A new chapter begins at Frank Sarris Public Library
According to library director Peggy Tseng, the second floor atrium is a favorite quite space for library patrons, thanks to its abundance of windows and seclusion.
On the first floor of the library are the periodicals, complete with cozy chairs to read them.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Andreasik estate, the Frank Sarris Public Library was able to purchase new computer equipment for patrons.
Courtesy Frank Sarris Public Library
Courtesy Frank Sarris Public Library
There are plenty of activities for children and families at the library.
Peggy Tseng recalls that when she started her first job as director at Carnegie Library in Homestead in 2003, the library’s logo was “More than books.” She brought that sensibility with her when she began her duties as library director at Frank Sarris Public Library in Canonsburg in 2012.
“Libraries have so much more to offer now,” Tseng says. “I have seen so many of them go from the ‘hush hush library’ to real community centers.”
And Frank Sarris Public Library is certainly among them.
One of Tseng’s favorite aspects of the library is the children’s department, which she says is “the best in Western Pennsylvania.” It is very spacious with a play area stocked with educational toys and materials to explore and has comfortable seating for parents to watch their children. The story time room is complete with a sink and wash-up area, which is important when the children are doing crafts, and it also has a child-sized bathroom. She touts the many activities at the library which, depending on the month, could total 10 a week. Popular 2017 children’s activities included Little Picassos, Story Time, Wiggles and Giggles, Baby Bookworms, Spanish Story Hour and Literacy Night. All together, these children’s activities drew more than 7,000 attendees to the library in 2017.
On a recent afternoon, librarians were busy helping patrons at the circulation desk.
Despite those impressive activity numbers, Tseng says it’s still book circulation that drives the library. “About 90 percent of our visitors come for books, audio books, DVDs or educational tools and kits. But, they’re doing other things when they are here, such as attending children’s story times, reading newspapers, using computers or chit-chatting with friends.”
When pressed to describe the average visitor, Tseng responds, “The majority of our visitors are female, and I would say it is primarily women with children. But, we also have many people come to the library who are 50 or older.”
Frank Sarris Public Library has approached the nationwide issue of attracting teen-agers by forming “a very successful and very vibrant teen advisory board two years ago,” Tseng says. “The board is made up of community-minded middle and high school students from our service area who plan events for their communities. They meet every single month and decide what kind of events they want to plan for the library. There are book discussions and a writer’s club, too. And they are also a service group that has put together book bags for the Literacy Council of Southwestern PA and volunteered with the City Mission.”
A recent exhibition titled “Water … Can Science Save It?” in the Athena Sarris Gallery on the second floor featured artwork from Canon-McMillan Senior High School students, in partnership with the Chartiers Creek Watershed Association.
With a $520,000 annual budget (2018), the three full-time and 12 part-time staffers prepare dozens of activities each month and update the library constantly. The staff also ensures that those who can’t visit the library regularly are also served with weekly pre-school visits, as well as frequent visits to Head Start programs, nursery schools and nursing homes.
The library is committed to providing various community events throughout the year, such as a Valentine’s Day Gala, a Halloween Bash, Breakfast with Santa, vendor and art shows, as well as being part of North Strabane Township Community Day and the Cecil Fall Festival. There are also weekly family story times and scheduled events nearly every Saturday. The Frank Sarris Public Library serves Canonsburg, North Strabane Township and Cecil Township, including Southpointe.
The children’s section of the Frank Sarris Public Library features educational activities.
Looking forward, the newest addition to the children’s department offerings is MadCap Mondays – an after school activity for grades 2-8. Another new program coming in March is Escape Room Adventures on two Saturdays – one geared towards families with elementary aged students on March 3 and one geared towards those ages 12 and up on March 24. And a Bigfoot Fest is scheduled on April 14.
Tseng, whose previous experience at libraries includes district consultant/administrator in Westmoreland and Fayette Counties and library system administrator in Butler County, is especially proud of two recent developments at Frank Sarris Public Library. “The construction of a new entrance through the parking lot that was completed last February has been very well received,” she says. “Visitors love the easy access from our lot that includes 76 parking spaces, lights and security cameras. And we recently purchased and installed 18 new patron computers,” she notes.
Both are positive page-turners in a new era of libraries that has transformed them into valid and vibrant community centers as well.