by Sara Edmiston
Days are getting shorter, and it will soon be October, otherwise known as Adams County Reads One Book month here at the library system. If you have not yet had an opportunity to read “The Cartographers” by Peng Shepherd, I highly encourage you to stop by your local Adams County Library location and place a copy on hold or visit our virtual collection in the cloud library and place a hold there. Once October comes, programs for this year’s Adams County Reads One Book, sponsored by Remco, Inc., will be in full swing.
From crafts to book discussions, virtual and in-person, there are a number of fantastic programs that will be offered by each Adams County Library location. Here are just a select few:
An exciting event that is only possible with the generous support of Remco, Inc., hosting Peng Shepherd, author of “The Cartographers”, at the Gettysburg Library on Thursday, October 3 at 6 pm. She will be discussing her experiences in writing “The Cartographers,” along with a Q & A session. Registration is required as space is limited.
On Tuesday, October 8, at 2 p.m., the Trone Memorial Library will repurpose vintage maps and turn them into coasters. The library will provide all materials. Registration is required.
If you’ve read “The Cartographers”, you know that the New York Public Library’s (NYPL) Map Division plays a part in the story. On Tuesday, October 15 at 5:00 pm, you have the opportunity to start your own research at the Lionel Pincus and Princess Map Division of the NYPL. Jo-Ann Wong, a librarian with the NYPL, will showcase a wide variety of materials that are found in the NYPL map division, including maps created in unique formats – such as a puzzle – and maps depicting fantastical lands. Registration is required. This program is being held via Zoom. The link will be emailed to registrants on the day of the program.
On Thursday, October 17, at 3 p.m., the Harbaugh-Thomas Library will host a cartography craft event: decoupaging with maps. Adults and teens are welcome to decorate a container using decoupage techniques while learning a new skill. Registration is required.
Take a historical look at Littlestown on Wednesday, October 23 at 3 pm. Presented by Ken Thomas from the Littlestown Historical Society, this program will take a look at Littlestown from the past and present through historic and current maps of the town. Registration is encouraged.
Who are cartographers, and what do they do? On Thursday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m., the Carroll Valley Library will answer that question. Curt Musselman, retired NPS Cartographer of the Gettysburg Battlefield, will be on hand with a sample of maps from his collection.
Peng Shepherd writes in “The Cartographers” that “Maps are love letters written to times and places their makers had explored.” On Tuesday, October 29, at 3 pm at the New Oxford Library, write your own ode to a place you have visited and want to remember and cherish. This place can be a variety of different places. Registration is required as space is limited.
As you can see, there is a variety of programs planned for October. This is just a small sample of what is available. To find out more information, pick up a copy of the Fall What’s Happening calendar or visit the events calendar on our website, www.adamslibrary.org.
Sara Edmiston Public Services Director of the Adams County Library System.