Degenstein Community Library

History

1937 to 1941 SUNBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY – 235 Arch Street

The Sunbury Business and Professional Women’s Club conceived the idea of a public library for Sunbury in 1935 and obtained the support of Kiwanis, Rotary, and other civic groups. Later that year the first Board of Directors was formed with Harry S. Knight as president. Martha F. Dodson was appointed library director in 1936. After two years of planning, fundraising, and renovating the half-double house at 235 Arch Street, the Sunbury Public Library opened February 27, 1937. By November 1939 the library was already outgrowing its quarters.

1941 to 2002 JOHN R. KAUFFMAN, JR. PUBLIC LIBRARY –  228 Arch Street

In 1940, John R. Kauffman, Jr., the second Board President, purchased the Houtz Victorian home across the street. It was converted for use as a library with a public conference room and greater space for books and services.

Named in appreciation of his generosity, John R. Kauffman, Jr. Public Library opened January 27, 1941. Library directors following Martha Dodson were Louise Caldwell Peters in 1945, Alice C. Moore in 1947, Helen E. Wolfe in 1953, and Gail Broome in 1986. In 1961, again due to space constraints, a 4,500 square-foot addition was constructed to meet the growing needs of the community. This created areas for more programs and activities.

2002 DEGENSTEIN COMMUNITY LIBRARY – 40 South Fifth Street

Expanding services and new technologies required even more space. Beginning in 1993, the Board of Directors began the process of planning, designing, and fundraising needed to construct a new facility. Sunbury City Council’s resolution in January 1998 sold the Fifth Street municipal parking lot as the site for the new library was an important milestone. After receiving Charles B. Degenstein’s early major gift, the new library was ready and opened in July 2002.

Library directors include Martha Dodson in 1936, Louise Caldwell, Alice Moore, Helen Wolfe, and Gail Broome. After 30 years of dedicated service, Gail Broome retired as Library Director in January 2017 and Melissa Rowse joined the team.

The tremendous growth of the library through the years would not have been possible without the support of the community, local and state governments, civic-minded individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations, including the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation, The Fern & Gladys Moyer Memorial Trust, The 2006 Edward S. Rosenblum Foundation, the Sunbury Northumberland Community Trust, Susquehanna Valley United Way, Community Giving Foundation:  Sunbury and the PPL Foundation,

The Degenstein Community Library is a 501c3 charitable organization.  All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.