History of the Library
Vandergrift Public Library was founded in 1901 with a grant from
George G. McMurtry who matched funds raised by the citizens. List of
librarians and other facts are listed as follows:
First librarian was Miss Edith M. Bell
1912-1936 Miss Jennie MacKenzie
Addition to building in 1927 provided for library enlargement
Next two librarians (no dates available) were:
Miss Rose McCandless
Miss Estelle M. Slaven
1945-October 13, 1961 Miss Helen E. King who later married Carl
Hickey became the librarian. She had been affiliated with the
library since 1938.
Advent of television in 1950 caused a drop in enrollment at the
library. Circulation in 1949 was 23,613 books. In 1954 it was
16,701.
Assistants under Miss King (Mrs. Hickey) were Donetta Reichenbaugh
in 1953, Gladys Beatty in 1954, and Mrs. Mary Ellen Connor from
1955-1961.
October 26, 1954 Library collection was 10,000 volumes
Suddenly the book distribution figure shot back to pre-television
figure. In 1960 the circulation was 21,623.
October 16, 1961-1969 Mrs. Mary Ellen Connor became librarian and
Mrs. Mary Belle Marley was assistant librarian.
1969-1993 Mrs. Mary Belle Strawn (Marley) became librarian.
Assistant was Miss Ann Waros and Volunteer Aide was Miss Mildred
Shoop.
April 1970 Carmel Giunta became Children's Librarian and Assistant
Librarian.
November 1970 Space formally occupied by Vandergrift American
Legion Post was converted into the Children's Library.
1970 Library collection was 12,000 volumes.
1973 Thelma Orr was assistant librarian.
1975 Adult Reading Room was added to the library.
1979 Library collection was 16,000 volumes.
1984 Circulation was 25,959
1993 Joan Iagnemma became assistant librarian.
1994 Joan Iagnemma became Librarian with Carmel Giunta as
Children's Librarian and Cathy Venturini and Terry Tometsko as
assistant librarians.
1995 Circulation was 16,367
1996 Library collection is 18,000 volumes
September 1, 1996 Internet was added for patron use free of charge.
Presently Joan Iagnemma is Librarian, Carmel Giunta is Children's
Librarian and Terry Tometsko is Assistant Librarian.