Ringtown Area Library

In February of 1975, the Ringtown Woman's Club approved a survey of area groups to assess public sentiments about starting a local library. Endorsements were many and included local government, the North Schuylkill School Board, the Ringtown Bicentennial Committee, local church groups, businesses, and service organizations. A committee was formed to accept donated books and to hold limited library hours. Thoughout 1975-76, hours were held weekly at the Ringtown Fire Hall. Over 6,000 books were stored over Ralph's Cafe on East Main Street while the committee searched for a permanent site for the library.Progress was made during 1976, with incorporation on June 17th, a bicentennial dedication in August, and the purchase of the Pearl Stauffer property on West Main Street with Ringtown Bicentennial Funds. From 1977 until the grand opening of the library at 132 West Main Street on June 4th, 1979, the building was renovated to serve as a library. A grant from the Jeld-Wen Foundation funded materials and the SCAM program provided labor for the interior renovation. Meanwhile, individual and group volunteers completed most of the exterior renovation. In April and May of 1978, the Ringtown Borough and Union Township designated the Ringtown Area Library as their agent for library services.

During the 1990s, the library's Board of Trustees recognized the need for more space to house the library's growing collection. With the intent of expanding the library building, the Board began to accumulate funds from various fundraisers and donations. In the spring of 2002, the Friends of the Library helped build momentum for the project by actively initiating a building fund campaign. Through the Friends group's efforts, current and former Ringtown area residents, businesses, and organizations contributed over $22,000 to the building fund. The Jeld-Wen Foundation once again provided assistance, this time with a check for $25,000. In all, over $100,000 in private funds paid for the construction of a 1,000 sq.ft. addition to the rear of the library building and renovations to the existing building. In September of 2002, Dennison Renovations of Zion Grove started work on the addition and renovation project. The project was completed in June of 2003, just in time for the Rededication and Open House on June 21st.