From the Executive Director | | |
Greetings!
Here at CTLS, we have so much to appreciate during this season of gratitude: our community supporters, volunteers, colleagues, and library visitors; the wonderful books, programs, and resources that spark our curiosity, delight us, and help us learn; and the many ways our libraries bring neighbors together.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this newsletter, stops by a library branch to meet a neighbor or borrow something fun, or says hello while visiting a Friends of the Library book sale. Whether you visit often or support us from afar, we're grateful to have you as part of our library community. From the entire CTLS family to yours, we wish you a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving filled with warmth and appreciation.
Cooking up something new this holiday season? Our libraries have plenty of resources to inspire your next culinary adventure! Browse magazines featuring delicious recipes, including Bon Appétit, Cook’s Illustrated, Food Network, and Gluten Free & More. Our shelves are also stocked with cookbooks (Dewey Classification 641.5) to help you find a new favorite or perfect a tried-and-true recipe.
Ready to explore flavors from around the world? Visit A to Z World Food, our digital resource available through the Research It tab on the CTLS website. This engaging database offers recipes and fascinating insights into food traditions and cultures around the globe, with a different country's cuisine featured each day. You can also explore spices, cooking conversions, sauces, and much more. Log in and let your next delicious discovery begin!
Once the cooking is done and the dishes are put away, we hope you'll stop by the library to settle in with a great book, join one of our regular programs, or enjoy a quiet moment working on a community jigsaw puzzle. Whether you're looking for something fun for the children, hoping to connect with fellow book lovers, or simply seeking a welcoming place to spend some time, CTLS has something for you.
We’re grateful you’re part of our community, and I hope to see you at the library soon!
Mary Kay Moran
Executive Director
215-885-0457
Email
| | What I am Reading/Listening To | | | | |
Black House
by Stephen King and Peter Straub. Narrated by Frank Muller
| | LibraryReads November 2026: The top 10 books that library staff love! | | November Library Closures | |
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November Library Closures
All branches will be closed for:
Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, and Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, through Friday, November 27.
All branches will close @ 5 pm on Wednesday, November 25.
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A to Z World Food
A food database with traditional recipes and food culture information from 174 countries. With categories like Daily Meals, Dining Etiquette, Special Occasion Foods, and more!
Available to: All patrons for in-library use; Remotely for Cheltenham residents only
Card required?: In-Library – No; Remotely – Yes
Check out A to Z World Food and CTLS's other resources here.
| | | | Youth and Family Programs | |
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Family Storytime at the Glenside Library
Mondays, Tuesdays, November 3 & 17, and Saturday, November 14 @ 10:30 am
Recommended for ages 6 months to 5 years.
Evening Storytime at the Glenside Library
Tuesday, November 3 & 17 @ 6:30 pm
For ages 6 months to 5 years.
Infant-Toddler Storytime at the Elkins Park Library
Wednesdays @ 10:30 am (except 11/11)
This interactive class helps children develop early literacy skills with stories, rhymes, fingerplays, and music and movement. Simple art or sensory activity on select dates. For ages birth to 3 yrs.
Preschool Storytime Class at the Elkins Park Library
Thursdays @ 10:30 am (except 11/26)
Teaches key concepts for kindergarten readiness. Includes stories, music & movement, and a craft. Basic Spanish introduced. Ages 3 to 5.
Saturday Bilingual Storytime at the Glenside Library
Saturday, November 7 @ 10:30 am
Enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes in both Spanish and English! For ages 6 months to 5 years.
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Fall in Famous Paintings: Art for Kids!
Tuesday, November 3
2:00 PM
Glenside
Explore the colors of fall through famous paintings! Children will look at autumn landscapes, listen to a story, and play games as we discover how different artists captured the season. A craft inspired by these paintings will follow. Ages 4 to 8. Registration required.
| | | | STEM Challenge: Build a Wind Turbine | |
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STEM Challenge: Build a Wind Turbine
Tuesday, November 3
3:30 - 5:00 PM
Elkins Park
Apply principles of engineering & renewable energy to design, build, and test a functional wind turbine using a variety of materials. For ages 8 to 12. Registration required.
| | | | Drop-in & Play at the Glenside Library | |
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Drop in & Play
Wednesdays (except 11/11)
10:30 AM
Glenside
Families and caregivers with children up to age 5 are invited to drop in and play together! Your children will enjoy blocks, puzzles, gross motor toys, books, and more while you enjoy conversation with other parents.
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Youth Chess Club
Mondays, November 9 & 23
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Elkins Park
All skill levels are welcome at our chess club for young players! Tom Petersen (Cheltenham resident and father of three) runs the club, teaching new players and facilitating matches. Ages 7 to 13. Registration required.
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Read to the Dogs
Tuesday, November 10
4:30 PM
Elkins Park
Developing readers can practice their reading skills by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. Call 215-635-5000 to register for a shared 20-minute session. For ages 5 to 10. Registration required.
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Music & Movement
Wednesdays, November 18 through December 23
10:30 AM
Glenside
Little ones will get to explore rhythms and melodies, and get creative with musical instruments, fun movements and sounds with Miss Ouliana. For ages 1 to 5 years. Registration required.
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After-School Art Club
Wednesday, November 18
4:00 PM
Glenside
Make something new with us! Create as a group or on your own, but always with your unique ideas! Ages 6 to 12. Registration required.
| | | | Imagination Aquarium Workshop | |
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Imagination Aquarium Workshop
Saturday, December 5
1:00 PM
Elkins Park
Put on your wetsuit and dive into the IMAGINATION AQUARIUM, where award-winning cartoonist Jamar Nicholas will help you catch ideas in your net and create awesome cartoons! Beginning with art ‘warm-up’ drawing exercises, Jamar instructs kids on overcoming creative ‘artist block’ by creating fun and funny idea mashups! Followed by book signing. For ages 8 and up. Registration required.
| | | | D&D Club - Character Create | | |
D&D Club
Tuesdays, November 10 & 24
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Glenside
Calling all adventurers! D&D Club is back! Join us for new adventures and hijinks every 2nd and 4th Tuesday evening. For ages 11 to 18! Registration required.
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DIY Stickers
Friday, November 13
4:00 PM
Glenside
Make your own stickers using parchment paper and tape! You will have the option to use pre-maid art, design in Canva to print out, or draw your own art. Ages 12 to 15. Registration required.
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Mahjong
Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17 & 24
12:00 - 2:30 PM
Elkins Park
Bring your card and enjoy Mahjong in the library’s community room. This program is for experienced Mahjong players. Registration required.
| | Game Night at the Library | | |
Game Night
Glenside: Tuesday, November 3 @ 6:30 PM
Elkins Park: Monday, November 16 @ 6:30 PM
Have a fun night out playing games with our open and friendly group. No prior knowledge of games is needed, just your interest in having fun and learning new games.
| | No Talent Required! Adult Craft Night | | |
No Talent Required! Adult Craft Night
Thursday, November 5
7:00 PM
Glenside
Join us to decorate a tin can pencil or utensil holder! Dress for a possible mess! Registration required.
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Book Discussion Group
Thursday, November 12
11:15 AM
Elkins Park
This month, we are discussing The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka. This group is always looking for new members to join the discussion. Light refreshments are provided. We hope to see you there!
We will meet again on November 12 at 11:15 am.
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Virtual Drawing Class with Anita Thompson (Zoom)
Thursday, November 12
6:30 PM
Join us virtually for an art class! Through instruction, participants will learn to create a new drawing, this month of three autumn leaves! Zoom link sent to those registered. Registration required.
| | | Truth or Non-Fiction: Adult In-Person Book Club | | | | |
Truth or Non-Fiction:
Adult In-Person Book Club
Thursday, November 12
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Glenside
An adult non-fiction book club! We will meet in person at Glenside Free Library on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. We will discuss Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten.
If you have any questions, please email Sean at ssaraka@cheltenhamlibraries.org.
Registration required.
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Sit & Stitch
Wednesday, November 18
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Elkins Park
Drop in with your needlework project and join other crafters for a productive and inspiring session. Light refreshments will be provided. All skill levels are welcome! For adults and teens. No registration required.
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Art Night for Adults
Wednesday, November 18
7:00 PM
Elkins Park
Join us for a heartfelt craft project! We will be cutting shapes from felt sheets to make pictures of people, animals, or buildings. Dress for a possible mess! Registration required.
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Chess, Please!
Thursday, November 19
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Glenside
Come play chess! All levels of experience are welcome! If you don’t know the rules, someone will gladly walk you through the basics. Chessboards provided. Register here.
| | Virtual Book Discussion Group | | | |  | |
Book Discussion Group (Zoom)
Tuesday, December 8
7:00 PM
This month, we will discuss Orbital by Samantha Harvey. New members are always welcome! Please email glref@mclinc.org to register and receive the Zoom link.
Registration required.
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Tech Time
Elkins Park: Sara
Mondays, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Glenside: Connor
Wednesdays, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (except 11/11)
Glenside: John
Thursdays, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (except 11/26)
Registration required. Call Elkins Park (215-635-5000) or Glenside (215-885-0455) to schedule.
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Visit the Digital Media Lab!
You can also use our equipment to convert VHS, cassettes, 8 mm film, and vinyl records to digital files. Call the library at 215-635-5000 for more information and to make an appointment to use the lab.
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Stay Informed!
Wondering what's going on in the township?
Sign up for Cheltenham Township notifications and receive alerts to your phone or email. Check out the township's website for further information and instructions.
| | | | Elkins Park Friends' Book Sale | | |
The Friends of Elkins Park Library are back for a new season of their monthly weekend book sales. Thousands of items, including a wide range of hardcover and paperback books for all ages, vinyl albums, puzzles, board games, and more. Most books priced .50 - $2.00. New acquisitions added each month. BOGO or half-price specials. Handicapped accessible.
November 13 to 15
Friday - 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Saturday - 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
Sunday - 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
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The next library board meeting will be held on Wednesday,
January 27 @ 7:00 PM at the Elkins Park Library and on Zoom.
The public is welcome to attend.
Please check www.cheltenhamlibraries.org for information.
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215 S. Keswick Avenue
Glenside, PA 19038
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