Flenniken Public Library

102 E. George Street / Carmichaels, PA / 15320
Website: www.flenniken.org / Main Number: 724-966-5263

The Flenniken Public Library provides equal access to information and programming for the entire community. It provides opportunities for intellectual, economic, and social growth with a special emphasis on literacy skills.

Flenniken provides free educational resources and opportunities for personal growth and enjoyment to Greene County residents of all ages. This is made possible by making diverse resources available in a variety of formats to patrons. By participating in the WAGGIN Library Network, card holders may borrow from a collection of over 800,000 items including books, DVDs, magazines, audio books, music CDs, puppets, and more. The library also provides digital resources that are available 24/7 including eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, streaming & downloadable music, and access to over 25 databases covering topics such as health, business, career training, genealogy, even college prep!

​Educational programs bring learning outside of the classroom and beyond school age. Our weekly early literacy classes for toddlers & preschoolers teach young children and parents the benefits of reading together and prepare children for kindergarten. The Greene County Reading Competition and Book Club tie-in promotes reading among all grade-school levels. The Library supports Teen Education through STEM training, college and career workshops, and more. Computer and Technology classes are open to all ages and special seminars catering to adults take place at the library as well as at a local senior center monthly. A community garden provides not only learning opportunities when it comes to gardening, but also free produce available to everyone. For flexibility, Flenniken also offers Gale Courses, 6-week online classes comparable to community college courses—FREE with a library card.

During summer months, all of these educational programs are expanded to help prevent the loss of reading-level skills while also promoting the Library as a “Third Place” (outside of home and school) where children can thrive during the extended school break.  In 2019, the library provided programs for more than 250 individual children. Over the course of 6 weeks, attendance at library programs almost topped 1,500. The number of Children’s books borrowed during this short period is triple that of other months. Flenniken provides both physical and intellectual nourishment for all ages. The Library is for EVERYONE. 

Public libraries can now meet the needs of their onsite and online library users by providing Gale Courses, an instructor-lead online educational program designed to provide quality personal, professional, and career development. Hundreds of online courses focused on educational and career development, along with personal enrichment - e.g., business development, writing skills, learning a language, and all levels of computer/technology offerings. Gale
Courses are available through the Flenniken website for patrons to access at home or in the library and paid for by WAGGIN at the district level. Examples of patron success stories are:

• A local executive and his family took the Speed Spanish courses when his job took him to Central America.
• A patron took all three levels of the Veterinarian Tech programs and is now seeking employment in the field.
• A patron took the medical transcriptionist classes and found employment.

And check out some of the new offerings at Flenniken:

• Beanstack can be accessed on your computer or through the mobile app on any device. There are many reading challenges available to participate in. During the summer, all ages can participate in the summer reading challenge. Currently, they have the 10 to Try, Read Woke, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, and the GCLS Reading Challenge. More challenges are added throughout the year. Participating is easy. Create your account, log your books, and enter to win!
• The EQT Foundation was generous enough to supply both libraries in the county with outdoor book lockers. These lockers allow patrons to pick up held materials anytime night or day. Just let them know you want your items placed in the locker. A code will be sent to you to open your locker when you arrive!
• They now have sensory play items! Come check out all the new changes to the children’s room. Located between each row of books you will find new sensory play stations for the kids to enjoy. They include a funhouse mirror, heat sensitive board, plinko game, and several more! In addition to the discovery stations, Flenniken also has a variety of fidget toys and mazes.
• Vox Books are now available to checkout! These books are a combination of a regular print storybook and an audio player all in one! These books are on a variety of reading levels for kids of all ages. Stop into the children’s room to check them out!

For more information, visit www.flenniken.org or check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/flennikenlibrary.