Local storyteller Charles B. Kiernan is doing a virtual program for us this year. Come and join us at a virtual campfire for “An October Evening of Tales.” It will be posted now until Nov. 13.

Visit the library website, whitehallpl.org, and click on our Program page. Kiernan has done many storytelling programs and also does Mark Twain talks for the library.

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You will also find storytimes and crafts for kids to do on the website, whitehallpl.org/kids. The activities are available to download and do at home.

We will be adding more storytimes each month and hope to add some teen and adult programs.

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Thank you to all who donated to our annual fall fundraiser letter campaign. We raised more than $6,000 to be used for library materials and databases.

Some of our state funds have been reduced due to the pandemic, but we will continue to work within our budget and stay open to help our patrons.

You may still donate anytime during the year.

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Some patrons have asked about our wish list. We need disinfecting wipes, disposable masks, hand sanitizer, copier paper (white or colored), bird seed, resealable plastic bags (any size), gift cards for any store but especially Walmart, Giant, Weis Market and Redner’s.

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Our November book sale has been canceled for 2020. Instead, we will hold a fall harvest brown bag book sale fundraiser.

Each bag will be packed and ready with five to 10 clean books. The bags will be marked with subject, author or topic. Some examples include mysteries, romance, young adult, children, Debbie Macomber, James Patterson, a surprise “blind date” bag and large print. The bags are located in the Friends of the Library book sale area.

You may purchase as many bags as you would like. New bags and subjects will be added each week. Additional books are available for purchase.

Pay at the circulation desk. Checks can be made payable to WTPL. We are also accepting cash or credit cards.

We’re hoping to reschedule our book sale for April 2021.

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All in-library programs and meetings have been canceled until at least Dec. 31. This includes all meetings, book clubs, coloring club and storytimes. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

The community room is being used for the quarantine room. All items need to be returned to the yellow drop boxes in the parking lot. We then quarantine all items for seven days before checking them in.

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Apply online for a purple LCLC library card by going to whitehallpl.org and clicking My Account to request a library card.

Your library card information will be emailed to you, so you can start using your card online immediately. You can pick up the physical card next time you visit the library.

We have online databases that cover all subjects from ABC MOUSE to PA POWER library, and all may be found on our website.

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The library’s current hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays.

We will do curbside pickup only 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. The library building is closed to patrons that day.

We are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Office of Commonwealth Libraries guidelines to protect our staff and patrons during this pandemic.

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We are sorry for any inconvenience, and we thank you for your support. We are doing our part to keep the staff and patrons healthy.

If you have questions or need help with a database, I can help. I check my emails daily at vahey.p@whitehallpl.org.