Author: webAdmin

By: Dwana Pinchock, Marketing & Public Relations Manager

Firearms can be a difficult topic for families to discuss, but BlackShark LLC believes that education and open conversation are important parts of keeping families and communities safe.

“Knowledge is power,” says Llewellyn “Lou” Rivera Jr., co-founder and owner of BlackShark LLC. The organization believes firearms safety should be discussed openly so that individuals and families have the information they need to make responsible decisions.

Firearm Safety with BlackShark LLC is designed for families with children of all ages, caregivers, and individuals who want to increase safety awareness in homes where firearms may be present. The program combines foundational firearm safety information with practical guidance for preventing accidents, securing firearms, and reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

During the first part of the program, participants will learn core firearm safety rules, basic information about different types of firearms and practices that encourage responsible handling. The discussion will also include age-appropriate safety messages that families can use with children.

The second part focuses on safe storage and responsible ownership. Participants will explore storage options, household risk prevention, and what to do if they encounter an unsecured firearm.

Just as importantly, the program creates an opportunity for families to tackle some of the harder conversations surrounding firearm safety. BlackShark recognizes that there are no “one-size-fits-all” answers for every household. Instead, the goal is to help families establish expectations, build trust, and create a culture of safety at home.

BlackShark LLC is owned and operated by Lou and his wife, Ta-Miko “Miko” Rivera. Lou’s interest in firearms education began nearly a decade ago. Following an unexpected career change, he had the opportunity to pursue that interest professionally, earning his firearms training certification and establishing BlackShark. Miko is currently working toward certifications in CPR and First Aid. Together, they hope to expand BlackShark’s programs to provide community members with practical safety and preparedness education.

Programs will be offered at three Library locations this fall:

Saturday, September 12 at 11:00 am
Northern Dauphin Library (ND)

Saturday, October 17 at 11:00 am
George & Hettie Love Memorial Library (LOV)

Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 am
Elizabethville Area Library (EV)

Prizes and refreshments will be available for participants. Families can attend the session that works best for them to learn practical strategies, ask questions, and become more comfortable talking about firearm safety with the people they care about.

By: Ann Marie Megoulas, Information Services Supervisor

Parents, it’s back-to-school time! Before you know it, students will be heading back to class. Are you prepared to help your child(ren) perform well this year? The Library offers many books, resources, and databases that can help.

Let me begin by introducing you to The Library’s Parent Teacher Collection. This collection contains hundreds of books on topics like kindergarten readiness, homeschooling, reading, or math. In it, you will find books like What Your First Grader Needs to Know: Fundamentals of a Good First-Grade Education or Raising Kids Who Read: What Parents and Teachers Can Do. Our online catalog offers you a quick way to view the full list of Parent Teacher Collection Items. To get that list, enter “PTC” into the search bar and select “Call Number” as shown in the image below.

I have created a direct link to that search result, so you can click here if you wish to view it.

The Library’s collection also includes thousands of fiction and nonfiction books in our general collection on topics such as learning, studying, and going back to school, so don’t forget to explore those resources as well. Picture books like Kindergarten’s Cool and I’m Going to Kindergarten! can help ease a child’s worries about starting school for the first time, while books on subjects such as grammar, math, and other academic skills can provide a head start on learning. They can also serve as valuable refreshers for parents and caregivers, helping them feel confident and prepared to support their children with schoolwork and homework throughout the year.

The Library’s databases are another great resource for parents, and I encourage you to become familiar with them before the school year starts. That way, you will be ready to help your children make the best use of them once classes begin. Two especially useful ones are Gale eBooks and Salem Online. Both offer members free remote access to encyclopedias and specialized reference books perfect for looking up facts. Accessible to members anytime of the day or night, they are also a convenient source of information.

POWER Library is yet another resource you may want to become familiar with as a parent. What is POWER Library? POWER Library is Pennsylvania’s statewide electronic library. It is filled with databases designed specifically for students of all levels. You can quickly find resources created for pre-school and elementary-aged students using POWER Kids. To find the POWER Library resources best suited for middle and high school students, try POWER Teens.

Library databases, such as the ones available through POWER Library and those listed on our research page, offer many advantages for researchers. One of the most important benefits is access to reliable, credible information. In an age of increasing artificial intelligence use and widespread misinformation, it is essential to have resources that provide trustworthy content from clearly identified and reputable sources. Library databases offer that. They also provide helpful accessibility features, such as dyslexia-friendly fonts, built-in citation tools, and audio narration options that support a variety of learning and research needs. Ready to start exploring? Visit https://www.dcls.org/research/.

Lastly, please know that The Library’s staff members are also a great resource. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Youth Services team or to Information Services for help with finding information and services. If you determine that even greater assistance is needed, we can help you find local and online tutoring services. In fact, library staff have prepared a list of free and low-cost tutoring options. You can stop by any of our locations to pick up a copy. You can also contact us via email at askalibrarian@dcls.org to request a copy. We are happy to send you one. It contains information about free and low-cost services like Khan Academy, a website that offers free skill-building courses, and its associated website, https://schoolhouse.world/, which offers free peer-tutoring sessions over Zoom.

Parents, as you begin to explore the resources I introduced in this article, I am confident that you will discover ones that you can use to help your children succeed in the upcoming school year and beyond.

By: Samantha Lowe, Youth Services Coordinator 

This fall, the Dauphin County Library System is inviting tweens and teens to explore their creativity in new ways. Whether it’s painting, crafting, journaling, or publishing their own zines, our libraries are offering welcoming spaces where young people can express themselves, build confidence, and connect with others who share their interests.

At the Elizabethville Area Library, Craf-tween-ess Club gives tweens a chance to make creative projects ranging from book boxes to tie-dye tote bags. Programs like these offer more than just a fun afternoon—they encourage imagination, problem-solving, and the joy of making something by hand. Jen Hoedemaker, who runs the programs notes the importance of age-specific programming for tweens.

“Tweens are a funny age. Not quite teens, but definitely not little kids. They need a space to be themselves too. The crafts are challenging enough to keep their attention, but also easy enough where the kids can still chat and socialize.” 

Over at the Love Memorial Library, teens can discover the art of Junk Journaling (Coming Soon). Program leader Alison Yarrish says the activity has become a favorite because it combines creativity with self-expression.

“Our teens really love cool quotes and stickers, and they enjoy using materials that we have here that they do not have at home,” Yarrish said. “They each receive a blank journal to fill with ephemera from their lives. Anyone can participate in journaling with very little investment.”

She hopes participants leave feeling inspired by the idea that creativity doesn’t require expensive supplies.

“We want kids to feel empowered to express themselves in any way they can,” she said. “We love providing art supplies that get them excited, but we also want them to see that creativity is all around them, no matter what materials they have.”

The Alexander Family Library is taking a different approach with its new Bad Art Club (Coming Soon), where perfection isn’t the goal.

“Bad Art Club celebrates the differences kids bring to their artwork,” said Janos Boon. “It’s not only a safe space to explore, but a place to be brave, share ideas, and celebrate our unique creativity.”

Participants will experiment with a variety of artistic techniques, including printmaking and chalk murals. Rather than focusing on grades or finished products, the club emphasizes exploration and collaboration.

“Teens will see examples, learn a few techniques, and then be free to experiment in a judgment-free, rubric-free environment,” Boon explained. “We hope they’ll inspire one another to think about art in new ways and discover possibilities beyond what they experience in school.”

Meanwhile, the Madeline Olewine Memorial Library is introducing teens to the world of zines—small, self-published booklets that can be about absolutely anything.

“We don’t always have the chance to talk about what’s important to us, and not everyone feels like they’re inherently creative,” said Em Anderson. “But we all have something we’re passionate about. The only things you need to make a zine are a piece of paper, a pencil, and an idea. From there, the possibilities are literally endless.”

For Anderson, zines are about more than paper and ink.

“They’ve always been a way for people to share information, express themselves, and build community,” Anderson said. “Whether they’re silly or serious, informative or artistic, zines give everyone a chance to share what matters most to them.”

Inspired? Keep the creativity going at the Harrisburg Zine Fest on Saturday, September 12, at the Cooper Student Center at HACC. More than 20 vendors will be selling and trading zines, and visitors can participate in hands-on workshops, meet local creators, and discover a thriving community of independent artists and writers.

These programs offer much more than something to do after school. They give young people the freedom to experiment, the confidence to share their ideas, and the opportunity to discover that creativity belongs to everyone.