The Panther Valley Public Library may be small in size, but its big on serving the community.

Opened in September 2003, the library makes its home on the lower level of the former Lansford Methodist Church. Money to open a library in the valley was raised by members of the community, with further assistance from the Coal Miners Heritage Association and the Lansford Historical Society, which is housed upstairs in the old church.

Because of the size of the communities it serves — which includes Lansford, Summit Hill and Coaldale — the Panther Valley Public Library isn’t eligible for state funding. Money to keep the doors open comes from donations, like the annual appeal which takes place in March, and two or three fundraisers held during the year, such as the Summit Hill Hootenanny where staffers set up a stall and sell hamburgers and hot dogs.

The library is operated by a board of directors and a staff who are all volunteers. They donate their time, talent and energy so that their communities have access to all that the library has to offer.

Marlene Basiago, president of the library’s board of directors, said those who haven’t been to the library in a while, should stop by.

“They will find the library has improved over the years with the services we have provided. I think we have more up-to-date, current books and a better variety,” she said.

“We provide a lot of services to people who don’t otherwise have these services available to them.”

One such service is assistance for those heading into Medicare who may need help during the open enrollment period. Basiago is available, by appointment, from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 for those with questions or who need help.

A preschool story hour, which begins March 13, and runs every Tuesday through the end of the school year, serves as an introduction to the library for the community’s youngest members.

“Moms and dads bring their children or grandchildren to (those programs) and then they advance to the summer reading program, which has grown over the years,” said Basiago.

Dawn Neyer, board secretary, said the staff is already working on its summer reading program, which will include two sessions: one for preschool children from 3 to 5; and one for children from 6 to 8. The theme will be “Libraries Rock,” and was created through the Collaborative Summer Reading Program used by libraries across the country.

In addition to physical books, the Panther Valley Public Library offers books in large print and audio books on cassette. Patrons will also find a variety of DVDs they can borrow.

There are 11 computers available for card holders to use for homework assignments, to conduct research, or to just surf the web.

Copying and fax services are also available.

The library also offers income tax preparation assistance for senior citizens. The next date will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16. Those interested in help must schedule an appointment.

And while scheduling for the year hasn’t been completed, one of the programs to be offered is an acupuncture information session that will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

In addition to Basiago and Neyer, who work in the library each week, staff members include Barbara Scott; Sharon Alexander, Stephanie Alexander, Jacalynn Lopata and Ron Hibbler.

Other board members include Kathy Crampsie, vice president, and Siobhan O’Gurek, treasurer.

The people of the Panther Valley are fortunate that the small group of residents who set out to start a library 15 years ago were successful.

“Otherwise, I don’t know what people would do,” said Basiago.

The Panther Valley Public Library is located at 117 E. Bertsch St. in Lansford.

It’s open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays; and from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information about the library, call 570-645-3780 or visit www.panthervalleypubliclibrary.com.