Greetings! 

Spring has sprung, and we have an exciting month ahead with a variety of programs and events for all ages. From the wonders of the universe to the joys of poetry and storytelling, there's something for everyone at CTLS this April! 

I would like to invite you to join us “After Hours” for our Open House on April 11th at the Elkins Park Library as we celebrate National Library Month! Explore all that your library has to offer, meet our staff and Library Board members, and learn about our programs, resources, and services. It's a perfect opportunity to discover how your library can enrich your life and community. 

Mark your calendars! Join us for an awe-inspiring exploration of the solar eclipse. Learn about this fascinating celestial event and how to safely observe it. Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness the wonders of our universe! Stop by the library today for a pair of eclipse viewing glasses (one per visitor, while supplies last), or join us at Glenside Library for a viewing party on April 8. Check out the listings below for other great eclipse programs. 

Ignite your curiosity and creativity with our STEM programs designed specifically for kids and teens. From hands-on experiments to interactive workshops like Hummingbird robotics and STEMLab: SPACE, discover the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and math at the library. This month, Kim Herbet will lead the PhillyGEMs program in exploring numbering and data. 

Celebrate National Poetry Month with us! Join our special haiku programming for children on Tuesday, April 23 and explore the beauty and simplicity of this traditional Japanese poetic form. Get inspired, create your own haikus, and share them with others! Join us for an inspiring evening with poet Bill Van Buskirk on April 17 as he discusses his book "The Poet's Pocket Guide to Steady Employment." Explore the intersection of poetry and career, and gain insight into the life and work of a poet. 

Don't miss the special event sponsored by the Friends of the Glenside Library with local author Bill Konstant. Hear captivating stories from his 40-year career in wildlife conservation and learn about his new book "Wrestles with Wolves." A must-attend event for nature enthusiasts and book lovers alike! 

We have a full calendar of events this April, including book clubs, art workshops, and more! Visit our website or stop by the library to pick up a program guide and discover all the exciting programs we have planned for you. 

Mary Kay Moran

Executive Director

215-885-0457

Email

Please consider making a donation to the library.

Your gift supports our collections, programs, and activities, and strengthens our literacy, STEM, outreach, and diversity initiatives.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

The Breakaway

by Jennifer Weiner

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

by Neil Gaiman

Read by the author

Reading Lists

LibraryReads April 2024 The top 10 books that library staff love!

Teens! Want book reviews, YA reading lists, library news, and pop culture articles? Check out our Teen Book Blog, run by a fellow teen from Cheltenham High School! Website: ctlsteenblog.weebly.com

Sign Up for Teen Book Boxes!

Sign up for Teen Book Boxes to receive personalized “gift boxes” of requested items with fun treats and recommendations. Boxes can be delivered to Cheltenham High School, Cedarbrook Middle School, Elkins Park, or Glenside Library. Ages 13 to 18. Email ctlsyouth@mclinc.org to sign up.

STEAM Teens: How to Build a Gaming PC Round II

Monday, April 1

3:00 - 5:00 PM

Elkins Park

Help us finish building our gaming PC! We need to install the CPU, the two fans, the power supply, and put everything together. For both new and returning builders. Ages 13 to 18. Registration required.

PhillyGEMS (Girls Educated in Math and Science)

Saturday, April 6

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Elkins Park

The PhillyGEMS is a program to encourage and educate girls on careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. This month, learn about numbering and data with Kim Herbet! For girls 8 to 13. Registration required.

Teen Gardening Club

Monday, April 8

3:30 - 4:30 PM

Glenside

Join the Teen Gardening Club! Learn what it takes to manage a garden, from watering, replanting, and weeding to creating fun projects like strawberry rocks and bug hotels. This volunteer opportunity lasts from April to November. Students will earn community service hours. Ages 14 to 18. Registration required.

Youth Chess Club

April 8 & 29

6:30 - 8:00 PM

Elkins Park

Learn to play chess and compete with friends! Tom Petersen (long-time Cheltenham resident and father of three) runs the club, teaching new players and facilitating matches. All skill levels are welcome. Ages 7 to 17. For returning members only. Registration required.

Dungeons & Dragons Club

Tuesdays April 9 & 23

7:00 - 9:00 PM

Glenside

Join Ms. Allison for a beginner-friendly campaign! Starting at level 1, we'll explore lost mines, fight monsters, and have lots of fun along the way. You're welcome to bring your own character or use one of the ones we will provide! For ages 11 to 18. Registration required. This adventure will continue on alternate Tuesday evenings. If you can't make every session, don't fret! We'll catch everyone up before jumping in.

Slime Party!

Wednesday, April 17

4:30 - 5:30 PM

Elkins Park

Create slime with wild colors, sequins, beads, and more at the gooey party! Get ready to be messy! Ages 8 to 12. Registration required. Please register each child individually.

Teen Advisory Board

Saturday, April 20

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Elkins Park Library

Join Cheltenham’s Teen Advisory Board! Teens design fun programs, choose new books, and promote the library. Meetings will count for volunteer hours. Ages 12 to 18. Email ctlsyouth@mclinc.org to register.

STEAM Saturdays: Robotics with Hummingbird Kits

Saturday, April 20

1:00 - 3:00 PM

Elkins Park

Use Hummingbird Kits to learn computer programming, build animated structures, and integrate robotics into technical and creative projects! Ages 12 to 18. Registration required.

Understanding the New Digital SAT

Monday, April 22

7:00 - 8:00 PM

Elkins Park

Starting in March 2024, high school students will take a new, digital adaptive SAT. Eric Hahn, a local test prep expert, will guide you through how the digital test works, how to prepare, and more. Ages 14 to 18. Registration required.

Tween Smash Tournament!

Wednesday, April 24

4:30 - 6:00 PM

Elkins Park

Who’s the best fighter in our Smash Tournament? Compete in our 4-player tournament, where 1st and 2nd place move on to the next round until there are only 4 players left. Bring your controllers and your A-game for this epic battle! For grades 5 to 8. Registration required.

Teen Art: Paint & Peel

Friday, April 26

4:00 - 5:00 PM

Elkins Park

Use painter’s tape to create a layered art piece! Paint a canvas, apply painter's tape in cool designs, and paint over the entire piece. Once it dries, peel the tape away to reveal the final product. This is a no-pressure art course! Ages 13 to 18. Registration required.

Reading Buddies at the Glenside Library

Thursdays @ 5:00 PM

Join our weekly program that promotes literacy and community! During each session, younger readers will partner with a teen volunteer to choose books and take turns reading out loud. Teens will receive community service hours. Ages 5 to 10 for readers. Ages 14 to 17 for teen volunteers. Registration required.

Ye Olde Eclipse Party!

Sunday, April 7

11:00 - 3:00 PM

The Richard Wall House

Philadelphia’s noted astronomer David Rittenhouse took careful observations of the June 24th total solar eclipse in 1778. On the eve of the 2024 solar eclipse, historical reenactor Michael Carver will be at the Richard Wall House explaining this special astronomical event and demonstrating the instruments that would have been used by astronomers of the time. This event is co-sponsored by CTLS and the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission. More info here!

BioBlitz with TTF and Friends of High School Park

Join us as Ryan from TTF walks us through how to use the iNaturalist app to learn more about local wildlife. Bring your smart device! For families of all ages. Registration required.

Glenside, Tuesday, April 16 @ 4:00 PM - After a quick orientation at the library, we’ll head to Renninger Park. Ryan will have nets, microscopes, and more for us to explore the creek!

Elkins Park, Monday, April 22 @ 1:00 PM - After a quick orientation at the library, we'll head to High School Park! Learn how to document wildlife observations across the TTF Watershed.

Mahjong

Tuesdays

12:30 - 2:30 PM

Elkins Park

Bring your own group and set of tiles, or come and join other players in the library's community room. Right now, this program is for experienced Mahjong players but may evolve to include beginners, as well. Registration required.

Climate Circle at the Elkins Park Library

Wednesday, April 3

7:00 - 8:00 PM

CTLS is partnering with the township’s Environmental Advisory Council and Friends of High School Park to bring the community together to learn more about climate change and share concerns and feelings about its impact on global, local, and individual levels. We’ll read an article or listen to a podcast episode in advance of each meeting, providing us with a starting place for discussion. You can find a link to April’s article when you register at cheltenhamlibraries.org. Registration required.

B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Craft) at the Glenside Library

Every Thursday @ 3:00 PM

Knitting? Crochet? Jewelry-making? Coloring? Bring your own projects to join other crafters for a productive and inspiring session. A kettle and craft materials will be provided for crafters in need of a project.

No registration is required. Drop-in.

Sit & Stitch

Elkins Park Library

Wednesday, April 10

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Drop in with your needlework project and join other crafters for a productive and inspiring session. Light refreshments will be provided. All skill levels are welcome! For adults and teens. No registration.

Art Night for Adults at the Elkins Park Library

Saturday, April 24 @ 7:00 PM

Inspired by this year's Longwood Gardens Community Read theme, we’ll use bleeding art tissue paper to create a mural background with a riot of colors. Once dry, we’ll hang it in the library for other patrons to add drawings of plants and flowers, creating a garden mural for our library community. Dress for a possible mess! Registration required.

Reserve a copy of The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly to participate in Community Read 2024.

Gardening 101 with Master Gardener Christine Sinotte

Thursday, April 4

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Glenside

Gardening 101 will cover the basics of gardening including different plant types and what a plant needs to survive. We’ll discuss gardening tools and accessories, and tips to plant veggies, perennials, and annuals and keep them healthy. Registration preferred.

Eclipse Party at the Glenside Library

Monday, April 8

2:30 - 3:30 PM

Celebrate the total solar eclipse of 2024! We'll have fun activities related to the sun and the eclipse before handing out eclipse glasses to all participants. Totality is set to begin at 3:15 pm. Space in the yard and parking lot will be blocked for safe viewing. For all ages. Registration encouraged!

Virtual Tai Chi Class with Donna Price (on Zoom)

Fridays, April 12 & 26

10:30 AM

Tai Chi is a Chinese form of exercise that is low-impact and good for relieving stress. Zoom Login information will be sent by email 2 days before the program. Registration required.

Plant and Seed Swap

Saturday, April 13

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Glenside

Bring a plant, get a plant! Seeds too! Please label your “swap.” Stop by for the 10:30 Gardening-themed Family Story Time and other activities! The library will be abuzz. Drop-in!

Game Night

Monday, April 15

6:30 - 9:00 PM

Elkins Park

An open gaming event for all experience levels. Bring your favorite board games and get a group together to teach, learn, and play! Library volunteers will also bring games to teach.

The Poetry Collective

Wednesday, April 17

7:00 - 8:00 PM

Elkins Park

This month’s featured poet will be Bill Van Buskirk whose latest book, The Poet’s Pocket Guide to Steady Employment, came out in 2023. Open mic following the featured poet.

Bill Konstant: Local Author Talk

Thursday, April 18

7:00 - 8:30 PM

Glenside

Listen to tales from local author Bill Konstant's memoir, Wrestles with Wolves, and 40-year career in wildlife conservation. This event is made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Glenside Free Library.

Great Puzzle & Game Swap at the Elkins Park Library

Drop off April 15 through the 26

Swap happening on April 27 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Drop off your unwanted games and puzzles at the library from April 15-26. Please make sure they are in good working order with all the pieces. Earn a ticket for each item brought. Exchange your tickets on April 27 for a new-to-you puzzle or game.

The next library board meeting will be held on Wednesday,

May 22 @ 7:00 PM at the Elkins Park Library.

The public is welcome to attend.

Please check www.cheltenhamlibraries.org for information.