Ligonier Valley Library

Virtual Author Talk with Miranda Cowley Heller
2026-04-22 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Award-winning and bestselling author Miranda Cowley Heller takes us on an intimate journey through the life stages of a woman in her new poetry collection, What the Deep Water Knows. Wednesday, April 22nd at 2 PM ET via digital live stream or video-on-demand after the event.
To register and ask questions of the author, visit https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/147207.

Mahjong
2026-04-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-08 13:00 - 15:00
Join us every Wednesday afternoon in the Smart Room for an engaging game of Mahjong! Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, all are welcome to participate from 1 to 3 pm.
While the library provides one set, we encourage players to bring their own if possible. Don’t miss out on the fun and camaraderie as we gather to enjoy this timeless and strategic game together. See you there!

Powdermill Nature Explorer Series
2026-04-21 17:30 - 18:45
Presented by Powdermill Nature Reserve
Explore the plants, wildlife, and natural systems of western Pennsylvania through this engaging, all-ages lecture series. Each month, scientists and educators from Powdermill Nature Reserve share insights into the forests, fields, streams, birds, mammals, insects, and native plant communities that shape our region. Learn how species interact, how habitats support biodiversity, and how ongoing research is helping us better understand and care for the landscapes around us.
Held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 5:30–6:45 PM, each session features an accessible presentation followed by time for questions and conversation. Designed for curious minds of all ages, these talks offer an opportunity to deepen your appreciation for the natural heritage of western Pennsylvania in a welcoming, community setting.
Upcoming Topics:
April 21 – See Them Before They’re Gone! Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers
May 19 – Fly By Night: The Magic of Bird Migration
June 16 – Why do Powdermill Scientists Collect Poop?
July 21 – Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a moth!
August 18 – Newts!

Teen Art Club
2026-04-21 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-14 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Smart Room, 120 W Main St, Ligonier, PA, 15658, United States
Teen Art Club for ages 12–18.A relaxed, creative space for teens to hang out, make art, and work on personal projects.
Start something new or bring a work-in-progress—supplies like paint, markers, colored pencils, modeling clay, and more are provided. Feel free to bring your own materials, too.
Run by teens, for teens. | Drop-in program. | Tuesdays, 4–6 PM

Family Story Time
2026-04-21 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-14 11:00 - 12:00
Story Time: Stories, Songs, and Play
Children and caregivers are invited to a lively, interactive story time designed for ages 0–5. Expect stories, songs, movement, and a craft.
Each session ends with free playtime, giving children a chance to explore while caregivers connect with other local families. Wiggles & older siblings are always welcome.
Supports early literacy, social skills, and a love of books in a relaxed, playful setting.

Great Decisions
2026-04-18 10:30 - 12:00
The Ligonier Great Decisions group follows the national Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions’ 2026 program. A copy of the book, which includes all 8 topics that will be discussed, can be found at the Ligonier Valley Library – ask staff for assistance. If you would like your own copy, please attend a meeting and discuss getting a book with the moderator. For more information on the program, visit the national website at https://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/.
The Great Decisions group is free and new members are always welcome! Please bring an open mind and be ready for a great discussion!
The meetings are generally held on the third Saturday of each month from 10:30-12 pm at the Ligonier Valley Library. These are in-person meetings. If you are interested in attending virtually, please contact the library or the moderator, Jerry Hudson, at least 3 days before the meeting. If you have any questions, please stop in or call the library at 724-238-6451. You do not need to register for this program.
2026 Topics and Meeting Dates:

January 17, 2026: Debating America’s Global Role: America First versus Liberal Internationalism
February 21, 2026: The End of an Era: Trump’s Tariffs in Historical Perspective
March 21, 2026: US – China Relations in the New Trump Era
April 18, 2026: The Third Nuclear Age: Trump, The Order, and the Bomb
NO SESSIONS IN MAY, JUNE, JULY
August 15, 2026: Ukraine and the Future of European Security
September 19, 2026: Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
October 17, 2026: US Engagement with Africa
November 21, 2026: The Future of Human Rights and International Law in a Divided World
NO SESSION IN DECEMBER

Poetry Workshop with George Bilgere
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00
Join poet George Bilgere for a lively, generative writing workshop titled “Rants and Odes.” We’ll begin by reading and discussing a small selection of poems by Naomi Shihab Nye and Tony Hoagland, then use those poems as inspiration for our own writing. Participants will draft new poems during the session and have the opportunity to share and discuss their work in an engaging, supportive workshop setting.
This workshop is part of the Poetry Neighborhood celebration, a regional event highlighting poetry and community in Ligonier, Latrobe, and Greensburg.
No pre-registration required. All are welcome.

Room Reservation: Smart Room
2026-04-17 12:00 - 15:00
The Smart Room is reserved from 12:00-3:00pm today.

Where are you growing? Vision Board Workshop
2026-04-17 10:15 - 12:15
Join us at the Aries New Moon for a relaxed, hands-on workshop to create your own vision board—a simple, visual way of gathering images, symbols, and words that reflect what you want to grow in your life.
We’ll start by exploring a few astrological archetypes and what they can offer as points of reflection. Then, through intuitive drawing and easy, unstructured mark-making, you’ll begin to shape a personal map of your intentions for the year ahead. No art experience needed—just come as you are. Registration is required.
This is a space to slow down, listen inward, and give form to what’s taking root.
We’ll gather again on July 14 from 1–3 PM to reflect, share, and notice what’s shifted.

Silent Book Club
2026-04-16 17:30 - 18:45
Silent Book Club is a space for book lovers who enjoy reading in good company, without the pressure of assigned books or rules around structured discussions. Whether you’re working your way through the classics or diving into a new nonfiction title, our monthly meetups offer a relaxed and quiet environment where you can read at your own pace alongside fellow readers. Join us on the third Thursday of every month from 5:30-6:45 pm. It’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) and all readers are welcome, including but not limited to, ebooks, audiobooks, textbooks, and comic books. Afterward, you’re welcome to chat, share recommendations, or simply head home feeling refreshed. Learn more about the club here: https://silentbook.club/pages/about-us

STEM Night
2026-04-16 17:00 - 18:00
STEM Night is a monthly drop-in program for children ages 3 and up.
Kids and families explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on activities and special experiences. Activities may include open exploration, guided activities, or special presentations. The Children’s Wing is also open for play.
Adult participation encouraged. | Drop-in. | Come when you can.

Teen Advisory Board Meeting
2026-04-15 15:30 - 16:30 | Ligonier Valley Library, 120 W Main St, Ligonier, PA
Want a say in what happens at your library? Need volunteer hours? Looking for a fun way to get involved and make new friends?
Click here to apply.
Apply to join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB)! This collaborative group of teens (ages 12-18) works together to shape the library’s teen programs, suggest new books for the collection, help decorate the library, and more.
What does TAB do?
Right now, our members are:

Planning fundraisers
Planning a TAB newspaper
Running a Teen Art Club
[Your idea here!]

TAB is all about teamwork! We work together to come up with creative solutions and programs that fit our library’s goals and community needs. If you’ve got a vision, TAB will help you shape it into something awesome.
Why join?

Earn volunteer hours: Get credit for attending meetings and helping with programs.
Make an impact: Your voice matters! Be part of creating events and projects that benefit teens like you.
Build leadership and teamwork skills: Learn how to work in a team, take on leadership roles, and contribute to something bigger.

Virtual Author Talk with Brad Taylor
2026-04-14 19:00 - 20:00
Join us in conversation with acclaimed author Brad Taylor on his latest work, Shadow Strike, book 20 of the bestselling Pike Logan series. Tuesday, April 14th at 7 PM ET via digital live-stream or video-on-demand after the event.
To register or ask questions or ask questions of the author, visit https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/145959

PA Room opens at noon 4/14
2026-04-14
The PA Room will open at noon today.

Emily Dickinson: The Secret of the Crocus
2026-04-11 13:00 - 15:00
As part of the Poetry Neighborhood Celebration, this special presentation highlights the work of Emily Dickinson and her profound connection to nature and the changing seasons. Jim Arnold will share his original research, exploring Dickinson’s poetry with particular attention to her passion for gardening and her vivid reflections on renewal, resilience, and transformation.
Only about ten of Emily Dickinson’s poems were published during her lifetime and of those, all were published anonymously and likely she never gave consent for the publication. Therefore, in her time Emily was known principally by her family and friends as a prolific gardener! Emily grew all types of flowers, plants, and vegetables within her outdoor gardens and her indoor conservatory (greenhouse) she had attached to her home. Emily found great solace in her garden… it being her sole retreat throughout life. The flowers became the backdrop of her life and the creatures that lived within them became her best friends. Even as she stopped attending church, her garden became her place of worship. “Some keep the Sabbath going to Church — I keep it, staying at Home—” Emily used the events that transcribed in her garden to explain the experience of human life. Nearly all of her poems are based on her experiences in the garden from one aspect or another. The Secret of the Crocus takes you inside Emily’s garden to witness the splendor of life, to feel the sting of death, and to understand the meaning of existence itself.

Family Crafts Studio
2026-04-09 17:00 - 18:00 | Smart Room, 120 W Main St, Ligonier, PA, 15658, United States
Monthly open crafts studio time for families with children preschool age and up.
We provide a variety of craft supplies for self-guided creativity.
Families may start a project, bring in works-in-progress from home, or return each month to continue building over time.
An optional featured craft is sometimes available.
Adult participation required. | Drop-in program. | Come when you can!

Room Reservation: Community Room
2026-04-09 16:00 - 18:45
The Community Room has been reserved from 4:00-6:45pm today.

Room Reservation: Smart Room
2026-04-09 13:00 - 15:00
The Smart Room has been reserved from 1:00-3:00.

Room Reservation: Smart Room
2026-04-08 10:00 - 11:00
The Smart Room is reserved from 10-11 today.

Readers' Choice Book Discussion Group - Poetry
2026-04-07 17:30 - 18:45
Take the lead in your reading! Each month, pick a book that fits our theme—or choose from our library suggestions if you need ideas. At the meeting, share your book, hear what others are reading, and enjoy a relaxed discussion about your different takes on the theme.
We meet the first Tuesday of each month. This month we’ll be reading a collection of poetry in celebration of National Poetry Month. This month is a chance to discover power voices, meaningful language, and poems that resonate with you–whether they make you think, feel, or see the world a little differently. If you’re not sure where to start check out our curated list of suggestions from the library collection to help spark ideas. Pick something new, revisit an old favorite, or try a genre you’ve never explored—the choice is entirely yours! Registration is suggested.
Whether you love discovering new authors, revisiting favorites, or just chatting about books with fellow readers, Readers’ Choice is a welcoming place for all!

Room Reservation: Smart Room
2026-04-03 12:00 - 15:00
The Smart Room has been reserved from 12:00-3:00.

Chess Club
2026-04-02 17:00 - 18:00 | Smart Room, 120 W Main St, Ligonier, PA, 15658, United States
Monthly Chess Club for ages 17 and under.
Drop in for casual games, practice strategies, or try out new moves at your own pace. Players of all skill levels are welcome, and families can play together.
No registration required. | Drop-in program. | Come when you can!

Virtual Author Talk with the Smithsonian
2026-04-02 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for an exhilarating journey through the history of US women astronauts with Valerie Neal, emerita curator from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and expert on human spaceflight. Thursday, April 2nd at 2 PM ET or video-on-demand after the talk premieres.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/145335

Therapy Dog Story Time
2026-04-01 15:00 - 15:30 | Ligonier Valley Library, 120 W Main St, Ligonier, PA
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon story time with a licensed therapy dog from Top Dog Therapy Team. Gracie Lou will join us as we read picture books, and children may gently interact and pet her during the stories.
Best for: Preschool–early elementaryNo registration required
