In 1932 three classic books were published for the first time: Brave New World, Little House in the Big Woods, and Cold Comfort Farm. It was also the year that Mt. Lebanon finally got a public library-a place where the community could not only borrow those books (and many more!), but have a welcoming place to gather, learn, and share.
This year, Mt. Lebanon Public Library celebrates its 90th anniversary with several special events spaced out over the year to commemorate each significant step that was taken towards a public library for the community.
The story begins in June 1932-two decades after the community of Mt. Lebanon was founded-when members of the local Lions Club proposed that space in the then two-year-old Municipal Building on Washington Road be dedicated to a public library. Backing the idea were many local groups, including the Woman’s Club of Mt. Lebanon, the American Legion, the School Board, and the PTA. Mt. Lebanon Commissioners accepted the proposal, and Mt. Lebanon Public Library was born. However, it would take several more months before the library was ready to throw open its doors.
In June, to commemorate the commissioners’ acceptance of the library proposal, Mt. Lebanon Public Library debuted its 90th Anniversary T-shirts. Two designs-a fox and an owl-are available in youth and adult sizes. Toddler sizes are available only with the fox design. Shirts are $15 each at the circulation desk. Christopher Leeper, graphic designer at Mt. Lebanon magazine, created the images. A limited number of owl and fox stickers will also be sold for $1. “We hope our patrons will support this fundraiser and proudly sport these shirts throughout this anniversary year and beyond,” says Library Director Robyn Vittek.
On Friday, July 8, Mt Lebanon Public Library will host a Buy Your Library a Book Day to mark the anniversary of the day in 1932 when local Boy Scouts canvassed the community asking for book donations for the new library. The 8,000-plus books that they collected that day served as the foundation of the new library. On Buy Your Library a Book Day, the public can stop at the library or go to www.mtlebanonlibrary.org and make a $25 donation toward the purchase of a new book for the library’s collection. Books can be given in honor or memory of someone special, but the library will choose the titles based on need. “Our goal is to get 90 new books during the one-day campaign,” says Vittek.
Throughout the summer and early fall of 1932, local carpenters and tradesmen created library shelving while members of the Women’s Club helped Katheryn Peoples, the first librarian, catalog the book donations. Finally, on November 15, 1932, the library was dedicated.
This year, on Tuesday, November 15-the 90th anniversary of the doors opening to the public-the library will host a 90th Anniversary Day with treats and give-a-ways. Judy Sutton, former Mt Lebanon Library children’s librarian and Heinz History Center volunteer, will present The History of Mt Lebanon Public Library, at 7pm that night. The talk, which is free and open to the public, will touch on the creation of the library and pivotal events, including expansion projects and the 1953 Red Scare, when a local woman charged the library of owning too many pro-communist books.
Ongoing events include special 1932-themed exhibits in the library’s display case (on the upper level near the reference desk) curated by Senior Library Assistant Marina Nielsen. These displays will change monthly through November. In addition, the Library’s November Annual Appeal will have a special goal of attracting 90 new donors this year.
“The library circulated 30,162 books in its first year of operation,” says Vittek. “Last year our total circulation- which includes e-books, CDs, DVDs, and more- was 668,672 items. We are so proud of the library’s continued growth and the ongoing support of our patrons and our entire community. This year we celebrate what we were, what we are, and what we will be.”