Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Tamara McIntyre has been named as the new director of the Bradford Area Public Library. She will start her job on November 7. McIntyre replaces Linda Newman, who retired in September. For the first month, McIntyre will work with interim director Ed Pecht, who temporarily resigned from the library's board of directors to fill in between the time Newman left and a new director was hired.

Linda Newman has worn many hats during her tenure at the Bradford Area Public Library - director, chief executive officer and president. Now, the only hat she's looking forward to wearing will say "retired." Newman, who has spent the last decade at the helm at the library, will retired as of Sept. 30.. A farewell reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the library. Light refreshments will be served. The reception is open to the public. For those who worked with Newman, her absence will surely be felt. "When Linda came to Bradford, the library was at a low ebb," said Madeline Miles, chairwoman of the BAPL's Resource Development committee. "She helped move the library ahead by working well with community leaders like those of One Book Bradford, Derby Committees and the Friends of the BAPL who assisted in making the Bradford Area Public Library an important part of our community." This is something that Newman herself counts a...

Linda Newman, Director of the Bradford Area Public Library, announced her plan to retire at the Board Meeting on Monday. Her retirement will be effective on September 30, 2011. The Board accepted her plans with regret and appreciation for her years of work at the library. Linda came to the Bradford library position ten years ago. Prior to accepting the library directorship, she held the position of Head of Technical Services at the Leominster Public Library, Leominster, Massachusetts. During her tenure at the Library, Linda has overseen a complete change in the circulation system, was instrumental in establishing a local author’s collection, and spearheaded a major restructuring of the library’s collection. Under her guidance, the number of computers available to the public has increased and collections of books on disc and dvds have been added. Additionally, during her tenure, a number of building improvements have been accomplished, including the installation of new carpeting,...

The first event of the annual Derby Gala Triple Crown -- the Chapeau Tea -- was held Sunday at the Bradford Area Public Library. Pictured below are just a few of the 100 people who attended. The remaining events of the Triple Crown are the Kids Derby Day, set for April 16 at the library, and the Derby Gala, set for May 7 at the Pennhills Club. Proceeds benefit the Bradford Area Public Library Endowment Fund. And if you missed Sunday's tea, One Book Bradford is holding the "Three Pines Mystery Tea" at the First Presbyterian Church from 3 to 5 p.m. Apil 10. Tickets available at Grandam's House Tea & Gifts.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The Bradford Area Public Library will have to come up with creative ways to raise money. That’s according to Ed Pecht, treasurer of the library’s board of trustees, which held its annual meeting Monday evening. Pecht explained that 85 percent of the library’s funding comes from government agencies – the state, city, Bradford Area School District, Bradford, Foster and Lafayette townships and Lewis Run Borough. But funding from the state – the biggest supporter – has dropped by 29 percent, which he said is devastating. All together, funding has dropped off by 39 percent. He explained that library got a technology grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, federal grant money for implementation of the One Screen McKean project, which tied all the McKean County libraries together, as well as other restricted-use grants. That money was substantial, he said, explaining that by using that money other money was freed up. But that money is not ava...

Local parents, child care providers, and educators now have a consolidated venue to turn to for information on child development, parenting, and issues specific to children with delays and disabilities with the unveiling of the Parent Resource Center at the Bradford Area Public Library. CARE for Children initially developed a collection of materials following a Children First Priority One grant that the agency received from the Kiwanis Club of Bradford in 2001. The number of resources has grown considerably over the years, with continued funding from the Kiwanis Club and the United Way of Bradford. Donations of books were also received by the March of Dimes, the Bradford Area School District and local individuals. “CARE had all these great resources for parents but they were underutilized,” stated Tina Martin, Executive Director. “We decided to collaborate with the library, and Director Linda Newman graciously set aside a prominent space next to the circulation desk to house the col...