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!!!

Novels - Fiction or Fact? Or a little of both?

Ok, when you are reading a novel have you ever wondered precisely how much research was put into the story?  Where does the line between fact and imagination cross in a work of fiction?

Our Death in the Stacks - Mystery Book Discussion and Lunch Group is currently reading 'Hardball : a V.I. Warshawski novel' by Sara Paretsky. Warshawski, a private investigator in Chicago, is hired by an elderly lady to find her son who disappeared the night before a terrible snow storm engulfed the city in January of 1967. In addition to memories about the storm, this current case is also causing Warshawski to remember being a kid during the race riots of 1966 and worrying about her father who was a Chicago policeman.

I have to confess to not being familiar with current Chicago weather or happenings let alone historical aspects of the Windy City. However, as a native Pennsylvanian used to historical snow falls and events, I became curious to know more about the events Paretsky described in her novel. So, I did want any normal person would do... I Googled it!

The Chicago Tribune happily provided me with answers....

The Chicago Blizzard of 1967
Winter in Chicago has never been easy, but this one was a record-setter.
by Allan Johnson





Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago
During his stay in the city, the civil-rights leader faced a "hateful crowd."
by Frank James


I found some additional insight into Sara Paretsky's research on her website. The author performed the best kind of research possible... she lived it! Paretsky worked as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side during the turbulent race riots in 1966.

"Like her fictional detective, Paretsky lives and dies with the Cubs, runs Chicago’s lakefront with her golden retriever, and loves to sing, taking part in community musicals. Paretsky lives on Chicago’s south side with her husband, a member of the University of Chicago’s Fermi Institute." (http://www.saraparetsky.com/biography/)


Which brings us around to the advice given to many beginning authors... write about what you know!


Ms. Paretsky's novels are available through our library system, including Hardball and the first V.I. Warshawski novel, Indemnity Only.

Christmas is in the air... and on the book shelves

Looking for a good read to put you in the holiday spirit? Need a fun adventure after all of that holiday shopping?  We have some new winter and Christmas titles in the collection that just might help you.

• The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck
• I Am Half-Sick Of Shadows : a Flavia de Luce novel by Alan Bradley
• Lost December by Richard Paul Evans
• White Heat by M. J. McGrath
• A Christmas Homecoming by Anne Perry

We also have some regular novels of romance, suspense, intrigue and adventure making their way to our shelves.  Stop in and take a peek at our New Books shelf and hopefully something will pique your interest.

On a side note: not all of the titles listed above are gentle holiday tales of love and romance, a few are murder mysteries - which could be cathartic after a particularly rough holiday shopping experience.

Happy Reading!!!

Thanksgiving... The Lost Holiday

'Giving Thanks'
Outside Window Display

Go into just about any store in the United States after Halloween and you will be bombarded by Christmas. But wait! Isn't there another major holiday that all citizens of this great nation celebrate?

This Thanksgiving, we hope you'll take some time away from thoughts of future holidays to give thanks and show appreciation to your family and friends. Don't forget to give an extra big thank you to the person(s) responsible for your delicious feast. And always remember to bestow a genuine 'Thank You' or more upon the nice people who have to work and serve you on the holiday.


"But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck.... We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown." - Marcie from 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'

We at the library are thankful for all of our wonderful patrons who make us a part of their lives. We are thankful for your smiles, kind words, and friendships.

The library will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but we will reopen at 10 am on Fri., November 25!

We wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels!

Veteran's Day 11-11-11

Our Veterans are brave men and women of various ages and beliefs. They are family members and friends... but many are also perfect strangers. They have each defended our country, our lives, our liberties and our freedoms by land, sea and air. We owe them more than mere words could possibly express for their willingness to be placed in harms way for our benefit... for our ability to live in a free society where we can speak our minds without fear and where anything is possible and dreams really do come true!

To all of our Veterans, we say... Thank You!

Want to learn more about our veterans or the wars they fought in?  The library has biographies and personal narratives by various officers and soldiers. We also have many books on any number of wars ranging from the present to the French and Indian War. (We even have books on various battles in Medieval times.) Look online using our Online Catalog or stop by the library and we'll be happy to help you!

The Ligonier Valley Library will be closed on Friday, November 11th in honor of Veteran's Day.  We will reopen on Saturday, November 12th at 10am.

'Tis the Season for... Some Scary Good Fun!

Halloween, despite some bad press over the years, is still a super fun holiday for millions of people around the world. Quite honestly, there is simply something magical to be found in putting on a costume and pretending to be someone or something else for a few hours... or even a whole day!

However, Halloween is about more than just costumes and candy.  The holiday conjures up thoughts of ghosts and witches and vampires and other mysterious things that go bump in the night. All Hallow's Eve is the one time out of the year when many people actively seek to be scared! We visit haunted houses and amusement parks.  We go on haunted trail walks and hayrides. We might even stay up late watching a scary movie or reading a scary novel.

The library is here to help you find your scary experience.  We don't have any ghosts - although we do blame unexplained happenings on a imaginary entity called Bruster - but, we have plenty of books and movies that might frighten you or send you screaming with laughter.

The Books:

The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse series, bk #1)
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Ghost Riders by Sharyn McCrumb
Ghost Story by Peter Straub
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schultz
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Night Circus by  Erin Morgenstern
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
The Ridge by Michael Koryta
Salem's Lot by Stephen King
Storm Front by Jim Butcher (Harry Dresden files, bk #1) 
This Dark Endeavor : the apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel
Twilight by Stephenie Meyers
Witches of Eastwick by John Updike


The Movies:

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie & TV series)
Dracula
Frankenstein
Halloween
Hocus Pocus
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Disney)
Monsters, Inc.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Nightmare on Elm Street
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Scream
Silence of the Lambs
Sleepy Hollow (Johnny Depp version)
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Twilight
Van Helsing
Young Frankenstein

Remember that upon this most happiest of All Hallow's Eves, when the veil between our world and the other is thinnest, and the undead are feared to walk the earth... the hobgoblin at your door... is more than likely the little child (teenager or adult) next door in search of candy!

Still, you might want to keep the lights on... you know... just in case!

Happy Halloween!

Fort Ligonier Days - October 14, 15 & 16!

British troops defend Fort Ligonier

Fort Ligonier Days is just around the corner - October 14, 15 and 16!  The Ligonier Valley Library will close at 5:00 pm on Thursday, October 13 and re-open at 10:00 am on Monday, October 17.

Enjoy food, crafters, entertainment, a parade, re-enactors, a street dance, fireworks, more food and more crafters... basically a whole lot of fun for all ages!

A highlight of Fort Ligonier Days is the various re-enactments and demos at the fort. British and French troops will invade and defend and mingle with visitors on Saturday and Sunday, lending a true feel for what life in 1758 was like. For more information, visit Fort Ligonier's website. Don't forget about the parade Saturday morning at 11 am and then stick around for the street dance and fireworks that night.

Official programs are available at the Chamber of Commerce and the Ligonier Valley Library. The programs are free and full of information. You can also visit the Chamber's Fort Ligonier Days page for more information.

The Ligonier Valley Library will be closed over the Fort Ligonier Days weekend. 

However, you can still use the online catalog to place reserves or renew your items (you'll need your library card and password/PIN). You can also use OverDrive to check out eBooks and audiobooks.

Have a fun Fort Ligonier Days weekend!!!

New Biographies

Most of us have someone in our lives that we admire. A family member or a friend. We also have a list of people who we admire but have possibly never met, such as a star athlete, a movie celebrity, an historical figure. When I was studying communication media in college, I admired such people as Edward R. Murrow who for good or bad helped establish a medium that rules the news world today.

It's always fascinating to read about such people... to learn about how events in their lives molded them into the person they became and gave them the courage to achieve their goals. It's also fascinating to read about the people who took decidedly bad turns, such as gangsters and murderers... or to read about the people who dedicate their lives to tracking them down and keeping us safe, sometimes at the risk of their own sanity.

Biographies provide us with a chance to glimpse into the life of another person. They can bring us insight, understanding, humor, inspiration, even awareness. Reading about the courage of another can help us fight our own battles. Biographies can add to our admiration of someone or add to our fear.

Here are some new biographies recently added to the Ligonier Valley Library collection:

Hitman : the untold story of Johnny Martorano : Whitey Bulger's enforcer and the most feared gangster in the underworld
Carr, Howie.

Tales from a free-range childhood
Davis, Donald, 1944-

Paris without end : the true story of Hemingway's first wife
Diliberto, Gioia, 1950-

Beaten, seared, and sauced : on becoming a chef at the Culinary Institute of America
Dixon, Jonathan.

Cocktail hour under the tree of forgetfulness
Fuller, Alexandra, 1969-

Andrew Johnson
Gordon-Reed, Annette.

My year with Eleanor : a memoir
Hancock, Noelle.

Yossarian slept here : when Joseph Heller was dad, the Apthorp was home, and life was a Catch-22
Heller, Erica.

The senator from central casting : the rise, fall, and resurrection of Thomas J. Dodd
Koskoff, David E., 1939-

An accidental sportswriter : a memoir
Lipsyte, Robert.

What it is like to go to war 
Marlantes, Karl.

New Biographies added to the collection can be found on the New Books section of the library near the adult fiction section. If you can't find what you're looking for, we encourage you to ask a library staff member and we'll help you out!

Happy Reading!