History of Youngsville
Public Library, part 1
As the Youngsville Public Library begins its 75th Anniversary Celebration and its 2010 Giving Campaign, the YPL Library Board wants to share with the community the interesting history of the local library and the names of the many people of days-gone-by who helped make the Youngsville Public Library possible. Much of the history comes from the notes and pictures gathered by Chuck Engstrom, Youngsville historian.
Article Photos
First Library building
This photo of the old Post Office (where Northwest Savings Bank is now located) used to house the RL Mead Drug Store in 1935. The Youngsville Library was located in the back of the Mead Drug Store and consisted of 50 books located on a single shelf.
The Youngsville Public Library was first organized and opened to the public the week of April 3, 1935, by the members of the Business and Professional Women's Group of Youngsville. Mr. Robert Mead, owner of the Rexall Drug Store, (where the Northwest Saving Bank is now doing business) consented to house the library in the back of his store. His daughter, Miss Mildred Mead, was the librarian, and books could be borrowed during regular store business hours from this single shelf library. Books were lent out for a period of one week free of charge, and books kept over that were subject to a 2 cent per day fine. Children over the age of 12 were allowed to take out books.
The library started with 50 books which were loaned from the State Lending Library. At the end of six months, these books were returned to the state and 50 more were sent. To increase the number of books, people were asked to donate their used books, known as "attic books". A list of the books and their donors was published weekly in the Youngsville Courier.
In January, 1936, there were 400 books on the shelves of the library, and 2,036 had been loaned out. From 1936 through 1938, more and more books came in and they soon outgrew the single shelf in Mr. Mead's drug store. A new location was sought and on November 2, 1939, the library moved across the street on the first floor of the National Bank building (where PNC was located until 2009). The space was free and the heat and electricity were paid for by the Boy Scouts, who also used those rooms. Miss Olson was the librarian and volunteer workers from the community assisted because of lack of funds. The salary for the librarian was paid for by N.T. 4A Funds and the members of the WPA helped to move the library across the street.
At first, the library was open Monday and Wednesday, 3 to 5 p.m., and Saturday afternoons. Later that year, the library was open Saturdays from 7-9 p.m. and every afternoon except Tuesday and holidays. In the next four years the collection increased to 750 books and the library was still receiving 50 books from the State Lending Library every six months. In its first four years, the library had loaned out 16,755 books.
ROY Meeting Tuesday
The monthly general meeting of the Revitalization Of Youngsville Association will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 13 at the Youngsville Public Library. All are welcome. It is an open meeting. General meetings are a time when all the ROY committees report on the activities they are working on. The four main committees are Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, and Organization. At this month's meeting the Executive Director of the Warren County Visitor's Bureau Mike Olewine will be speaking, as well as Suzanne Gagliardo, Manager of Community Development Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, who says she would like to "start working with Youngsville regarding the Route 6 and the Heritage Community plan." Since ROY has several committees and sub-committees, their committee meetings are held at various times during the day and evenings depending on the committee members decisions. Call Organization VP Helga Laibacher 563-4959 for information.
R.O.Y. Minutes
The minutes of the Revitalization Of Youngsville March meeting are as follows. Sonia Probst led the meeting and stated that the purpose for the meeting was to hear committee reports and talk about the Streetscape work plan. The Secretary's report for February 9, 2010 was looked over. It was approved and placed on file. The Treasure's report was looked over. It was approved and placed on file.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PROMOTION COMMITTEE:
YABA Community Yard Sale Days will be July 22nd thru 24th, The Youngsville Children's Theater will be July 19th thru 24th. Sleeping Beauty workshop begins July 19th with Barb Luce who is in charge. The Youngsville A-amazing Corn Festival is August 20th thru 22nd. A lot of good things happening for this upcoming event. Tentatively the second annual golf scramble will be held in September. The Haunted Museum will be held October 22 and the Hometown Christmas will be December 4th. Sonia reminded us to put these dates on our calendars.
Cline Adams gave a brief report of what has been discussed at the Corn Festival meetings and they thought maybe we should allow other people to sell drinks only if they had a permit which would cost $25.00 and may raise the retail fees by $10.00. More discussion needs to be done about these issues and they will get back with us. Cline also informed us that his new business will open on April 15th and it will be known as CJ Chuck Wagon. Mugs will closed at 3 p.m. and Cline will reopen his doors at 4 p.m.
DESIGN:
Joanne Oviatt spoke briefly about the Wilder Museum and the big problem that they are having with the windows. It is a major cost and there is money out there to help them. As for the streetscape, there is a lot going on right now. EG&G has 3 months to prepare and 3 months for bids. They have 3 months for construction and they would start in late August. To date (March 9th) we were still short $32,000.00.
ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE:
Helga Laibacher reported that we have 72 individual and 35 businesses that have either renewed or started a new membership/sponsorship. There will be a rummage sale held April 30th and May 1st. Proceeds will go to the ROY Association for Youngsville improvements. Some of the fundraising ideas that came about were a Mother's Day Basket and Sauerkraut Dinner which would be held at the end of the month. More information to come after discussion of these ideas. Helga also informed us that Layton Swanson is the new manager for the Tops store.
ASSET ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE:
Terry Williams announced as soon as the borough's website is up and running that it would include all information. There is a company in Warren that is doing the building part of the website and Sonia stated that Ken Quinn is still interested in doing the Handicap Assessable issues.
ANNOUCEMENTS:
There was no new business.
It was announced that Kathy Reitinger, Regional Main Street Coordinator has been in contact with Tops to let them know that there are two buyers who would be interested in buying them if they decided to close the store.
Coming in June will be the Relay for Life and that is to help raise money for the Cancer Research and if anyone is interested in walking with our Youngsville team to let Barb Luce know at 563-4936.
Ellie Dunn reported that the Youngsville United Methodist will be celebrating there 100th dedication.
Next ROY meeting will be Tuesday April 13th, 2010 at 8:00AM at the Library.
Sonia thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting at 8:37AM.
Secretary Delores Stec.
Library Open House
Youngsville Library is celebrating 75 successful years on Tuesday, April 13th from Noon-7:30 pm with an Open House during National Library Week. Cookies, punch, and coffee will be served all day.
Stop in anytime for a "FREE" chance at guessing the total amount of coins in an old-fashioned jar. Guess correctly (or closest without going over) and win the money. Pin-the-tail on the Donkey and other "old-fashion" games with be available to play, winners of these games will receive a "gently-used" book to keep.
"FREE" chance tickets will be given to:
(1) Any county resident who presents their library card (in good standing)
(2) If you don't have a library card and are a county resident, just bring your photo ID with you
(3) Qualify your existing library card account to good standing status (by paying any fines/fees due)
The library staff hopes that you'll stop by, enjoy a treat, check out the Youngsville memorabilia, and take a Chance (in honor of those members of the Business and Professional Women's Group of Youngsville, who took a chance on starting a library for all Youngsville and county residents to use and enjoy).
Spring Cleanup
The Youngsville borough staff reminds residents that the Spring Clean Up is scheduled for April 10. Residents may bring articles that they wish to dispose of to the Borough Building Parking Lot, 40 Railroad Street from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ID is required. The minimum fees for a car load are $10.00 and a truck load $20.00. NO: tires, batteries, paint cans, propane tanks, or other hazardous materials. For information, call the borough office at 563-4604.
Fundraiser
Youngsville Fire Department will hold a spaghetti dinner Friday, April 23 to raise money to help pay for costs of the new building. The dinner will take place at 4:30 p.m. until sold out at the Fire Department, 29 Firemen Drive, Youngsville. Access the building from the back parking lot. Take outs are available.