Summerville Public Library
114 Second Avenue
Summerville, PA 15864
Phone and Fax:814-856-3169
sulibrary@usachoice.net
The Summerville Library was created in 1932 by 14 women who wanted to enrich the community. They formed the Library Club to sponsor the library, joined Federation of Women's Clubs in 1933, found an empty cupboard in the corridor of the High School, and began collecting books. This was a time of depression, money was scarce, so good books were donated or purchased in small numbers. Eventually the library outgrew the cupboard and moved to an empty classroom. Teachers and students volunteered as staff, and this tiny library served school and public for sixteen years.
In 1949, John S Carrier donated a small building, a former shoe shop, to the Library Club. The ladies moved the building closer to the school, lined it with shelves and moved the books into it. Now the library was more accessible to the public, yet close enough for classes to visit. This library though small, had a fine collection of classics, adequate reference, and many current novels.
Once again the library grew out of its home; this time, in 1970 it was moved to the second floor of the former school, now the Civic Center. The library became a member of the Pennsylvania State Library System, with a Board of Trustees , with PUBLIC added to its name, and with funding from the Jefferson County Library System and State Aid. The library added a much-needed children's room, aquired a photo-copier, subscribed to the McNaughton plan for current books, and became an active participant of the Jefferson County Library System and District Center, first Clarion, now Oil City. Two of the staff were State Certified through State workshops. However, this site had one drawback--the stairs, not being handicapped accessible.
In 1986 when the Civic Center was being renovated two first floor rooms were made available for the library and a ramp added to the back of the building. Once again volunteers built and painted shelves, moved books, and constructed the beautiful library enjoyed today.
On January 1, 2004, the library was closed and the building was subsequently sold on January 25, 2004. Summerville Borough gave the library the former borough office, meeting room and garage. This addition was built on to the Civic Center by the borough for the Summerville Volunteer Fire Company in the 1970s and when the fire company moved to its present quarters the garage was renovated to house the council offices,meeting room and equipment garage.
The Summerville Public moved into their new building at 114 Second Ave. during the July 2007th community day celebration.
Over the years the library has been financed to a great extent by donations and memorials and has been staffed by volunteers. This is our gift to the community for recreation and education.