Kathy Bollinger was a sophomore at Tarentum High School in the 1960s when she started her part-time job at Community Library of Alle­gheny Valley.

Little did she know that her stint as a page would transform into a six-decade career helping the library grow into a community hub that serves a population of more than 20,000 people.

“Back then, I mostly put books back on the shelves,” the Tarentum resident said.

She worked two hours a day after school. The pay was 50 cents an hour.

“I went away to college at IUP and got my degree in education,” she said. “I taught at Head Start for a short time until the library needed someone to run the children’s department.”

In 1971, when Bollinger began her full-time role, the library was housed in the former Rudert’s Hardware Store on Sixth Avenue in Tarentum.

The book catalog was scant. There weren’t enough materials to fill the three-story building.

When Bollinger came on board, there were no story times or art clubs to draw kids to the library.

“We didn’t really have a department. We had a small row of shelves,” she said. “I was the only one to do programming for children of all ages. I certainly couldn’t offer as many options as we have today, but we did have some fun times.”

With her own toddlers in tow, Bollinger organized summer puppet shows at school playgrounds, chess tournaments, craft classes and reading times.

She served in that capacity for many years and said it was a perfect fit while raising her children.

In the mid-1990s, Bollinger began cataloging and served in that role for nearly 20 years, moving to the Harrison library when the building opened in 1998.

Most recently, she became head of the local history department, which includes 1,200 rolls of microfilm from local newspapers and 1,400 books with special emphasis on the local area.

The department also includes the library’s genealogy resources.

Suzy Ruskin, library director, said Bollinger is an indispensable part of her team.

The longest-serving staffer, Bollinger has institutional knowledge that is unmatched, Ruskin said.

“She has an invaluable amount of information about our library’s history and the history of our community,” Ruskin said. “She always has a smile on her face and is ready for whatever I ask her to do.”

For Bollinger, changing with the times has kept her job interesting.

Decades ago, when people didn’t have access to the internet or even encyclopedias, she said, library patrons came to the library not just to read but to learn.

Today, the library is more than a research center. It has grown to offer programs such as sewing, scrapbooking and STEM that apply to all ages.

As technology allowed people to access information from home, Bollinger devised a program called “Who Knew?” to draw people to the library for a look back at local history.

With topics such as A-K Valley sports, Tarentum campgrounds and Mister Rogers, the monthly program is an overwhelming success. She rarely repeats a topic, Bollinger said.

“You have to keep up with the changes, and this seems to interest people,” Bollinger said. “We get a lot of older people, but there are some young ones interested in local history.”

The next meeting on March 21 will focus on local businesses and buildings that are still operating after 100 years in the Valley.

“Did you know that the Tarentum YMCA was funded by PPG founder Capt. John Ford in 1901?” Bollinger teased.

During her time at the library, Bollinger said, the introduction of computers was the most vital change.

The library got its first dose of computer technology in 1995, she recalled.

“As time went on, technology changed everything,” she said. “Patrons had free internet access with their library cards, and they got good at using it.

“I could no longer say, ‘I can find anything faster in a book on our library shelf than online.’ ”

When she’s not digging up history at the library, Bollinger spends her time sewing, antiquing and watching the Game Show Network.

Reading has remained her No. 1 passion.

“I have grown with the library as it has evolved,” Bollinger said. “It has always been a large part of my life and a wonderful place to work.”

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