News & Updates
3 Free Tools to Try
Northern Cambria Public Library is proud to provide databases and resources to help with a variety of needs! We've listed our three favorite resources for kids, adults, and bookworms of every age. If you are looking for something else, check out our other databases on...
PA Photos and Docs
Take your local history research to the next level with PA Photos and Docs. The primary focus of PA Photos and Docs are historic, cultural, and other collections of interest to the citizens of Pennsylvania.
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HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
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Our History
Our Mission
Northern Cambria Public Library will be a recreational, informational and educational center for the Borough of Northern Cambria and several surrounding townships with access to our resources. It is the vision of Northern Cambria Public Library to use technology to broaden those resources offered through excellent customer service to our patrons and to provide access in a user friendly way.
Northern Cambria Public Library’s History
Barnesboro
The history of library service in Northern Cambria County started in what was then the Borough of Barnesboro. The Barnesboro Library Association was formed in February of 1958, following a meeting called by Fr. Augustine Cestario, the pastor of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church. Father Cestario’s belief was that a citizen of a free democratic society should have the opportunity to continue his education throughout his lifetime. On April 20, 1956, the Barnesboro Public Library opened in donated space on the sun porch of the VFW.
Spangler
A need for library services in Spangler Borough was evident following a successful summer reading program for children. That led to the establishment of the Spangler Public Library in 1957. The Barnesboro Library staff and board provided the leadership for the founding of the Hastings, Patton, Nanty Glo and Lily public libraries.
County Library
Bookmobile service was established in 1961 with a grant from the State Library. A historic event in the annals of libraries in Cambria County occurred when County Commissioners Joseph P. Roberts, Hiram Ribblett and Frank Burns signed a contract with the Barnesboro public Library in February 1961, to provide funds for a bookmobile and to assist the rural community libraries. It was the first county money ever contributed toward library services in Cambria County. The Rural Library Demonstration Project gave Barnesboro Public Library the status of a County Library. The proposal was written and directed by Eleanor Lantzy, volunteer Librarian.
In May of 1963 the Cambria County Public Library services in Barnesboro were merged with the Cambria Public Library in Johnstown.
Consolidation
The Northern Cambria Public Library was formed on January 1, 2000, when the boroughs of Barnesboro and Spangler officially merged and became the borough of Northern Cambria, PA. The library is a merger of the former Barnesboro Public Library originally founded in 1956, and the former Spangler Public Library, originally founded in 1957. Many hours of work went into merging the two Boards of Directors, creating new by-laws and new articles of incorporation, and filing new 501c (3) papers.
The headquarters of the new Northern Cambria Public Library was located in the former Spangler Public Library building which was renamed the northern Cambria Public Library- South. The former Barnesboro Public Library building was designated a branch and renamed the Northern Cambria Public Library-North.
In December 2003 financial considerations led to the closing of the South building and the shifting of all materials, computers and services to the North building.
Renovations
In an effort to make the Northern Cambria Public library more user-friendly several improvements were implemented. A book drop-off was installed for after hour returns. The Children’s Department was upgraded. High school students from Northern Cambria High School added wall murals to brighten the décor. A community room was renovated for use as a community room, Director’s office and local history section.
Relocation
Due to a failure of a section of brick parapet that was scheduled to be repaired, the library was temporarily closed on July 18, 2019. Board meetings were moved to St John’s Methodist Church and children’s events were moved to St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. After determining that a repair was impossible, it was decided to relocate to the NORCAM building on 4200 Crawford Ave. The Prince of Peace Activity Center is serving as a temporary storage facility for items that would not fit at the new site.
Plans for the Future
Current plans call for the demolition of the old building through the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority. It is our goal to build a new a library. With our community’s support, it is our hope to have a single story, energy efficient, state of the art Library.
