Start the School Year Strong - with Help from Your Library! |
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It’s almost time for the kids in our community—and maybe even your own children or grandchildren—to head back to school! We know the effort, planning, and expense that goes into getting them ready for a new school year, but it’s all worth it. In just 10 or 20 years, today’s students will be tomorrow’s workers, leaders, and caretakers of our community. Our shared future depends on their success. At the library, we’re here to support children (and the adults who care for them) every step of the way. As the 2025–2026 school year kicks off, don’t forget about these free library resources and services designed to help children grow academically, artistically, and emotionally: |
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Print Books A wide variety of age-appropriate fiction and nonfiction for children is available to support reading development, school assignments, and imagination. Each of our locations also boasts a collection of Parent/Teacher books that contain information about parenting and teaching. |
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E-Resources Access eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, encyclopedias, language learning tools, and more from anywhere with just your library card! The library's e-resources are held on a couple of different platforms, the most important being both the Libby app by OverDrive and the POWER Kids platform from Pennsylvania's Electronic Library. On both platforms, users can find thousands of books, articles, and even videos perfect to suit the needs of research projects and book reports alike. Library Events and Crafts Join us for fun, educational, and FREE programs that spark creativity and build foundational skills outside the classroom. Check our library location calendars on our website to see what upcoming events may interest your family! |
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Book Bundles Not sure what to read? Is your child a reluctant reader? There are an infinite number of reasons why you may want book recommendations from library staff. We have a system that ensures those recommendations are the best they can be! Request a personalized book bundle full of 3 to 4 books hand-selected by our staff to suit your (or your child's) needs and interests. We guarantee that after receiving a book bundle or 2, you'll discover something new -- the excitement of opening the bundle is a pleasant bonus. |
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Parent TV Browse through thousands of on-demand parenting videos and courses about parenting, pregnancy and more -- free with your library card. |
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Join us virtually or at one of our locations for any of our book clubs! We even have book clubs for book lovers who prefer talking about books in general rather than a specific book. See below for details. Wednesday, August 6th, 1 PM: Holt Afternoon Book Club. Discuss the thriller, First Lie Wins, by Ashley Elston with other book lovers at Holt Memorial Library (no registration required). Call the library at 814-342-1987 if you would like to reserve a copy of the book or if you have any questions. Saturday, August 9th, 10 AM: Book Lovers Coffee Hour. Come discuss what you are reading with other book lovers! Please register to attend by clicking the button below and receive a Zoom link via email! | | | Thursday, August 14th, 6 PM: The Centre Hall Mystery Book Club will discuss the novel, Daisy Darker, by Alice Feeney. There is no need to register, but you may call 814-364-2580 if you have any questions. We always welcome new book club members! Wednesday, August 20th, 6:30 PM: All adults are invited to join us at our monthly virtual book club. This month, we will discuss the novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley, by Patricia Highsmith. It’s a great time to connect with fellow readers and discover how their responses to the text are different or similar to your own. Whether you’re a regular reader or one who is getting back into the habit, you are welcome. Click the button below to register! | | | Thursday, August 28th, 6 PM: Bellefonte Mystery Book Club. Calling all mystery lovers! Join us to take a deep dive into thrilling whodunnits, puzzling crime novels, and suspense-filled adventures. Whether you're a fan of classic detective stories or modern-day mysteries, there's a place for you! There's no need to register, but feel free to sign up for a text reminder by clicking the button below. This month we will be reading, The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore. Books are available for check out at the Bellefonte Circulation Desk. | | |
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Join us in person at the Bellefonte Library for a Film talk this August. On Friday, August 1st at 1 PM, the club will watch the 2003 neo-Western dramady film, Holes, (rated PG), and discuss it afterwards. There is no need to register, just drop by. On Friday, August 15th at 1 PM, the club will discuss the 1999 psychological thriller film, The Talented Mr. Ripley, rated R. Please email film@CentreCountyLibrary.org to register to attend and let us know if you need to borrow a copy of the movie. You’ll receive a link to the Zoom room after you register. |
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Access thousands of magazines with no wait until the end of 2025 with the Libby App! |
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Have you used Libby, the library e-book and e-audiobook app yet? If you enjoy e-books or e-audiobooks, skip to the button below and download the app now to your favorite device. You can enter your library card number into the app and then borrow thousands of virtual books for free from the library! You can now check out e-magazines with your Centre County Library card on the Libby app! Until the end of 2025, you can choose from thousands of magazines to borrow with no wait on the Libby app. Our district of libraries in Central, PA (Centre County Library & Historical Museum, Clearfield County Library, DuBois Public Library, Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library, Juniata County Library, Mifflin County Library, and Schlow Centre Region Library) are piloting magazine access until the end of the year. This means, we are going to see how much everyone checks out the magazines and if it makes sense to continue getting them in 2026. So, don't miss your chance and start browsing through them today! You'll find them on your Central PA Libraries home page inside the Libby app. | | |
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Upcoming Children and Family Events in Centre Hall! |
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 | The Centre Hall Area Branch Library's last LEGO Day of the summer is coming up this month! Children and their families are invited to stop by and play with the library's LEGO collection while the library is open on Saturday, August 16th. LEGOs will be available for playing from 10 AM to 1:30 PM. We're excited to see all of the LEGO creations! |
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|  | Stop by the Centre Hall Area Branch Library between Monday, August 4th and Saturday, August 9th during hours that the library is open to decorate the sidewalk with chalk! Chalk will be provided! |
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Upcoming Children and Family Events in Bellefonte! |
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 | Throughout the month, the Bellefonte Library will be hosting 3D Doodle Pen Drop Ins every Friday from 10 AM to 12 PM. Everyone is invited to come make a new creation with the library's 3D Doodle Pens for FREE. Stencils will be available to help get your creativity flowing, but you are also free to create something entirely of your own invention. No registration is necessary, just drop by! |
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|  | On Wednesday, August 13th at 2 PM, children and their families are invited to play BINGO and win school supplies to get ready for school! Stop at this event before you are done shopping as all attendees will leave with some supplies. Registration (button below) is not required, but appreciated. | | |
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Mother Goose on the Loose resumes this month |
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 | Join us at the Holt Memorial Library on Saturday, August 2nd at 11 AM for Mother Goose on the Loose, a language and reading development program for babies and children up to 3 years old and their parent/guardian. Attendees will sing songs, say rhymes, play with puppets, and meet new friends. No registration is necessary. Please call 814-342-1987 if you have any questions. |
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Mission Centre County Library & Historical Museum is a free community destination providing books, information, Internet access, and technology resources to preserve our heritage and promote a lifetime of reading and learning. |
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| Vision Centre County Library & Historical Museum will be an inviting and vital part of our community by providing access to current technology and services to foster education and to enhance our community’s quality of life. |
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| | We are a PA Forward Library PA Forward is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association designed to increase awareness of the vital role libraries play in the well-being of their communities. |
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