How the Centre County library has evolved over its 80 years as a ‘gathering place’ and more
The Centre County Library and Historical Museum has transformed in its 80 years, but its response to change is what’s kept operations alive.
In her will, Anna Elmira Humes left her home to the Bellefonte borough in 1935, requesting it be converted into a library, if the community would support it financially.
The community, led by the Bellefonte Woman’s Club, did step up, and the county’s first free public library, located in the Miles-Potter-Humes House, opened its doors on Oct. 25, 1939 with a collection of 10,000 volumes of books. Today, the system is comprised of five locations — Centre County Library, a countywide book mobile, Holt Memorial Library, Centre Hall Area Branch Library and the Pennsylvania Room and Historical Museum.
“Each of our locations, including our book mobile, all have a different vibe to them,” said Denise Sticha, Centre County Library and Historical Museum executive director. “Considering that libraries have always been sort of like a community gathering place, they are very reflective of the communities in which they’re located.”
After the A&P Supermarket closed in 1973, the building was sold to the library. Separating from museum, the Bellefonte library moved to the other side of North Allegheny Street in 1977.
The library and historical museum kicked off a yearlong celebration of its 80th anniversary in Bellefonte with an event at the library on Oct. 24. Sticha said the event was full of “feel-good moments,” adding that everyone shared their favorite library experiences and acknowledged the library’s role in Centre County.
Still “a gathering place,” the library branches have expanded and changed over the years, but continue to offer traditional services like reading programs and community events. Adding computers and Wi-Fi to their resources, Sticha thinks these upgrades help the Centre County Library maintain its presence in the community.
“I do think there are people who still like to carry the books,” Sticha said. “But, I can say looking at our stats, our online resources and digital collections are probably the only part of our circulation that is increasing. We’re seeing a decline in both print and borrowing. With streaming, our DVD collections aren’t quire as in demand, but I think that’s OK.”
Open houses will be held throughout the year at the Holt Memorial Library in April and at the Centre Hall branch in July. To wrap up, a celebration will be held on Oct. 15 at the historical museum.
“We have to put a foot in both camps,” Sticha said. “We like to honor the past, live in the present and look forward to the future.”
This story was originally published January 1, 2020 at 3:24 AM.
