Author: webAdmin

By: Maria Lagasca, Public Services Director

As the world continues to evolve and embrace modernization, public libraries are transforming alongside it. Despite operating with limited funding and facing pressure to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies and competition from for-profit entities, libraries have found innovative ways to thrive. Across the United States, many have not only embraced creativity but also expanded their services through strong community partnerships.

For instance, Salt Lake County Library offers its members access to enriching cultural experiences at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Clark Planetarium, and the Natural History Museum of Utah. Meanwhile, libraries in Maine and Minnesota have broadened their reach by providing passes to state parks, encouraging exploration and learning beyond the library walls and beyond books, magazines, and scholarly articles.

Dauphin County Library System (DCLS) is following this trend, setting the pace among central Pennsylvania libraries—embracing innovation, leading with purpose, and proudly celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month with this year’s inspiring theme: ‘One Card, Endless Possibilities.’  Over the past year, DCLS has expanded its community impact through innovative partnerships:

• Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra (HSO): First-time attendees can enjoy complimentary tickets, offering a welcoming introduction to the arts without financial barriers.
• Theatre Harrisburg: Library cardholders receive discounted tickets to Murder on the Orient Express, making live theater more accessible.
• Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM): Through a partnership launched in 2024, DCLS members enjoy free admission, encouraging exploration of meaning through visual art.

These collaborations reflect DCLS’s commitment to building community and transforming lives by connecting people, ideas, and opportunities.

While funding remains a central topic among library leaders, it will not stand in the way of DCLS setting the standard for community, communication, respect, integrity, support, and service. Our communities will not be left behind. Instead, we’re embracing creativity and reimagining the role of public libraries—seeing their power far beyond shelves of books. That small plastic library card opens doors not only to information, but to cultural experiences once considered exclusive to high achievers. It’s a key to opportunity, equity, and imagination.

Our partnerships thrive because of the incredible support from our community partners and library members—thank you for your unwavering commitment. As we continue to innovate, we invite everyone to discover the richness of our community with your DCLS Library card in hand. 

Fall is here, and so are new Library programs for every age! Here’s a quick peek at what we have to offer kids and families as the weather cools off:

Storytimes & Early Learning

preschooler (or all three!) thinking, learning, and building the foundation of their literacy development. We’ve even started doing a few story-times at offsite locations. Don’t miss:

• Stories at Sunset – East Shore Area Library (evening storytime)
• Mathamagical Storytime – Northern Dauphin Library
• Once Upon a Rainbow – 1st Saturdays at the LGBT Center of Central PA
• Stories at Midtown – 2nd Saturdays at Midtown Scholar Bookstore

After-School Adventures

• Owls are a Hoot! – Learn about owls & dissect pellets
• Engineering Simple Bots – Build & test mini-robots
• PA Geology Rocks! – Explore Pennsylvania’s rocks & minerals with DCNR

Check the Fall Compass or DCLS.org/Events for dates and locations.

Teens Take Over

Fresh looks & creative outlets await:

• Teen Fall Clothing Swap – Saturday, Sept. 20 (12–4 PM) at East Shore Area Library
• Coloring for Teens – Chill afternoons with color & creativity
• Zines for Teens – Create & share your own mini-magazines

There’s More!

This is just a sample of all the fun waiting for you at The Library this fall. Visit the DCLS Events page or stop by your local Library to explore the full calendar of programs and events.

By: Samantha Lowe

Ready or not, it’s back to school time! And the Library is here to help. The Library offers many resources to help your young scholar succeed in school.

With the influx of AI tools and the constant dissemination of misinformation online, it’s now more important than ever to teach kids how to find reliable information. I tell teens often that even if they’re not planning to go to college, knowing how to use Library databases is going to help them to be better informed, more well-rounded adults. It’s vital that kids learn how to ask questions about what they’re reading such as: who wrote this article and how are they qualified? What’s the goal of the article? Is the author trying to sell me something? When was this written and is the information still accurate or relevant? These are just some of the questions kids can learn to navigate through using our databases and resources.

Gale and Salem are two database vendors the Library subscribes to. Gale resources especially are designed for different age ranges. Essentially, your elementary schooler won’t see the same database as your high schooler. They’ll open a kid-friendly interface with relevant information for their research projects. And the high schoolers will get something closer to the databases they’ll see in college (if that’s the path they choose). Both Gale and Salem offer articles on a variety of subjects from literature to history to science and so much in between.

Of course, I can’t talk about research tools without mentioning POWER Library. POWER Library is a Pennsylvania statewide resource that provides access to thousands of articles, newspapers, reference materials, and more. There are even off shoots called POWER Kids and POWER Teens, so that kids and teens get services at their level. So, regardless of what they’re researching, students can feel confident in the information they’re finding.

The Library’s resources don’t stop at research though. Tutor.com is an online resource where students connect with live tutors to help with reading and math. You can even stick with a tutor you really like. And it’s completely free with your library card! We subscribe to Tutor.com so you can access it all with your library card and pin numbers. This is not a trial version—it’s the full website. Tutors are available to help students in first grade all the way through college. That’s right, adults can use it too. And by using your library card to access tutor.com, you can actually get a more customized experience as well. When purchasing a subscription, there’s anxiety around getting your money’s worth or possibly not being able to afford it if you need to increase your access. With your library card, you get exactly the level of access you need when you need it, with no strings attached.

Do you have a reluctant or maybe a bit of a picky reader? NoveList Plus is another resource that can help. NoveList Plus categorizes books based on age range, appeal factors, and more to help readers find their next favorite book. Does your child like a strong female protagonist? Or maybe they need a fast-paced adventure. What about a world building saga? With NoveList Plus you can browse books based on exactly what you’re looking for and see if they’re available in the Library right there.

So whether your child is conducting research, getting some extra help, or looking for their next read, the Library is full of resources to help.