FREE PASS Visit museums and historical sites for free Check out passes at the library By Andrea Iglar Have you been to the Heinz History Center lately? How about Old Economy Village? South Fayette Township Library is lending free passes to museums and historical sites. Visit the library in person to borrow an Experience Kit, including free admission for up to four people plus itinerary ideas, virtual access to educational information and other fun content. Circulation supervisor Juli Morneweck said the program offers families opportunities to enjoy affordable outings while gaining knowledge. “Libraries are changing so much these days in that they are becoming more places for experiences,” she said. Passes may be checked out for seven sites and must be returned in person within seven days: •
Heinz History Center (Pittsburgh), Fort Pitt Museum (Pittsburgh) and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village (Washington County)
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Duncan & Miller Glass Museum (Washington County)
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Historic Fort Steuben (Steubenville, Ohio)
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Merrick Art Gallery (Beaver County)
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Old Economy Village (Beaver County)
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Somerset Historical Center (Somerset County)
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West Overton Village and Museum (Westmoreland County)
Kits circulate on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be placed on hold like traditional library materials. A library card is required; if you don’t have one, you can sign up for free. Visit three different sites before Oct. 31, and enter to win a prize. Whitehall Public Library launched Experience Kits in 2017 with the Heinz History Center. Since then, the program has expanded to other libraries in the Allegheny County Library Association and in Washington, Fayette, Greene and Jefferson counties. The library in South Fayette lends several types of items beyond books, including the Experience Kits, WiFi hot spots, preschool book and activity bundles, and American Girl dolls. For more information, visit southfayettelibrary.org/beyond-books.
One Book, One Community The South Fayette Township Library hosted two community conversations in May to discuss “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by author Rachel Joyce. Everyone was invited to read the novel as part of the library’s second annual One Book, One Community program. Sarah Grebinoski, the library’s adult programming coordinator, also organized an online Q and A with the author, via Zoom from England, plus other programs related to themes from the book. Library patrons and staff attending the May 23 session include, from left, Jill Stubber, Robin Grant, Grebinoski, Dawn Cross and Denise Abernathy. —Photo & text by Andrea Iglar South Fayette Connect | Summer 2022 | 29
