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James V. Brown Library takes advantage of AmeriCorps summer program

The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., is taking advantage of the AmeriCorps summer program to get the word out about the power of your library card.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers.

Amanda “Mandy” Bair, of Williamsport, will spend the summer serving the library in various capacities. She has been a library patron since the third grade.

“This is my second term with STEP AmeriCorps, as I was part of the City of Williamsport Recreation Department Summer Camp last year,” she said.

Bair is a proud graduate of The University of Scranton, with a bachelor’s degree in counseling and human services with a concentration in human development. She also has a master’s degree in school counseling with a Pennsylvania certification for grades K-6.

“I have worked in the realm of education in the greater Williamsport area for the last 15 years. I’ve been blessed to be part of the school communities at West Branch School, St. John Neumann Regional Academy, Little Lambs Preschool and Childcare, and Lycoming Nursery School. I am currently a Pre-K teacher at First Nursery School,” Bair said. “For the last decade, I have volunteered with the Heartworks grief support program through UPMC Susquehanna Hospice. I am active with my church of St. Joseph the Worker Parish and the Community Theatre League.”

Bair also is a POUND Fitness instructor, primarily at Penn College and You Can Do It in Montoursville. She will bring the program to the Library with weekly events in June, July and August as part of “Workout Wednesdays.”

Bair will extend library programming this summer on the Storymobile with Ms. Pam; facilitate programs for tweens, teens and adults; create adult outreach kits for checkout; and provide library card signups at outreach events such as First Friday and the Williamsport Growers Market.

“Supporting neighbors in need is a quintessential American value that makes this nation stronger,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “Every day, selfless community changemakers make the difference for children and families in greatest need. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers are proud to be at the heart of community and national service. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the volunteers who cultivate hope and help make a positive impact on their communities.”

AmeriCorps’ research shows many benefits to volunteerism. Volunteers engage with their communities at higher rates than non-volunteers. They more frequently talk to neighbors, participate in civic organizations, attend public meetings, discuss local issues with family and friends, do favors for neighbors, and vote in local elections. Volunteers also donate to charity at twice the rate of non-volunteers and encourage others to join them.

The James V. Brown Library is open for browsing and holds pick up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library’s operating hours. The library also is open for public computer usage and for services such as printing, faxing, copying and scanning. Walk-in passport services are available. The James V. Brown Library is the 2021 Pennsylvania Library of the Year.

The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, Pa., is the place to go to learn, connect and grow. Founded in June 1907, the library champions the love of reading, opens new doors to lifelong learning, provides a haven to those who seek and ensures the preservation of public library services for future generations. The library has more than 225,000 visitors in a year and circulates a half-million items annually. A member of the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library participates in PA Forward, a statewide initiative to promote literacies in our communities to power a better future for everyone.

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