(JOHNSTOWN, PA.) – The Cambria County Library will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their Main Street location with a series of special events and fundraisers throughout August and September. The library’s David A. Glosser building, dedicated in October, 1971, is home to three floors of materials and services, including public computers, a children’s play area, genealogy resources and over 127,000 print and digital items. The library serves over 17,000 registered users in Cambria County.
As the Trustees and Administration aim to position the library for the future, a Next Chapter Capital Campaign has been launched to fund the completion of several structural and modernization projects. While the library’s spaces and technology have evolved over the years to meet the needs of its patrons, it has not undergone any major interior or exterior renovations since the addition of a third floor in 1984. Several of the building’s critical components—including the HVAC and sewer systems—are well past the end of their life span. “The way we’re using the library has changed a lot over the past 50 years, and we’re ready for our space to reflect current and upcoming needs of our community,” explained Ashley Flynn, Library Director.
The Next Chapter Campaign goal of $70,000 will help to launch several essential projects. To further increase the impact of the campaign, funds raised through October, 2021 will be used to apply for a Keystone Grant through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The grant, which helps libraries address large capital projects, will provide a one-to-one match of funds raised through corporate and private donations to the campaign. “The Keystone Grant gives us the opportunity to leverage our local funds and effectively double the impact of the campaign. We truly appreciate the generosity of our community, and we want to make those donations go as far as possible,” Flynn noted.
The library will be hosting a variety of events through September, with opportunities for the community to learn more about its upcoming projects, or participate in various fundraisers, with proceeds benefiting the capital campaign.
- Through August 16, the library will be taking preorders for a menu of pies and baked items from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown, PA. Items include a selection of their famous 9” pies as well as specialty items such as cinnamon rolls, pumpkin rolls and a variety pack of 4” pies. Prices range from $7 to $10. The pick-up date for the pie sale will be Thursday, August 26 from 12 to 7 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. Orders must be prepaid and can be placed online at https:bit.ly/LibraryPieSale or at the library circulation desk. Groups or Businesses interested in placing a bulk order for 10 or more items can arrange for local delivery. Contact the library at (814) 536-5131 x209 for more information.
- A Library Open House will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 19. The community is invited to visit the library for a sneak peek of some of the planned modernization projects, including new meeting spaces, parent/child workstations, and façade and landscaping improvements that will create patio space for patron use and outdoor library programs. Cookies and light refreshments will be served.
- On Saturday, August 28, Richard Burkert of the Johnstown Area Heritage Association will lead the Smalltown MobWalk, a walking tour highlighting the vitality of downtown Johnstown in the 1950s and 60s. The tour will include nostalgic accounts provided by Frank Filia, and historical references to the Russell Shorto book, Smalltime. The MobWalk will begin at the library and include stops along Main, Franklin, and Vine Streets. One-hour tours will begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Participants will enjoy light refreshments at the library following the tour. In the event of rain, the walks will take place on September 11. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 6 at the library circulation desk and online at cclsys.org/cambria.
- To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the David A. Glosser building, the library will host That 70s Night on Friday, September 24 at the Holiday Inn in downtown Johnstown. The retro-themed party will include a dinner, open bar, and special vinyl-only 70s music by DJs Allsortz & Poptone. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, August 19 at the library’s Open House.
For more information about the library’s current and future projects or to make a donation to the Next Chapter Capital Campaign, visit cclsys.org/cambria-nextchapter.