Huntingdon County Library

Huntingdon County Library. The library serves as the primary public library for Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, providing resources and services to residents from its main facility in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania and two branch locations. It operates as a district library center under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, offering traditional lending, digital access, and community programming. The institution plays a vital role in the educational and cultural landscape of the Juniata River valley region.

History

The library's origins trace back to 1936 when it was established as a project of the Works Progress Administration, a key agency of the New Deal during the Great Depression. It initially operated from a room in the Huntingdon County Courthouse before moving to its own dedicated building. For decades, the library was a member of the Altoona Area Public Library system before formally becoming an independent district library center in 1986. This change was facilitated by Pennsylvania's Library Code and support from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, allowing for expanded service and direct state funding.

Services and collections

The library provides access to a wide array of physical materials including books, audiobooks, DVDs, and periodicals. It offers robust digital services through partnerships with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center, providing e-books, digital magazines, and online learning platforms like LearningExpress Library. Public access computers, free Wi-Fi, and printing services are available. Special collections often focus on local history pertaining to Huntingdon County and the surrounding Allegheny Mountains region, and the library facilitates interlibrary loan services through the Access Pennsylvania database.

Branches and locations

The main library is located at 330 Penn Street in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. A branch library serves the southern part of the county from the Mount Union area, operating in collaboration with the Mount Union Area School District. Another branch is located in Orbisonia, Pennsylvania, serving the eastern communities. These locations ensure library access across the county's varied geography, from the boroughs along U.S. Route 22 to more rural townships.

Governance and funding

The library is governed by an independent board of directors, as mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Primary funding is derived from an annual allocation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, supplemented by local funding from the Huntingdon County Commissioners and municipal contributions. Additional support comes from grants, private donations, and fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Huntingdon County Library. The library's budget and operations are audited in accordance with state regulations and it participates in the District Library Center program for resource sharing.

Community role and programs

The library functions as a central community hub, hosting regular events such as storytime for children, book club meetings, and technology training workshops for adults. It frequently partners with local organizations like the Huntingdon County Historical Society, the Juniata College library, and the Huntingdon County Business and Industry foundation for special programs and literacy initiatives. During the summer, it runs a reading program in coordination with the Collaborative Summer Library Program, and it often serves as a venue for author talks, historical lectures, and exhibits related to the Raystown Lake region.

Category:Libraries in Pennsylvania Category:Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania Category:Buildings and structures in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania