PITTSTON — Visitors to the Pittston Memorial Library traded in their books and reading glasses for crayons and colored pencils on Tuesday.

As part of National Coloring Book Day, the library set up several coloring stations throughout the building to allow youngsters and adults to take control of their creative side. Along with the stations, there was one community coloring mural, which will be on display at the library.

Pittston Memorial Library Director Patricia Joyce, who is in her sixth summer working at the library, said the event stemmed from the library’s Adult Coloring Club.

“Because we have our adult coloring group I saw they were having a National Coloring Book Day,” Joyce said. “We decided we needed to join in.”

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Joyce said when she arrived at work Tuesday morning, the place was packed with all ages. The community coloring mural might take a few more days to finish, she said.

“It’s awesome to see how crowded this place was this morning,” Joyce said. “The kids were here because they wanted a play group, but this offered something different as well.”

The Adult Coloring Club meets at 1 p.m. each Friday and on scheduled evenings. The library has different themes each week. This event saw a wide range of of participants, including toddlers to teenagers to adults.

A few benefits to the program, the librarians said, is that it takes the participants’ minds off everyday activities and will ultimately lead to more engagements when they pick up a book.

“It definitely relaxes the mind,” said teen librarian Noelle Kozak.

Kozak said her 95-year-old grandmother participates in the Adult Coloring Club whenever she can.

As the children’s librarian, Kristin Boettger set up the stations throughout the library and was happy to see the amount of youngsters taking part.

“It’s just nice to see a wide range of children interested in the same subject,” she said.

When it comes to the adults coloring, it’s not always just parents of children taking part in the activities. Kozak, a young adult herself, was adamant about people taking time for themselves, whether they are parents or not. The library is now trying to reach those people without children, maybe young professionals, or parents whose children are out of the house.

Boettger said sometimes there is a 20-year-old coloring alongside someone in their 90s.

“It’s good to do things for yourself and your children, but you also need that time alone to be yourself,” Kozak said.

Busy months ahead

While the day of coloring is over, the next few weeks will be busy for the library.

The library’s first Chalk the Walk event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16 for all ages. Participants will get a free bag of chalk and take their coloring talents to the sidewalks around the library. The event, Joyce said, is about spreading joy and positive attitudes.

The annual Taste of Greater Pittston will be held Sunday, Sept. 25. The event features favorite dishes from Greater Pittston restaurants, along with several area food trucks.

A Murder Mystery Dinner Theater will be held Saturday, Oct. 8. More information on the dinner theater will be available in the coming weeks.

In November, the library will be decorating Pysanky eggs for the Christmas holiday.

Julia Rucco, left, and Olivia Rucco, both 10 of Pittston, took part in National Coloring Book Day at Pittston Memorial Library.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Coloring1.jpg.optimal.jpgJulia Rucco, left, and Olivia Rucco, both 10 of Pittston, took part in National Coloring Book Day at Pittston Memorial Library. Submitted photo

David Champ, 6, of West Pittston, took part in National Coloring Book Day at Pittston Memorial Library.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Coloring2.jpg.optimal.jpgDavid Champ, 6, of West Pittston, took part in National Coloring Book Day at Pittston Memorial Library. Submitted photo

Julia Rucco, left, and Olivia Rucco, both 10 of Pittston, took part in National Coloring Book Day at Pittston Memorial Library.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Coloring3.jpg.optimal.jpgJulia Rucco, left, and Olivia Rucco, both 10 of Pittston, took part in National Coloring Book Day at Pittston Memorial Library. Submitted photo

By Nick Wagner

nwagner@timesleader.com

CHECK ‘EM OUT

Throughout the year, the library offers dozens of programs for adults and children. For more information, visit www.pittstonmemoriallibrary.org or call 570-654-9565.

Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick