History of Blair County Libraries

Timeline of Public Library Development in Blair County

1860    Altoona Mechanics Library established and maintained by Pennsylvania Railroad.

1900    Mechanics Library moved to abandoned Presbyterian Church on 11th Avenue.

1927    Mechanics Library closed and collection handed over to Roosevelt Junior High School.

1942    Hollidaysburg Library established in Gradale Room in basement of YM-YWCA.

1944    Hollidaysburg Library moved to Snyder Store room at 517 Allegheny Street.

1948    Martinsburg Library established on second floor of Municipal Building.

1950    Williamsburg Library established in back room of Williamsburg Borough Building.

1959    Roaring Spring Library established in WVAM Cove Studio rooms, 507 E. Main St.

1960    Altoona Library designated as District Library Center for Blair, Bedford, and Huntingdon Counties.

1961    Roaring Spring Library moved to rooms in Borough Hall.

1964   

  • County Convention of School Districts directed Superintendent of Schools to assist libraries.
  • Blair County Library System is established.

1965   

  • Blair County Commissioners formalized intent to cooperate.
  • Bellwood Library established in former Cook Building on Main Street.
  • Claysburg Library established in Mauk log house, corner of Church St. & Bedford St.
  • Tyrone Library established in a downtown store front.

1966   

  • Interlibrary Loan delivery began functioning between libraries.
  • Roaring Spring Library moved to Eldon Inn when Borough Council purchased the site.

1967   

  • Altoona Library moved to new building on school district property, corner 17th St. & 6th Ave.
  • Tyrone Library moved to a larger, private home.
  • Hollidaysburg Library moved to newly constructed building, corner of Clark St. & Allegheny St.

1968    Williamsburg Library moved to a former home and attached bank building at 420 W. 2nd St.

1980   

  • Bellwood Library moved to newly constructed building at 526 Main St.
  • Martinsburg Library moved to renovated Park Building on Walnut St.
  • Hollidaysburg Library opened children’s room in library basement.
  • Claysburg Library moved into rented Carlton Leslie Building.

1981    Tyrone Library moved to Fraternity Hall at 1019 Logan Ave.

1982    Claysburg Library moved to donated and renovated Bedford Street site.

1983    Blair County Library System met the minimum standards to qualify for State Aid.

1984    System libraries joined Access Pennsylvania database.

1986    Altoona Library catalog and circulation became automated.

1990    Bellwood Library catalog and circulation fully automated.

1994    Hollidaysburg Library fully automated.

1995    Claysburg, Martinsburg, Roaring Spring & Tyrone Libraries fully automated.

1998   

  • Bellwood Library completed addition to building, nearly doubling available space.
  • Bellwood Library catalog made available online.

2000    Altoona Library catalog made available online.

2001    Claysburg, Hollidaysburg, Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, Tyrone & Williamsburg websites available online.

2001    Williamsburg Library moved into renovated Presbyterian Church building at 511 W. 2nd St.