Dogs in the Library!

Who let the dogs in? (woof, woof, woof)




We did! We had a visit from three friendly certified therapy dogs from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. Marsha Robbins and Amy Coglio shared their dogs so that we could practice dog safety rules provided by the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. They shared a list of 10 safety rules to use with children:

1. Always ask before you touch a dog.
2. Let the dog sniff the back of your hand before you touch him.
3. Touch the dog gently on his back with the palm of your hand.
4. Never touch a dog when he is eating food or chewing a bone.
5. If you give a dog a treat, hold your hand flat like a plate. Let him take the treat from your palm.
6. If you see a dog without his owner, leave him alone.
7. Never run and scream when you are playing with a dog.
8. If a dog comes up to you - be a tree.
9. If you fall down - be a log.
10. Don't put your face in a dog's face.

I can still hear the trolley! I miss you Mr. Rogers!

It's been a long time since I listened to Mr. Rogers singing "Won't you be my neighbor?" But wow! I listened to it this morning and I had to look around me to see where the trolley was! Not only can you read the words on the PBS website, but they also have the recording of the song AND the sheet music! I couldn't believe it! The sheet music!

I have a strong personal fondness for Mr. Rogers. In fact, he's my hero. Many years ago when I used to be a checker at the Food Gallery (it's gone now) he came through my line! I saw him waiting his turn and caught his eye and he gave me a smile. I think that my eyes got really big! I don't quite remember, since from that moment on I was a bit starstruck! Not to mention in a hurry to get everyone else checked through. I was the speediest checker I ever was that day. But just for the people ahead of Mr. Rogers. Because when I got to his order I checked his groceries very, very slowly. He wasn't in a hurry! He stood and listened and smiled and radiated a peaceful friendliness that I can still remember and enjoy. I wish I would have stepped out from behind the conveyor belt and given him a hug. Even though I didn't, I've decided that his smile and his words were warm and huglike, and we can all have that anytime we see his picture, or read his books, or watch his show. I suspect that he was the kind of person who didn't have to meet you first in order to consider you his friend.

I can't speak for him, but I always got the idea that Mr. Rogers loved all his neighbors and felt that everyone he met was a neighbor. But I feel a little extra proud that the library is literally and physically right here in his neighborhood! We are just down the street from where he used to record Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and just down the street from where he used to live!

Mr. Rogers would have been 80 years old this March 20th. To celebrate his life we're participating in offering family activities that are part of "Won't You be my Neighbor?" Days. We're not the only ones with something to offer! The Visit Pittsburgh website has a complete list.

Come to the library on March 18 for our Won't You Be My Neighbor Family Storytime at 6:30. Right here in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood!

We Love Community Helpers!

So today at storytime we did a little "Behind The Couch Theater" with our gorgeous Firefighter Finger Puppets! One of the firefighters told me that she would rescue me! Thank goodness!

We also sang our brand new song about when you should call 911. Thank you Miss Laurel and Miss Kathy for help with the lyrics! We made this up last week and I think it will be on the Billboard Top Ten any day now!


911 Song (to the tune of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm")


What should you do in an emergency?
Dial 911
If you need some help cause it’s smoke you smell,
Dial 911
With a sniff sniff here and a sniff sniff there,
Here a sniff there a sniff everywhere a sniff sniff
What should you do in an emergency?
Dial 911

What should you do in an emergency?
Dial 911
If you need some help cause someone’s hurt,
Dial 911
With an ouch ouch here and a ouch ouch there,
Here an ouch there an ouch everywhere an ouch ouch
What should you do in an emergency?
Dial 911

What should you do in an emergency?
Dial 911
If you need some help from a friendly cop,
Dial 911
With a help help here and a help help there,
Here an help there a help everywhere a help help
What should you do in an emergency?
Dial 911

What should you do in an emergency?
Dial 911
If you need some help know where you live,
Dial 911
With an address here and an address there,
Here an address there an address everywhere an address
What should you do in an emergency?
Dial 911