Hollidaysburg Area Public Library

The Hollidaysburg Area Public Library in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, serves the Hollidaysburg Area School District, which includes Allegheny, Blair, and Frankstown Townships and the Boroughs of Duncansville, Hollidaysburg, and Newry, consisting of 24,173 residents [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42013.html] .

History

The Hollidaysburg Area Public Library (then the Hollidaysburg Free Public Library) had its beginning in a small basement room at the Hollidaysburg YM-YWCA. Mrs. Ronald L. Fye, adviser to the Gradale Sorority of the YM-YWCA in 1941, remembered the delightful reading room in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania where she grew up and how much it meant to her. It was at her suggestion that a reading room be chosen for a civic project for the Hollidaysburg "Y". The Gradale Room in the basement of the "Y" was used, and the members of the sorority conducted a house-to-house campaign for books and carried all contributions to the "Y" in wagons. Mrs. William H. Plank, a professional librarian who graduated from Bucknell University and Drexel University School of Library Science, volunteered to catalog the books using the Dewey Decimal System. The project grew in popularity until the spring of 1943, when the room was outgrown.

In March of 1943, the "Y" Board granted a request from the Gradale Sorority permitting them to use the old dining room on the first floor; they also set up a committee of public-spirited citizens to act in an advisory capacity for their reading room. With the help of the "Y" Auxiliary, the room was redecorated and the collection of books was moved to its new home.

A public meeting was called in August of 1943 to organize a public library for the community using the Gradale Library as a nucleus. At this meeting ways and means were discussed, and a Board of Directors was elected: Mrs. Milton E. McDonnell, President; Harry Henshaw, Vice President; Mrs. Farren Zerbe, II, Secretary; Miss Genevieve Evans, Treasurer; The Reverend Mr. Gerald Dieter, Mrs. William H. Plank, Mr. John Woodcock, Sr., and Mrs. Ronald L. Fye. This group conducted the organization of the Library. By September, the Hollidaysburg Free Public Library was opened. A drive for members was sponsored which resulted in 145 people joining the Association. Fees for membership were one dollar for adults and fifty cents for children. The members of the Gradale Sorority served as librarians on a volunteer basis. Each week the latest new books were added to the ever-increasingly popular library. The library of the First Baptist Church of Hollidaysburg was discontinued, and at the suggestion of the pastor, the Reverend Mr. Roger Sharpe, all of the books were turned over to the public library. A constitution and by-laws were drawn up under the leadership of Mr. Harry Henshaw and the Reverend Mr. Gerald Dieter. Before the close of the year it was evident that the library had again outgrown its quarters, and that its future lay in being larger and more centrally located and thus available to all.

Until February, 1944, the library was operated on the principle that membership in the association was necessary to borrow the books. At that time, the members adopted a new constitution which made the library free for the use of the community. It was decided to launch a campaign to raise funds from the entire community to carry on the project and to move the library to a location on Allegheny Street devoted exclusively to library service. The proposed site was the Snyder store room (formerly Stover's Restaurant). At the time, there was an association membership of 152. There were 910 books in circulation, with several hundred additional books waiting to be placed on shelves. There was a balance of $45.00 in the treasury. The size of the board was increased by three members: Mr. Samuel Williams, Mrs. Robert Smith, and Mrs. Stewart Criswell. Mr. William Plank took the place of Mrs. Plank on the board, while she assumed the supervision of all library activities. The finance campaign with radio and newspaper publicity netted $1,045.00. The following service clubs pledged five dollars each month to pay rent: Civic Club, Kiwanis, Women's Club, Hi-Y Club, American Legion, Gradale Sorority.

The formal dedication of the Hollidaysburg Free Public Library was held May 19, 1944, in the Snyder Building. President Mrs. Milton E. McDonnell presented the library to the community and Mr. Willard Bush, President of the Borough Council, made the response. Greetings from the Pennsylvania State Library were brought by Miss Evelyn Matthews, Extension Librarian. Mrs. George W. Bott, Regent of the Adam Holliday Chapter, D.A.R., presented the American Flag. Mr. J. Calvin Lang, Jr., District Attorney of Blair County, addressed the group on "The Challenge of a Public Library to the Present and the Future."

The Board of Directors acknowledged the following people who contributed furnishings: Gable's, Blatchfords, YM-YWCA, Plank Motors, Rothert's, Stover's Restaurant, Mrs. C.E. Shafer, Mr. and Mrs. Lester G. Plank, Mrs. Webster Calvin, and Mrs. Leonard Coleman.

The Library was open two days per week with Gradale members and interested people serving as volunteers under the supervision of Mrs. William H. Plank. In June, after operating one month in the new building, the following report was given:

Number of books on the shelves............... 2001

Circulation (May 22 to June 22).................. 656

Average daily circulation............................. 65

Registration before May 19........................ 155

New registrations....................................... 193

Highest circulation for one day.................... 95

It was evident a more stable financial arrangement would be desirable. It was decided to contact the Borough Council and solicit its support. The following budget was set up to present to the Council:

$1800.00 (for rent and librarian) provided by Council

$200.00 (for children's books) provided by School Board

$800.00 (for all other expenses) provided by Association Memberships

Total: $2800.00

During the second month of operation the daily average circulation jumped to 85, and there was an increase of 61 new borrowers.

Mr. Willard Bush, President of Hollidaysburg Borough Council, appointed a committee made up of Walter Dodson, Chairman; Joseph B. Treese, Gray Bowser, and Cornelius Lusardi to study the request of the Library Board. The Borough Council committee met with the Library Board and discussed the matter at length. At the September meeting of Council, Mr. Dodson reported that the committee was not ready. No further meeting were held, and at the October meeting of Council, Mr. Dodson reported that his committee recommended that the request of the Hollidaysburg Free Library be tabled indefinitely. There was no discussion nor any reason given, but at this meeting support of the library was rejected. Mr. Lusardi asked to be put on record that he was not in favor of the recommendation of the committee.

The first annual meeting of the Library Association had been planned for September 1944, but was delayed until November because of Council's consideration of support. The Library was now open three days each week instead of two, with twenty-five local interested people serving as volunteers. Four hundred and seventy-seven books and furniture formerly used at the U.S.O. library at the "Y" lounge were presented.

Early in January 1945, John Woodcock, Sr., John B. Elliott, and Thomas G. Peoples donated their services in the work of preparing the Charter to incorporate the library on a non-profit basis.

Throughout the years, Story Hours were held at the library, the first of which was held January 13, 1945, from 10 to 11 a.m. for children in grades one to three with 42 children in attendance. Mrs. Elizabeth Christy McDonnell was the very first story teller. She was the first-grade teacher at Hillcrest School for forty years, devoting her free time to the library after resigning from the Hollidaysburg School District.

Story Hours were usually held Saturday mornings during the winter months. Other leaders of the Story Hour were members of the Altoona Story League, The Altoona Junior Story League, Laurel Junior Story League, Chimrock League of Hollidaysburg, and many other friends of the library.

In more recent years, the Hollidaysburg Women's Club conducted the Story Hours as one of its community projects, having special programs from time to time. Jaffa Clowns entertained; William Moughemer demonstrated his many talents as paper-cutter, bird authority, etc.; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Dean exhibited their Stone and Rock Collection. Many others too numerous to mention volunteered their talents. The Story Hours continue to encourage children to visit and to use the library.

Miss Elizabeth Tyler became the first paid librarian in May of 1945 but because of ill health stayed only a month. Miss Tyler was a graduate of New Jersey Library School, having worked previously at New Brunswick, New Jersey, Public Library.

Mrs. Perry Williams and Donald Bice, volunteers who had worked for some time at the library, carried on until another librarian could be found. It was necessary to have someone in charge of all the volunteers who gave so generously of their time. It would be impossible to list all the volunteers, but without their help, the library could not have functioned.

In September of 1945, the second annual meeting was held. The Constitution was amended to increase the size of the Board to fifteen members. Mrs. Louis S. Walton, Sr., Miss Lorraine Suckling, Thomas Treese, Sr., and Harris Baird were elected.

Miss Margaret Corwin, from Reading, Pennsylvania, was hired as fulltime librarian in November of 1945. A graduate of Bucknell University, Miss Corwin previously worked at the Reading Public Library. Under her leadership, the library became so popular that there were now 1179 borrowers registered and 2364 books on the shelves.

Plans were made to have the question of public support submitted to the voters at the May Primary. The William F. Gable Company began its contribution of ten books a month in January 1946. Dr. Paul K. Good donated a gift of 42 books.

The library became so popular by February that it was open all afternoons except Friday, as well as two evenings each week. During the spring months, the library was selected as a suitable War Memorial, and it looked as though a permanent building might become a reality. The voters rejected tax support at the Primary, and the Board decided to call a meeting of all Association Members to dissolve the Hollidaysburg Free Public Library and turn over all assets over to the Courts of Blair County as required by law. On June 10, 1946, a special meeting was held with approximately forty members present. Mrs. McDonnell, President, explained fully the financial situation of the library. The budget minimum for 1946-47 was set up by the Finance Committee for $3500. The campaign had netted $1916.75. This amount was insufficent for the needs, so the voters had been asked to express themselves on a two-mill tax. Since the vote was negative, Mrs. McDonnell asked the Association Members to approve the closing of the library. Judge Thomas J. Baldridge advised that the present board continue as it had in the past, at least until all the funds were used. Many suggestions for help were presented, and interest ran unusually high. This was the turning point for the library. The townspeople wanted it, and it just could not close. At this meeting, it was decided to ask that the library be withdrawn as a memorial.

The question asked at the Primary was "Do you favor the establishing of an annual tax at the rate of two mills on the dollar on all taxable property of the municipality for the maintaining or aiding in the maintenance of a free, public, non-sectarian library?" The vote:

1st Ward: 60 yes 197 no

2nd Ward: 143 yes 255 no

3rd Ward: 16 yes 37 no

4th Ward: 37 yes 127 no

5th Ward: 94 yes 193 no

6th ward: 42 yes 153 no

The proposal failed to carry any of the borough's six wards and made its best showing in 2nd Ward, where the opposition was held to a less than two to one majority. It suffered its worst defeat in 3rd Ward. People were too confused concerning the two issues: tax support and war memorial. It was decided that the library should operate on a campaign basis.

Mrs. Harold Poulson, a graduate of Juniata College and public school teacher prior to moving to Hollidaysburg with her husband, became the next librarian. She remained until 1948 when her husband was transferred.

New officers elected to the Board in 1947 were: Miss Ella Snowberger, President; Mrs. Louis S. Walton, Vice President; Mrs. Ronald L. Fye; Secretary; and Mrs. Frank Brunner, Treasurer. Other board members included: Thomas Bailey, J. Craig McLanahan, Mrs. Robert L. Akers, The Reverend Mr. John F. Cullinan, E.R. Baldridge, and Clyde Brubaker. A new children's room was furnished, new shelving installed, and community services were enlarged to include the outlying areas.

In 1948, a county-wide committee appointed by Judge George Patterson, at a meeting held in the courthouse, started work to make the Hollidaysburg Free Public Library a county library. This work continued for well over a year and then awaited the decision of the Board of County commissioners. When no action was forthcoming, the committee again started work, but with the death of J. Frank Kauffman, all this ceased.

Steady progress was made by the library under the leadership of Miss Sarah H. Woodcock, who took over the position of librarian when Mrs. Poulson left in December 1948. Miss Woodcock, who served as librarian for twenty years, was truly the guiding spirit behind the growth of the library. She was a graduate of Highland Hall, Hollidaysburg, and of the Sayward School of Philadelphia.

Through the efforts of Miss Woodcock, the program and aims of the library obtained such local use and support that by December 1967, the library was able to open its new building at the corner of Clark and Allegheny Streets, its current location.

Upon completion of the new building, the Spade and Trowel Garden Club volunteered to do the landscaping as one of its beautification projects. The Garden Club continues each year to beautify the grounds.

The library has been tremendously fortunate to have had excellent staff members who are always willing to lend a hand, pleasant to the public, and devoted to their work. Without their cooperation, the library wouldn't be the success it is today. [History of the Hollidaysburg Free Public Library, compiled by Miss Sarah H. Woodcock and Mrs. Lester E. Plank, 1975.]

Librarians since 1942

[A Program to Burn the Mortgage of the Hollidaysburg Free Public Library, November 19, 1970.]

Resources

The Hollidaysburg Area Public Library has a collection of nearly 46,000 items with an annual circulation of over 98,000 items. They offer a variety of resources such as:

Books

Movies

CDs

Books on Tape and CD

Graphic Novels

Magazines

Newspapers

Video Games

Computer Games

Puzzles

A Nintendo Wii video game console for use in the library

Services

The library prides itself on providing a multitude of free programs to the community. In the past, these have included:

Book clubs

Pennsylvania Humanities Council programs

Free showings of popular movies

Poetry readings

Assorted other educational programs

The library holds an annual Summer Reading Program, in which nearly 300 children participate every year. It is the most attended program of its kind in the Blair County Library System.

References

External links

* [http://www.hollidaysburglibrary.org Hollidaysburg Area Public Library]
* [http://www.hollidaysburglibraryfriends.org Friends of the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library]