New Kensington's Peoples Library to develop courtyard in memory of Jane Glenn

New Kensington civic leader Jane Glenn is set to be remembered at the library that meant so much to her.

Peoples Library will revamp the garden space behind the library into “The Jane Glenn Courtyard,” library Director David Hrivnak said.

A banner announcing the future name and the library’s intentions was put up on Tuesday.

The library board will seek advice and determine what will be done as part of the project over the next few months, Hrivnak said.

“It’s going to be done in stages over a period of time. We’re going to do it thoughtfully and carefully and do some nice additions,” he said. “The goal of this is to basically take what’s been a spot which has gotten a lot of use and revamping it and dedicating it to Jane, who was so very instrumental in getting the library in its current location.”

Glenn, of Lower Burrell and previously New Kensington, was 84 when she died Feb. 3.

Active in the New Kensington community and recognizing its need for a good library, Glenn earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Pittsburgh. She worked with local business leaders to raise the money needed to turn a former downtown grocery store at Ninth and Barnes streets into the home of Peoples Library, where it remains today.

A former president and treasurer of the library board, Glenn was working to support the library until fall 2021, when she had to stop because of her failing health, said her husband, James.

“I think whatever they want to do is appropriate because she was very instrumental in establishing the library and keeping it going,” James Glenn said. “I’m very gratified they’ve decided to do something. I think she deserves it.”

Hrivnak said the library’s timing for the courtyard project is great, with New Kensington about to begin work on a new playground and basketball courts on the parking lot adjacent to the courtyard along Barnes Street.

“We hope this will tie in nicely with that as well,” he said.

The Pucketos Garden Club, which Jane Glenn was involved with, maintains an herb garden and flowers outside the library in the same area as the courtyard. She didn’t mind getting her hands dirty working in the garden, said Martha Sproul, her friend and a past president of the garden club.

Sproul said she and Mary Lou Bitar noticed the banner with Jane Glenn’s name on it when they were working at the garden Tuesday.

“We love it. It brought us to tears, actually,” Sproul said. “Every time we’re there, we say she’s there. That’s how we feel about it.”