Armstrong County Libraries
Summer Reading
At Ford City Public Library
June 6th through August 1st
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This year's Summer Reading Program features over 65 individual program sessions, including amped-up regular programs, new summer-only programs, and special events at Ford City Public Library! We offer programs for all ages throughout the week, on evenings, and Saturdays. We hope to see you in the library this summer!
*Some of our programs have required or encouraged registration.
To view our registration calendar, click here or call us at 724-763-3591.
Please see program descriptions below for more information.*
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2024 Summer Reading Challenge
Register on Beanstack to log your reading online OR register at the library and log your reading on paper. Log all your reading between June 6th and July 31st. (Be sure to grab a Summer Reading Passport from the library for all things SRP and to learn how to earn “extra” books toward your reading log!) The top 3 readers per age group will be announced on August 1st and can choose from our grand prizes!
All other reading challenge participants will be awarded with a randomized prize bag!
*Prizes must be picked up by August 31!
Grand Prizes
3 Grand Prizes will be Awarded per Age Group:
Early Readers (Ages 0-5) | Elementary (Ages 6-11) | Teen (Ages 12-17) | Adult (Ages 18+)
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Children's Museum passes, Floor is Lava board game, Paint-Your-Own Butterfly kit
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Splash Lagoon day passes, Monopoly Discover board game, Create-Your-Own Summer Character kit
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Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium passes, Wild Kratts board game, Paint-Your-Own Butterfly kit
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3-Ring Pool & Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler, $10 Speedy’s Tasty Treats gift certificate, Paint-Your-Own Mini Fishing kit
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DelGrosso’s Park passes, Wild Kratts board game, Create-Your-Own Keychain kit
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Fun Fore All passes, Bounce-Off Pop-Out game, Create-Your-Own Keychain kit
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Two kids’ hammock chairs, $10 Speedy’s Tasty Treats gift certificate, Create-Your-Own Summer Character kit
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Altitude Trampoline Park – Butler passes, Hot Dog pool float, Taco Bell pool float
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Heinz History Center passes, Meeper Bot & Tin Can Robot kits, Mind-Blowing Science kit
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ASCEND Rock Climbing passes, Zebra pool float, Popsicle pool float
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Segway Pittsburgh passes, $10 Sheetz gift cards
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Pop-up tent, Two cloth hammocks, $5 Speedy’s Tasty Treats gift certificate
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$40 T&J Floral gift certificate, $20 Valley Dairy gift certificate
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Pitt Football passes, $10 Sheetz gift cards
2024 Summer Reading Sponsors
A HUGE THANK YOU to this year's Sponsors!
Altitude Trampoline Park
ASCEND Rock Climbing
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
City Theatre Company
DelGrosso's Amusement Park
Fun Fore All
Heinz History Center
Janny's Hallmark
Klingensmith's Drug Stores
Penn Brewery
Pitt Football
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Ryan Bowser State Farm
Segway Pittsburgh
Speedy's Tasty Treats
Splash Lagoon
T&J Floral
Valley Dairy
Watt Insurance Agency
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CHAPTER SPONSORS ($100+)
Armstrong Associates Federal Credit Union
Armstrong County Building and Loan Association
Bradigan's Inc.
Benko Orthodontics
Chambers Jewelers
Ford City Area Business & Professional Association
Gross Embroidery
Projectile Tube Cleaning
Sheetz
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NOVEL SPONSORS ($250+)
Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #606
Polish Falcons Nest #159
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TOP SHELF SPONSORS ($500+)
ASHE Printing
Lenape PTO
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A special thank you to
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Summer Reading Programs for​
All Ages
*events that have passed have been removed*
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Maker Night: Recycled Jar Lanterns
Tuesday June 4 @6pm
Get creative and make your own summer lantern from recycled materials! All supplies included free of charge and will be available for the remainder of the month, while supplies last! No registration required.
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Legends at the Library presents Christine O'Toole
Thursday June 6 @6pm
Join Pittsburgh-based travel writer Christine O’Toole as she discusses her travels far and wide, from local stories in her book Pennsylvania Off the Beaten Path, to tales to her travels in Morocco, Bordeaux, Bangkok, and beyond. Registration is required. Click here to register online or call the library at 724-763-3591.
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Touch-a-Truck Exploration Event
Saturday June 15 @11am to 1pm
Learn about the adventurous things our community helpers and their specialty vehicles do! Featuring Ford City Fire Department, Ford City Ambulance, Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department, Manor Township Police Department, Lenape Garden Center, PennDot, Mike's Towing, and more! No registration required.
Maker Night: Patriotic Windsocks
Tuesday July 2 @6pm
Get creative and make your own patriotic windsocks! All supplies included free of charge and will be available for the remainder of the month, while supplies last! No registration required.
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The McCarney Minstrels Irish/Americana Irish Duo
at Ford City's Celebration in the Park
Saturday July 6 @TBD
Join us for good food, music, and fun! FCPL is featuring the McCarney Minstrels fiddle & guitar duo, who will take the stage at a time to be determined. Stop by the library’s booth for homemade pie, free crafts for kids, & more!
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Legends at the Library presents a Look into the Nationality Rooms
Thursday August 1 @6pm
Visit the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh and learn about their history without taking the drive! Registration required. Click here to register online or call the library at 724-763-3591.
Summer Reading Programs for​
Children
*events that have passed have been removed*
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Littles Lapsit (Ages 0-2)
Every Friday @11:30am
Parents with babies & toddlers are invited to join Miss Katie for a simple story, songs, and sensory exploration. During Summer Reading, we’ll be reading from the Little Naturalists Series & the Little Masters Series! Registration recommended for each week; walk-in availability will depend on space & supplies. Register online at each of the dates below you plan to attend, or call the library at 724-763-3591.
June 28 July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26
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Summer Storytime (Ages 3+)
Every Wednesday @11:30am
Join Miss Katie & special guests to read a story, dance, sing, & create! During Summer Reading, we’ll have special guests and/or activities each week! Registration recommended for each week; walk-in availability will depend on space & supplies. Register online at each of the dates below you plan to attend, or call the library at 724-763-3591.
June 26: Adventure with Animals (Oberst's Pets)
July 3: Adventures in Art (Block Printing & Dot Painting)
July 10: Adventures in Our Community (Ford City Lions Club)
July 17: Adventures in the Forest (PA Woodmobile)
July 24: Adventures in Space (Dr. William Armentrout)
July 31: Adventures in Language (This is Our World)
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Book Buddies (Ages 3+)
Wednesdays @2pm
During the summer, children ages 3 and up are invited to pair up with guest readers from our local schools to read together and build early literacy skills. Registration is required for each week. Register online at each of the dates below you plan to attend, or call the library at 724-763-3591.
June 26 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31
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Snack N STEM (Ages 6+)
Tuesdays @2pm
During the summer, children ages 6 and up are invited to explore a different STEM activity each week
with a themed snack! Registration is required for each week. Register online at each of the dates below you plan to attend, or call the library at 724-763-3591.
July 9: Paper Airplanes July 16: Cracking Geodes
July 23: Mini Volcanoes July 30: Leaning Towers
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I Survived Book Club (Ages 8+)
Thursdays @2pm
During the summer, children ages 8 and up are invited to experience what it would be like to survive some of the greatest disasters and events throughout history! We’ll read a new book each week, discuss, and work on a featured activity! Registration is required for each week. Register online at each of the dates below you plan to attend, or call the library at 724-763-3591.
June 27: Attack of the Grizzlies
July 11: Japanese Tsunami July 18: Shark Attacks of 1916
July 25: California Wildfires August 1: Wellington Avalanche
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Story Night at the Outdoor Discovery Center! (Ages 3+)
Thursday July 11 @6pm
Join us at the Outdoor Discovery Center (142 Kerr Road) for a special camping themed story night with Miss Katie & Miss Rachel! Registration is required. Click here to register online or call the library at 724-763-3591.
Summer Reading Programs for​
Teens
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Teen Storyboarding (Ages 12+)
Fridays @1pm
During the summer, teens are invited to learn how to create their own graphic
novel, comic, or other visual story throughout the summer using specialty software. Write your own story, use your favorite for inspiration, or use one of our prompts, and work as much as you'd like inside the library or at home. Each week, additional assistance will be available to help you with your design. Registration is required. Click here to register online or call the library at 724-763-3591.
Summer Reading Programs for​
Adults
*events that have passed have been removed*
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Summer Readers Club
Mondays @3:30pm
Bring your favorite reads to share with others OR bring books you hated - and tell us why! We’ll focus
on a different genre each week of Summer Reading to help you find your next summer read! No registration required; drop in to chat as you're able!
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DIY Thursday: Landscape Paintings
Thursday July 18 @6pm
Paint your own masterpiece on pre-printed canvas! All materials supplied free of charge. Registration is required. Click here to register online or call the library at 724-763-3591.