photo collage showing the children's library

Children's Library

Filled with books, magazines, DVDs, AWE learning computers, early learning and developmental toys, STEM materials, and sensory toys, the 2nd floor Children’s Library is a space where children are encouraged to be themselves and explore the joy of learning.

Reading Platforms and Devices

Reading happens in all shapes and sizes and formats at the Library. From traditional hardcover or paperback books to audiobooks and read aloud devices, GHAL continues to acquire a robust collection of children’s, juvenile, and young adult titles.

Books include durable touch and feel, sensory, and/or fabric options for babies and toddlers. Board books are another option that can stand up to rough use. ABC books, picture books, early readers, short chapter books, graphic novels and manga, and the whole way up to all the books in the young adult collection follow a natural reading progression.

Read along or aloud books come on preloaded devices or can be enjoyed on the AWE computers in the Children’s Library.

Audiobooks are available using the free Libby and Hoopla apps as well as magazines like the Highlights Magazine BingePass on Hoopla.

Games that aid in literacy development also are available on Hoopla.

Crafts that help with reading, comprehension, following directions, and creativity can be accessed on Craftsy using the Libby app.

Reading Challenges on the free Beanstack app are a great way for families to encourage younger or reluctant readers to become engaged readers by earning virtual badges, raffle tickets, and prizes throughout the year.  One excellent challenge is the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge.

What is Family Place Library™?

Early in 2023, the Library was awarded the prestigious and highly-selective Family Place Library™ designation. The only other library in Westmoreland County as of 2025 to carry this honor is Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe.

The Family Place Library™ is a national initiative that supports public libraries as they build on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parental involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in a young child’s growth and development. It establishes these libraries as the community center for all of these elements to come together in one convenient location.

As a Family Place Library™ grant recipient, GHAL has  transformed the Library, particularly the Children’s Library, into a community center welcoming families of all shapes and sizes to grow, connect and learn. Part of that transformation includes the new Play With Me- It’s the Key interactive family play space in the Children’s Library, a new parenting collection, and the groundbreaking program Play.Learn.Connect. 

Graphic explaining the top 5 goals of a family place library

What is Play.Learn.Connect.?

The Play. Learn. Connect. program purposely focuses on families, encourages hands-on play, provides support for caregivers, and offers just the right amount information for parents on a variety of topics that may arise while caring for a child. Representatives from local  human service agencies are on-site during session to help with finding and scheduling interventions and other assistance resources.

Sessions during the 5-week program will address a different topic which may include:

  • Early Literacy
  • Speech and Language 
  • Hearing
  • Nutrition and Health
  • Play and Movement
  • Developmental Milestones
  • Parenting

Download this Play.Learn.Connect. Brochure for more information.

Parenting Collection and other Resources for Caregivers

Parenting is tough. Parenting is lonely. Parenting is challenging. Parenting also is fulfilling and rewarding beyond compare. But, where do you turn when you’re in need of guidance and support?

Parenting Collection

As a nationally recognized Family Place Library™ (FPL), Greensburg Hempfield Area Library (GHAL) has an entire parenting collection in their children’s library with books, eBooks, videos, and information from local organizations plus additional resources available in the main library.

GHAL also offers high quality, enrichment-based programs that help caregivers bond with their children, measure development, prepare for milestones, and offer many other essential undertakings.

Online Parenting Resources

Through a partnership with FPL, GHAL provides patrons with free access to accurate and informative videos, blog posts, activities, and courses covering hundreds of different topics from first day jitters to potty training to introducing your newborn to siblings and everything in between via Parent TV.

Parent TV is an online platform that offers parenting resources and education from experts to support parents, educators, and organizations involved in children’s well-being, education, and development.

Programs for Parents and Caregivers

Helping families bond, learn, and grow together is a top priority at the Library. A wide range of age-appropriate programs are available, but there also are programs that focus on families.

PLAY.LEARN.CONNECT. is a ground-breaking program offered exclusively at FPLs and purposely focuses on families with children ages birth through 3 years old. The set up and layout encourages hands-on play, provides support for caregivers, offers additional resources, presents accurate guidance, and arranges for professional community contacts to be present.

STORYTIMES offered at the Library are perfect for a child(ren) and parent(s) or caregiver to attend together. With a lap sit style for babies, moving up to toddlers, and then on to preschool, little ones and their caregiver have the chance to spend time listening to stories, singing songs, and doing activities. However, the once-a-month Saturday morning family storytime is specifically geared toward families with one or more children age 6 years and younger to attend as a group.

Partnership programs allow the Library to bring in industry professionals with specific areas of interest to present information, tools, and other helpful resources to families, parents, and caregivers. These programs are offered for free throughout the year to supplement the Library’s other in-house programs. All programs are listed on the online event calendar.

Early Literacy and Development Programs and Activities

Through the year, hundreds of Library programs for ages birth to teen promote early literacy, development, and lifelong learning in a variety of ways. Using resources through the county library system, grants, and staff planning, the goal is to provide high quality programming options that meet family’s needs. If you have a need or idea, send us a message or call (724) 837-5620.

Samples of Literary and Development Programs at GHAL

Not a comprehensive list. Program offerings vary throughout the year. See Event Calendar for upcoming program registration.

Early Literacy

Play.Learn.Connect. Interactive Early Learning (ages 1 to 3 years)

Tummy Time Socialization
(ages birth to 9 months)

Baby Lap-Sit Storytime
(ages 5 to 18 months)

Toddler Storytime
(ages 18 to 36 months)

Preschool Storytime
(ages 3 to 5 years)

Include music, movement, interaction, reading, and/or other age-appropriate educational and developmental activities

Childhood Literacy

Read to Succeed Kindergarten Readiness
(ages 4 and 5 years old, or entering kindergarten in fall)

Curious Kid Detectives- Early S.T.E.M. Exposure
(ages 3 to 5 years)

Homeschool Investigators- Supplemental S.T.E.M. Sessions
(ages 5 to 12 years)

Time Travelers’ Club- Hands-on History Exploration
(ages 6 to 12 years)

Robotics and Coding (ages vary)

Teen Literacy and Leadership

Applying Robotics, Coding, S.T.E.M. Activities to Real Life 

Teen Advisory Group- Leadership and Community Service

Middle School Meet Up- Diving Deeper into S.T.E.M. and Reading Comprehension
(grades 6 through 8)

Teen Time- Peer Socialization and Self-Expression (ages 13 to 18)

DIY Maker Days (all ages) Opportunities to explore various “maker” activities such as sewing, graphics, robotics, electrical, building, crafting, designing, and more.