News & Events

Upcoming Events

My Afterlife: A 20-Year Old Tale

Saturday, June 24 at 1:30 PM

Smethport native and author, Dave McElwee will be visiting the library on Saturday, June 24 at 1:30 PM for a special event.

Inside My Afterlife: A 20-Year-Old Tale, A 5-Act Presentation and Book Signing.

Light refreshments will be available as well as a few copies of McElwee’s book, My Afterlife for purchase.

“My Afterlife tethers tragic events and humorous situations to complex human experiences such as faith, death, and social complications encountered by each as time passes during their journey. Hopefully, the reader will reflect on their own life, shaped by important (and unimportant) events and decisions, leading them to ask, ‘What if…?’ “

~ Amazon

Tech Tutor

Tuesdays in June 10 AM – 12 PM

30 minute appts.

Schedule a 30 minute session and receive one-on-one instruction that centers on BASIC computer operations. Develop your tech skills and confidence in a friendly environment. Tuesday, June 6, 13, 20, 27.

Mad Tatters

Saturday, June 10 at 11 AM

Anne Bouquin is returning Saturday, June 10 at 11 AM to offer an introductory lesson on the art of Tatting. In a few minutes time, participants will find themselves completing ‘chains!’ Individuals who attended our first session on March 18 will have their projects and technique reviewed. Following this April 8 session, all registered participants will be ready to complete a beautiful, tatted bookmark during the next Mad Tatters program!

Limited to 6 participants. Register Early!

Registration is easy: Call 814-362-6527, visit the Circ Desk, or email [email protected]

Adult Summer Reading Challenge: All Together Now

Begins Monday, June 12

You enjoy reading. Now your favorite pastime can make you a winner! Log your reading minutes into a Beanstack account and our top grossing earners will be entered into a random drawing to win one of several Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificates. This challenge begins Monday, June 12 and ends on Monday, July 31. Register on Beanstack

Ready. Set. Read!

Tech Connect: Video Conference Basics

Monday, June 12 at 1 PM

This Tech Connect workshop will introduce new computer/internet users to video conferencing (Zoom platform). Attendees will explore basic features for attending and hosting meetings. Registration is necessary for this Monday, June 12, 1 PM workshop.

Registration is easy: Call 814-362-6527, visit the Circ Desk, or

or email [email protected]

Copy Cat

Thursday, June 15 at 11 AM (NEW DATE & TIME)

Join us for a fun, in-person program on Thursday, June 15 at 11 AM (new time) when Janelle Nolan demonstrates how to create a cute sock kitten (project credit: Moth Art).

Participation for this free program is limited to twelve (12) individuals, so register early! Call 814-362-6527 or

email [email protected] to register.

The Open Book Club

Saturday, June 17 at 10:30 AM

The next club meeting will be Saturday, June 17 at 10:30 AM. Members have selected Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau for the June meeting.

“I LOVED this novel….If you have ever sung along to a hit on the radio, in any decade, then you will devour Mary Jane at 45 rpm.” —Nick Hornby

All are encouraged to attend and join the book discussion! New members are always welcomed.

Paranormal Investigations

Friday, June 16 at 6 PM (virtual)

Shane and Lisa White Eagle, the owners of the paranormal investigative group, Spirit Hunters, Inc. recently visited the library to record a virtual program detailing their work and collaborative effort with author, William Robertson. Tune in to hear some tales of hauntings in our region, as well as learn about the equipment that the group uses to document specters. This prerecorded, virtual program will air Friday, June 16 at 6 PM on the library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Movie Monday: 12 Years a Slave (R)

Monday, June 19 at 6 PM

In observance of the Juneteenth holiday, join us for a free viewing of

“12 Years a Slave” (R rating) on Monday, June 19 at 6 PM. No registration necessary.

Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body

Tuesday, June 20 at 1 PM

For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how lifestyle choices may help you keep your brain and body

healthy as you age. Join us to learn from the Alzheimer’s Association about the latest research providing insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body

healthy as you age, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. This virtual webinar will be presented in the library’s Community Room.

Trivia Night

Tuesday, June 20 at 6 PM

Let’s test your knowledge of famous fathers and summer facts during our next Trivia Night. Form your teams (4 ppl. max.) or play individually. Either way, it is sure to be a blast!

Registration is necessary. Call 814-362-6527

Upcycle This!

June

Virtual

Join us for a fun virtual program as we repurpose thrifted items in this crafting program.

“Upcycle This!” is a prerecorded video that premiers on the library’s Facebook page, so you can enjoy it any time that is convenient for you!

Episodes can also be found on the library’s YouTube channel.

Youth Department Events

‘Found’ Objects Sought

Throughout June

The library is accepting any ‘found’ objects (e.g. broken tile, bottle caps, chipped china, etc.) that patrons would like to donate to our two teen book clubs. Our teens will be creating a special mosaic project with the help of teen advisor, Marie Troskosky and Courtney Mealy, Director of Arts Programming at Pitt-Bradford. Objects can be delivered to the library’s Circ. Desk.

Free Summer Workshops

July & August

All local tweens and teens are invited to join the many free workshops that are planned for July and August. Download our Teen & Tween Summer Brochure or get a copy at the library’s Circ. Desk and sign up for all the fun!

Youth Reading Challenge: All Together Now

Begins Monday, June 5

Local youth are invited to register for the summer reading program. Interested individuals can submit the registration slips that were distributed during school to the Circ. Desk. No registration slip?! No worries. Visit the Circ. Desk to get registered. The two weeks of summer workshops for the following age groups: Birth – 5 yrs., 1st – 3rd grade, and 4th – 6th grade, will begin the week of July 10.

Beginning Monday, June 5, all area youth (0 – 18 yrs) are welcome to join the reading challenge on Beanstack. Read all the books you want! Reading can earn you a prize on July 28! Enter the reading challenge on Beanstack or enter your reading time on a paper log.

Middle Ground Book Club

Thursday, June 1 at 5 PM

“. . . a moving novel about a girl with a sensory processing disorder who has to find her own voice after her whole world turns upside down.”

Join us Thursday, June 1 at 5 PM for free pizza, free books, and great discussions!

Middle Ground Book Club will meet in-person on the first Thursday of every month at 5:00 PM. All area students in grades 6 – 8 are welcome to attend. Bring a friend! New members are always welcome.

Teen Book Club

Tuesday, June 20 at 5 PM

Disillusioned by the propaganda of Nazi Germany, Sophie Scholl, her brother, and his fellow soldiers formed the White Rose, a group that wrote and distributed anonymous letters criticizing the Nazi regime and calling for action from their fellow German citizens.

Join us Tuesday, June 20 at 5 PM for free pizza, free books, and great discussions!

The Teen Book Club will meet in-person on the third Tuesday of every month at 5:00 pm. All area students in grades 9 – 12 are welcome to attend.

For more information, email: director@bradfordlibrary.org

Juice Box Heroes

Wednesday, June 14 at 11 AM

Join Jim Ronan for music and fun on Wednesday, June 14 at 11 AM! Mr. Jim will be playing all our favorites this month. We will be singing, dancing, laughing, and making lots of music!

Petting Zoo

Friday, June 30 at 10:30 AM

Michael Morton is returning with his Sundance-Kids-Farm animals on Friday, June 30 at 10:30 AM. This is an outdoor event (weather permitting).

Story Seekers

Mondays and Fridays at 11 AM

Story Seekers is a fun-filled program for 0-5 year old children and their parents or caregivers. Hear great stories, sing a few songs, and complete a craft or two! Story Seekers meets every Monday and Friday at 11 AM.S

Learning with Legos

Wednesdays at 10 AM

Bring your youngsters to the library’s Children’s Room, where learning can be fun! We are bringing back our Learning with Legos program. Children, supervised by an adult caregiver, can engage in free-style building activities every Wednesday from 10 AM – 11 AM.

Mark Your Calendars

General Grant and the Battle for Vicksburg: 160th Anniversary

Wednesday, July 12 at 6 PM

Full-time professional living historian, Kenneth Serfass, returns as General Ulysses S. Grant to mark the 160th Anniversary of the Battle for Vicksburg.

Book Premiere with David Poyer

Wednesday, July 19 at 6:30 PM

Join us for a special visit with former Bradfordian, David Poyer as he premieres his latest work, Writing in the Age of AI: What You Need to Know to Survive and Thrive. Veteran writers, as well as novices, teachers, and editors will gain valuable insight to the effect new digital tools will have on writing. Poyer’s book is out today on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, B&N, in both paperback and ebook formats.

We hope to see you on Wednesday, July 19 at 6:30 PM for this event!

Book Launch Party: Vaulting Through Time

Tuesday, July 25 at 6 PM

Join local author and Pitt-Bradford professor, Nancy McCabe for the release of her newest book: Vaulting Through Time.

Sixteen-year-old gymnast Elizabeth finds herself catapulting through time in order to solve the mystery of her own birth and stop a fellow time traveler whose actions may prevent her from being born.

Chautauqua Institute Author Visit

Kwame Alexander

Wednesday, August 2 at 8 AM (departure)

Adults age 19+ are invited to join our first post-COVID library sponsored field trip for all our book clubs and community members! The trip is slated for Wednesday, August 2, to see Young Adult author, Kwame Alexander at the Chautauqua Institute (he’ll be signing books also).

We will travel with Niagara Scenic Bus, leaving at 8 AM (we will confirm the departure site, possibly the Mall/bank parking lot) and returning to Bradford at 5 PM approx. The cost is $60 which includes the gate fee and bus transportation. Lunch is not included. Library volunteer, Marie Troskosky has been instrumental in working out the particulars for us! Thanks Marie!

If you have any questions, Marie has offered that you contact her directly at 814-598-3480 (C) or 814-368-5463 (H).

A sign up sheet will be made available at the Circulation Desk. Thank you for your interest and support of this exciting venture.

News & Updates

We Have A YouTube Channel!

by baplibrary | Sep 8, 2021 | Current Events, Past Events

Now the library's virtual programming can be easily accessed on the Bradford Area Public Library's new YouTube Channel! We have currently uploaded forty-two of our recorded programs and have 60+ to go!! Take a moment and check it out! BAPL YouTube Channel