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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the delays and lack of progress in getting a new library building started. There'd be one step forward and two steps back. In reading articles from the Sentinel published in 1970, it seems that no one wanted to be financially responsible for the library building. This in turn created lots of ongoing drama. And even though the Lewistown Jaycees offered financial support, no progress was made. The Jaycees, or Junior Chamber, is a worldwide community of young active people aged 18-40. The goal is to provide leadership training through community service.
I found articles from 1971 regarding the B. G. Building on Electric Avenue. In addition to the fact that the building is outside of the downtown area, the main reason the building was vetoed was the fact that it wasn't "built to carry the extremely heavy weight of library stacks" (Sentinel dated Oct. 30, 1971).
In May of 1972, things sort of turned nasty. In an article titled, "Crushing Blow," the Commissioners at the time wanted to have a capital fund drive as a way to raise the funds to build the new library. According to them, their request to have a capital campaign was denied by the United Community Fund (UCF). Back in the day, and this continues to apply today, United Way agencies cannot compete with United Way by having a fund drive during the United Way Campaign. But, according to the article (May 1, 1972), the Commissioners claim that "at least one individual member of the United Community Fund committee referred to them as 'gutless' for not raising the millage rate for library purposes" in 1968.
The UCF wrote a rebuttal (May 2, 1972). They admitted that they denied the request, but defended their decision, saying that "the Commissioners are not a member agency." Which to me means, the Commissioners do not need the approval of UCF.
By the end of the week, the Association of Mifflin County Educators (AMCE) as well as the Jaycees, the Burnham Lions and the Penn Highlands German Club made public pledges to help fund a new library building. The Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce publicly asked for a meeting to "attempt to obtain a positive solution" to the library problem.
Everyone seemed to be frustrated by the constant discussion and lack of progress. But to me, 50 years later, this pooling together of community agencies seemed to be just what we needed to make the new building a reality. An architect and a professional estimator were hired in September 1972.
The library was awarded 80% of $525,000. The money is from an application filed with the Economic Development Authority. Just who filed for the grant is not written in the article dated Oct. 9, 1972. The article states that 20% of the cost "would have to be produced locally."
The 20% amounted to $105,000. Part of this came from the sale of the old library building ($53,000). Part came from gifts or donations. And part came from a loan of $39,000.
The drama wasn't quite over, but at least we started moving in the right direction.
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Susan Miriello is the Executive Director of the Mifflin County Library. New books added to the collection include: 44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber and Upside Down by Danielle Steel.