Happy October! So far, mine has a been a nonstop cycle of fall treats, civic discussions, and back to school. Luckily, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has resources to help balance all that is going on right now. CivicCLP is a place to learn about civic life through Library programs, services, and information resources. You can find election and voting information, watch a webinar on information fatigue, and join discussions on topics such as rebuilding our economy.
To dive into our CivicCLP webpage, click here. You can also sign up for customized text messages on a variety of civic topics from the Library. To opt in, text CivicCLP to 22999.
To see how the Library can support any of your other autumn routines—such as back to school and delicious fall baking—visit our website. A librarian is looking forward to chatting with you!
In our Program-Alike blog posts, we highlight programs presented by a variety of unique organizations around Pittsburgh while the Library’s in-person programs at the are on hold. These programs are in the Pittsburgh area, relate to all ages, and are free.
(Psst!—stay on the lookout for the virtual programs and services that Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is offering!)
Let’s jump into these fall programs!
If you miss trivia nights… try Tails & Talons Trivia – Spooky Season, Creepy Creatures. Join Humane Animal Rescue for a night of virtual trivia and test your knowledge against your friends about some creepy creatures.
This event will be a free, Zoom meeting using Kahoot trivia. The winner will be a mailed a complimentary Humane Animal Rescue gift item.
Tails & Talons Trivia event takes place on Friday, October 23 at 7:00—8:00pm. The event is free. To register or read more information, visit their website here.
Do you miss the home-buying workshops held at many of our branch locations? Luckily for all of us, some great organizations are coming together to provide answers to home buying questions. The Operation HOME is a free, virtual workshop presented by The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, The Hill District Community Development Corporations, and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. The workshop will equip the prospective buyer with a basic understanding of how to navigate the path to mortgage qualification and to maintain homeownership.
The workshop topics include the home buying process, money management, post-purchase solutions, avoiding predatory lending, home maintenance, and more!
The workshop will be held via a virtual session on Zoom Saturday, October 17th from 9:00am – 5:00pm. The workshop is free and open to all.
For more information and to register, visit the Hill District CDC website here or call (412) 765-1820.
Do you miss volunteering at the Library? We truly miss all of our volunteers, but we know you are finding other places to support and spread joy. The Hilltop Urban Farm’s Volunteer Day is on Saturday, October 17 from 9:00am—12:00pm. Volunteer opportunities will include mulching, mowing, string trimming, planting, weeding, composting, and more.
Hilltop Urban Farms asks that you please bring your own mask, in addition to a water bottle, close-toed shoes, and some sort of hat or sun protection/sunscreen. They will work with social distancing practices and have multiple hand washing stations on site.
Volunteers will meet at 700 Cresswell Street, Pittsburgh PA 15210.
Please contact ned@hilltopurbanfarm.org with questions or concerns. You can also view their website here. Happy volunteering!
If you have an itch for a historical tour (similar to the ones we provide at CLP Main branch) then check out Allegheny Cemetery’s Self Guided Tours. No better time to walk through the historical cemetery than in October!
The free Allegheny Cemetery App showcases the same stories that are featured during their guided group tours. The tour routes you can choose from include sports figureheads, Pittsburgh Mayors, notable people, military, dynamic women, civic leaders, artists and entertainers, and African American history.
More so, the app can also be used to design a customized tour route based on your personal interests. It has built-in GPS navigation so you’ll be directed to the site in real-time. This ensures you won’t get lost in the cemetery—unless you want to…since you know, it is October!
Here is the link that leads you directly to the App. It is accessible on any device that has web browsing. You can also download the App directly off of their website here. While visiting their website, don’t forget to check out the maps of the cemetery, burial records, and other resources!
Allegheny Cemetery gate hours are 7:00am—5:00pm in October. Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing required. Call (412) 682-1624 for questions or concerns.
While the leaves are changing colors and the air is crisp and cool, various parks throughout the county have extended their Story Walks into the fall months. This is a free, offline, outdoor activity that includes the whole family. At these parks, a story is propped up alongside a trail or path, so you can read along while you walk! To read more about Story Walks visit ACLA’s website here.
For October, here is a list of the libraries and their nearby parks that are participating in story walks:
- Brentwood Library – Borough Park
- Cooper-Siegel Library (Main location)
- Story Walk will be in the Welcome Garden from Sept. 14th—Oct. 31st.
- C.C. Mellor Memorial Library, Edgewood
- Lions Park, Wilkins Township
- Koenig Field, Edgewood Borough
- Forest Hills Park, Forest Hills Borough
- Pleasant Hills Public Library – Pleasant Hills Aboretum
- Sewickley Public Library
- Fern Hollow Nature Center
- Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park
- Audubon Greenway
- Ohio Township Nature Center
- Western Allegheny Community Library – Donaldson Park
- Whitehall Public Library – Brennan Plaza
- Halloween Story Walk with craft and treat bag – October 24th @ 11:00am—2:00pm