The Freedom Public Library was opened Tuesday, January 24, 1939 by the Woman's Club of Freedom as the civic sponsor and the cooperating legal sponsor.
The idea of a free public library in Freedom originated with the Book Club, which was composed of members interested in literature. For two years the Book Club met regularly and its members purchased books for their "Dream Library." The following yea "reading circles" were formed throughout the club. Every member of the several reading circles purchased a book and the books were exchanged at intervals. It was with these books as a nucleus, that the library was started. Before the grand opening, Boy Scouts canvassed the community and collected additional books (both old and new) from individuals interested in starting the library.
The Department of Literature in the Woman's Club acted as the Working Library Board. Miss Gertrude M~ohr was Chairman; other members were Mrs. Charles Bentel, Miss Vesta Morgan, Miss Winifred Meehan, Miss Mary Schleiter (Mrs. Wayne S. Luce), and Miss Thalia Cunningham (Mrs. Homer P. Bock).
The Freedom Borough Council, at the April 1939 meeting, appointed the following citizens to serve as the Freedom Public Library Board:
Miss Gertrude Mohr - 3 years
Mrs. Marie Wylie - 3 years
Miss Winifred Meehan 3 years
Mr. George L. Werner 2 years
Miss Vesta Morgan - 2 years
Dr. John H. Boal - 1 year
Mr. Charles A. Bentel - 1 year
This Board held its first meeting in the Municipal Building and elected the following officers:
Miss Mohr - Chairman
Mr. Werner - Vice Chairman
Miss Meehan - Secretary
Miss Morgan - Treasurer
Miss Morgan resigned in June due to ill health. Mrs. W. Plumner Bell was appointed to replace her and was elected to fill the office of Treasurer.
The Board meetings were held monthly, bi-monthly, then back to monthly. No regular meetings were scheduled for July or August. The meetings have been held in the Municipal Building, Freedom Federal Savings & Loan Company offices (Third Avenue and Eighth Street), Werner Building, and for many years now in the Library rooms. Meetings were held as scheduled with few exceptions when cancellations were necessary due to floods, power strike and snow. 'The First Constitution and By-Laws were adopted by the Board in April 1939. Thirty-two years later - Novenber 1971 - the Board voted to join the Beaver County Federated Library System as a Charter Member. In 1974 they made a commitment to cooperate in the District Center Program, and in June 1978 they hosted the Library District meeting which was held in Freedom.
In the early months of the Library, Miss Gertrude Mohr acted as Supervisor and was assisted by members of the Woman's Club. When Miss Mohr took several weeks of vacation, the Board appointed Miss Emily Snead to act as Supervisor at a salary of $3.00 a week for nine hours. In September 1939, Estelle Gordon was elected the first full-time Librarian at the same salary and number of hours. Other Librarians who served during the forty years include Mrs. George House, Miss May Bell, Miss Pearl Kline, Mr. A. B. Banfield, Mrs. Elizabeth Allcorn, Mrs. Mary White and Mrs. Frances Ambrose - the present Librarian. These Librarians were assisted by Mrs. Russell Wood, Mrs. Joseph Lombar, Mrs. Paul M. Fletcher and Mrs. Alberta Morrison.
The Library has grown during these forty years from a lowly beginning - when only sixty books were on the shelves - to became an institution of which the Freedom area citizens can be proud. The latest report shows:
539 Registered Borrowers
11,233 Books
2,575 Non-Book Materials
42 Maps and Charts
365 Audio Visual Materials
Support has been received from the Freedom Borough Council, Senior
and Junior Women's Clubs, various civic groups, business establishments,
many individual citizens of the community, as well as County and
State aid through the Beaver County Federated Library System.
Hundreds of persons have enjoyed the books, magazines, cassette
tapes and records.
At their regular meting in December 1938, the Borough Council voted to provide space for the Library, rent free, in the Council roams. In due course a children's room, young adult room and reference room have been added. This space was formerly occupied by Council and the Borough Secretary. In addition, Council furnished the first table, chairs, bookshelves, cash donations, and also pays the Librarian's salary and utilities, except the telephone (installed in 1967).
In 1939 a wooden sign was placed on the Library door - made by Charlie Smith at a cost of seventy-five cents. This was subsequently replaced with a wooden sign - made by Bill "Snuffy" Smith - which was erected over the entrance. The present metal sign replaced the wooden one in 1971. In addition to the original furniture the following were added: bulletin board and magazine rack (made by Donald L. Casper); moveable book cart (made by Charlie Smith); typewriter, table, desk and chair; additional bookshelves; T.V. cable (installed free) for the black and white television; juvenile tables and chairs; and revolving magazine rack.
From the very beginning, various activities
have been sponsored by the Library. One of the first was a children's
Christmas treat in 1939 when 200 boxes of Zig Zag were distributed.
Story hours for children as well as activities for older children
were directed by Mrs. Russell Wood, Mrs. Joseph Lombar, and the
present Librarian, Mrs. Frances Anbrose. Book Week and National
Library Week have been observed annually in various ways including
displays of books in the Freedom Federal Savings & Loan windows,
rental bookshelves placed in the Corner Drug Store for the convenience
of the public (both located at Third Avenue and Eighth Street).
School students were encouraged to visit the Library. In 1961
- for National Library Week - a poster contest was held for sixth
grade students and prizes were awarded. In 1971 a School Art Poster
Contest was held for the elementary students and prizes were awarded
totaling $102.
During the years several anniversaries of the Library have been observed with Open House and a Tea. On June 13, 1955, a reception was held in the Library roams to honor Mrs. Charles A. Bentel, a member of the Working Library Board and Past President of the Woman Is Club, for the publication of her first book entitled, "Program for Christine." A Record Club for adults and children was started in 1974.
Board members were instrumental in securing funds-for the Library in the early years by holding monthly card parties in their homes, sponsoring theater parties at local theaters, and sponsoring paper drives in the community. Through the years the Library has been supported by monetary donations and various gifts including the following:
1. Cash contributions to the Library's Annual Fund Drives from business establisbments, organizations, and residents of the Freedom area.
2. Cash and books by the Senior Women's Club of Freedom
3. Book marks by Edwards Pharmacy and Freedom National Bank.
4. Cash for purchase of books by the Freedom Ministerium
5. Bookshelves, table, 16 mm movie projector and screen, adult stereo, record rack stand, and cash by the Junior Women's Club of the Freedom Area.
6. Books in honor and/or memory of individuals by relatives, organizations and friends.
7. Stereo for children by the Ernest Bilotto family.
8. Outdoor bulletin board by the First Presbyterian
Church - located beside the Century National Bank and Trust Company.
9. Drapes by Miss Mitzie Arbutina.
It is impossible in this brief history to record everything that has happened in these forty years, or mention for the continuing success of the Library. We do, however, present these achievements with pride for ourselves and the residents of the Freedom area. Much has been accomplished from the humble beginnings to the present Library. We can be rightfully proud ... but we must continue to work together to ensure the continued success and growth to keep the Freedom Public Library a viable, influencing force of our community.
The Committee thanks all those who helped in any way to make this History possible. We have recorded the facts as accurately as we could; if we have made any errors, please accept our apologies.
Ruth McAllister, Chairman
Wahneta Hough
Louise Dematteis
Rocco Bovalino
20-25 Years
*Miss Gertrude Mohr - C
*Miss Maude McBrier - VC
Mrs. Wahneta. Hough - S &T
11-20 Years
Mrs. Marie Wylie - VC & C
+ Mr. George L. Werner - VC
Miss Winifred Meehan - S
+* Rev. E. Victor Roland
*Mr. Lee B. Cain - T
Mrs. Donald L. Casper - VC & C
Mrs. Joseph P. Lanbar - S & C
Mr. Jack Kaufman - C
Mrs. J. Richard Fruth - S & VC
Mr . Lamont A. Rhodes - VC & C
Mrs. E. Fred Johnson
Mr. Harry R. Golletti - C & VC
Miss Lillie Acree
*Mr. Thomas H. Harrison,Sr.-C
l(or less)-ll Years
*Miss Vesta Morgan - T
*Dr. John H. Boal
*Mr. Charles A. Bentel
Mrs. W. P. Bell - T
Attorney Wayne S. Luce
*Mrs. John H. Boal - C
Mrs. Margaret Coene Goll -VC
*Mrs. George House - S & VC
*Mrs. William Whipple
*Mr. Sydney Balter
Mrs. James Fiorucci
Mrs. Charles F. Kryder
Mrs. James W. Smith
Mrs. Catherine Jones Sykes
*Miss Hazel Nannah
Mrs. Luella Love
Mr - Charles W. Inge - VC & C
Mr. Thomas Latham
Miss Barbara Burton
Rev. Arthur Stevens
Fr. Philip Freeland
Mr. Eugene Cercone - C
Miss Debbie DeCominicis
Mr. Dom LaSala
Mr. Eugene Caputo
Mr. Rocco Bovalino
Mrs. Robert L. Reich
Mrs. Raymond P. Stanley
Mr. Ernest V. Bilotto
Mr. Vincent J. Greco - C
Mr. Vincent C.-Wilson
Miss Anna M. Lorne
Mrs. Reid M. McAllister
Mrs. Robert M. Gibbs
11-20 Years
*Mrs. Elizabeth Allcorn
Mrs. Frances Ambrose
(Present Librarian & Board Secretary)
1(or less)-11 Years
Miss Emily Snead
Miss Estelle Gordon
*Mrs. George House
*Miss May Bell
*Miss Pearl Kline
*Mr. A. B. Banfield
Mrs. Mary White (Board Secretary)
* Deceased
+ Made Honorary Board Members at May 1955 Board Meeting
C - Chairman
VC - Vice Chairman
S - Secretary
T - Treasurer