Millvale library hopeful of opening in early 2012
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Brightly colored flowers painted on a sheet of plywood cover a big front window of what will one day become the Millvale Community Library on Grant Avenue. Proponents are hoping that day comes soon.
Work on the library project continues, and an opening goal has been set, according to Lisa Seel of Shaler, who is chairperson of the marketing and outreach committee and a member of the fundraising and finance committee.
"We're hoping for early 2012, but getting funds is going to be critical," she said.
Funding has depended on grants, fundraisers and donations, and $168,000 in grant money has been received to date, library board president Brian Wolovich said. Two second-floor apartments will generate funds for maintenance once the library opens. The utility room also will be upstairs as a precaution against possible flood damage to the basement.
One fundraising method being considered is contacting Millvale High School graduates to raise about $10,000 to finish the community room and name it for Philippine Johnston, a beloved librarian at the former Millvale High School for almost 50 years, Mrs. Seel said. Millvale High School closed after the borough schools' merger with Shaler, Etna and Reserve in the early 1970s to become Shaler Area School District.
"Millvale is part of Shaler Area [School District], and we don't want to see those kids forgotten," Mrs. Seel said. "It's in everyone's best interest. What's driving people is to get the borough back to what it once was."
Preliminary work has been done for a $32,000 grant from the Buhl Foundation for an electrical system including a solar panel and wiring. The library committee also applied jointly with the borough to the National Endowment for the Arts for art work, stained glass depicting Millvale history, and a garden gate for a Grant Avenue pocket park, she said.
Demolition is complete, framing in the main floor and basement has been done, beams installed, sub-flooring laid and frames prepared for installation of long side windows.
"We had to reinforce the floors from the basement because of the expected weight of book-filled shelves," Mr. Wolovich said.
Don Stone Electric has begun the electrical work with help from volunteer electricians, he said.
Young people have stepped up to make the library a reality.
First Published April 7, 2011 6:09 am
