CLEARFIELD – The Curwensville Public Library has established a special building fund with the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation.
Recently, the library received money from an estate, according to Debbie Bowser of the Curwensville Library Building Corp., and they decided the best use of the money would be to invest the money with the CCCF to allow the funds to grow.
Interest from the fund will support the library’s basic needs, such as books, computer purchases or operating expenses.
However, the main purpose of the fund will be to handle any expenses of the building, which was completed in 1994, that may incur in the future. It will also be used for any major renovations that may be needed. The building at 601 Beech St. is also home to the Clearfield County Public Library Federation.
Prior to 1994, the Curwensville Public Library’s long-time home was State Street where it took up three connected storefronts.
The Curwensville Public Library was started by the GFWC Curwensville Woman’s Club with “Operation Library,” according to employees of the library. This drive to have a library in Curwensville was complete when the library was opened as a branch of the Clearfield County Library in April of 1968. Credit is given to Lenore Davidson, whose vision was instrumental to the library’s creation. For years it was run on a volunteer basis.
Today the library uses volunteers from the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging and is a United Way member agency.
The Curwensville Woman’s Club continues to be involved with the library by conducting a Friends Drive each April, helping with the annual book sales and supplying refreshments for various events.
In addition to providing Curwensville with books, the library has special programs for children, public access computers, wireless internet access, DVD’s, books on tape and senior driving classes. The library’s Winter Reading Program begins Jan. 12 and goes until Feb. 23.
Many of their programs support other area organizations such as a recent effort to collect socks for the AAA and their current “Food for Fines” project. Those who owe fines can have them waived if they return the item and donate a non-perishable food item. The items will be given to an area food bank. This offer runs through Jan. 31.
Contributions to the building fund or any of the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation’s funds may be made at the foundation Web site, www.Clearfieldcharitablefoundation.org, or can be mailed to: P.O. Box 1442, Clearfield PA 16830.
Established in 2004, the purpose of the CCCF is to enhance the quality of life in Clearfield County through the support of services that promote health, education, social welfare, public and urban affairs, arts and culture, conservation and the environment.
The CCCF welcomes inquiries from potential donors or those interested in establishing funds to benefit local communities and organizations. Additional information regarding the Foundation is available at the foundation’s Web site or by calling 814-592-7331.