Sewickley Township library's 'Polar Express Pajama Party' draws RSVPs from across North America

A small town library serving 6,000 people in rural Westmoreland County reached more than 81,000 Facebook users across the United States and Canada when it publicized an upcoming children’s program.

Through Facebook, the Sewickley Township Public Library in Herminie promoted a virtual “Polar Express Pajama Party” planned for 10 a.m. Dec. 12, said Mandy Luchs, director of the library. The number of Facebook reaches grew from about 71,000 on Dec. 4 to 81,000 as of Wednesday, Luchs said.

Luchs attributed the overwhelming response to the book reading and craft program to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I think people are so excited to reach out because of the (covid) restrictions,” Luchs said.

The Facebook page “likes” kept on increasing since the announcement was posted before Thanksgiving. The library sent fliers to patrons, but not to households in Texas and Ohio, but people from there responded, Luchs said.

“It snowballed. I think some people shared it and tagged their friends with this,” Luchs said.

About 2,500 Facebook users responded they are “interested” in participating or “going” to the virtual party.

“We were shocked” with the response, said Jennifer Worley, the children’s librarian who will read the book from her home Saturday morning.

Worley plans to use her iPad to record her reading as she is dressed in pajamas, which is a far cry from past years when she held Polar Express parties at the library, featuring breakfast with Mrs. Claus.

Worley, the mother of two daughters, credits the response to the popularity of the movie and the book, which she said is one of her family’s favorite stories.

“I think ‘The Polar Express’ is appealing to all ages because it captures the essence of childhood and the pure joy and wonder of the season. As adults, we tend to make things complicated and often lose that sense of wonder and the ability to dream and believe,” Worley said.

The 1985 book by Chris Van Allsburg is about a youngster who takes a magical steam-powered train ride on Christmas Eve. The boy takes “The Polar Express” all the way to that special city at the North Pole, where he learns about friendship, bravery and makes a Christmas wish. The book was made into an animated movie in 2004, which features a conductor in the likeness of Tom Hanks, with his voice.

The library’s hourlong program also will feature a STEM-related project in which the children can make a maze for jingle bells to roll though, Worley said.

“We really just encourage creativity,” Worley said.

The library has kits that include the project and a packet for making hot chocolate to drink during the program. The library has distributed about 20 kits and still has some available, Luchs said. Those in faraway places can make their own kits, which are easy to assemble, Worley said.

The “Polar Express Pajama Party” can be viewed on the library’s Facebook page.