When the West Pittston Library opened, it was just two shelves of books inside the Pittston Post Office.
Now, 150 years later, the library has around 40,000 items in circulation from its longtime home, a nearly 100-year-old building that has survived two floods and become the oldest library in Luzerne County.
“It’s so exciting,” said Jen Moran, the library’s new director. “I grew up in West Pittston, I used this library as a child, and had the women that worked here at the time not been so wonderful…I probably would not have fallen in love with reading and libraries in general.”
Moran started as director this year, but she’s no stranger to these stacks. She was the West Pittston Library’s Adult Programming Coordinator until 2016.
Now, the library has three rooms. As you walk in, Moran said, you’ll immediately be greeted by the library staff. She said the West Pittston Library has something of a reputation amongst the Luzerne County library system - the staff will hardly ever “shush” a patron.
“We’re not quiet,” Moran said. “You may ask us to keep it down maybe.”
The library’s official 150th anniversary is Sept. 12 of this year. Moran said the West Pittston Historical Society will host a program at the library that day, then the staff will hold a celebration in November.
As the library’s collection has grown, it has also adapted to meet the needs of the community. Like most libraries, it offers free computer and internet access. Patrons can check out books, DVDs, board games and audiobooks, and access databases and e-books through the county library system’s online portals.
There are also programs at the library for children, teens and adults.
“The books are still our backbone,” Moran said. “But I think we've all done a great job in holding true to our base, but then also adapting for what our community, you know, is letting us know that they need.”
