Greensburg Hempfield Area Library receives donated furniture from Pitt Greensburg

After 52 years of using the same furniture, the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library is getting a refresh.

Employees of the downtown Greensburg library on Thursday morning gathered at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, where they hauled away more than 80 donated pieces of furniture to be used at the library, which is undergoing renovations. Furniture at the library has not been replaced since 1969.

“This wonderful donation of tables, chairs and study carrels from UPG is a great addition to the library,” said Jamie Falo, library director. “The furniture will complement the improvements to the newly updated space and will offer community members a comfortable space when visiting the library.”

In all, the library is set to receive 12 tables, 60 chairs, pinwheel study carrels — tables with partitions that will be converted into computer stations — and soft, upholstered chairs for the children’s area.

The donated furniture was used at Millstein Library on Pitt-Greensburg’s campus. That facility will receive used furniture from Hillman Library on the Oakland campus, which is undergoing renovations, including new furniture, according to spokeswoman Susan Isola.

The donated furniture will be used at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library after renovations are complete in four to six weeks.

Improvements being made to the library include updating mechanical, electrical and plumbing aspects of the building; repairing the roof and front stairs; repointing brick on the outside; adding two new circulation desks; and bringing the library into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The cost of the renovations is being covered by a grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the state Department of Education and from money provided by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. However, the grant does not cover the cost of furniture.

Falo noted she was in the process of gathering information for another grant when she received a call from Joe Bleehash, director of facilities and operations with Pitt-Greensburg, asking if she had use for the furniture. After seeing it at Millstein Library, Falo said she was “very pleased and happy with the condition.”

Greensburg Hempfield Area Library employees took the furniture to First Presbyterian Church in Greensburg, where it will be stored until the renovations are complete.

“Pitt-Greensburg is excited to be able to share these resources with the library so that their patrons can get many more years of use out of them and it can serve the county,” Isola said.