***The library will be closed on December 31st and January 1st. ***
Used Book Sales
Thursday, January 12th — 9:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Thursday, January 26th — 9:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Special $5 Bag Sale
Local Artist
Sharon Wensel studied at Hussian School of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the fine Arts and Montgomery County Community College. Sharon is a current member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, In Liquid and the Doylestown Art League. Since graduating she has received awards for her pastel, photography, and mixed media work. You can find her work in private and public collections throughout the country, as well as online through Artsy.
Museum Passes
IVPL offers museum passes that provide free admission to local museums and historic sites. Click here to reserve your pass.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is your source for unparalleled coverage that matters to you. Get 24/7 access to local news, politics, investigative journalism, sports, and more. Support Local Journalism. Local & National News. Watchdog Journalism. Investigative Reporting.
The Friends and Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to the Indian Valley Public Library on special projects. Below are the projects the FOF has funded as of December 2022. More details can be found here: https://www.ivpl.org/fofspecialprojects
The 2022-23 membership drive is raising money for the renovation of the Community Room.
The FOF is always looking for new and active members. You can become a member anytime by making a donation.
Chess clocks for Beginner's Chess Club
IVPL billboard
IVPL video series
Book vending machine
2021-2022 Annual Appeal
As the year comes to a close, and a new one is just days away, it's a good time to reflect. A time to reflect on things like family, friends, and community. IVPL has been a part of this #community for over 70 years. The educational resources it offers to the Indian Valley are immeasurable, but this video manages to capture (just a portion) of it perfectly. I hope it reinforces why supporting the library is so important.
Donations made to the library provide funding for free internet access, a variety of programs and clubs, and an impressive collection of books, movies, and CDs. That is just a fraction of what we have to offer. None of this would be possible without your support. Every gift makes a difference– no matter the amount!
Due to the large increase in Hoopla downloads and the resulting increase in cost to the library, we have made the decision to change the number of Hoopla borrows to 6 per user per month. To help us reach this decision, we have examined Hoopla usage data and the lending policies of other libraries. We found that many of our users already use less than 6 borrows per month. Many libraries our size have a similar or even smaller limit.
Be sure to look for Hoopla’s “Bonus Borrows,” which are offered occasionally, and allow you to borrow bonus titles that do not count toward your limit.
Gather to play Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role playing games. Best for grades 7-12.
IVPL's Planeswalker Club
Thursday, January 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th — 5:00—8:00 PM
Lewis McLean Reading Room
New and experienced players of Magic: The Gathering are welcome. Learn how to create decks or test decks you've already curated. If you are brand new to the game, join us to learn how to play MTG.
All ages are welcome; however, adult supervision is required for players under 13.
Pelicula: Los Tipos Malos
Monday, January 30th — 6:00—8:00 PM
Community Room
Ver una película en español con subtítulos en inglés.
Chess for Beginners
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM (new day)
Lewis McLean Reading Room
Learn how to play chess and hone your skills!
All ages are welcome; however, adult supervision is required for players under 13.
Stop into the Children’s Room for some free play with preschool-friendly building toys. No registration required.
Babies Boogie Storytime (Ages birth-24 months)
Monday, January 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th — 9:15—9:45 AM
Wednesday, January 11th, 18th, & 25th — 10:15—10:45 AM
Community Room
Families with children ages birth to 24 months are invited to join us for a brief storytime for our youngest friends, followed by time to play and socialize. Siblings welcome.
FREE! No registration is required. You can sign up for optional reminder emails through our online calendar.
First Chapter Book Club (Grades 4-6)
Monday January 9th — 4:15—5:00 PM
Community Room
Join us each month to experience an exciting and new (to you) book. We will read the first chapter aloud and explore the book further through writing, drawing, creating and discussion. Paperback copies of the book will be provided so you can continue the reading journey after you leave. Registration is required. If you are attending virtually, we will reach out to you about picking up a copy of the book.
Pajama Storytime (All ages)
Tuesday, January 10 & 17th 7:00—7:30 PM
Storyhour Room
Join us for a storytime for children of all ages before bedtime. Pajamas are welcome but not required!
FREE! No registration is required. You can sign up for optional reminder emails through our online calendar.
Teddy Bear Storytime (Age 2)
Wednesday, January 11th, 18th, & 25th — 9:30—10:00 AM
Community Room
Families with 2-year-old children (24-36 months) are invited to join us for stories, songs, and movement activities. Children can bring their stuffed toys to enjoy storytime with. We can also supply teddy bears to use during the program. Siblings welcome.
FREE! No registration is required. You can sign up for optional reminder emails through our online calendar.
Music & Motion Storytime (Ages 3-5)
Wednesday, January 11th, 18th, & 25th — 11:00—11:30 AM
Community Room
Children of all ages are invited to join us for stories, songs, and movement activities.
FREE! No registration is required. You can sign up for optional reminder emails through our online calendar.
Lunch Bunch Storytime (All ages)
Thursday, January 12th, 19th, & 26th — 12:00—12:30 PM
Community Room
Join us for a casual storytime for children of all ages. Feel free to bring a snack or a lunch, though this is not required. It's getting chilly, so we will meet in the library's Community Room.
FREE! No registration is required. You can sign up for optional reminder emails through our online calendar.
Junior Engineers (Grades K-5)
Thursday, January 12th — 5:00—5:45 PM
Community Room
Stop by the library for a building project.
Play and Learn (Ages 1-5)
Friday, January 13th & 20th — 10:30—11:30 AM
Community Room
Stop by the library for some indoor play time. No registration required.
Tinkering Club (Grades K-3)
Monday, January 16th — 4:15—5:00 PM
Community Room
Put on your inventor’s cap and join us at the library for some tinkering fun. Each month, we will present you with an open ended problem for you to solve using creativity, imagination and a variety of materials. No registration required.
This program uses elements from Indian Valley Public Library’s Tinkering Kit. The kit was funded by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
Lego Club (Grades K-5)
Thursday, January 19th & 30th — 5:00—5:45 PM
Community Room
Stop by the library to complete our monthly challenge or just have some free building time. No registration required. For safety reasons, preschoolers MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Maker Monday: Marble Maze Puzzles (Grades 4-6)
Monday, January 23 — 4:15—5:00 PM
Community Room
This month, we will be using our Turing Tumble kits to solve some marble run puzzles. This program is self-paced. Registration is required and opens 2 weeks before the program.
This program uses elements from Indian Valley Public Library’s Tinkering Kit. The kit was funded by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
Homeschool Meet & Greet
Tuesday, January 24th — 1:00—2:30 PM
Community Room
Would you like an opportunity to meet and mingle with other homeschooling families?
No registration is required. If you would like reminder emails for this program, fill out the optional form here.
(Please ignore the below mention of "Registration is required for this event". Only fill out the form if you would like reminder emails.)
Ruff Ruff and Read (Ages 5+)
Saturday, January 28th — 10:30—10:45 AM
Community Room
Independent readers ages 5 & up are invited to read to a therapy dog. Sign up for a 10 minute time slot. All readers will receive a token for the book vending machine. Registration is required and begins 2 weeks before the date of the event.
Teens are invited to join Ms. Nicole as she reads the first page of different books on the IVPL Youth Service'sYouTube channel. If your interest is piqued, you can check out the title from IVPL.
VolunTeen
Wednesday, January 11 — 6:30—7:30 PM
Community Room
Join us to complete projects and activities to support local and nationwide charities and organizations. For young people ages 13 and up.
Meet Oddly Normal, a ten-year-old girl with pointed ears and green hair -- a half-witch who will be the first to tell you that having a mother from a magical land called Fignation and a father from Earth doesn't 't make it easy to make friends at school! On her tenth birthday, she blows out her cake's candles and makes a disastrous wish. Now, Oddly must travel to Fignation to uncover the mystery of her parents ' disappearance. Join Oddly as she navigates a strange new school, monstrous bullies, and Evil itself on an unforgettable fantasy adventure through the vibrant world of Fignation in ODDLY NORMAL.
Join Ms. Nicole for a quick video on YouTube as she gives you inspiration for your next story.
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
Join Nicole on Facebook and YouTube as she reads different interactive fiction aka pick-a-path books. This program is intended for young people ages 9-12, but all are welcome to these adventures.
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, February 10 at 6 pm
Teen Lock-In
Volunteer Opportunity
Do you like puzzles? Clickhere to solve this month's book cover puzzle.
Did you miss a puzzle? Visit this page to solve past puzzles.
Don't forget to follow IVPL Teens Instagram - @ivpl_teens - for more updates and great content!
Adult Events
New Year, New Reads Winter Reading Challenge for Adults 2023
Ring in the new year with some refreshing new reads! Between January 2 and March 31, read or listen to 8 or more types of books. You will be entered into a drawing to win a gift card from a local business. Pick up the reading challenge and associated booklists at the library!
Evening Yoga at the Library
Thursday, January 5th — 6:00—7:00 PM
Community Room
This is is a makeup class. Pleae check the calendar for future dates.
Thursdays at 6:00 pm - $42 for the series or $10 for drop-in.
These Vinyasa flow classes offer body strengthening postures and postures to encourage flexibility all through using breathing techniques. These flow classes are great for beginners!
Classes are taught by Brittany Seville, 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Also certified Yoga and Trauma- informed Yoga and owner of Serene Asana.
Classes will be held in-person in the Community Room. Masks are strongly encouraged, but not required during the classes.
Payment methods accepted: Cash, Check, Venmo
To register, call/text (267) 221-5804 or go to Sereneasana.com
Forgotten Voices Poetry Group
Saturday, January 7th — 1:00—3:00 PM
Lewis McLean Reading Room
Poets and poetry lovers are invited to our meetings. Many of our members write poetry. We welcome all ages, abilities, and interests and enjoy listening to what each member shares. For more information, go to www.montcopoet.orgor email the Reference Desk at refdesk@ivpl.org.
When: First Saturday of every month.
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: LewisMcLean Reading Room
We will meet to celebrate our guest poet, MCPL Jen Schneider *and* our 32-year anniversary meeting and poeting together.
Jen Schneider is an educator who lives, writes, and works in small spaces throughout Pennsylvania. She loves words, experimental poetry, and the change of seasons. She’s also a fan of late nights, crossword puzzles, and compelling underdogs. She has authored several chapbooks and full-length poetry collections, with stories, poems, and essays published in a variety of literary and scholarly journals. Sample works include Invisible Ink, On Habits & Habitats, On Daily Puzzles: (Un)locking Invisibility, A Collection of Recollections, and Blindfolds, Bruises, and Breakups. She is currently working on her first series, which (not surprisingly) includes a novel in verse.
Jen's visit will include readings of her award-winning poetry, a lively discussion on banned books, and a brief writing exercise with Q&A.
Board Game Night for Adults
Tuesday, January 10th — 6:30—7:45 PM
Community Room
Are you game? Come and play with us!
Each session, we play two or three simple games (Rummikube, Mexican Train Dominoes, Five Crowns, Bananagrams, etc.*) more to learn and have fun than to win!
Bring along your favorite game for us to try!
Who: Adults who enjoy learning new games.
When: Second Tuesday of the month - 6:30 to 7:45 pm
Where: Community Room of Indian Valley Public Library
Questions: Contact Bev Griffith, (215) 260-6361 or the IVPL Reference Desk (215) 723-9109, ext.3
*Cranium, Apples to Apples, Quiddler, Kings in the Corners and others
Wonders of Yellowstone National Park
Thursday, January 12th — 6:00—7:00 PM
Zoom
The world's first national park is home to glorious scenery, unique geology, and abundant wildlife. A park ranger will introduce you to all these wonders and be ready to answer all your questions about Yellowstone's science, tourism, history, animals, and awesomeness.
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This presentation will be held online via Zoom. Register and receive program link by entering your information here. Any questions? Contact DeAnne O'Brien at dobrien@ivpl.org.
Writers Workshop
Sunday, January 15th— 2:00—4:00 PM
Community Room W
The IVPL Writer's Group is a group of aspiring authors who meet monthly to critique each other's work, discuss the craft of writing, and encourage one another’s efforts in putting pen to paper.
Woman’s Club of Perkasie Book Club
Tuesday, January 17th — 1:00-3:00 PM
Community Room
Woman’s Club of Perkasie Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of the month from September 2022 - April 2023.
IVPL welcomes Sue Richardson, the great-grandniece of Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley. Richardson's presentation will focus not only on the extraordinary gift that Willie gave us through the beauty of his photographs of snowflakes, but also the struggles he faced in perfecting his process. In addition, she will invite guests to get to know him on a more personal level through photographs, family stories, and his writings.
This presentation will be held virtually on Zoom. The Zoom link for the presentation will be sent 24 hours and 30 minutes before the program in the event reminder emails. Register here.
Ephrata: A Town Like No Other - An Introduction to the Ephrata Cloister
Monday, January 23rd — 7:00—8:00 PM
Community Room
In-Person Program
Ephrata: A Town Like No Other - An Introduction to the Ephrata Cloister
Travel through history with the Moravian Historical Society's Executive Director, Susan Ellis. This talk will share the fascinating story of the founding of Nazareth and Bethlehem and the important people and places that shaped these communities. Learn about the arrival of the Moravians in 1740 in this part of Pennsylvania through the Historical Society’s extensive research and historic images from the Society’s collection of more than 3,000 photographs.
Bio
Susan Ellis has served as the Executive Director of the Moravian Historical Society since 2018. Her professional experience includes positions with Lehigh Valley higher education and non-profit institutions where she developed high impact community programs for diverse audiences. Ellis earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tyler School of Art and a Masters in Instructional Design and Technology from Lehigh University’s College of Education. When she is not at the Historical Society, she enjoys spending time in the pottery studio.
This presentation will be held virtually on Zoom. The Zoom link for the presentation will be sent 24 hours and 30 minutes before the program in the event reminder emails. Register here.
Pennypacker Mills Presents: Traveling on the Perkiomen Railroad
Saturday, January 28th — 1:00—2:00 PM
Off-Site
On Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 1 p.m., guests are invited to Pennypacker Mills for a free, in-depth presentation on the Perkiomen Railroad, presented by Steve Mallon, President of the Perkiomen Railroad Historical Society.
In the heyday of railroad travel, the Perkiomen Railroad was the connector between Philadelphia and Emmaus. With the train line passing through Schwenksville, the borough grew into a vibrant community with new businesses establishing themselves along Main Street, mail and newspapers arriving from Philadelphia, and many well-to-do Philadelphians building summer homes for their families to vacation in the country. The men who purchased these large summer homes then took the Perkiomen Railroad to work in Philadelphia.
At Pennypacker Mills, farm products such as milk and butter were transported to Philadelphia for sale. Samuel Pennypacker used the train line to commute into Philadelphia as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and then when he became the Governor Pennsylvania, commuted on this rail line into Philadelphia and transferred to rail service to Harrisburg.
Mark your calendar to spend a fascinating afternoon at the Mills learning about the history of the Perkiomen Railroad. The Pennypacker mansion will be open for free guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both tours of the mansion and this special program are free with donations accepted.
About Pennypacker Mills
Looking for an interesting place to visit that’s close to home? Pennypacker Mills is the answer! This historic site is open year-round for free guided tours of the home of Pennsylvania Governor Samuel Pennypacker and his family. Known for its collection of 18th and 19th century decorative arts, furnishings, personal and official documents, the story of this famous Pennsylvania family reflects the lives of those who lived in Montgomery County in the early 1900’s.
Pennypacker Mills is operated by the Montgomery County Division of Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites. Pennypacker Mills is located off Route 73 (Skippack Pike) at 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA 19473.
*****This program is not sponsored by Indian Valley Public Library*****
Movie Matinee: Elvis
Tuesday, January 31 — 2:00—4:00 PM
Community Room
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the library while watching a film on our big screen. Registration no longer required. For the titles of the upcoming movies, visit the Reference Desk or call the library at 215-723-9109, ext 3.
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Elvis (PG-13) 2022
Stars Austin Butler and Tom Hanks.
The life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Sleeping Mat Project with Integrate for Good
Thursday, January 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th — from 10—11:30 AM
Helping the Homeless, While Recycling!
Did you know recycled grocery bags can create colorful, woven mats for homeless individuals in our community? Through a partnership with Integrate for Good and Angels in Motion, the Indian Valley Public Library is joining the project. Each week community members will join to learn different parts of the project including cutting bags, making loops, making "plarn" (plastic yarn), and weaving the mats on a loom.
Anyone is welcome to join us!
Contact Nicole Husbands at nhusbands@ivpl.org for information or with questions.
Please read the safety guidelines below:
*All participants ages 2 and up are required to wear a mask, even if fully vaccinated.
*If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or have been recently exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, please stay home.
Photography Club
Tuesday, January 3rd & 17th — 6:45—8:45 PM
Virtual & in person
Our mission is to encourage knowledge, skills and enjoyment of photography through monthly meetings, workshops, lectures and demonstrations encompassing all phases of photography. The Indian Valley Photography Club consists of advanced amateurs and those just beginning their journey into photography. Our members photograph a wide range of subjects including nature, landscape, macro, portraiture, sports, travel and much more.
Regular monthly Indian Valley Photography Club meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month.
Guests are always welcome to attend. There are no fees to join. Please contact
Bridge is played with four people sitting at a card table using a standard deck of 52 cards (no jokers). The players across from each other form partnerships as North‑South and East‑West.
Chess Club
Tuesdays, January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st —10:00AM—1:00PM
Fridays, January 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th — 10:00 AM—1:00PM
Lewis McLean Reading Room
Skilled chess players are welcome to bring their sets, find a partner and play during these drop-in chess sessions.
Knitwits
Tuesdays, January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st —2:30-4:30PM
Study Room 1
Bring a project you are working on, then sit back and relax with others who share the same interest in knitting.
Knitters and crocheters welcome.
Le Cercle Francais
Thursday, January 12th & 26th — 7:00— 8:30 PM
Room TBD
Parlez-vous francais? Want to improve your French language skills? Join our French language group. All levels of proficiency are welcome. We are hybrid--in person or Zoom. For more information, email the Reference Desk at refdesk@ivpl.org.
No Registration Required.
Stammtisch German Language Group
Tuesday, January 31st — 6:00-7:45 PM
Pennsylvania Room
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? If you speak (any level of) German and would like to practice conversation, feel free to join this group. Topics of conversation vary as does the level of fluency and we support each other in improving our ability to communicate. For more information, email the Reference Desk at refdesk@ivpl.org.
Go to ouronline calendar to see our planned events along with more information.
