Archive for September 2022

We worked with local naturalist Charlotte “Chotty” Sprenkle on the display of a photo contest she ran for the Octoraro Watershed Association. During that exhibit, we learned about Chotty’s obsession with photographing mushrooms. Chotty has agreed to give a 1-hour talk about her obsession in support of a month-long exhibit of her photographs. All but two of the photos were taken in the local area, many at the local county park, and those mushrooms grow here as well. This program supports the arts, the local community by sharing its members interests, and the local environment by sharing information and wonder.

Monday Mile is a weekly group walking program. Library staff leads a walk around our town to encourage health benefits. As this program evolves, it has taken on civic and social components, such as single seniors meeting new people, staying active, and sharing their knowledge of the town with younger people. Participants have asked for local history (in this program and others), so a local history scavenger we developed during the pandemic will be incorporated into a future walk. This program has the potential to knit together several literacies.

Free document shredding was offered to residents as a financial literacy outreach program. Participants were give an informational sheet on identity theft when they presented their documents for shredding. We also asked that participants bring nonperishable foods for Octorara Are Food Cupboard, which was in dire need at the time. We planned this program to coincide with Earth Day, but that wouldn’t be necessary

Indian Valley Public Library seeks to empower community members to engage in exploring Civil and Social Literacy in their own way. The Sleeping Mat Project brings together individuals and groups from different ages, backgrounds, and abilities, with the common purpose of helping those in need. During these inclusive volunteer opportunities, sleeping mats are created from plastic bags which are then distributed to people experiencing homelessness.

Between September 2020 — April 2022, Michael Jesberger presented a series of Virtual Local Revolutionary and Civil War Programs for our Adult patrons.

On Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 3 PM on the lawn of the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, patrons of all ages gathered for guidance by author/artist/environmentalist Kate Brandes. We conversed about various ways to nature journal: writing, drawing, leaf-rubbing, etc.. As we perched by one of the library’s partially landscaped patches, Brandes passed milkweed pods and plants around, and she taught everyone about milkweed’s history and the ecological importance of native plants. She showed examples before we tried it on our own; with library-supplied journals and colored pencils, patrons explored the library grounds, which contain a number of non-native tree and flower species. Finally, and most significantly, we regathered to discuss the experience: what we observed, what we felt, and what we discovered. We explored questions like “What can nature teach us? How do you think nature journaling and ‘looking closely’ relate to sustainability and living as ‘low-waste’ as possible? What ideas from today most resonated with you?” Attendees then got to take home a beautiful pollinator plant container garden

Kutztown Community Library is located in a homogenous area. To embrace and discover the diversity beyond our borders, we host adult programs each month featuring a nationality, race, religion, or identity.