At the library: News from Hampton Community Library

Items sought for craft swap

Hampton Community Library, 3101 McCully Road, is planning a craft swap from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13 and 14.

Bring a box or bag of your clean, new or barely used craft supplies and swap them for something else. Tabletop equipment such as sewing machines in working order also are welcome.

To arrance a larger donation, call the library at 412-684-1098 and ask for Suzanna.

The library reserves the right to deny items. For a list of suitable items to donate, as well as a list of nonsuitable items, visit hamptoncommunitylibrary.org/craft-swap.

Unswapped items will be used in library programs or donated to the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse and Ronald McDonald House.

If you aren’t interested in participating in the swap but have items to donate, drop-offs can be made during regular library hours June 9-12.

Closed for holiday

The library will be closed May 24-26 for the Memorial Day holiday.

Stay Sharp Kits available

The library has a variety of Stay Sharp Kits to “keep minds active and spark meaningful conversations.”

The kits include activities for people who are experiencing memory loss or other cognitive issues related to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other memory disorders.

They are useful for older adults, families and caregivers, nursing homes, church groups, reunions, family nights, senior activities, memory support programs and community events.

The kits also are beneficial to anyone w ho wants to improve their short-term memory and overall mental speed.

Each kit includes themed content designed to spark conversation and stimulate brain activity, including:

• A carefully selected book to support cognitive needs;

• Two to four engaging activities such as puzzles and card games;

• A clear plastic tote for easy carrying.

Themes include cats, dogs, garden, the great outdoors, let’s go to the movies, let’s move, travel, birds and butterflies, senior game night and baseball.

For details, visit hamptoncommunitylibrary.org/stay-sharp-kits or call the library at 412-684-1098.

Experience Kits showcase 8 area historic sites, museums

Starting June 1, the library will offer a variety of Experience Kits.

The kits give two adults and up to six children the opportunity to visit eight historic sites and museums for free:

• Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, including the Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park and Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Avella

• Bushy Run Battlefield, Jeannette

• Depreciation Lands Museum, Hampton

• Gibson House Manor, aka Mark Twain Manor, Jamestown

• Historic Fort Steuben, Steubenville, Ohio

• Captain William Vicary Mansion, Freedom

• Duncan Miller Glass Museum, Washington, Pa.

• Harmony Museum, Harmony

The kits are nonrequestable and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each kit can be borrowed for one week at a time.

For details, visit hamptoncommunitylibrary.org/stay-sharp-kits or call the library at 412-684-1098.

Self-checkout scanner in place

The library now has a self-checkout scanner.

Patrons can access their accounts, check out items, get recommendations from Novelist and more.

The purchase of the machine was made possible through the generosity of a library friend.

Calling all teens: Need service hours?

Any teen who is looking to complete service hours are encouraged to help out at the community library.

Stop by the front desk for an application to assist with the Summer Reading Program, which kicks off in June.