Northern Tier Library offers block parties, robotics kits

Northern Tier Library is proving there’s more than books to peruse. It offering free open sessions with hundreds of wooden blocks to build anything and miniature robots to program.

The library that serves about 26,633 patrons in Pine and Richland townships is offering free block parties and access to robotics kits to broaden the educational and social opportunities for its visitors.

The block parties are for all ages and are held in one of the library’s meeting rooms. The first one offered was in early January with the next planned for Feb. 2 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

“It’s an open play period for children and their families to play with building and manipulative toys,” said Jessica Federkeil, public relations officer for the library.

With winter, it’s nice to have indoor playing opportunities, said Janina Kvedaras, youth services librarian at Northern Tier. “Families have that option free where they can engage with other families who are in the same situation as they are.”

The block party features a large collection of wooden blocks in a variety of shapes, which are larger than the typical child’s building block set. The set includes figurines of people and animals as well as other building products “There are so many ways to approach this kind of play,” Kvedaras said.

“When children have a non-structured environment, you allow them to develop or explore at their own pace,” she said. “When they are exploring with other children they have a way of communicating by working together.”

The block party concept and the materials are part of a program offered by the Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania since 2015. Northern Tier joined the program before the pandemic but hasn’t been able to roll it out until this year.

Another new program offered to youth and adults this year is “Robotics and Coding Club,” on Jan. 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. It’s another initiative offered by the Commonwealth Libraries with robotics kits and other devices offered to patrons to use on-site in special open sessions.

The Coding Club offers an increased understanding of robotics with hands-on experience with programming and coding, Federkeil said.

The availability of the robotics kits to play with on-site is a special opportunity for all patrons. “The kits provide a great way to spend an evening for families,” Kvedaras said.

“We have robots and other toys that can be coded or programmed to do a variety of things,” she said. “You can learn coding with playing. It’s a great introduction to coding for children,” she added. Staff will be on hand to assist and answer questions about the robotics kits.

Masks are required for children’s events and library programs. However, adult patrons who are just visiting are asked to wear masks but are not required.