HISTORY

Mount Carmel Public Library

A comparatively new venture in Mount Carmel was the establishment of a Public Library by the Woman's Club. The old City Hall at the northern end of Oak Street was, donated by Borough council and: after complete renovation, the building was dedicated on December 6, 1961. Although small in size, it filled a long-felt cultural need in the community.

STARTED IN 1949

The library movement began in 1949 with the formation of a Public Library Committee. A sum of $25 each was turned over to the committee by the Woman's Club, the" Lions Club and the Rotary Club. An additional sum of $434.96 was made available from a defunct Memorial Project Fund. The Committee failed to function, however, and within a few years passed out of existence.

          In 1956. Mrs. Joseph Moroz promoted a Tom Moorehead television show, In the High School auditorium which netted $350 for a library fund. With bank Interest, this. grew to $380.85 which was later turned over by Mrs. Moroz to the Woman's Club Library Committee.
          These small sums represented the total amount with which the Woman's Club reactivated the library movement In 1959.
          In the spring of that year, Mount Carmel Borough Council turned over the old City Hall at Avenue and Oak Street for use as library quarters. Renovation began in the fall and progressed gradually the last few years as money became available. Additional contributions were made from time to time by civic organizations, clubs and individuals. A book collection drive was started and met with generous response on the part of the public.
          The women of the club pursued , their drive relentlessly and acquired much -needed revenue by holding rummage sales, bake sales, flower shows and other activities. .
          A tag day was held Dec. 9, 1961 . by the Woman's Club with the help of the High School Band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Nearly $300 was collected for the benefit of the library. .

BUILDING RENOVATED

          The interior of the old City Hall was transformed into a compact, modern library, All new equipment and supplies were purchased and the books are neatly shelved and catalogued.
          The club women assisted with much of the renovating such as polishing and placing shelves, etc. An interior stairway was opened into the basement which contained valuable space for storage.
          Contractors were generous and considerate with the carpentry, electrical work and painting. The interior of the building was improved. The familiar red coat of the old City Hall gave way to shiny white paint. The wooden porch was replaced with brick and a wrought iron railing and a metal canopy formed the entrance.

NEARLY 3,500 VOLUMES

Approximately 3,500 books lined the shelves.

STAFFED BY WOMEN

Staffed by members of the Woman's Club with three competent librarians serving; as technical advisors. They were Miss Martha Johnson, Mrs. John Kanezo and Miss Edna Olshefski.
Following the dedication on Dec. 6, 1961 the library was open for public inspection. Registration of members was held from Dec. 8 through Dec. 13. Actual circulation of books began on
Dec. 15, 1961.

          On December 6, 1961 the first public library was dedicated at Avenue and Oak Street, (located in the former City Hall). The culmination of this occasion was due to the long-time ambition, dedication and perseverance of the members of the Mount Carmel Women's Club.
          From this modest beginning, the library has grown through the last 4 decades, to its present status as one of the cultural landmarks of the area. In 1961 the library consisted of approximately 500 donated books; but in the summer of 1966 as the needs of the community were overwhelming the facilities of the original building, the library was moved to the southeast comer
of Second and Maple Streets. By 1972 the library had expanded to 15,000 volumes. It was on November 29th of that same year (1972) that the public was informed that the library would be moving to spacious new quarters in the former Grossman Department Store at 30 South Oak
Street.
          This move was made possible by the philanthropy of Mr. Joseph A. Palumbo and Mr. William Grossman and families. The "new" library was formally dedicated by President Judge Michael Kivko on Tuesday, October 9, 1973.
          On October 24, 1974 Mount Carmel Area School Board voted to contribute a yearly sum of $1.00 per pupil to the Mount Carmel Public Library. This then extended the libraries coverage area to include the Boroughs of Kulpmont, Marion Heights, and Centralia and the Township of Mount Carmel as well as the Borough of Mount Carmel.
          The library is also an excellent resource center for local history. Mount Carmel newspapers are preserved on micro-film for patrons use from January 7, 1888 to present day.