Library History

The library was originally planned as a Master’s Degree program project by Dorothy Luehm. Mrs. Luehm, David Milliren, Recreation Department Chairman, and several citizens of North Versailles Township helped in obtaining funding for the library in 1974. During the same time, the township commissioners voted to create the library in the township.

The first location for the library was at the Keith elementary school in West Wilmerding. Monetary donations and donations of books from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, helped establish a collection of materials for circulation.

The library moved to the community room at the Eastland Mall in 1975. The location was small and hard to find. In September of that year, the library moved to the old National Record Mart storefront location on the mall’s lower level. This new expanded space had 4,000 square feet. During this time the library qualified for state aid and the first director was Dorothy Luehm.

During the following years, the library slowly increased its collection with the help of North Versailles Township Commissioners and state aid contributing more monies.

In 1995 the Allegheny County Regional Asset District (ARAD) was created. Funding from the ARAD helped all the libraries in Allegheny County increase hours of operation, staffing, and collection of materials. The county-wide library association changed its name to Allegheny County Library Association and became a federated system. North Versailles Township Public Library became a full member of the association. During that year, North Versailles Township created a community center next to the municipal building into which the library moved December of that year and where it remains.

The grand opening ceremony was held in April 1996. In attendance were the library trustees; president of the township commissioners; local dignitaries; Al Kamper, Allegheny County District Services Director; JoEllen Kenny, President of Allegheny County Library Association and Director of Carnegie Free Library of McKeesport; and Marilyn Jenkins, County Library Administrator.

In 1997 the library became a member of the county wide Electronic Information Network (EIN). The network provides all computers and networking infrastructure for every library in Allegheny County. The Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) became a federated association in 1999 comprised of every public library in the county.

Since that time, the community’s growth has resulted in the increased circulation of materials including DVDs, Audio CDs, large print books, and electronic resources (e-books, e-videos).