The History of the Friends of the Library
(with some revisions made in 7/2008)

The Friends of the Uniontown Public Library, a nonprofit, all volunteer organization, was founded as an auxiliary to provide additional programs and channel supplemental public support into the library. The library had been operated by a community group, The Uniontown Library Association, since 1927.

After the Association sold its building and assets to the City of Uniontown in 1966 coincident with construction of a new building, the Friends provided the continuity of volunteer service.

On March 31, 1967, the executive board of the new Friends met at the home of President Jo Hook Ruse to organize and plan for the future. They were functioning when the new building opened in 1970. Since then the Friends have promoted library usage with special programs and services of many different kinds, for both adults and children, but including a special emphasis on reading by children. In this, they continue to carry out the service to young people set forth by the founder of the first "reading room," The Women's Civic League in 1912.

Through the years the Friends of the Library have raised thousands of dollars annually for the purchase of new books, equipment and supplies much of which could not have been obtained in any other way. The climax for years of hard work and dedication came in 1986, when the Friends received an Award of Merit from the Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries as the "Best Community Library Support Group" in the state. The award was won in open competition with libraries throughout Pennsylvania, including metropolitan areas.

When Gov. Casey came to Uniontown for his "Capital for a Day" program, the Friends hosted a luncheon for his wife Ellen (on 24 hours notice). The Friends sponsored publication of "Our Uniontown," a brief history written by the late Jean Brownfield and illustrated by Eleanor Ulmer. They received nationwide acclaim for publication of an index of the sixteen volumes of the Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, undertaken by one of its members, the late Dr. Mary Dunn. This was the first time this huge task had ever been undertaken; the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission accepted a copy with thanks and praise.

Annually in February or March, the Friends of the Library send out a letter requesting donations to help fund our work at the Uniontown Public Library. This has been a very successful campaign that allows us to contribute thousands of dollars to the library for the purchase of books and other materials. With the cutbacks in funding, the semi-annual donations made by the Friends are vital to building the library's collection. We could not provide such generous assistance without donations from the public.

Each summer, children flock to the library for special programs. All children are accepted, whatever their residence, for a mixture of fun and a gentle push toward more reading. For many years, the Friends and other community volunteers entertained the children with storytelling, music and crafts during this annual summer program. In 2002, the shift was made to providing outside entertainment and educational presentations for the summer program. Once again, the Friends of the Library stepped up to help with funding and volunteers.

The Scholastic Book Fair. which has been sponsored annually by the Friends of the Library since the 1980s, provides an opportunity for children to be rewarded with a free prize coupon to shop at the Book Fair for reading a designated number of books during the summer.

The Perpetual Used Book Sale which has raised so much money for the cause continues from its own niche on the first floor of the library. The Friends also have other items for sale to help fund activities and book purchases at the library. This year we have a selection of mugs and tote bags available for purchase.

In 2010, the Friends of the Library will continue with some of their traditional fundraisers. We hope you will join us for some of these fun events:

*Friends of the Library mugs in two styles and various colors will be sold at the circulation desk
*Tote bags in two styles are also available
*A vintage fur fashion show and luncheon will be held in the spring
*Our second Bunco Party is planned for fall

Letters go out in late spring from the Friends of the Library to area businesses, professionals and other citizens asking them to provide financial support for the annual summer cultural and educational presentations and the reading program held in the Children's Department.

The presentations are a hit with both children and parents and it is not unusual for the meetings rooms to be filled to capacity for the programs held weekly in mid-summer. Over 400 eager readers and pre-readers signed up to participate in the reading program that Miss Dianne and Miss Kristi arranged for the children. Those readers who completed the requirements were given a $10 gift certificate to spend at the Friends of the Library's Scholastic Book Fair.

All those programs and gift certificates cost more each year and grant money to help cover the expenses is becoming more scarce.

Please consider making a donation to help us continue the fine programming that draws so many children and their parents to the library every summer. You don't need a formal letter requesting your help. Drop off a donation at the library or mail it to the Friends of the Library Summer Programs c/o of the Uniontown Public Library.


We are pleased to recognize these contributors who helped us to have a successful summer in 2009.

• Fayette County Community Foundation
• Private Industry Council
• Friends of the Uniontown Public Library
• Dana Anderson
• Steve and Rita Peters
• Radcliffe & DeHaas, L.L.P.
• First Federal Savings and Loan of Greene County
• Laurel Business Institute
• Dr. Ronald Sepic, Dentist
• Abby's Gold and Gems
• Mr. and Mrs. James Ulmer
• Davis & Davis, Attorneys-at-Law
• Fayette County NAACP
• Cherry Tree Pediatrics
• Dearth Funeral Home
• Centra Bank
• Steve Wright and Associates
• George Dental Associates
• Dr. Joe T. Ruby, DDS
• Dr. Edward L. Witek, Jr., DDS
• Dr. Geoffrey Gwynn, Jr., DDS
• Dr. James Geshay, DDS
• Dr. Mark Rabatin, DDS
• McDonald's, Route 21, who allowed us to hold a fundraising night