Grand Re-Opening Celebration for State Library of Pennsyvlania: More Details | Compendium

Celebrate the State Library of Pennsylvania!

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, April 26 starting at 11:00 AM for a ribbon cutting ceremony with notable speakers.  Stay and spend the day with Office of Commonwealth Libraries for a behind-the-scenes tour of the library spaces, meet members of the PA Past Players to learn about the Eighth Ward where the Forum building stands, talk with statewide library service partners to learn about the power of libraries in Pennsylvania, and hear from an exciting lineup of speakers.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

  • Attend ribbon-cutting ceremony and hear remarks in the Forum Buidling Lobby (11a.m. – noon)
    • Susan Banks, Deputy Secretary & State Librarian
    • Christi Buker, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Library Association
    • Mary Garm, Chair of Governor’s Advisory Council on Library Development
    • Glenn R. Miller, Former Deputy Secretary for Libraries and founder of The 1745 Foundation
    • Dr. Khalid Mumin, Secretary of Education
  • Meet and talk with members of PA Past Players in the Main Library Reading Room
  • Tour State Library of Pennsylvania spaces and services.
  • Talk with Office of Commonwealth Libraries and Bureau of Library Development (all day).
  • Meet and network with statewide library service partners in the Main Library Reading Room.
  • Enjoy presentations and lectures in the Law Library space:
    • 1:00 PM: Lenwood Sloan – Making Monuments: The Art of Remembrance
    • 2:00 PM: Yvonne Echols Hollins and Nikole Hollins-Sims – Turning Learning To Legacy: An Educational Journey of Harrisburg Daughters
    • 3:00 PM: Bernadette Lear – Made Free and Thrown Open to the Public: Pennsylvania’s Centuries-Long Journey Toward Free Public Libraries
    • 4:00 PM: Jeff Johnson – The Conservation and Restoration of the Interior Decorative Finishes of the State Library Reading Rooms within the Forum Building

Office of Commonwealth Libraries staff and friends are excited to see you there.

If you have any questions about attending all or any part of the event, reach out to ccleary@pa.gov.