History of the Library

History of the Library

The idea of a public library for Nazareth and its surrounding communities was conceived following WWII when the community decided to erect a living memorial honoring all the local men and women who served in time of war.

Prior to construction of a library facility, Mr. Nelson Freeman donated the second floor of his South Main Street store as a temporary library.

The ground was broken for the Library on April 30, 1950 and the dedication was held May 30, 1951.

By 1970, library usage had increased almost tenfold. The heirs of Peter and Katherine Trumbower donated the Trumbower home, at the corner of Center and New Streets, as a larger library facility. The library moved into this, its present location, in May of 1970.

Once again the library outgrew its building, and in September of 1995 a campaign to build the 1.2 million-dollar addition began. Construction and renovation of the library, as it appears today, began in December of 1997. The new facility was rededicated on June 13, 1999.

Today, the library primarily serves the municipalities of Nazareth Borough, Bushkill Township, Lower Nazareth Township, and Upper Nazareth Township, although it welcomes visitors and new patrons from across Pennsylvania. The library’s primary purpose is to provide free access to resources such as books, a/v media, digital platforms, programs, and educational resources to as many people as possible.

The library still acts as living memorial to those who served in foreign wars, with the names of former servicemen and women from WWI, WWII, the Korean War conflict, and the Vietnam War conflict listed on several memorial plaques throughout the current and former buildings. The library hosts an annual program honoring veterans with local speakers and music to honor all branches of the U.S. Military. The library holds an annual collection of needed items for the local VFW, veterans’ hospitals, Gracedale County Home, and unhoused veterans.

Sources:

Memorial Library of Nazareth & Vicinity Archival Collection

Yeakel, Elmer & Alice. (1998) The History of the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity. Moravian Hall Square Museum Craft Shop: Nazareth, PA.