Despite the freezing temperatures, work continues at the location of the new Tyrone-Snyder Public Library at the corner of West Tenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Tyrone.
According to Chuck Banas, public relations director with the library, contractor Jeff Long has the building under roof, and thanks to the technology of space heaters, work is being completed inside the walls.
“As far as the outside goes, there’s not a lot more that needs to be done,” said Banas. “The rubber roofing, for sealing, needs to be installed, but that can’t happen until the temperatures warm up. Jeff is using space heaters inside the building now so they’re in there working. We’re still anticipating a late August or early September opening.”
At a recent board meeting of library officials, Long said the installation of outside drivit should be in place rather soon, as construction concerning that phase began today. Banas said the board also discussed and selected the front and exterior doors for the structure.
“We’re pleased with how far this program has come already,” said Banas. “We just need this cold weather to move out so Jeff and the rest of the team can get on the roof and get it sealed. It’s really coming around pretty nice.”
Library officials continue to push for funding for the $625,000 project and are hoping that its Feb. 15 concert at the Tyrone High School will generate a good amount of revenue.
“We’re about sixty percent sold out now,” said Banas, noting the scheduled performance of legendary doo-wop artists The Marcels and Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners’. “Advertisements and contests on Waly 103.9 are starting to play now and we’re expecting the interest in this fundraiser to grow. It’s already ballooned across the state, and we’re expecting the radio advertisements to make the fund drive even more successful.”
According to Banas, tickets are selling fast and he expects all 1,136 tickets to be sold within the next few weeks.
Tickets are $30 and all proceeds will be donated to the library’s building fund. They can be purchased at a number of locations, including the library, Joy Beans, the Bull Pen, Med-Center Pharmacy, Miller’s Car Care and Bressler’s Food Mart and Sports. There are also a number of locations in Altoona, including the library, and State College and tickets can be purchased from any board member.
For more ticket information, contact 684-7929 or 684-1133.
The concert will feature opening gig The Marcells, whose 1961 recording of “Blue Moon,” sold more than two-and-a-half million copies. The feature act is the 60s pop group Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners’, whose single “Since I Don’t Have You” propelled the now-legendary artists into one of the most admired and accomplished vocal groups in pop music history.
According to Library Board President Fred Thomas, the decision to build a new library came after past library boards scoured the Tyrone area for three years in search of the “perfect place” to construct the facility. Thomas said at least 10 locations were looked at before the board finally agreed the former Jones Building would be the ideal location.
“We were in the current location (Logan Avenue) for quite some time now and it just seemed we kept growing and growing,” said Thomas at a recent Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast presentation. “We thought establishing the library down on that corner would not only provide a better facility that’s easier to get to, but it also brings back that special flare back to the downtown. It’s a beautiful building.”
Much more beautiful than at the current location – and more functionable too.
The facility on Logan Avenue contains just 3,515 square feet of area. Consultants recommend a minimum of 9,000 square feet for a library to serve a community of this size.
It doesn’t meet local codes or the Americans with Disabilities Act and has no elevator or access ramp.
However, the new facility is planned to include those important aspects.
According to Thomas, the new library will be housed in a 7,000-plus square foot facility that is completely handicapped accessible. It will also contain more reliable heating and cooling systems that aren’t available at the current facility. The building design also allows for expansion should the library board decide it needs more room in the future.
“Every way we look at this thing is in the positive,” said Thomas. “I can’t wait to see the doors open and everything ready to go.”
In addition to Thomas’ update, library Director Lynne Nearhoof offered a glance at some of the many services the new facility would provide.
She noted the adult area will contain more than 25,000 books and will provide four tables in the area for study. There will also be a periodicals area where visitors can view or check-out more than 55 periodicals the library currently subscribes to.
There is also a children’s area that has much more room than the children’s area at the present location. Here, kids can look at one of almost 10,000 books geared to the younger generations.
There will also be computer terminals in both areas that can be used by patrons. In all, 17 different computers will be scattered about the facility, mostly in a computer room.
Other highlights of the building will include a listening room named after former TAHS band director, Gerald Roberts, a local history room and a community conference room that can be utilized even if the library is not open.
Nearhoof also said more services will be added to the programs, which includes a new projector for PowerPoint presentations.
At a recent meeting of the board of directors, it was noted the library has a current membership of 4,898. There are 25,364 catalogued items. The circulation in 2001 was 32,068 and the circulation in 2002 increased to 32,851.
