HISTORY

On March 31, 1967, the executive board of the new Friends met at the 
home of President Jo Hook Ruse to organize and plan for the future. They 
were functioning when the new building opened in 1970. Since then the Friends 
have promoted library usage with special programs and services of many 
different kinds, for both adults and children, but including a special emphasis 
on reading by children. In this, they continue to carry out the service to the 
young people set forth by the founder of the first "reading room," 
the Women's Civic League, in 1912.

Through the years the Friends of the Library have raised thousands of dollars 
annually for the purchase of new books, equipment and supplies much of which 
could not have been obtained in any other way. The climax for years of hard work 
and dedication came in 1986, when the Friends received an Award of Merit from 
the Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries as the "best community library 
support group" in the state. The award was won in open competition with 
libraries throughout Pennsylvania, including metropolitan areas.

The Friends have taken advantage of the freely offered talents and creativity 
of the many area people who offer their services at little or no cost. 
(Frequently, if payment is refused, the Friends will donated a book to the 
library in the provider's name.) They have also worked with other local 
institutions such as Penn State Fayette Campus in cooperative ventures. 
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, students and other volunteers have helped.

Programs have included Art Club exhibits, the Great Books Series, 
noontime book reviews, Spanish lessons, Nationality Day (ethnic groups) and 
Black History Month, cooking demonstrations, style shows, local historians, 
author's workshops and book signings, sing-a-longs, musical performances 
by students, antique information, a slide show and video of local history 
and a historic drama held in the courthouse.

Special guests have included

• Poet Samuel Hazo 
• International newspaper writers
  George Esper and Bob Dvorchak (both county natives)
• Children's author Pat Harrison Easton
• Craig Eisendrath of the Pennsylvania Humanities 
  Council with two grant workshops

When Gov. Casey came to Uniontown for his "Capital for a Day" program, 
the Friends hosted a luncheon for his wife Ellen (on 24 hours notice).
The Friends sponsored publication of "Our Uniontown," a brief history written 
by the late Jean Brownfield and illustrated by Elinor Molnar. They received 
nationwide acclaim for publication of an index of the 16 volumes of the 
Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, undertaken by one of its members, 
the late Dr. Mary Dunn. This was the first time this huge task had ever 
been undertaken; the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission 
accepted a copy with thanks and praise.

Each summer, children flock to the library for special programs geared 
to 3 and 5 and 6 to 12 year olds. All children are accepted, whatever their 
residence, for a mixture of fun and a gentle push toward more reading, enjoying 
story telling, music, crafts, etc. (This year's theme is "When I Grow Up.")

Special guests in the past have included Mr. McFreely from the 
Mr. Rogers PBS television program, puppeteers, Winnie the Pooh, 
Jack in the Beanstalk, goats, sheep and horses from county farms, 
cowboys and real live Indians, jugglers, clowns, magicians, city firemen 
(with truck) and even star gazing scientists.

The Scholastic Book Fair inaugurated last year will continue, with children 
to be rewarded (at the expense of the Friends) with a free book for reading 
a certain number of books during the summer.

The perpetual used book sale which has raised so much money for 
the cause will continue from its own niche in the new library.

The Friends have comparatively few male members but no prejudice exits 
against them--all are welcome. There are about 350 members, who enroll 
during an annual campaign.

There are 23 executive board members: 

• Rita Peters, President
• Natalie Hunter, Vice-President
• Retta Semans, Secretary
• Lynn Wagner, Treasurer
  Valerie Bacharach, Shantha Balu, Barati Popat, 
  Claire Standish, Loretta L'Atrelli, Retta Semans, 
  Norma Rosso, Ann MacLaughlin, Joanne John,
  Polly Storey, Diana Black, Marilyn Fitzsimmons, 
  Ann Hoppe, Nancy Jenkins, Doris Stone, 
  Lois Monahan, Sally Miller, Ann Kelton and 
  Kay Carr, Library Board Representative

Past presidents of the Friends have been

• Betty Barasch
• Rosella Carolla
• Marion Chambers
• Jerry DeAngelo
• Dr. Mary Dunn
• Nancy Jenkins
• Neil Mancini
• Ruth Miller
• Ruth Monaghan
• Natalie Hunter
• Mrs. Vincent Ross
• Jo Hook Ruse
• Polly Storey