Created in the middle of the Great Depression with the goal of increasing literacy rates in Tamaqua, the Tamaqua Public Library continues that important mission today.

“Early literacy is crucial to a child’s development,” says head librarian Gayle Heath, who sees children’s programming as one of the library’s three main focus areas.

The Tamaqua Public Library first came to life in May of 1934, thanks to the combined efforts of the community and funding through President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Works Projects Administration. First located in the basement of the former Moose Building, at the intersection of East Broad and Pine streets, the library continued to expand by leaps and bounds, outgrowing its location several times before finding a permanent home at 30 S. Railroad St. in 1972.

Throughout those years, the library has found ways to continue helping the public, despite financial hardships that include a decrease in state and federal funding. The continued growth is thanks in part to the foresight of the board of trustees, which created an endowment fund in 1986, as well as community support.

From its earliest days, when the former Girl Reserves went door to door collecting donations of books, magazines and newspapers, the library has been supported by the area’s civic groups. For the golden anniversary in 1984, the Tamaqua Lions and Rotary Clubs paid tribute to the importance of the event with a community celebration.

Now, as then, fundraising is a mainstay to keep the library in operation. With a total operating budget in excess of $150,000, only $30,000 comes from state funding. The rest comes from endowments, grants, donations and fundraisers. In an effort to cut costs as much as possible, the library director is the only full-time employee. Thursday hours have also been cut back.

Heath, who has been the library director since 2008, notes the community continues to be supportive by donating gently used, personally purchased books. “Our used book sale in August is one of our major fundraisers. Then there are the chicken dinner and bake sales. We’re always trying to raise funds so we can continue and add to our programs.”

In keeping with the goal of improving literacy, the library started its popular Story Time program in 1974 for preschoolers. The program has been expanded and currently runs three times a year, open to infants to children up to the age of 5. “Studies have shown the importance that early reading has to child development. The earlier you read to your child, the better the chances the child will become a lifelong learner, develop a quest for knowledge and be successful as an adult,” says Heath.

Story Time is a multiweek program which runs in the spring, summer and fall. In addition to reading stories, each session includes craft making and snacks, provided through the generosity of the public. Spring Story Time will start on March 13. The theme will be “the alphabet.”

The summer program is open to all ages and was developed in an effort to “cut down on the summer slide” sometimes found between school years.

Then there are programs for young adults. Teens meet the third Thursday of each month during the school year to discuss books, movies and more that impact their lives. For those in elementary school, the library offers help in finding books that meet the criteria for the Accelerated Reading program. Books that count toward the AR program have a special sticker on the spine as well as labels inside noting the level and AR points.

The next YA program will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today and will focus on the cartoon creations of Hanna-Barbera.

A book discussion group, for those 18 and older, meets once a month. This month’s featured book is “Crossing to Safety” written by Wallace Stegner. The group will meet at tonight at 6 o’clock.

And then there are the ever-present changes of a world turning more toward technology.

“Libraries have always advocated reading and learning. We’re receptive to the needs of the community and have installed eight public access computer stations thanks to a grant we received in 2016,” says Heath.

She said the computers are for the use of members only, but the library does provide free Wi-Fi service for those who bring their own electronic devices.

In addition to books, magazines, federal tax forms and current editions of the daily Times News, the library also houses an extensive collection of records on microfilm, which Heath sees as a boon to anyone delving into their family history.

“We’ve started collecting Tamaqua High and Marian yearbooks to go along with the archived collection of newspapers (Tamaqua Evening Courier from 1874 and Times News). There are also other excellent resources, such as local church and cemetery records. If you’re interested in the past, we have many ways to help.”

As to the future, Heath’s one big dream is to start offering a G.E.D. instruction course.

“It’s tough to keep up with state mandates and ever-changing technological advances with money being so tight. We are determined to be even more easy to use and keep up with the ever-changing world,” said Heath, a goal she’s determined to keep with the help of the community.

For more information on any library program or service, call 570-668-4660.