CLEARFIELD – The Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library is an entity that can be used and enjoyed by many people in Clearfield and the surrounding areas. As the usage numbers for a great deal of library services increased in 2012, the statistics prove that the community both needs and wants the Shaw Public Library open and available, according to a press release issued by Library Director Paula Collins.
With seven computers available for public use, Collins said that technology is just one important need met by the library. She said more than 12,600 users accessed computer terminals throughout 2012 for a variety of purposes, including web browsing, word processing and printing. Collins said the use of downloadable audio books and eBooks also increased in 2012 to nearly 1,700 checkouts, which is an increase of more than 850 checkouts from the previous year.
Throughout 2012, the library had more than 5,000 patrons update their library cards and 779 new borrowers were issued library cards from Clearfield Borough, Lawrence Township, Bradford Township and outlying areas of Clearfield County and the state of Pennsylvania, said Collins.
According to Collins, many new items were added to the library collection in 2012. There were 4,700 new additions purchased that included bestsellers, adult fiction and nonfiction, children’s literature, magazines, reference resources, audio books and DVD selections.
She said the Shaw Public Library held 161 programs for people of all ages throughout the year, including Baby Time, Toddler Time, Story Time, Summer Reading, Family Fun Nights and other special events for young adults and adults. She said attendance at library events also increased throughout 2012, with an overall youth participation at 3,733, young adult attendance at 400 and adult attendance at 2,574.
Collins said existing and new partnerships between the library and a number of other organizations assisted the library in its mission to serve the recreational, educational, informational and cultural needs of the community while striving to promote the lifelong learning concept and encouraging the personal growth of the citizens of the community.
Collins said among these partnerships are the Pennsylvania Library Association, PA Forward, Central PA Library District, Clearfield Area United Way, the Clearfield County Society for Handicapped and Disabled Citizens, Clearfield Area School District, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Clearfield Woman’s Club, Susquehanna River Arts Council, Clearfield A.B.A.T.E, Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, the Clearfield Kiwanis, the Rotary Club of Clearfield, the Chamber of Commerce, the Clearfield Revitalization Corp and the Clearfield Chapter of A.A.U.W.
Collins said the Shaw Public Library also served the community by providing space in the Conference Room and Penn Room for a variety of individuals, clubs and organizations to hold meetings, tutor sessions and programs.
Despite the extended library closure in April of 2012 for the installation of the new HVAC heating and cooling system, she said material circulation for the year was 72,312. Without any planned renovation projects prompting a library closure for 2013, she said the Shaw Public Library is optimistic that this year will be another great year for the public library.
For more information about Shaw Public Library’s services and programs, please contact the library at 814-765-3271 during regular business hours. Shaw Public Library is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.; and Fridays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Additional information can also be found on Shaw Public Library’s Web site at www.clearfield.org/shaw.
