Timeline (1961-1963) for the Formation of Friends of the Library
Pre-1961
"The interest in a library was apparent almost from the founding of the Borough. Women's organizations appeared frequently to urge creation of a library." [Edwin F. Brennan, A History of Whitehall Borough and Its Government, p.30].
One of the most active was the Whitehall Century Club, an organization of women living in the Echo Glen/Country Club Drive area.
Library service was provided by the Carnegie Library's bookmobile. It was used heavily. By 1961, annual circulation was more than 44,000, the second largest in the County, exceeded only by Monroeville.
March 14, 1961
The Whitehall Century Club received advice from Carnegie Library Assistant Director Keith Doms regarding PA laws for establishing and maintaining a library (see Carnegie Library advice letter).
June 14, 1961
The PA Library Code, which governs the establishment, maintenance and operation of public libraries in the Commonwealth, was adopted. It applies in particular to libraries, such as Whitehall Public Library, which were established after this date.
Mid-1961 (Exact date missing)
Whitehall Century Club President Mrs. Raymond E. Schmid and Library Committee Chairman Mrs. Drew M. (Lee) Johnston wrote to Borough Council suggesting a meeting with various community organizations regarding establishment of a library (see Letter to Borough Council). They offered to contact every civic and women's organization in Whitehall inviting them to be represented at the meeting. List of organizations identifies the organizations to be contacted.
July 17, 1961
A special meeting of Whitehall Borough Council regarding establishment of a library was held. Apparently a Steering Committee, chaired by Ed Brennan, was formed.
August 4, 1961
An important meeting of the Steering Committee was held, with Ed Brennan as chairman and Lee Johnston as Acting Secretary. See 1961 Steering Committee minutes.
Carnegie Library Director Keith Doms advised on the methods of establishing and maintaining the library. Regarding the need for a library, he reported that Whitehall residents were borrowing books from the bookmobile at the rate of 44,000 per year, the second highest in the County, exceeded only by Monroeville.
Ed Brennan set up four committees as follows:
- Organization of the library
- Physical Requirements
- Library Services
- Nominations for the Library Board
September 6, 1961
Borough Council appointed the first Board of Library Trustees (see History of Whitehall Borough, p.30).
November, 1961
The Whitehall Library Board appointed Lee Johnston as the first Chairman of the newly formed FRIENDS OF THE WHITEHALL LIBRARY (see Library has Friends).
Mrs. Johnston was appointed to attend all Library Board meetings and act as liaison between the Board and community organizations. In July 1962 she was appointed to the Library Board and served on it until the end of 1967.
1962-63: The Friends' First Fund Drive
The Borough's library start-up fund did not include an allowance for new books, so a fund drive for this purpose was needed.
The following is an excerpt from Ed Brennan's A History of Whitehall Borough, p.31:
The Friends of the Whitehall Library, which was organized in 1961, began plans to conduct a fund drive for new books. The core of the drive in 1962 was supplied by the Whitehall Century Club . . .
Special recognition is due Mrs. Drew (Lee) Johnston who made hundreds of calls to recruit volunteers. Areas were designated to correspond with the nine voting districts and captains were appointed for each district.
The fund drive was a success, raising approximately $20,000. At that time, books could be purchased for about $5 each. So the library could begin with about 4,000 new books. In terms of current book prices, the fund drive was equivalent to more than $100,000.
Helen Janus, who still resides in Whitehall, was one of the volunteers who went house-to-house soliciting contributions. She later worked at the library.
December 5, 1962
Beatrice Mulholland, an experienced librarian who had been employed at the Carnegie Library, was hired as the first Whitehall library director. She resigned in April 1967 to take a post at a military base in Puerto Rico.
February 1963
Eight hundred volumes, comprising the first shipment of new books, were received by the Library. Abraham Lincoln, the famed biography by Carl Sandburg, was designated as 1 in the Library's acquisition list (see President's Life First to Arrive).
The mammoth job of cataloging these volumes and those received subsequently, over 4.000 in all, was accomplished by Friends of the Whitehall Library volunteers under the direction of Librarian Beatrice Mulholland and Friends Chairman Lee Johnston (see New Library Near Reality).
May 5, 1963
The Library was dedicated on this date. The principal Speaker was Carnegie Library Director Dr. Ralph Munn.
June 25, 1963
The name THE FRIENDS OF THE WHITEHALL LIBRARY was certified and duly registered as the corporate name for the Friends under the PA Nonprofit Corporation Law.
September 5, 1963
The Articles of Incorporation of THE FRIENDS OF THE WHITEHALL LIBRARY were approved and recorded.
Incorporators and Initial Board of Directors lists the names of the applicants for the Charter of Incorporation and of the persons elected to serve on the first Board of Directors.
Information compiled and written by Faustino Dunckhorst
Last updated 11/24/10 by lslimon