| Parkland Community Library

May Library News

2025

Welcome to your May 2025 edition of Library News! This month is a beautiful time to visit the library. Watch our native plant garden come alive! Stroll through the garden to see which plants bloom and enjoy the serene surroundings. Relish a quiet moment observing the beneficial pollinators, a few birds, or a bunny. While you’re here, don’t forget to stop by and pick up a new book to read. 

Keep an eye out for our upcoming free events in May, where you can participate in fun activities and meet fellow book lovers. And mark your calendars for the return of the Summer Reading Club in June, where you can challenge yourself to read more and win exciting prizes. 

We are excited to offer a range of programs and resources this month to help you maximize your library time. Whether you’re interested in attending a workshop, joining a book club, or browsing our collection, there’s something for everyone. Please stay connected with us to stay updated on all the latest happenings at the library by signing up for eNews (at the bottom of any web page), TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and our blogs like this one.

Board Openings

Deadline: May 28

The Parkland Community Library Board of Trustees seeks to fill an opening on the board. Candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests can apply by submitting a cover letter and resume.

Connect • Discover • Grow

Under Maryellen Kanarr’s leadership, Parkland Community Library recently became an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) and is listed on the PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s website.

PCL is proud to receive the $5,000 Neffs National Bank donation presented by Kevin Schmidt, President and CEO of Neffs National Bank, and David Matulevich, EVP/COO/CFO. Maryellen Kanarr, executive director of Parkland Community Library, and Lisa Roth, board president of Parkland Community Library, are accepting this generous gift for the library. 

Donations were made through The Neffs National Bank’s participation in the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. This program authorizes tax credits for contributions to Educational Improvement Organizations and allows the bank to earmark its taxes to support these programs.

May 25 & 27

The Library will be closed for Memorial Day.

Now Showing: Ilene Rubin

Stop by PCL to enjoy the works of Bucks County artist and author Ilene Rubin! Rubin is an award-winning artist who works primarily in oils but uses pastels, pencils, and watercolor in a painterly representational style. Influences range from Caravaggio to Monet and Corot admits she has learned something revelatory from every artist who has preceded her and every teacher she’s had. The ever-changing landscape most moves her and captures each one so that the viewer can step into it and spend moments immersed in a place filled with an environment that feels so familiar yet timeless.

The Parkland Art League will rotate artist displays every two months at PCL. Head to the right of the Zirkel Meeting rooms to our gallery space. The public is welcome to view the gallery anytime the library opens. Purchase inquiries can be made through the Parkland Art League.

Libby Big Read

Join #BigLibraryRead on May 15 and borrow Uncommon Measure by Natalie Hodges on the Libby App with no waitlists or holds!

Uncommon Measure explores these questions from the perspective of a young Korean American who dedicated herself to perfecting her art until performance anxiety forced her to give up the dream of becoming a concert solo violinist. Anchoring her story in illuminating research in neuroscience and quantum physics, Hodges traces her passage through complex family dynamics, prejudice, and enormous personal expectations to come to terms with the meaning of life reimagined—one still shaped by classical music but moving toward the freedom of improvisation. 

Learn more here.

Check out our new “Things”

As promised, we are continuing to expand our Library of Things collection. For those looking to try out new electronic gadgets before you buy, unwind with a new puzzle, borrow some games for a party, or jam out with friends with an instrument, our collection is sure to please!

Seed Library Update

May 2025

Don’t miss out on our popular seed collection! Due to high demand, we have moved the display next to the reference desk for easy access. Remember to bring your picks to the circulation desk to check out before they’re all gone.

Thank you for your continued support, and happy gardening!

Read More

Puzzles

Out Now!

We have eight new puzzles all out on the floor.

Artful Array of Easter Eggs, Construction, Elf, Minecraft, Mosaic Tree of Life, Stephen King’s Books, Super Mario, Tiny Garden

    New Games

    Candy Land, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Monopoly,  The Game of Life

    Bluey Scavenger Hunt Game,  Jenga,  Minecraft Magnetic Traveling Puzzle,  Outfoxed,   Terraforming Mars, Volcano Bean Bag Toss

      New Electronics

      Portable Blu-Ray Disc/DVD Player

      Karaoke Speaker, Human Body Model, Electricity and Battery Making Kit, Playground Game Console

        Join us for a free event!

        Check out our exciting lineup of free spring programs for May! From activities for families to teens, adults, and kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Join us for a chance to connect with others and make new friends. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to bond with your community and create lasting memories. Mark your calendars and prepare for a fun and exciting month!

        Events Calendar

        Rebel Girls Club

        April, being Earth Month, we talked about two climate warriors from the Rebel Girls Series.

        At age 8, Mari Copenny, aka Little Miss Flint, wrote a letter to President Obama, prompting him to visit Flint, Michigan, and send federal funding to support the correction of the infrastructure, which caused toxic water to flow through the pipes of all of the homes in the community. Mari also partnered with a water filter company to provide water filters to all of Flint’s homes.

        We made and tested DIY water filters in honor of this brilliant young rebel. While the water was much cleaner, we were unwilling to drink it!

        We then learned about Esohe Ozicbo, “Teen Trashion” Designer from Gambia, who cleaned up her community by collecting and washing trash and turning it into fashion!

        We then crafted flowers out of plastic grocery bags!

        Rebel Girls Club Presents: Empowering Rebels: A Conversation with Melba Tolliver.

        Thursday, June 26, 6:30-7:30pm

        We shared the exciting news about our upcoming Rebel visit with author Melba Tolliver. We will use this month’s club meeting, Thursday, May 29, to prepare for the June event!

        Library Comic Craze

        Saturday, May 3, 1-4pm
        Drop-In

        Celebrate your fandom at the library! Join us for an afternoon of festivities with something for everyone to enjoy. 

        Come to the library to play Wii games, make buttons, and even make your own comic book*! 

        *DIY Comic book participants will be entered in a raffle to win a gift card to Cloud City Games!

        George and Martha Washington: A Love Story

        Wednesday, May 21, 6pm 
        RSVP • Families Welcome

        Join us in celebrating America’s 250th birthday, featuring Curt Radabaugh as General Washington and Alisa Dupuy as Lady Washington from Ladies of History’s historical re-enactment of Washington’s life before, during, and after the Revolution!

        1-2-3 Play with Me

        Fridays, May 23-June 20,
        9:30am • RSVP

        Ages 1-5 years and their caregivers.

        Head to the library for your child to enjoy free play and meet other parents! Each week, a different child development professional interacts informally, gives advice, and provides community resource information during these workshops. PCL is a Family Place library committed to helping families find the early education tools and parenting resources.

        May Awareness & Celebrations

        Kanopy and hoopla are free at-home streaming apps courtesy of your library for Parkland School District and Northwestern residents only!

        With hoopla, patrons can borrow, stream, and download content on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, and more. hoopla offers access to a vast collection of books, videos, and music, all free with your library card.

        Hoopla Bonus Borrows

        Available May 25 – 31!

        No borrows? No problem! Titles in Hoopla’s Bonus Borrows program don’t count against your limit, and they’re available for the last seven days of each month. 

        Go to Hoopla

        Mental Health Awareness Month

        Mental Health Awareness Month is observed in May each year to raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote resources for those struggling with mental health conditions. It was first established in the United States in 1949 by the Mental Health America (MHA) organization. The goal is to emphasize that mental health is as important as physical health and encourage people to seek help when needed.

        Hoopla List

        Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

        Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month! Embrace the rich cultures, diverse histories, and remarkable contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders with free books, comics, and videos on Hoopla.

        Hoopla List

        Jewish American Heritage Month

        May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Immerse yourself in the profound stories and contributions of the Jewish community, which feature books about Jewish history and movies depicting Jewish culture and experiences.

        Hoopla List

        Unlimited borrowing on the Children’s Collection!

        Kanopy is the best video streaming service for quality, thoughtful entertainment. Find movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films, and educational videos that inspire, enrich, and entertain. We bring you an ad-free experience that can be enjoyed on your TV, mobile phone, tablet, and online free with your library card.

        Go to Kanopy

        Check out these booklists!

        For Karate Kid Movie Enthusiasts

        PCL List

        A new movie, Karate Kid: Legends, will be released in theaters on May 30, 2025. It stars Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio and is set three years after the events of Cobra Kai. Check out our nonfiction and fiction (plus DVD) picks for young and old fans of The Karate Kid movie franchise. Do you prefer Ralph Macchio or Jaden Smith? PCL doesn’t judge!

          Calling All Kathryn Stockett Readers!

          PCL List

          Remember her debut historical novel, The Help? Kathryn Stockett’s next novel, The Calamity Club, is scheduled for publication in 2026. In preparation for its arrival, consider this list of catalog items that immerse patrons in another historical crisis: The Great Depression. Since the movie based on The Help grossed 221 million at the box office, bets are “on” for another movie!

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