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There was a lot going on for the Mifflin County Library in 1975.
First, the Mifflin County Library in Lewistown opened in its new building on North Wayne Street on this very day, March 9. Second, the Kish Branch Library opened in its new building in April.
Originally on the second floor of the Kishacoquillas Valley National Bank building, the Kish Branch moved to the Community Hall on Walnut Street where the library could be on street level.
According to a Sentinel article dated April 19, 1975, the branch had been closed for two weeks while it moved into "its larger, renovated facilities." Mrs. Neiner was the branch librarian and the library was brightly lit with wall-to-wall carpeting and had two sound-proof booths for playing records and for typing. Wow! A typewriter was available for public use just like we have public access computers for the internet today.
One more item of note, "the branch has almost doubled the amount of shelving space available for magazines and books." The former location must have been very small because I remember the old Kish Branch and it was tiny. Although, the first location above the bank was really a book nook, a library station, not a branch library. I wrote about it briefly in previous articles.
In the 1940s and 1950s, there were book stations all over the county. These stations didn't necessarily have the newest books. In fact, I'd be surprised if they did. The Kish Library above the bank was a station that then became a branch as library systems became more standardized, especially with state funds available.
Additionally, "the Union Township Supervisors provided all materials for the renovation" and "workers ... were under the direction of [the] Township Manager." We still have a good relationship with Union Township and we love our new library building on Penn Street.
In 1975, according to the article, Kish Branch offered children's story hours. We are in the process of planning children's activities at the Kish Branch now that our staffing issues have been resolved. Just keep checking our website or Facebook page for more information.
Currently, we offer Crafterday at the Kish Branch Library. Crafterday is a craft activity for adults. The next Crafterday is Saturday, March 23 and we will be needle felting with guest instructor Nikki Goss from Whispering Wood Farm. The cost for Crafterday is $5 to help offset the cost of materials and to secure your seat. The cost is non-refundable and benefits the Kish Branch Library.
We also offer two book groups at the Kish Branch Library for adult readers. Tuesday evening, March 19 and Wednesday afternoon March 20. The book discussed will be The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. Call either Kish or the Lewistown Library if you are interested and want more information or email kish@mifcolib.org.
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Susan Miriello is the Executive Director of the Mifflin County Library. Books recently added to the collection include: The Hollow Dead by Darcy Coates; The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry; and Finally His Bride by Jody Hedlund.