Joey Dostilio, 9, reads a book at the Cranberry Public Library. Julia Maruca/Butler Eagle

More than two years after the start of the pandemic, attendance at Butler County libraries has begun to return to pre-COVID levels.

While many libraries started virtual programs and moved events online during the early parts of 2020 and throughout 2021, participation in in-person activities has risen and even expanded enough to warrant the creation of additional programs, just in time for libraries to get ready for summer reading.

“Since the pandemic started, we’ve had a few new programs,” said Tiffany Frampton, library director at Slippery Rock Community Library. “Starting (this) week, we will be having a chess club and a Dungeons and Dragons group as well. I think people really want to start socializing again.”

In March, Frampton said, the library saw 1,227 visitors, and 260 guests attended programs.

“Our numbers have really started bouncing back,” she said. “We’re near prepandemic numbers, as far as programming goes.”

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Aviana Alexander, 5, and her mother Danica work on a craft at a STEAM Lab event at the Cranberry Public Library. Julia Maruca/Butler Eagle

Corey Nova, 6, helps assemble a mosaic poster at a STEAM Lab event at the Cranberry Public Library. Julia Maruca/Butler Eagle