The Mountaineer Herald on 21 August 1954 brought us this article.
The Ebensburg Free Public Library is one of Ebensburg’s finest community associations. Strong and substantial, it stood in its own home on East High Street, a living tribute to those who founded it.
Miss Sarah Gallaher was among the first of these. After the dissolution of the YMCA Auxiliary, of which she was president, she appointed a committee to form a permanent library organization. Headed by Mrs. A.W. Evans, these were Miss Annie Beynon, Mrs. H.C. McWilliams, Mrs. Frank Bishop, Mrs. D.S. Rice, Mrs. C.E. Davis, Mrs. Fred Barker, Miss Nan Marguerite Davis and Miss Edith Jones. They met first on march 3, 1923.
Immediately after a public meeting was held, and public acceptance of the idea was promptly forthcoming. The Y Auxiliary contributed a room in the Y, the money in its treasury, and the furniture in its possession. Its former members formed the nucleus of the group.
Mrs. A.W. Evans became president of the Association, and has headed it for more than 31 years. Vice president was Miss Margaret Myers, who served in its capacity until her death in 1950. Secretary was Miss Helena Ivory, and treasurer, Miss Edith Jones.
The duly elected directors were Mrs. P.J. Little, Mrs. Robert Scanlan, Mrs. Webster Griffith, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. W. H. Smith, Mrs. J.W. Leech and Mrs Charles Hasson. By laws Committee was Mrs. Margaret Brooks, chairman; Mrs. Charles Troxell, Mrs. Philip Fenlon, Mrs. F.C. Jones, and Mrs. Hasson.
Mrs. Fenlon, Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Ivan J. McKendrick composed the Book Committee.
Ways and Means were under the direction of Mrs. F. C. Sharbaugh, Mrs. Victor Bergh, Miss Kathryn Young, Mrs. Troxell, Mrs. Harry Griest, Mrs. Clyde Gardner, Miss Eva Estep, Mrs. Gertrude E. Brady and Miss Olive Parrish.
The Library Committee consisted of Mrs. Bishop, Miss Nan Davis, Miss Edith Jones, Miss Beynon, Miss Agnes Wilkinson, Miss Florence Pruner, Miss Leah Sharbaugh, Miss Bernardine Kittell, Miss Margaret Little and Mrs. Sue Grimes.
The Library formally opened its doors in the Y building to the public on May 19, 1923, at a tea for several hundred guests. (In this year of high prices, 1954, it is interesting to note the refreshment bill for all these visitors amounted to $4.30.) There were 416 subscribers for the 1716 volumes of fiction, 126 volumes of non-fiction.
The Library grew fast. An estimated 23338 people passed through its doors between Mar 19 and June, 1923.
On June 28, 1923, Ebensburg, "home talent", in collaboration with the John B. Rogers Co. of Fostoria, Ohio, (producers of the Sesqui Pageant) rehearsed and presented a musical, "Springtime" in the Park Auditorium, realizing over 600 dollars divided between the Library and the Rogers Co.
Until Miss Edna Lehman was appointed Librarian in 1928, devoted volunteers from the Association kept the Library open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Miss Lehman is still the Librarian, conscientious, patient and serene as she waits on adult book-borrowers and the milling small fry who are the Library’s most constant callers. She has a wealth of information of town, state and national history, literature, current events, and is an interested and willing helper of all those seeking the knowledge hidden inside the books on the shelves, each of which is familiar to her. She’s ‘Edna’ to everyone, and she’s everyone’s friend. To many Ebensburgers she wears an invisible ‘star in her crown’ for friendly and welcoming serenity of the Library’s atmosphere.
In the complete record of the Association’s books we find the names of many ‘assistants’, all volunteers through the years, and list these. Besides those mentioned above they follow: Miss Emily Evans, Florence Pruner Dunegan, Dorothy Davis, Rhoda Davis, Bernardine Wilkinson, Louise Evans Jones, Sue Grimes, Mrs. Liewellyn Reese, Mrs. C.S. Evans, Mrs. Leo McKendrick, Betty James, Frances James, Mrs. David J. Thompson, and Winifred Jones. There are probably many more whose valued help was appreciated. Mr. And Mrs. Stanley Reese gave much valuable help in typing early cards and reports.
Gifts from the Y Auxiliary, interested citizens, and organizations, "Springtime," a block party, community fair, bazaars, teas, card parties financed these early years. In 1928 the Borough Council contributed a $600 allocation for rent of the Library Room, and presently appropriates $1000. The ‘Pay Shelf’ at 3 cents a day, overdue fines of 2 cents a day, donations and benefits also add to the association treasury. In the early years The Current Events Club, Federated, contributed money and interest. Mrs. Edna B. Gardner for many years has been a devoted treasurer. Through her foresight and the frugality and economy of the Association, the Library treasury is very sound.
In 1950 the down payment for the present home of the Library was made with $2800 legacy from the late Seward W. Jones. The former residence of the late Mr. And Mrs. Herschell Davis, it was purchased from Mr. Benton Edwards. The first floor houses a reading room, adult and juvenile book rooms, and an office and working quarters for Miss Lehman. Memorial books are placed on a special shelf. The former Library room in the Y fondly remembered by hundreds of Ebensburgers and visiting book-borrowers since 1923, is not headquarters for the Cambria County Historical Society. Capable Miss Lehman holds sway there, too, as curator on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Indicative of their unstinting interest and devotion to the continuity of the library is the tenure of officers of its Association. Mrs. A.W. Evans, its president for 31 years, was chairman of the original organization committee, and has never lost her enthusiasm in its welfare. The first vice-president, Miss Margaret Myers, continued in her office until her death when her niece, Mrs. Ursula Kimball, was elected to the office. Mrs. Fred McFadden and Mrs. Gardner have capably contributed their time for 20 years as secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Directors are Miss Sarah Gallaher, now serving in an honorary capacity; Miss Nan Davis, Mrs. W. H. Smith, Mrs. H.C. McWilliams, Mrs. Ferdinand K. Shields, Mrs. Oline Denny May and Mrs. Geo. M. Reade, Mrs. John Elder and Mrs. Ivan J. McKendrick head the Adult and Juvenile Book Committees and Mrs. A.A. Nelson is chairman of Ways and Means.
The association meets four times a year at a meeting open to the public. Not once in more than 31 years of existence has it failed to post a meeting notice and a report in the Mountaineer-Herald. (7 cents a copy in 1954)
Television has somewhat reduced the number of books circulated which reach a peak of 17,000 in 1950. Still more than 14,000 books a year are given by Miss Lehman to all who pass through the Library portals. They number over 1200, a good percentage of the area’s population.
Books are keys to wisdoms treasure;
Books are gates to lands of pleasure;
Books are paths that upward lead,
Books are friends. Come let us read.