Chartiers-Houston Community Library

06/26/2026

WEEK #1 OF SUMMER READING ADVENTURES @ CHCL

We had a lot of fun this week learning how to "dig for information." We also got to see some photos of old artifacts and learn how the items were used. The one that tripped up most of our friends was the old chalk holder that teachers used on the blackboards back in the day. Ms. Heather demonstrated how carbon paper was used. We enjoyed seeing the looks on the faces of students when it was explained that the carbon paper was our "copy machine."

Our youngest friends learned about digging machines. We used our parachute as our dump truck bed and loaded "rocks and trash" and then dumped them out!

Next week, we are hosting Dino Play week. Our featured guest for our Tuesday Family Night is Joe Wos from Cartoon Academy at 5:30 pm. Please call to reserve your seat for this fun, entertaining workshop with Mr. Wos. 724-745-4300

*Next Tuesday will be the last day to register for the summer reading challenges.*

06/25/2026

FUNDRAISER VOLUNTEERS/DONATIONS

We are getting close to one of our big fundraisers for the library and it is time to make sure we have all the final details in order. If you committed to donating a raffle basket or item for the Charity Bingo, now is the time to get those dropped off at the library. Please bring items and baskets during our regular hours of operation. M, T, Th 12-7pm, W 10am-5pm, F 12-5pm and Sat 12-4pm.

As a reminder, the Chartiers Township Parks and Recreation’s Charity Bingo on July 9th will help benefit the library. This will be one of our biggest fundraisers for this year. We have a wonderful lineup of volunteers, however we want to be sure to have a few extra hands available. If you haven’t done so already, or if you are not sure you are on the list, please call the library to say you can help the evening of Thursday, July 9th at the township community center. The total time commitment for volunteering that night will be from 4:30 pm until the bingo is complete (around 8:45-9:00 pm). Please call 724-745-4300 and let the library staff know you want to sign up to help at the bingo.

If you cannot help, you can always show up to play and help raise funds for the library and the township parks and recreation. Doors open at 5:00 pm on July 9th at the Community Center.

Thank you to everyone who has already dropped off baskets! We have some amazing things coming in and we think this will be one of our best fundraisers yet.

We look forward to seeing everyone come out to support the Chartiers-Houston Community Library on July 9th at the township Charity Bingo!

06/23/2026

REMINDER:
Family Night this evening will run from 4:00 pm to 6:45 pm. We do ask that you give staff time to set and reset stations as necessary.

Students can begin cheking their reading logs this evening.

See you tonight!

WEEK 1 - DIGGING FOR INFORMATION
This week we will be "digging" for information. Our older students will be having fun with some non-fiction activities and the Dewey Decimal System on Tuesday (these activities will help them prepare for other challenges throughout the summer); while our youngest friends will have fun learning about digging machines during our storytime sessions.

If you didn't register yet, we still have some goodie bags left for the kids. Stop in this week and register for the summer reading challenges for ALL AGES!

*Activities for Family Nights will be available from 4:00-6:45 pm. Please allow staff time to set up stations. Due to staffing, we cannot guarantee that things will be ready before our promoted start time. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

06/22/2026

WEEK 1 - DIGGING FOR INFORMATION
This week we will be "digging" for information. Our older students will be having fun with some non-fiction activities and the Dewey Decimal System on Tuesday (these activities will help them prepare for other challenges throughout the summer); while our youngest friends will have fun learning about digging machines during our storytime sessions.

If you didn't register yet, we still have some goodie bags left for the kids. Stop in this week and register for the summer reading challenges for ALL AGES!

*Activities for Family Nights will be available from 4:00-6:45 pm. Please allow staff time to set up stations. Due to staffing, we cannot guarantee that things will be ready before our promoted start time. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

06/21/2026

Thank you to all who came out to celebrate our Summer Reading Kickoff today. We had a lot of fun with our javelin throw (we didn't get any photos), our book dominoes challenge, chalk the walk, scavenger hunt, would you rather, and creating some ice cream artwork.

Storytimes will be held Mondays at 5:30 pm and Thursdays at 11:30 am; and family nights will begin this Tuesday from 4:00-6:45 pm. We will leave some activities out throughout the week for those who cannot make Tuesdays. Just ask staff what theme activities are still available when you come in to check your logs.

Congratulations to our winners of the Guess How Many game. It was a tie! Two students entered a guess that was off by only one. The answer was 99 DumDum Pops. Both Brooklyn and Bridget entered a guess of 100. We put both entries in for a random draw and one of our volunteers drew the winning name. The winner got the pitcher of lollipops and the runner-up will receive a 'how-to' drawing book.

We had a very successful day of registrations! If you couldn't join us today, please stop in sometime next week to register for our summer reading challenges for all ages. We have a special challenge for the Teens this year. Ask staff for details on your next visit.

Happy Summer Reading to all, and to all a Great Weekend!

06/20/2026

Just a small sample from our kickoff today. Keep watching for more!

06/20/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY!!
Summer Reading Kick-off begins at 1:00 pm

06/18/2026

FUNDRAISER EVENT

We will be celebrating our summer reading success with a special fundraiser this year. We have select seating at the Washington Wild Things game on Friday, August 7th. Come out and support the library's efforts and join us in celebrating all of the summer reading fun. Use the link or the QR code to purchase your tickets and half of the ticket price is given back to the library!

https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2new/GroupPortalPEC.asp?HoldID=1154&SponsorID=19270&EventID=355667

If you have any questions, please contact the library manager at 724-745-4300.

Seating is limited, so get your tickets soon!!

06/17/2026

THURSDAY CLUB REMINDERS

A quick reminder that our Book Club session from last week is rescheduled to this Thursday at 5:30 pm.

Also, because of our need to cancel June's Cookbook Club session, we have decided to use the same book and recipes for our July meeting. We will then pick up with the suggested titles moving forward. If you have any questions, please call library staff.

724-745-4300

06/17/2026

MUSEUM PASSES HAVE ARRIVED!

Our summer museum passes are here and ready for check out. Just as a reminder, they cannot be held, cannot go on the delivery truck, and must be checked out and returned at our library location. Our number one suggestion is to call before you come in to see if the pass you want is available; or check the online catalog for availability.

Passes included in this year's program:
Senator John Heinz History Center (including Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village & Fort Pitt Museum)
Beaver Area Heritage Museum
Bradford House
Gibson House Manor
Historic Fort Steuben
Lincoln Highway Museum
McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center

If you have any questions, please reach out to a staff member. 724-745-4300