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History of Peoples Library

On October 6, 1927, The Woman’s Club of New Kensington, thru the leadership of Mrs. J.M. Stein and a group of civic-minded citizens of Parnassus, Arnold and New Kensington met for the purpose of planning a public library. For an agreed upon one dollar per person, memberships were granted in the proposed Tri-Borough Free Public Library. (Tri-Borough representing, Parnassus, Arnold, and New Kensington)

The Woman’s Club sponsored concerts with singers and artists from Pittsburgh and New York. These concerts were held in the Opera House and city council chambers on the second floor of the old City Hall on Fourth Avenue. Enough funds were raised for books to have a grand opening on September 10, 1928 in the American Legion Hut. The first librarian was Lillian Sutherland.

In October 1928, 3608 books were circulated to 1666 borrowers. The space was too small to handle the public and certain days were set aside for children’s use only. On July 14, 1930, the library moved to the American Legion Building at the corner of Constitution Boulevard and McCargo Street. In March 1935, the name was changed to Free Public Library. On October 18, 1946, the library was incorporated as the Peoples Library.

During the 1960’s and early 1970’s the library occupied basement space in a building at Seventh Street and Fifth Avenue next door to the Social Security office.

The library became known as the “supermarket” library when in January 1975, it moved into its present location on the corner of Ninth and Barnes Streets, the site of the former Loblaw Super Market.

In 1992, our newly built branch in Lower Burrell at 3052 Wachter Avenue opened.

Excerpt taken from Lore of Yore, a publication of the Women’s Club of New Kensington that highlight the history of the City of New Kensington.