize drawing for a $ 150 Amazon gift card.
We thank everyone who helped make this year ' s Summer Reading Program such a success. Your participation and enthusiasm brought Unearth a Story to life. We can’ t wait to see what stories we’ ll uncover together next summer!
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MEET OUR NEW PATRON ASSISTANT
If you ' ve visited the library this summer, you may have noticed a new friendly face at the circulation desk! We are excited to officially welcome Vicki, who joined the Jefferson Hills Public Library staff as a Patron Assistant in June.
From checking out books to helping patrons find what they need, Vicki has quickly become a valued member of our staff. Her warm personality and enthusiasm for connecting with patrons of all ages have already made a lasting impression. Be sure to stop by and say hello the next time you ' re at the library!
Get to Know Vicki:
• Favorite Book: I can’ t pick just one! I have to say all of the Harry Potter books will forever be my favorite!
• Favorite Movie: The Holiday. It gives me the warm and fuzzy Christmas feels.
• Favorite Hobby: Horseback riding! I started when I was six years old.
• Coffee or Tea: I’ m not a big coffee or tea person. I usually drink an Alani energy drink every day!
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