UFO Group starting again at Ligonier Valley Library!

The UFO Group will begin meeting again on Friday, October 26!

What is the UFO* Group? 

Un-Finished Objects! This group is all about providing a relaxed, social environment in which to complete those unfinished objects we all have. You know, those pesky little projects that you either started and then forgot about or that are on the "any day now" list.

Mark your calendars, then gather up your supplies and come to the library every Friday (starting Oct. 26) from 10 am until noon. Spread out your project on one of our tables in our spacious community room.

Does your project involve your laptop or an electronic device? Not a problem. We have free WiFi as well as electrical outlets. In order to use the internet, however, you will need to bring your library card and know your PIN (which was created when you registered for your card – if you can’t remember it, then we can either look it up or assign you a new one.)


* Unfortunately, the one thing our group is not about is the actual study of interplanetary relations or little green men!

“Antique Fly Rods and Fishing Tackle Road Show” @ Ligonier Valley Library

An “Antique Fly Rods and Fishing Tackle Road Show” will be held on Tuesday, May 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the library's Community Room.

Several local experts lead by Scott Minster of Latrobe, Vice-President of Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited and a builder of custom bamboo rods, will be on hand to help identify items and provide resources for valuing them.  Minster’s knowledge as well as Internet sources will be consulted.

The Road Show is the second program hosted by the Pennsylvania Room in conjunction with this year’s Historic Photography Show, “Fishing For Trout in the Ligonier Valley,” and is one of many offerings throughout the area during the Laurel Highlands Trout Trail. The Historic Photography Show will be on display until June 12 during normal library hours.

The Road Show is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Genealogy Forum Tonight at Ligonier Valley Library

The Ligonier Valley Library's Genealogy Forum will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Pennsylvania Room.

Local resident, Theresa Schwab will present a program titled, "Brave Ladies: A Genealogical Search." Theresa's ancestors include some remarkable women. Tonight, she will discuss her search and some of the little-known sources where women's records can be found. 

The Genealogy Forum is free and open to the public.  For more information about the Forum, please visit the website at http://www.ligonierlibrary.org/Genealogy_Forum.htm.

Happy Researching!

Ingredients For A Delicious New Book Discussion Group

We love books! We also love talking about books! Not surprised? Then you probably knew that the Ligonier Valley Library already has two long-standing book discussion groups, Titles and Tea and Death in the Stacks, which meet on a regular basis to discuss a variety of books (mostly fiction). 

However, were you aware that we added a new group to our line-up?

We hope to entice foodies and cookbook lovers with our delicious new book group that combines the proper amount of people, food, sampling and discussion to create a fun evening for all - Food For Thought - A Cookbook Group!

Our cookbook group is a fun way to celebrate food and libraries, two things that go together better than most people would think. Not only do many patrons enjoy reading while they eat, but many libraries, including ours, enjoy offering you an extensive cookbook selection. Our shelves hold recipes to help you make just about any type of dish you are adventurous enough to try - food from other countries and cultures, hors d'oeuvres, soups and salads, entrees and so much more!

Food For Thought meets every other month on the last Monday (except for May when it will meet on the 21st) at 6:00 pm in the library's community room.

Joining is easy! The selected cookbook is available at the circulation desk. Participants simply need to stop by the library, pick a recipe from the cookbook, and then sign up on the sheet provided. A copy of your recipe can be made for you to take home - ask someone at the circulation desk for help. Mark your calendar with the meeting date, then make and bring your dish, along with a place setting, to the next meeting! Visit the Food For Thought web page for more details, including cookbook titles and meeting dates.

Twenty-four people attended Food For Thought's first meeting on Monday, January 30. In addition to several local residents, participants came from as far away as California (Pa.), Greensburg and Somerset. The theme was appetizers. Each participant picked a different recipe from the selected cookbook, "First Editions: a selection of appetizer recipes from Ligonier Valley Library." They then prepared and brought their dish to the meeting where members sampled and discussed everything from which one they liked best to slight alterations they made to their recipes to helpful cooking tips.

The next meet is on Monday, March 26 at 6:00 pm. The theme is soups and salads and will feature the following cookbooks: "The Culinary Institute of America Book of Soups" and "Raising the Salad Bar" by Catherine Walthers.

All cooking levels are welcome! Whether you are a novice, an expert cook or somewhere in between come join us and be prepared to enjoy yourself!!!

Gadget Group @ Ligonier Valley Library

Gadgets have changed a lot over the years. Computers have gone from stationary desktop units to something you can hold in your hand like a tablet. While many people still prefer to hold an actual book, many more are enjoying ebooks and reading them on their eReaders. Gadgets are everywhere and they come in all sizes and styles. The techno craze has some people reveling in geek heaven, and others wondering dazed and confused.

Whether you are a full fledged geek, a technophobe or somewhere in between, you are invited to bring your gadget to our Gadget Group on Thursday, January 26, at 6:30 pm in the library's downstairs community room.

The Gadget Group is all about... well... gadgets. We hope to be able to show them, talk about them and learn more about them. If you are an expert with your gadget, then please come share your knowledge; if you are a novice, then come and find a few answers.

If you don't have a device, but are thinking about getting one, then you are invited too. We hope our Gadget Group will be an excellent chance for you to see a variety of devices and ask questions of people actually using them. With any luck, you'll walk away with a better idea of which device might work best for you.

Meetings will be held on the last Thursday evening of every month. No registration is required. The group is open to the public. Visit the Gadget Group page for additional information or call the library at 724-238-6451.

Not sure what qualifies as a gadget? Don't worry about it. Just come to the first meeting and we'll go from there!

New Year's Resolutions for 2012

Most people know that your local library is here to help you with a variety of projects. But did you realize that we are also here to help you with your New Year's Resolutions? Browse our collection to discover a wide variety of resolution-type books that can assist you with everything from planning a new exercise routine to decorating your home in a fresh new way.

Eating right and exercise are the two prescriptions given most as the way to live a long and healthy (and happy) life.

The Happiness Diet : a nutritional prescription for a sharp brain, balanced mood, and lean, energized body by Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey

Living Gluten-Free for Dummies by Danna Korn

The Women's Hhealth Big Book of Exercises : [four weeks to a leaner, sexier, healthier you! by Adam Campbell

20 Years Younger : look younger, feel younger, be younger! by Bob Greene

The new rules of lifting for abs : a myth-busting fitness plan for men and women who want a strong core and a pain-free back by Lou Schuler

Get organized or find your dream job with the following books:

Unstuff your life! : kick the clutter habit and completely organize your life for good by Andrew J. Mellen

Getting Organized in the Google Era : how to get stuff out of your head, find it when you need it, and get it do

What Color is Your Parachute? 2012 by Richard Nelson Bolles

Want to learn a new skill or hobby? We have books on photography, knitting, writing, cooking, coin collecting and much more.  Enjoy hiking?  Ever had an urge to go on a quest of sorts?  Borrow our book on Geocaching and go on a quest with your GPS device and family or friends to find hidden caches in parks, on trails, all over!


Within the Frame : the journey of photographic vision by David duChemin

The Knitter's Book of Socks : the yarn lover's ultimate guide to creating socks that fit well, feel great, and last a lifetime by Clara Parkes

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geocaching by the editors and staff of Geocaching.com

If your resolution isn't listed above, then stop in or search the online catalog to find more books (even some DVDs or audiobooks) on a variety of topics.

One of the best New Year's resolutions we've heard thus far is simply to read more library books. We have shelves of books anxiously waiting for you to stop in and take them home!

Good luck & Happy reading!

The Ligonier Valley Library will be closed on...

Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26, and Saturday, December 31 and Monday, January 2, 2012!

Just because we're closed over the holidays does not mean that you can't enjoy some of the things you love about the Ligonier Valley Library. Our system's OverDrive site for borrowing eBooks and Audiobooks is available 24/7. You can also use the Online Catalog to check your account and to place reserves any time day or night. Browse our website and various databases or keep in touch with us on Facebook and our Library Blog.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season!!!