Mt. Lebanon Library

By Joe PolkPhotographs
In 1968, the Friends of Mt. Lebanon Library started an annual used book sale fundraiser. Phyllis Moore, at right with volunteer Beryl Powell, chaired the event from 1978 to 1999, overseeing a corps of volunteers who would organize thousands of books into a tiny meeting room.
Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph article from September 13, 1953, about the complaint filed by a resident that Mt. Lebanon Library had too many pro-communist books.
Pittsburgh Press article from September 16, 1953, about the lawsuit filed against the library for having too many pro-communist books.
1995 photo of the groundbreaking for the library renovations. From left: library director Peter Leonard, Commissioner Dick Walker and Library Board President Henry Wick
1997 ribbon cutting at the opening of the newly renovated library. From left: assistant municipal manager Marcia Taylor, Municipal manager Bill Baldwin; library director Cynthia Richey; library board president Henry Wick; unidentified; Commissioners Barbara Logan. Bob Thomson, Dan Gigler, Ann Strader, and Dick Walker
The former site of the McCormack house is now the parking lot for Southminster Church andMt. Lebanon Library
Mt. Lebanon’s Art Deco municipal building is probably the community’s most iconic and recognizable building. Designed in 1928 by Mt. Lebanon resident William H. King Jr., it is made of Indiana limestone with decorative carvings. The $240,000 building was dedicated in September 1930 and for many years was the home of the library and fire and police departments. It still houses the municipality’s administrative offices. Photo circa 1970
May 12, 1935 Pittsburgh Press article about the library, which was located in the municipal building
October 17, 1947 Mt. Lebanon News photo of new librarian Mrs. D.L. Shields in the children’s library in the municipal building
March 15, 1951 Mt. Lebanon News photo showing how cramped the old library in the municipal building had become
September 20, 1951 photo of the children’s library in the municipal building
1932 newspaper article reporting the opening of Mt. Lebanon’s first library, which was located in the municipal building
Mt. Lebanon’s Art Deco municipal building is probably the community’s most iconic and recognizable building. Designed in 1928 by Mt. Lebanon resident William H. King Jr., it is made of Indiana limestone with decorative carvings. The $240,000 building was dedicated in September 1930 and for many years was the home of the library and fire and police departments. This is the Sept 16, 1930 article about the dedication
from bertha abbott thomas lincoln school spring 1935 miss holmes teacher “we made this ‘library’ out of orange crates from a grocery store on berverlay road we painted the crates green Peggy morrow is seated at the desk Jim rohrich (his fatehr owned car dealership) with back to camera. Peggy Schanke (back to window) Richard Bird (facing camera) and bertha abbott
mt lebanon shamrocks (college age players) 1940 in South Park on labor day. Vs German Sport
back row from left: unknown, george smith, ray jones, bill buttlar, unknown, gerorge geisinger (manager), Mr frank (sponsor)
Front row from left: heny Ackerman, jim kennedy, bill mcminn, unknown, tony valicenti, bob frank, jim eckenrode

this team played its games at washington school field, the team disbanded when WWII started. they played beechview, library, etc. The Championship series with mt lebanon reds, the other independent team. Shamrocks won 2 out of 3
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
Setting up the “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library are from left: Jim Lutz, M.A. Jackson, and Mel Bickle
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” display at Mt. Lebanon Library
Mt. Lebanon Library Director Betty Ann Stroup, 1970
The Women’s Fortnightly Review of Mt. Lebanon, formed in 1911, gave local women an opportunity to learn and serve. They studied social and political issues, endorsed women’s suffrage, and made charitable donations or volunteered to causes related to those issues. The Fortnightly was instrumental in starting Mt. Lebanon’s first library and, in 1913, petitioned for the first garbage collection service. Here members serve tea at a meeting around 1951.