Mt. Lebanon Public Library marks 85 years
On behalf of state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Jefferson Hills, staff member Stacey Reibach presents a Senate citation to Mt. Lebanon Public Library director Robyn Vittek.
Harry Funk / staff
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Representatives of Boy Scout Troop 28 attending the celebration are, from left, David Dorn, Josh Dougherty, Robert Krugh and Gary Moshier.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Library board members in attendance are, from left, Hillary Lohr, Marcia Taylor, Corey Flynn and Cherie Moshier, board president.
Sheryl Cohen listens as Stacey Reibach reads from the state Senate citation.
Emma Chothani plays the cello.
Chad Slater and Ashley Apanavicius play their violins.
Cellist Emma Chothani, left, and violist Meert Whitson
The birthday cake is ready to be served.
For the celebration marking 85 years of Mt. Lebanon Public Library, organizers made sure to invite representatives from two community groups that were vital in its founding.
“The Boy Scouts actually went door-to-door collecting books that were donated to start the first library,” Robyn Vittek, library director, said about members of the local Troop 28.
“The Lions Club was one of the first groups to organize and make sure that we had funds, and actually helped run the library,” she said. “They were part of the first library board. So without them, we would not be here today.”
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Meert Whitson plays viola as part of a string quartet of Mt. Lebanon High School students.
The Nov. 12 celebration, three days before the actual anniversary, featured music provided by a string quartet of Mt. Lebanon High School students: Ashley Apanavicius and Chad Slater, violins; Meert Whitson, viola; and Emma Chothani, cello.
Also, citations acknowledging the library were presented to Vittek by legislative staff members Stacey Reibach, on behalf of state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Jefferson Hills, and Sheryl Cohen for state Rep. Dan Miller, D-Mt. Lebanon.
“The Senate of Pennsylvania takes great pride in recognizing those facilities which, through adherence to the highest standards of service, contribute in a meaningful way toward a better and more productive society,” the first one states in part.
The House’s citation includes:
“Throughout its 85 years, the Mt. Lebanon library has continually reimagined itself to actively engage library users and remains a cultural touchstone and a vibrant part of our community. The library not only benefits their users individually but also brings people together and connects them to worlds beyond their communities with the vibrant programming that you do.”