From the Executive Director | | |
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Happy New Year to our incredible library community!
As we step into 2024, the CTLS team extends our warmest wishes for a year filled with joy, growth, and, of course, lots of wonderful books. We hope this year brings new stories, adventures, and discoveries that enrich your life in countless ways.
To kickstart this year on a delightful note, we're thrilled to announce the return of our Winter Reading Challenge! Embrace the cozy charm of winter by diving into the pages of your favorite books and exploring new literary worlds. And what's more, participating in our Winter Reading Challenge could win you a unique, one-of-a-kind library mug - a perfect companion for those snug reading sessions.
But that's not all! We invite you to visit our Elkins Park and Glenside branches and make them your cozy haven for work, relaxation, and exploration. Our libraries are not just spaces filled with books; they are vibrant hubs of creativity, learning, and community. Join us for exciting programs, engaging discussions, and a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates the love of reading in all its forms.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express how deeply grateful I am for the overwhelming generosity shown by our incredible community through the annual appeal. Your unwavering support and contributions enable us to continue our mission of providing valuable resources, diverse programs, and a welcoming space for everyone. Each donation received is a testament to your commitment to fostering a love for learning and literature within our community. Your support truly makes a significant difference, empowering us to enhance our services and expand our offerings. Thank you for being the cornerstone of CTLS's success and for helping us create a brighter future for all who walk through our doors.
Let's embark on this new 2024 chapter together. I hope to see you at the library as we celebrate the joys of reading in the new year!
Mary Kay Moran
Executive Director
215-885-0457
Email
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Please consider making a donation to the library.
Your gift supports our collections, programs, and activities, and strengthens our literacy, STEM, outreach, and diversity initiatives.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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What I am Reading/Listening To | |
LibraryReads January 2024 The top 10 books that library staff love! | |
Youth and Family Programs | |
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Family Storytime at the Glenside Library
Mondays from January 22 to May
& Saturday, January 13
10:30 AM
Come and meet Ms. Allison for Storytime at the Glenside Library. We'll read stories, sing songs, recite rhymes, and more! For ages 6 months to 5 years.
Infant -Toddler Storytime at the Elkins Park Library
Tuesdays beginning January 23
10:30 AM
This interactive class helps children develop early literacy skills with stories, rhymes, fingerplays, and music and movement. Simple art or sensory activity on select dates. For ages birth to 3 years.
Evening Storytime at the Glenside Library
Tuesday, January 23
6:30 PM
Come and meet Ms. Allison for an evening Storytime at the Glenside Library. We'll read stories, sing songs, recite rhymes, and more. Pajamas and cozy clothes are welcome! For ages 6 months to 5 years.
Preschool Storytime Class at the Elkins Park Library
Thursdays beginning January 25
10:30 AM
This class helps children develop kindergarten readiness skills by teaching concepts such as the days of the week, letters, counting, rhyming words, weather, colors, and shapes. Includes stories, music and movement activities, and a craft. Basic Spanish is also introduced. Est. 45 minutes. For ages 3 to 5.
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Music & Movement with Miss Ouiliana | |
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Music & Movement with Miss Ouliana
Wednesdays @ 10:30 AM
Elkins Park: January 3, 10, & 17
Glenside: January 24, 31 & February 7
Music and movement with Miss Ouliana for children and their caregivers to enjoy together. Little ones will explore rhythms and melodies and get creative with musical instruments, fun movements, and sounds. For ages 1 to 5 years (siblings under 1 are welcome). Registration required.
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STEMLab at the Library: Building Bridges | |
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STEMLab at the Library: Building Bridges
Elkins Park: Saturday, January 6 @ 11:30 AM
Glenside: Thursday, January 18 @ 4:30 PM
Become an engineer! We will discuss different ways bridges are built and create our own. Will yours stand strong or come tumbling down? For ages 6 to 12. Please register each child participating individually. Registration required.
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Talkin’ Bout Books
Wednesday, January 10
4:30 PM
Elkins Park
A monthly book club for young readers featuring a read-aloud, discussion, and craft or extension activity. A light snack and a free copy of the book will be provided to each registered participant. Registration required. For ages 6 to 8. January title: Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner.
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Drop-in & Play
Friday, January 12 @ 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Monday, January 29 @ 6:30 to 7:30 PM
Elkins Park
Families and caregivers with children ages 1 to 3 are invited to drop in and play together! The community room will be set up with blocks, puzzles, gross motor toys, books, manipulatives, instruments, transportation toys, and a dramatic play area. Infants ages 1 to 3 and siblings up to age 5 are welcome. No registration necessary.
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Read to the Dogs!
Monday, January 22
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Elkins Park
Developing readers are invited to improve their reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to Sadie, Gingee, or Jackie, certified therapy dogs. Please call 215-635-5000 to register in advance for a 20-minute session. For readers up to age 10. Registration required.
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Lego Club
Thursday, January 25
4:30 - 5:30 PM
Elkins Park
Budding architects are invited to join fellow Lego fanatics to build with the library’s large collection of Legos. Complete the Lego challenge or just let your imagination run free! Lego creations will be displayed in the library. Ages 5 to 12.
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Take & Make Crafts
Saturday, January 27
East Cheltenham & La Mott
Pick up a kit of materials to make a craft at home. Find kits from East Cheltenham on top of the book drop or from La Mott inside the Little Free Library box. While supplies last. Suggested ages 3 to 10.
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Lunar New Year Celebration | |
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Lunar New Year Celebration
Monday, February 5
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Elkins Park
Put on your red clothes and come to a celebration of the Year of the Dragon! Make a dragon puppet, decorate a red “lucky money” envelope, solve lantern riddles, read Chinese New Year stories together, and snack on oranges for good luck and prosperity in the New Year. Ages 3+
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Check Out the CTLS Teen Blog! | |
Teens! Want book reviews, YA reading lists, library news, and pop culture articles? Check out our new Teen Book Blog, run by a fellow teen from Cheltenham High School! Website: ctlsteenblog.weebly.com | |
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Sign Up for Teen Book Boxes!
Sign up for Teen Book Boxes to receive personalized “gift boxes” of requested items with fun treats and recommendations. Boxes can be delivered to Cheltenham High School, Cedarbrook Middle School, Elkins Park, or Glenside Library. Ages 13 to 18. Email ctlsyouth@mclinc.org to sign up.
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Teen Chill Zone
Thursdays
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Glenside
Every Thursday, Glenside Library transforms the teen area into a chill space with light food and comfy seating, games, arts & crafts, and more! Revamped for 2024, come over to hang with friends, do homework, or just relax. Ages 13 to 18 only in the Teen Area. No registration required.
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Teen Advisory Board
Saturday, January 13
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Elkins Park Library
Come join Cheltenham’s Teen Advisory Board! Teens design fun programs, choose new books, and promote the library. Meetings will count for volunteer hours. Ages 12 to 18. Email ctlsyouth@mclinc.org to register.
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Video Game Saturdays:
How to Build a Gaming PC
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Video Game Saturdays: How to Build a Gaming PC
Saturday, January 13
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Elkins Park
VGCUSA presents! Learn how to build a PC from scratch and make your own start-up software! All parts will be provided. Ages 12 to 18. Registration required.
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Dungeons & Dragons Character Create! | |
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Dungeons & Dragons Club: Character Create!
Tuesday, January 16
6:30 - 9:00 PM
Glenside Library
Interested in Dungeons & Dragons? Want to make your own unique character to play with? Join Ms. Allison for a character create workshop! We'll go through all the classes, abilities, weapons, and spells for your own level 1 character. For all ages. Please register each attendee separately. Registration required.
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Teen Anime Club
Thursday, January 18
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Glenside
Join the Teen Anime Club! We will do fun activities like drawing and games, pick manga titles to read, and watch episodes of our favorite anime! Ages 13 to 18. Registration required.
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Teen Gaming Club
Wednesday, January 24
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Elkins Park
Join us for Teen Gaming Club to play video games, board games, and card games. There will be food and a PS5, Switch, card games like Uno, and board games like Clue, Sorry, and Monopoly. Drop in! Ages 12 to 18. Registration preferred.
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Teen Poetry and Open Mic Night | |
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Teen Poetry & Open Mic Night
Friday, January 26
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Elkins Park
Join us for a night of poetry, short stories, and spoken word, all told by teens! We will have refreshments, soft music, and cozy seating. Please sign up if you are going to be a reader or a listener. Ages 13 to 18. Registration required.
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Dungeons & Dragons Club
Tuesday, January 30
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Glenside
Join Ms. Allison for a beginner-friendly campaign! Starting at level 1, we'll explore lost mines, fight monsters, and have lots of fun along the way. You're welcome to bring your own character or use one of the ones we will provide! For ages 11 to 18. Registration required. This adventure will continue on alternate Tuesday evenings. If you can't make every session, don't fret! We'll catch everyone up before jumping in.
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Teen Mindfulness
Wednesday, January 31
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Elkins Park
Teens: Need a break? Come to our mindfulness sessions after school, where you can practice different ways to reduce stress and anxiety, discuss healthy lifestyle choices, and have a quiet space to yourself. No phones are allowed so that you take a breather from social media and the internet, and instead focus on music, food, activities, or just relaxing. Ages 13 to 18. Registration required.
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Adult & Intergenerational Programs | |
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Mahjong
Tuesdays
12:30 - 2:30 PM
Elkins Park
Bring your own group and set of tiles, or come and join other players in the library's community room. Right now, this program is for experienced Mahjong players but may evolve to include beginners, as well. Registration required.
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B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Craft) at the Glenside Library
Every Thursday @ 3:00 PM
Knitting? Crochet? Jewelry-making? Coloring? Bring your own projects to join other crafters for a productive and inspiring session. A kettle and craft materials will be provided for crafters in need of a project.
No registration is required. Drop-in.
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Sit & Stitch at the Elkins Park Library
Wednesday, January 10 @ 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Drop in with your needlework project and join other crafters for a productive and inspiring session. Light refreshments will be provided. All skill levels are welcome! For adults and teens. No registration.
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Virtual Drawing Class with Anita Thompson (Zoom)
Thursday, January 11
6:30 PM
Through this instructed tutorial, participants will follow step-by-step instructions to draw a realistic hourglass using pencil. Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. Limited supplies are available for pick up at the Glenside Free Library. For teens & adults. Registration required.
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Art Night for Adults
Wednesday, January 31 @ 7:00 PM
Elkins Park
Contribute an original work to our inaugural mini-art show! We will get together to paint 4x4-sized canvases and all participants will be invited to display their artwork in the library's "gallery" during our 2-week show. Let’s break free of adult fears about not doing it right and make art like we did when we were kids. Dress for a possible mess!
Registration required.
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Book Discussions
New members are always welcome!
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Book Discussion Group
Thursday, January 11
11:00 AM
Elkins Park
This month we are discussing Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. This small but mighty group is looking for new members to join the discussion. The meeting will be in person in the community room. Light refreshments are provided.
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Book Discussion Group
Thursday, January 23
7:00 PM
Glenside
This month we will discuss Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. New members are always welcome! The group will meet in a hybrid format, both in person at Glenside and via Zoom. Please email glref@mclinc.org to register and receive the link. Registration required.
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Virtual Tai Chi with Donna Price | |
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Virtual Tai Chi Class with Donna Price (on Zoom)
Fridays, January 12 & 26
10:30 AM
Tai Chi is a Chinese form of exercise that is low-impact and good for relieving stress. Zoom Login information will be sent by email 2 days before the program. Registration required.
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Poetry Corner with the Poetry Collective | |
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The Poetry Collective
Wednesday, January 17
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Elkins Park
Join us for our next Poetry Collective Open Mic and ring in the New Year with poems of hope. Share your original poems, and/or poems from your favorite poets, on the theme of hope. We could all use a little hope nowadays. Let's share it with poetry!
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Game Night at the Elkins Park Library | |
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Game Night
Monday, January 22
6:30 - 9:00 PM
Elkins Park
Get your game on at the library! All experience levels welcome. This is an open gaming event so feel free to bring your favorite board games and get a group together to teach, learn, and play. Library volunteers will be bringing in some games to teach.
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Tech Time
Elkins Park: Sara
Mondays, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Glenside: Connor
Tuesdays, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Glenside: John
Thursdays, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Registration required. Call Elkins Park (215-635-5000) or Glenside (215-885-0455) to schedule.
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Visit the Digital Media Lab!
You can also use our equipment to convert VHS, cassettes, 8 mm film, and vinyl records to digital files. Call the library at 215-635-5000 for more information and to make an appointment to use the lab.
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Friends of the Elkins Park Library Book Sale!
January 19 to 21
Friday - 12:00 to 5:30 pm
Saturday - 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
Sunday - 1:00 to 3:30 pm
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All CTLS library branches will be closed on
January 1 and January 15.
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Stay Informed!
Wondering what's going on in the township?
Sign up for Cheltenham Township notifications and receive alerts to your phone or email. Check out the township's website for further information and instructions.
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The next library board meeting will be held on Wednesday,
January 24 @ 7:00 PM at the Elkins Park Library.
The public is welcome to attend.
Please check www.cheltenhamlibraries.org for information.
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215 S. Keswick Avenue
Glenside, PA 19038
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