Ligonier Valley Library

Titles and Talk Book Discussion Group
2026-07-24 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Titles & Talk Book Discussion Group delves into a wide variety of genres in both fiction and non-fiction. So, be prepared to push your comfort zone (possibly) as this includes everything from classics to biographies to science fiction to historical fiction to adventures. If you love both reading and talking about what you read, then this is the book discussion group you’ve been waiting for!
The group meets from 11 am to noon on the 4th Friday of March, May, July, and September, and the 3rd Friday in November. Registration is strongly requested to ensure that we set up enough seats and that we order enough copies for participants who wish to borrow that month’s title from us. Walk-ins are always welcome!
This month we are reading Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton — REGISTER HERE
Sign up for the Titles & Death eNewsletter to learn more about the Death in the Stacks and Titles & Talk book discussion groups.

Family Story Time
2026-07-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-11 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-18 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-25 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.

Virtual Author Talk with Dr. Marisa Franco
2026-07-28 14:00 - 15:00
Join us in conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection on Tuesday, July 28th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or video on demand after the event.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/178044

Teen Art Club
2026-07-28 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-04 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-11 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-18 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-25 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

Mahjong
2026-07-29 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-05 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-19 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-26 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!

Virtual Talk: Julia Child's Kitchen
2026-08-04 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart (and make your stomach rumble), as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space on Tuesday, August 4th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or on demand after the event.
Register and submit questions for the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/102286

PA Room Closed 8/7
2026-08-07
The Pennsylvania Room will be closed, Friday August 7th and Saturday, August 8th. The room will reopen on Tuesday, August 11th. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Foothills Writers: Monthly Writing Group
2026-08-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Smart Room, 120 W Main St, Ligonier, PA, 15658, United States
The Foothills Writers are dedicated to inspiring and encouraging people with a passion for writing. Our objective is to meet writers’ needs regardless of their skill level or chosen genre. This is accomplished through mutual sharing, constructive critiques, and the exploration of writing topics.

The group meets monthly on the first Friday of each month from 1:00–3:00 p.m. in the library’s Smart Room (first floor).

Drop by to meet the members, learn more about the group, or simply enjoy a visit. Each meeting focuses on a new topic and may include guest speakers, such as authors or other experts who can provide insight into the many dimensions of the writing process.

You are also welcome to join the social hour before the meeting from noon–1:00 p.m., when members can bring a packed lunch and enjoy the fellowship of the group.

PA Room Closed 8/8
2026-08-08

Oscar's Reptile Encounters
2026-08-11 17:30 - 18:30
Get up close with some of nature’s most fascinating reptiles during this exciting live animal presentation by Oscar’s Reptile Encounters! Meet a variety of snakes, lizards, turtles, and other incredible creatures while learning about their habitats, behaviors, and the important roles they play in our environment. This interactive program is fun and educational for all ages.
This program is generously supported by the Louise Irwin Woods Fund.

Great Decisions
2026-08-15 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

CANCELLED - Powdermill Nature Explorer Series
2026-08-18 17:30 - 18:45
This month’s lecture has been canceled. Please join us in September.
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:
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!

Songs of Western Pennsylvania with the NewLanders
2026-08-20 17:30 - 18:30
Celebrate Pennsylvania’s 250th Anniversary with Stories and Songs!
During this one-hour program, Paula Purnell and Gerard Rohlf will take audiences on a musical tour, highlighting songs written by and about the inhabitants of western Pennsylvania, including native Seneca people, early European settlers and workers of the industrial age. Playing a variety of instruments and telling fascinating stories along the way, this joyful presentation will provide lots of opportunities for interaction and singing along.
Paula Purnell, has served as a Pennsylvania Humanities Commonwealth Speaker and a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts artist-in-residence, while researching, recording and performing historical music of western Pennsylvania.
Paula will be joined by fellow NewLanders band member, Gerard Rohlf. The NewLanders performed extensively as a Pennsylvania Artists on Tour (PENPAT) group and partnered with the Westmoreland Museum of Art to produce an album to accompany their Valley of Work exhibit.

Silent Book Club
2026-08-20 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

Guided Walking Tours of Historic Ligonier
2026-08-22 11:00 - 16:00
Join Spencer Pfrogner from the history-minded YouTube channel Redoubt Productions for an hour-long journey into the past, right in the heart of downtown Ligonier. This experience highlights the heritage of several landmarks surrounding the town square. Incredible true stories that you will learn span from the era of the horse-drawn stagecoach, the age of steam railroading and into the rise of the automobile. Guests will walk away learning about the people who continually molded The Diamond in parallel with the ever-changing direction of U.S. History.
Guided Tours will be offered at 11 AM, 1 PM & 3 PM. Tours are free to attend and begin outside the main entrance of the Library building. Tours are outdoors and circle The Diamond with the use of sidewalks and crosswalks. Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather as tours occur rain or shine, with exceptions for severe weather.
For more information about Spencer’s work visit https://redoubtproductions1754.com/.
Visit https://www.ligonierlibrary.org/historic-walking-tour/ for more information about the historic sites featured on the walking tour.

PA Room Open 10-5 on 8/25
2026-08-25
The PA Room will be open from 10-5 today. Please note the change in time. The PA Room hours will return to the regular schedule starting Wednesday, August 26.

Virtual Author Talk with Beronda Montgomery
2026-08-25 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a riveting conversation with award-winning biologist Beronda Montgomery as we discuss her book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy on Tuesday, August 25th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or on demand after the event.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/186040

Teen Advisory Board Meeting
2026-08-26 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?
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 a TAB newsletter
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.
