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Books & More

Beyond Books

Beyond Books

It’s not ALL about the books! Check out the non-traditional library items available below, including board games, experience passes, tech takeout, and so much more!

Experience Passes

Don't just check out a book - check out an EXPERIENCE! Thanks to partnerships with local attractions and museums, we are now lending special experience passes for free admission to the following locations. Ask at the front desk for availability & details!

American Girl Dolls

Each American Girl Doll comes with a doll, clothing, a bed, and other doll props. Also included is the first book in doll's chapter book series, a look at what Pittsburgh would have been like at the time of the doll's story, and a notebook to record your adventures with your American Girl! Provided through the Allegheny County Library Association.

Kindle eReaders

We've loaded some of the latest and hottest eBooks from YA and Adult onto our set of Kindles. Check the list of titles below, and then check out one of our devices. Skip the holds lists and get over 100 books (and counting) for one checkout! We also have six Kid's Kindles, loaded with child-friendly titles and ready for checkout - ask for details!

Storytime Kits

Need to do a storytime in a hurry, but can't think of a topic? Our Storytime Kits have all you need in one convenient place! Kits include books, music and audio CDs, DVDs, and interactive puppets all on a special theme. Best of all, each one includes a binder of reproducible activities and lesson plans to copy and use to extend the fun.

Sensory Kits

Going to the zoo? The museum? A ball game? Well, thanks to our friends at Autism Caring Center, we have added two Sensory Kits to our collection. Each comes with a weighted lap blanket, a weighted stuffed animal, noise reduction ear muffs, an emotion chart, and various fidget toys. These kits comes in a clear backpack so you can bring them into stadiums and are available for up to three weeks at a time (can you say road trip?). Check a Sensory Kit out today!

Caregiver Backpacks

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has provided Caregiver Backpacks to libraries for checkout by family members taking care of older adults or people with disabilities. Each backpack includes brochures, books, DVDs, and other educational materials informing on caregiver issues, providing easy-to-use tips, and connecting caregivers to community resources. Check one out today!

Board Games

Want to try out a game before buying it? Planning a game night with friends? Look no further than the library for hours of gaming fun! We have a wide variety, with more added every month. Look at our catalog of Board Games and request one today!

Cake Pans

We now have a variety of special cake pans for holidays and trying out your decorating skills! See what's available in our Cake Pan collection.

Discovery Kits

Want to go on a picnic? Check out a great local hiking trail? Or learn to play a new outdoor game like bocce or croquet? The library offers Discovery Kits, which include all you need to DISCOVER a new activity without having to buy all the supplies.

Tech Takeout

"Tech Takeout" is a smorgasbord of gadgets, gizmos, and tools for you to take home (and bring back when you’re done, of course!). In addition to the items listed below that you can check out, we have laptops for in-house use, plus an Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch in the Teen Room! Check out our Tech Takeout Menu, then stop by the library to see what's available or call to reserve an item today!

Book and notebook
  • Items Borrowed

    81,863

  • Registered Members

    13,727

  • Dollars Raised

    27,396

  • Program Participants

    6,358

© 2023 Western Allegheny Community Library
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