REGULAR EVENTS
Baby Sprouts Toddler Time is sprouting into two days and two times this fall: our Toddler Time for families with children ages 18 months-3 years will now be held Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM through November 19th and Thursday mornings at 10:30 AM through November 21st. Pick the time that best suits your family’s schedule! New families are always welcome at Baby Sprouts, and no sign-ups are needed.
Sprouting Readers is the Bellwood-Antis Public Library’s weekly storytime for families with children ages 3-8. Every Monday at 6:30 PM from October 7th to November 18th, join our guest readers for stories, activities, crafts, and lots of fun! No sign-ups needed, new families always welcome!
Please note that there will be no Sprouting Readers on November 11th, as the library will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day.
Tai Chi is a gentle and slow practice with numerous health benefits, and Blair Senior Services is presenting FREE Tai Chi classes for individuals age 60 and over at the library. This is the final level of the class, and only open to individuals who participated in levels 1 and 2 of the classes. Sign up at the checkout desk, or by messaging us on Facebook. Tai Chi classes will begin on Wednesday, October 16th and continue every Wednesday from 1:00-1:45 PM through December 11th. No class on Wednesday, November 27th due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Christmas Bazaar is coming back! Starting on Monday, November 4th and continuing during regular library hours (1-8 PM Monday-Thursday and 9 AM-4 PM Saturday) through December 21st, we’ll be selling new, gently used, and vintage Christmas items and other goodies at the library. Donations gratefully accepted during library hours, and new items added weekly! All proceeds benefit the library.
Baby Sprouts, our Toddler Time for families with children ages 18 months-3 years, is held Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM from January 14th to May 12th and Thursday mornings at 10:30 AM from January 16th through May 14th. Pick the time that best suits your family’s schedule! New families are always welcome at Baby Sprouts, and no sign-ups are needed.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Do you love playing video games? Want to build and program your own? Kids entering grades 7-12 are invited to join the Door‘s Bellwood Computers Gamers Club for learning and fun. You will build and program a retro arcade game and learn the basics of Raspberry Pi Scratch programming. You will get to keep the computer you build and all the equipment and programming book (over $150 in equipment)
Registration is $25 and includes a t-shirt and all your equipment, which you get to keep if you attend the first five sessions. Space is VERY limited. To register, you must call the Door at 814-935-9971 or e-mail thedoor@mail.com. Registration is not complete until your class fee is paid. Registrations can be dropped off at the Door Monday through Friday from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Door (521 Main Street). This program was made possible with generous support from Operation Our Town and PC Works.
Knitters, crocheters, weavers, and other fiber artists are invited to the next Fiber Arts group meetup on Monday, November 18th from 6-8 PM. Bring your own materials & project and get to know your fellow fiber artists. All levels of ability and all styles of fiber art welcome!
Are you interested in learning about military history with a group of fellow history buffs? A group of local history lovers are meeting at the library on Tuesday November 19th at 7:00 PM to discuss plans for creating a new group that would meet at the library regularly to hold programs on World War II history. For more information, e-mail jaytbs@aol.com.
Thrivent Financial will present Making a Difference: More Than Money Matters, a free workshop at the library on on Wednesday November 20th starting at 6:00 PM (free meal served at 6 PM, program will run from 6:30-7:30 PM). This workshop, which explores values and generosity and what they truly mean to each of us, will make an impact on your life.
Attendees are asked to bring a canned good donation for the Bellwood-Antis Food Share at Hope Center and be prepared to enjoy an enjoyable evening while participating in a community act of kindness! This is a family friendly workshop for everyone. Please register for this workshop by messaging the library on Facebook, calling the library at 742-8234, or signing up at the checkout desk.
The library welcomes back flutist Betty Jane Neely and accordionist Daniel Weber for a free, all ages concert of Christmas favorites on Thursday, November 21st at 6:00 PM.
Support the library by dining at the Altoona Panda Express (240 Park Hills Plaza) between 10:30 AM and 9:30 PM on Friday, November 22nd. Present a paper or digital version of the Fundraiser Event Flyer and 20% of your bill will be donated to the library. Paper flyers available at the checkout desk, or click here for a digital flyer.
The library will be staffing the Altoona Boscov’s Santa Pictures Booth on Saturday, November 23rd from 11 AM-4 PM. Purchase a picture of your child with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and Boscov’s will donate the money to the library.
The 21st Annual Old Fashioned Small Town Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing will be Monday, November 25th at 6:30 in front of the library and the Door. The festivities will center around the community Christmas tree that has been planted by McCloskey Landscaping in the lot beside the Door. Mayor John Winesickle will start the ceremony with a welcome and introductory remarks. Pastor Paul Jensen will give devotions, followed by music from the children of All in a Day’s Play and Mountain Laurel Daycare Centers and the Bellwood-Antis High School Chorus. Master of Ceremonies Dick Bowers will lead the entire community in a carol sing after the children and teens perform. Then the tree will be lit, and Santa will arrive for a cookie reception at the library, where Santa will visit our children’s room to hear requests and have his picture taken (bring your own phone or camera for pictures).
Sensory Storytime on Wednesday, December 4th at 6 PM is for children ages 2 and up with Autism, special needs, and sensory concerns. The program is free, and no sign-ups are necessary, but we ask that a grown-up stay with the child during the program. Free book for all children who attend courtesy of the Central PA Autism Society!
Don’t forget to bring or pick up a Sensory Library Punch Card that can earn you prizes for attending Sensory Library events. Get a punch card at a participating library, and get a punch for any Sensory Library event your family attends. Five punches on your card = a surprise worth $10 ! Prizes can be redeemed at any library offering Central PA Autism Society sensory events.
At our December Lego Challenge Night on Tuesday, December 10th at 6:00 PM, we challenge kids to build an ice slide for some frozen solid Lego min-figures. Lego Challenge Nights are free, and no sign-ups are needed, but we ask that parents and other caregivers stay in the library while their children build.
The library is home to a number of community organizations with meetings and programs that are open to the public. Visit our community meetings page for information on these programs.