📚 Local Libraries & Storytimes: A Family Guide for Chambersburg & Beyond
Find storytimes, children’s programs, teen activities, homeschool resources, free family perks, and more at libraries throughout our region.
Libraries are one of the best free resources available to local families — and they offer so much more than books.
From baby and preschool storytimes to LEGO clubs, STEM activities, homeschool programs, teen hangouts, reading challenges, play spaces, educational kits, and special events, there’s a lot happening at our local libraries.
Use this guide to find a library near you, discover resources you may not have known existed, and check the calendar for upcoming storytimes throughout the Macaroni KID Chambersburg region.
Please note: Library hours and programming can change, especially around holidays and seasonal programming. Always confirm current details with the library before making a special trip.
📅 Find a Local Library Storytime
Looking for something to do with your littlest readers?
Our calendar brings together local library storytimes and early-literacy programs so you can quickly see what’s happening around the region.
Tip: Some storytimes require registration or are designed for specific age groups. Click the individual event for details before heading out.
📍 Local Libraries
CHAMBERSBURG
📚 Coyle Free Library
📍 102 N. Main St., Chambersburg
☎️ 717-263-1054
Hours:
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Coyle is the largest library in the Franklin County Library System and serves as a resource center for libraries throughout Franklin and Fulton counties. Families can find children’s and teen programming, public computers, free Wi-Fi, meeting spaces, and a large collection.
Current programming regularly includes activities for different ages, from babies and preschoolers through tweens and teens.
✨ Good to know: Coyle participates in the Whitaker Center Library Membership program. Ask the library about borrowing its membership card for family admission to the Whitaker Center’s UPMC Science Center.
📚 Grove Family Library
📍 101 Ragged Edge Rd. S., Chambersburg
☎️ 717-264-9663
Hours:
Monday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: Noon–8 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Grove lives up to the “Family Library” name with programming that has included preschool storytime, Mother Goose on the Loose, Play and Learn Together, LEGO activities, reading-to-a-dog programs, and activities for older children.
✨ Good to know: Grove also participates in the Whitaker Center Library Membership program. Ask the library about current pass availability and borrowing procedures.
🌐 Visit the Franklin County Library System
GREENCASTLE
📚 Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library
📍 305 E. Baltimore St., Greencastle
☎️ 717-597-7920
Hours:
Monday: 1–8 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Besore serves Greencastle-area families with books, digital resources, community programming, meeting spaces, and children’s and teen activities. The renovated building includes accessible features and community rooms.
✨ Good to know: Besore is another local participant in the Whitaker Center Library Membership program.
🌐 Visit the Franklin County Library System
ST. THOMAS
📚 St. Thomas Library
📍 30 School House Rd., St. Thomas
☎️ 717-369-4716
Hours:
Monday: 2–6 p.m.
Tuesday & Wednesday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–Noon
Sunday: Closed
St. Thomas is a smaller neighborhood library within the Franklin County Library System, giving families access to the shared library collection and resources available throughout the system.
Because programs at smaller branches can change throughout the year, check the current library calendar or contact the branch for upcoming children’s activities.
🌐 Visit the Franklin County Library System
BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT
📚 Blue Ridge Summit Free Library
📍 13676 Monterey Lane, Blue Ridge Summit
☎️ 717-794-2240
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 2:30–7 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Friday & Sunday: Closed
Housed in a historic former Western Maryland Railroad station, Blue Ridge Summit Free Library serves families on both sides of the Pennsylvania-Maryland line.
Watch for storytimes, children’s activities, tween/teen programs, and special community events throughout the year.
✨ Watch for: The library’s annual Ice Cream Social & Book Sale is a longtime community tradition.
🌐 Visit Blue Ridge Summit Free Library
FORT LOUDON
📚 Fort Loudon Community Library
📍 210 Mullen St., Fort Loudon
☎️ 717-369-4704
Fort Loudon Community Library continues to serve the Fort Loudon area and is connected with the Franklin County library network. Current online information for this small library is limited, so families should contact the library directly for current hours and programs. Its location remains listed in the Franklin County digital-library network.
Know something we’re missing? Library staff and community members can use the update form at the bottom of this guide to help us keep this listing current.
MERCERSBURG
📚 Fendrick Library
📍 20 N. Main St., Mercersburg
☎️ 717-328-9233
Fendrick is an independent public library with a strong local-history collection and a variety of community programs.
For families, current offerings include weekly preschool storytime, all-ages chess, seasonal programming, summer reading, and youth opportunities. Preschool storytime is open to the community and typically includes stories, crafts, snacks, play, and social time.
🌟 Especially good to know: Fendrick partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide a free age-appropriate book each month to registered children ages birth through 5 who live in ZIP codes 17236, 17224, or 17252.
WAYNESBORO
📚 Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library
📍 45 E. Main St., Waynesboro
☎️ 717-762-3335
Hours:
Monday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library has one of the most extensive family-programming schedules in the region.
Programs regularly span early childhood through teens, with story and movement programs, sensory play, LEGO and building activities, STEM and coding, book clubs, arts and crafts, homeschool programming, teen activities, and special events.
The library also offers 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and regularly adds new family programs to its calendar.
🎒 Especially good for teens: The library offers a range of teen programs and volunteer opportunities, including opportunities that may help students fulfill school service-hour requirements.
🏠 Homeschool families: Watch the calendar for homeschool-specific programs as well as educational programming for elementary-age children.
🌐 Visit Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library
FULTON COUNTY
McCONNELLSBURG
📚 Fulton County Library
📍 227 N. First St., McConnellsburg
☎️ 717-485-5327
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
In addition to its physical collection and community programming, Fulton County Library offers useful online resources and access to materials shared across the regional library network.
☎️ Dial-a-Story: 717-452-4520
The system also offers digital and educational resources that can be especially useful for students and homeschool families.
HUSTONTOWN
📚 Hustontown Branch Library
📍 313 Pitt St., Suite B, Hustontown
☎️ 717-987-3606
Hours:
Monday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Hustontown is the branch location of Fulton County Library and provides access to the system’s collection and services closer to families in the northern part of Fulton County.
☎️ Families can also use Fulton County Library’s Dial-a-Story service at 717-452-4520.
BEDFORD COUNTY
BEDFORD
📚 Bedford County Library
📍 240 S. Wood St., Bedford
☎️ 814-623-5010
Bedford County Library offers a particularly nice lineup for preschool and elementary-age families.
📖 Preschool Story Time is offered for ages 3–5 during the school year.
🧱 LEGO Club meets regularly.
🔬 STEM programming is offered monthly.
☀️ The library also participates in summer reading.
Families also have access to resources including CloudLibrary, POWER Library, interlibrary loan, public computers, and Wi-Fi.
Because current published hours have varied between listings, check directly with the library before making a special trip.
🌐 Visit Bedford County Library
EVERETT
📚 Everett Free Library
📍 137 E. Main St., Everett
☎️ 814-652-5922
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: Noon–7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Everett may be one of the area's best-kept library secrets for families.
🧱 Kitty’s Kids Corner includes building and imaginative-play materials.
🎒 The library offers educational activity kits that can be especially useful for homeschoolers, including topics such as rocks and fossils, building and design, money and math, circuits, phonics, dinosaurs, and kindergarten readiness.
🛠 Its Library of Things includes items beyond books, with new materials added periodically.
The library also offers public computers, Wi-Fi, and other community resources.
☔ Rainy-day idea: This is one to remember when you simply need somewhere free to go with the kids.
FAIRFIELD / CARROLL VALLEY
📚 Carroll Valley Library
📍 5685 Fairfield Rd., Carroll Valley
☎️ 717-642-6009
Hours:
Monday & Thursday: 2–7:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Carroll Valley Library offers programming from babies through teens.
Past and recurring programs include Baby Bookworms, Preschool Pals, reading to therapy dogs, children’s activities, tween/teen programming, and a StoryWalk in Carroll Valley Park.
🎒 More than books: As part of the Adams County Library System, patrons can also explore its extensive Library of Things, digital resources, and other services.
🌐 Visit Carroll Valley Library
🚐 Franklin County Bookmobile & Outreach Services
Can't easily get to a library?
The Franklin County Library System also operates Bookmobile and Book Buggy outreach services. The Bookmobile maintains a current route schedule, while the Book Buggy can make visits to qualifying facilities.
🌐 Learn about Franklin County Library Outreach
💳 Your Library Card May Do More Than You Think!
Pennsylvania’s Statewide Library Card Program allows eligible residents with a card from their home library to register for borrowing privileges at other participating public libraries around the state.
That means your family may not be limited to the library closest to home. Rules for digital services and specialty collections can vary, so always ask the library what your card allows.
🎓 Another local perk: Penn State Mont Alto
Cardholders from the Franklin County Library System and Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library can register to borrow materials from Penn State Mont Alto Campus Library and request materials from other Penn State University Libraries locations. This can be especially useful for teens, homeschool families, and anyone doing more in-depth research.
🎟️ Did You Know? Your Library May Have Family Perks
Coyle Free Library, Grove Family Library, and Besore Memorial Library currently participate in the Whitaker Center Library Membership program.
Participating libraries can lend a family-tier membership card that allows admission for up to two adults and four children per day. Availability and borrowing rules are set by the individual library, so ask your library before planning your visit.
📖 From the Macaroni KID Book Basket
🎃 Fall Pick: Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
This is one of my favorite little-kid fall books. Duck and Goose are looking for a pumpkin — but they don't always look in the most logical places!
It’s short, silly, sweet, and perfect for pairing with a library storytime, pumpkin-patch visit, or cozy fall afternoon at home.
We'll occasionally swap this section out with seasonal favorites, classics worth rediscovering, books for older readers, and local connections.
☔ Looking for More Free & Indoor Fun?
Libraries are just one of the many places families can go when the weather isn't cooperating.
👉 Check out our Macaroni KID Chambersburg Indoor Fun Guide for more local places to play, explore, create, and get out of the house.
📝 Are We Missing Something?
We want this guide to stay genuinely useful for local families.
Library staff: Is your information outdated? Do you offer a storytime, homeschool resource, teen program, Library of Things, special family perk, or other resource we should know about?
👉 Add or update your library information here
You’re welcome to submit the form again anytime your programs, hours, services, or contact information change.
💛 Know another local family who loves libraries? Share this guide with them — and bookmark it so you can check back for new storytimes and programs throughout the year.
