About 25 years ago, Ruth Isenberg, editor of a group of weekly newspapers, wrote an editorial saying that Weatherly needed a library.

The community agreed.

In a short time, books were collected and donated and a space was provided by the local Presbyterian Church, which allowed them to use its social hall.

That arrangement lasted for about a year, said Isenberg. When the church needed its social hall back, the library board was on the lookout for a new location.

“The Hazleton National Bank manager arranged for us to have a no-cost lease next to the back on Carbon Street,” she said.

The former candy shop became home to the Weatherly Area Community Library in 1995. Isenberg said the books were moved symbolically via a human chain from one location to the other.

But while the arrangements were ideal, the library quickly ran out of room, and the lack of space didn’t allow the library to offer any programs. Over the years, the bank changed hands a couple times. By the time the building was sold to a Florida developer who was only interested in turning it over again, the library’s board of directors, which included Susie Gerhard, wife of Carbon County Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard, knew it was time to find a new location.

“We all knew we had to do something else,” said Isenberg. “We had a couple different plans, but nothing came of them.”

Gerhard, who had helped the library with fundraisers for years before becoming a board member, knew of a building that had been sitting vacant for three years. The space had been a bowling alley at one time, and more recently, a manufacturer of shoe lasts.

“There was an outstanding balance owed the bank,” Gerhard said. “We made a lowball offer, and didn’t think it would be accepted, but the Economic Development Office (which includes Kathy Henderson and Marlyn Kissner), accepted the offer. They were very helpful and positive about keeping a library in the community.”

The new library, which is located at 1518 Brenkman Drive in Weatherly, held its grand opening in October 2015. It is home to 15,184 books, including adult fiction, nonfiction and reference sections; large print books; books on CD; young adult fiction and nonfiction sections; picture books; early reader section; DVDs; and a new release book section. The building encompasses 4,800 square feet and includes a large foyer and checkout area, a children’s room, meeting room and a reading room with a stone fireplace. There is also plenty of unused space that will eventually house a kitchen/dining area, and further down the road, a research and computer lab that will be equipped with more computers for the public to use. The library currently has two computers for public use, a printer, photocopier and free Wi-Fi.

“This is an important part of the community for the students in the district,” said Gerhard. “Because some of the recent budget cuts in the district, the library in the high school is not open, so students are using our library for research.”

The library serves roughly 4,000 households in Packer Township, Beaver Meadows, Banks Township, the borough of Weatherly, Lehigh Township and Lausanne Township.

Isenberg said the library has also become a gathering place for people who didn’t know each other before or have a way to get together.

“They’ve established a community,” Isenberg said. “We have a lot of people who come out to everything we do.”

Gerhard added that the library is also open for local organizations to use for meetings or events, including the Lions, Rotary and the Weatherly Area Alumni Association. She said the Girl Scouts even worked on a badge there.

There is no charge for any of the programs offered or use of the facilities, unless supplies are involved.

“It’s a community service,” said Gerhard.

Some of those community events include an annual Christmas party, with a visit from Santa, and a Halloween party.

Regular programs and events offered by the library include:

• Summer reading program for ages 5-8; begins in July.

• Story time with a craft and snack on the second Friday of the month from October through May.

• Book club for adults the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.

• Game night for adults the first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m.

• Book sale room, which is ongoing when the library is open.

• At 7 p.m. May 31 Shane Moran will offer a presentation on Dwight D. Eisenhower.

As the library is not part of the statewide library system, it receives no state funding. It operates on money from its annual appeal campaign, donations from the local municipalities it serves, grants from First Federal Charitable Foundation, Security Savings Charitable Foundation, Community Development Block Grant funds, the Lehigh Valley Chamber and the Carbon County Community Foundation.

The library also hosts fundraisers throughout the year, including the ongoing book sale. Books that the library is unable to shelve are sold on site as well as at community festivals.

Other fundraisers include:

• June 23 is the silent auction which will feature handmade and hand-painted wooden jewelry boxes, as well as a book sale and tricky tray. Preview is June 22.

• Bus trips to casinos

• Stands at the biannual Weatherly Hill Climb, the Cabbage Festival and the Weatherly Festival.

• Boscov’s “friends helping friends” shopping passes

In addition to Isenberg and Gerhard, who serves as president, the board includes the Rev. Robert von Frisch, treasurer; Katie Leach, secretary; Kathy Eroh; Caroline Maury; Sharon Shorr; Thomas J. Gerhard; Jim Wetzel; Barb Wagner; and Ernie Stauffer. The only paid staff member is Kim Reigle, who is a part-time library technician.

The library is lucky to have a healthy volunteer corps to keep the doors open. At least a dozen take turns manning the front desk.

The Weatherly Area Community Library is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 10 a.m. until noon and again from 7 to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. until noon and again from 3 to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon. The library is closed on Sundays.

For more information, visit https://weatherlylibrary.org/ or call 570-427-5085.