Words by Susie Kramer, Photos by Mariah Fisher
"A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life."
–Henry Ward Beecher
Let me take you on a tour of our beautifully renovated, updated, and beloved Ligonier Valley Library. Over the last several months, it closed its doors to all but the ‘Children’s Wing’ as improvements were made and its insides were transformed. When the new front doors glided open to the public on Monday, June 25th, no one quite expected what they found inside.
First, a bit of background… The history of this landmark dates back to 1930, when it began as a volunteer project of the Woman’s Club of Ligonier as a ‘Reading Circle’ in a hardware store. The price to belong was a donated book, and soon membership and their book collection grew rapidly. The next year the ‘Club Library’ moved its expanding collection to a rented room in the Naugle Building at 135 West Main Street, until the Ligonier Valley Library Association was formed, overseen by a board of trustees and chartered in 1946.
By 1966, the library had grown so rapidly in size and popularity that it became essential to relocate it, and Lt. General Richard K. Mellon and his wife adopted the library as a legacy project, donating land and funding the construction of this modern library, that was dedicated on July 12, 1968. THIS WEEKEND we’ll be celebrating this building’s 50th year! And we’ll marvel at the gorgeous renovation that was made possible by a large grant by the RK Mellon Foundation, as well as widespread community donations from over 400 individuals.
Let’s begin our tour…
The main entrance now has a small enclosure that was created between the two sets of glass sliding doors. Within this space, with its vaulted ceiling and abundant natural light, sits a small table and chairs and their famous 140-pound stegosaurus sculpture, nicknamed ‘Steggy’. Follow me now through the doors to the main attraction - the Circulation Desk.
It is a work of art, designed and executed by Ligonier’s own Paul Sirofchuck - architect, award-winning master of woodworking, and owner of the town’s oldest fine art store and gallery, Main Exhibit Gallery & Art Center. Paul always harvests his wood locally, and he chose to use cross-sections of 'burls' from Ligonier Valley trees to adorn the front of the desk. The desktop is crafted of a unique leathered granite. It’s beautiful to behold. The wood from the maple trees that were removed from the Ligonier Diamond during its renovation is still in the drying process, since its harvest was as recent as February of this year. Kiln-drying takes about three months, and once the wood is ready, Paul is planning to incorporate it with the cherry and walnut bases he's made to craft 10 different-sized tables, replacing all the existing ones in the library.
Notice the beautiful sculpture hung high above that stretches the length of the desk. Do you recognize it? The deep blue background paint makes it leap from the wall, and gives it new life. ‘The Vine Of Knowledge’, however, lived previously outside on the wall in the Library Garden, but was moved inside when the Children’s Wing was constructed in place of the garden in 2001. This was a memorial to Jennie King Mellon by sculptor Virgil Cantini. Each letter of the alphabet is placed on different colored enamel flowers, each with a name that begins with the letter it illuminates. The sundial in its center boasts a latin proverb, ‘Sol Splendit Omnibus’, which means ‘The Sun Shines For All.’
Move along with me to the left of the gorgeous circulation desk into a large open space that features an extensive fiction, non-fiction and media section. There’s plenty of new seating options here, including several modern plush chairs with swivel tables that face a large window. The Library Re-Readables used bookstore has been relocated to this area as well. Here you’ll also find two new touch-screen OPACs (Online Public Access Catalogues) where you can access your account and check the stock of items in this library or others in their extensive ‘‘shareable network", called POLARIS, that links all of the public libraries in Westmoreland County.
Walk a little further, past the new bookshelves and display case of sparkling Geodes and ‘Libraries Rock!’ sign, that highlights this year’s youth reading program and upcoming visit from The Geode Guy. You’re now entering The Diamond Room, the jewel of this renovation. Its floor to ceiling windows provide an unobstructed view of the center of town. Its decor and furnishings, chosen by George Conte of local interior design firm Conte Design, are absolutely luxurious. Magazines and newspapers are housed here, and its intention is to keep this room as quiet as possible, to provide patrons with a respite from the bustling ‘no-shush’ main section.
As we pass back through the library to tour its opposite end, we meet Janet Hudson, who’s been Director of this Library since 1977. We rave about the library’s gorgeous transformation. “Yes! Conte Design added contemporary features in a traditional building, and it really works,” she says. In planning its design and improvements, Hudson says they were “thinking for the next fifty years.” They needed to make changes that would suit the evolving needs of a new generation of library patrons. Hudson calls them ‘coffee shop clientel’ - those that arrive with laptops seeking a quiet place to use WiFi. They noticed that these patrons were struggling to make themselves comfortable as extension cords that were needed stretched across the aisles. The traditional floor layout was no longer accomodating.
In addition to this shift in patrons’ needs, there was also a financial strain caused by some infrastructure problems. Energy efficiency was not a top priority in the 1960s, so it had become very expensive to heat and cool the building. After September 11, 2001, there was a ‘budget crisis’, as state funding started to swing in other directions. Funding to libraries was gradually cut down from $100,000/year to approximately $40,000. The library simply could not afford to lose money due to energy inefficiency. It's also grown a lot in the past several years, so space was an issue. The recent improvements include not only an expansion and modernization, but a new HVAC system, new LED lighting and security systems as well.
The modernized layout of the library enhances its ‘bridge collection’ of materials, allowing for a logical progression of books and media for ages 1 to 100. Come with me to the Children’s Wing on the far end of the library. According to Janet Hudson, “a lifelong love of learning starts early.” With its picture and story books, toy table, AWE computers for Pre-K and Elementary online learning, and helpful, smiling librarian Bobbi McDowell, this library has fostered a welcome environment for children to enjoy. As you leave this area, look up! The story tapestry that hangs high over the Children’s Wing is about as old as the building itself. It was a gift in the early 1970’s from Barbara Mannion, a volunteer on the Library’s Arts Committee who crafted the textiles as her final project before receiving her Masters of Art Degree.
Notice the newly added LEGO Wall (this photo by quick cellphone snap), built by Ligonier native Chuck Baith, that’s getting a lot of use! This is a great transition into the Young Adult section (ages 5th grade through teen years), featuring double and single ‘Pods’ - enclosed seating areas with electrical outlets and USB ports, allowing for quiet and privacy. Some of the seating features an underfoot storage space for backpacks. Look to your right and notice their ADA-compatible OPAC computer here.
Defining this ‘Young Adult’ section was an important focus in this renovation. The circulation statistics are strong, showing that kids are still checking out books through their teen years, but program attendance is weak. They hope to solve this problem with the addition of the ‘Smart Room’. It’s a flexible multipurpose room that can accomodate groups - from school programs to small-group meetings. All the furniture can be moved with the exception of the two computers. Surfaces can be easily cleaned after messy art projects. A large white board stretches across one wall, and soon there will be a big-screen TV on another to enhance presentations. This space can be reserved by any outside organization, and it is free for nonprofit groups. When it’s not being used for a scheduled group, its doors are kept wide open for patrons’ use.
There’s a door that leads from the Smart Room out onto the beautiful new gated, carefully furnished patio. This space is open to the public! Anyone is welcome to bring their food, beverages and a good book and may enter the patio from inside the library.
Now that the renovation is complete, Hudson says they can focus more on their programming and staff. Their programs, which must meet PA standards for early childhood education, focus on early literacy and school readiness, and they are conscious about adding STEAM elements. They are hoping to hire a part-time Youth Librarian and a full-time Children’s Librarian in the near future, and will work to expand their programming to reach out to youth of all ages.
There are also plans to double the size of the Pennsylvania Room, located on the lower level, which houses archives of references on relevant figures and events in our local and national history, as well as over 10,000 historical photographs. Since 2003, the Library has been holding a yearly themed photo show of their historic photography collection (most of which has been donated by local residents), on topics ranging from one-room school houses in the area to local WWI Veterans. Come visit the knowledgeable librarian Shirley Iscrupe and browse their extensive collection!
With the overhaul of one of Ligonier’s most valued community resources, Janet Hudson says, “I want to create a destination for people." The beautiful, thoughtful transformation of the Ligonier Valley Library has definitely accomplished that goal. **Please join them THIS SUNDAY, July 15th from 2pm - 4pm to celebrate the building's 50th Anniversary!** The program will begin with brief introductory speeches by Ralph Bennett and Janet Hudson. Steve Haberman, comedy magician extraordinaire, will entertain the kids at 2:45! And, of course, there will be birthday cake, courtesy of Ligonier Giant Eagle.
The Ligonier Valley Library is a place of importance - a longstanding rock at the heart of our town. Please continue your support of our wonderful library!
"It isn't just a library. It's a spaceship that will take you to the farthest reaches of the universe, a time machine that will take you to the far past and the far future, a teacher that knows more than any human being, a friend that will amuse you and console you, and most of all, a gateway, to a better and happier and more useful life." -- Isaac Asimov.
