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Altoona Area Public Library, 1600 Fifth Ave., has announced its upcoming programs and activities. For more information, call 814-946-0417 or visit www.altoonalibrary.org.
n Fiber Fun will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 1. Come join the Kneedle Knerds United for some fiber fun. Bring your favorite fiber crafts. Experienced crafters may be available to help you get started. No registration needed.
n Silvers-Screen Saturdays -- Free family friendly matinees shown at 1 p.m. every Saturday during Summer Quest. No registration necessary.
Aug. 1 -- "Night at the Museum"
Aug. 8 -- "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian"
n In partnership with the Video Game Clubs of America, the library will host a gaming club from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25. From tabletop board games, card games, Nintendo Switch and more, each week will be something different. Call 814-946-0417, ext. 125, to register.
n Sample Food through the Ages at 6 p.m. Aug. 4 in the library. Experience a historical presentation on the food topic for the month. Samples and recipes will be given out at the end of the program. This month's topic is the history of sherbet. Registration, a library card and a $3 fee is required. Call 814-946-0417, ext. 125, to register.
n Pinochle Club will meet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26 in the library. All adult patrons are welcome to play. No registration required.
n Ahh Brain Freeze for Teens will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Aug. 5. Teens are invited to join in to solve Space Station Split from Breakout EDU while enjoying slushies. Students will try to solve the puzzles, riddles or questions before their brains freeze. Slushies will contain pineapple juice, lemonade concentrate, lemon/lime flavoring, blue food coloring and Sprite. No registration required.
n Mahjong Club will meet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27 in the library. All adult patrons are welcome to play. No registration required.
n Chess Club will meet from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27. All are welcome to play. Meet at the front tables on the first floor. No registration necessary. Anyone under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by their legal guardian.
n History Makers STEM Adventures for ages 5-12 will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, as the group will embark on a hands‑on STEM adventure inspired by the innovators and cultures of the past. Through experiments, building challenges, and creative exploration, participants will discover how people throughout history solved problems. Children will travel back in time to rotate through and play a variety of historical games. Register by calling 814-946-0417, ext. 123.
n Messes Through the Ages for ages 3 and younger will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7. The littlest patrons are invited to explore history with some messy, hands-on sensory play. A change of clothes is suggested. Weather permitting, this program will be held outdoors. Registration is required. Call 814-946-0417, ext. 123.
n Fantastic Fridays for ages 5-12 will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Join special community guests every Friday to "unearth a story" together. Christy Shields from the Discovery Space joins us with real fossils. Create a moving dinosaur to take home. Register by calling 814-946-0417, ext. 123.
n Join the Friends of the Altoona Area Public Library as they host a beekeeping program with Ken Hoover at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, in the library theater. This is a free adult program to learn the importance of honeybees and pollination. Ken Hoover is a longtime beekeeper, educator and former Pennsylvania State Apiary Inspector with more than 20 years of experience promoting honeybee health and beekeeping throughout Pennsylvania. Weather permitting, attendees may also have the opportunity to view an observation hive. Children are welcome to attend with an adult guardian. No registration required.
n Back to School Support Series: NetSmartz: Internet Safety for Caregivers and Communities will be held at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 14. Richie Servello of the Child Advocacy Center will present a program developed in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. It will provide practical strategies and up‑to‑date information on keeping children and teens safe online. Covered topics will include digital boundaries, online enticement, privacy, gaming safety and social media awareness.
n The Friends of the Library will host its monthly book club at 10 a.m. Aug. 15. The book for the month is "The Berry Pickers" by Amanda Peters. RSVP by emailing
SarahAAPL@yahoo.com. If you are not yet a Friends member, forms can be found on the library website. Memberships are $10 per year.
n Back to School Support Series: Golden Onsite Dental Exams will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17, for children ages 18 and younger. Golden Onsite Dental will be joining us at the AAPL for dental exams and cleanings. Call Ashley with UPMC for You at 814-217-7356 to schedule a time. All insurances are welcome.
n "Time to Lay It Down: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War" will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 17, in the library theater. Jerry Zolten will present a program that will explore the music that expressed the deep divisions about the war in American society and provided a lifeline for GIs in Vietnam, as well as a source of healing when they came home. His presentation is illustrated with the songs as well as the voices of the artists who created them and the soldiers who were impacted. Zolten, a Penn State professor emeritus, is an author, producer, musician and film and radio documentary maker. He co-produced, co-wrote and narrated the award-winning public radio broadcast "Time to Lay It Down: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War." No registration required.
n Escape Room: Finding Fossils from the Past will be held Aug. 17-22, various time slots available with up to four people at a time. A BCLS card is required for all adult patrons. An adult must be present for groups that contain only minors. Call 814-946-0417, ext. 125, to reserve a time.
n Paws 2 Read will be held at
5 p.m. Aug. 20. This program partners the library's youth room with the local humane society to create a paw-some reading adventure. Kids practice reading aloud to furry friends, boosting their confidence and literacy skills while giving adoptable pets some love and attention. Call 814-946-0417, ext. 123, to register.
n AAPL Shelf Indulgence Adult Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. Aug. 22 in the library board room. This is a BYOM (bring your own mug) with a choice of coffee or tea. This month's book is "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Register by calling 814-946-0417, ext. 125.
n Adults are invited to Paint Space at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 22. All supplies are provided. The cost is $10. All skill levels are welcome. Instructed by Elaine Baney, an art therapist and educator with more than 20 years of experience instructing art. Call 814-946-0417, ext. 125, to register.
n Back to School Support Series: Before & After School Safety Tips will be held at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 24. Join Trooper Rhymestine, community services and public information officer from the Pennsylvania State Police, with before and after school safety tips for children. Registration not required.
n Back to School Support Series: Blair Therapies -- Early Intervention will be held at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24, in the library theater. Parents will learn about the 100% free speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, special instruction, vision or hearing services offered to children ages birth to 3 years old in your home, community or childcare environment. Learn about the process and qualifications and speak with highly qualified therapists about their services. No registration required.
n Pokemon TCG Day for Teens will be held at 3 p.m. Aug. 26. Learn strategy, game sense and deck building all while taking yourself to victory. Starter decks will be available to borrow, and instruction provided to jump right into the action. No registration required.
n Families of young children are invited to check out the library's free educational story time programs for caregiver and child to enjoy together. Call the library at 946-0417, ext. 123, to register.