(above) A definite majority. Members with Ship ties (alumni, university staff, or connection to SU staff) fill twelve of the fifteen spots on the Shippensburg Public Library board.

A vital resource for the Shippensburg community is its small but mighty public library. Its vitality stems from a cadre of volunteers who are dedicated to serving their community through the services and support of the library. Besides monthly meetings and committee work, the dedicated members of the library’s Board of Trustees fund raise. They contribute to the library’s success through programming including the annual gala – the library’s annual appeal, the Sunday afternoon author series, yard and bake sales, and Easter egg hunts. They are also responsible for the sale of replicas of Old Main and the Martin House and working toward a long-awaited expansion to ease the overcrowded conditions of the library. This summer, you’ll find Jo Anne Coy ’73-’77m, president; Linda Basler ’64-’89m, vice president; William Gould (retired faculty), Norma Bricker ’76-’78, Joe Cretella (retired administrator), Kathy Crossman ’82m, Leslie Harpster (SU administrator connection), Elizabeth Nispel ’43, Roger Serr (university administrator), Mary Jane Torri ’78, Dr. William Nickles (retired staff), and Thomas Wright ’92 celebrating at the Jamaican-themed social in August.

Over the past year, the Shippensburg Public Library boasted a circulation of over 200,000 items, approximately 98,000 visits to the library, and 510 children and teen programs with 9,150 participants.