VOLUNTEERFOCUS
VOLUNTEERFOCUS
Susan Tracy has lived in Mt. Lebanon for most of her life. Before retiring, she was an assistant vice president for a local bank and before becoming a banker, she worked in social services with dependent, neglected adolescents. Susan has two children and four grandchildren. Her daughter lives in Texas and her son in Ohio. Six years ago, when the RAD money for libraries was cut back, Susan decided it was time for her to help in any way she could. But when she checked at the library, the one job suggested— watering plants— was not a good fit. As she was leaving the building, however, a woman working at the Book Cellar Used Book Store started chatting with her, and Susan ended up volunteering there. She is now the volunteer coordinator, trains new volunteers and helps with the operation of the book shop.
Q: What is your favorite work of fiction? A:“ To Kill a Mockingbird”
Q: Nonfiction? A:“ The Glass Castle”
Q: If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
A: Vianne from“ Au Chocolat”
Q: What is your favorite hobby outside the library / reading?
A: Traveling. If asked,“ Do you want to go???” I can be packed and ready to go in 30 minutes.
Q: What is your favorite part of volunteering at the library?
A: The personal satisfaction of knowing that my volunteer efforts, combined with the other Book Cellar volunteers’ efforts, result in a great contribution to the library.
Q: What keeps you coming back as a volunteer? A: I love my library.
Q: What are you currently reading? A:“ The Perfume Collector”
Q: Have you always been interested in libraries?
A: Yes, as a young child, I was dropped off many times at the Carnegie Library in Oakland where I would read and explore for hours.
Q: Who is your favorite author and why? A: I don’ t have a favorite; I have many favorites. Sometimes an ordinary
Photo by Ginnie Fickman author will write an ordinary book with only one profound sentence. He / she would be on my“ favorites” list simply for the one profound sentence. If I had to pick only one, then I would say Anna Quindlen because she writes beautifully.
Q: What would you title your autobiography?
A: My license plate is HPY2BME. I think that would be a good, or a close enough, title.
Q: What’ s the library’ s best-kept secret?
A: It really is the heart of the community. You can feel a living energy within the building.
professional, will bring history to life when he portrays Union General Ulysses S. Grant, the architect of total Union victory. Step back in time with one of the Civil War’ s greatest leaders. Serfass has portrayed Grant for a History Channel documentary and is the bandmaster for the Antebellum Marine Band.
This program will be held on the lawn of Southminster Manse( across the driveway from the library). Attendees are invited to bring a picnic dinner( no alcohol please). The program will be held in the library if it rains.
Hands-On History: The Civil War 7 p. m., Tuesday, August 2
Civil War history will come alive tonight with two interactive presentations. First up is a talk with a re-enactor from the 9th Pennsylvania Reserves, Co. A, 38th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Dressed as a Union private, the re-enactor will provide a glimpse of what like was like for an infantryman in the Civil War.
For the second presentation, a docent from Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Museum will present a Civil War Footlocker filled with items a Civil War soldier would have used. There will be time for the audience to interact with the presenters and their collections.
The Civil War in Pennsylvania: A
Photographic History 7 p. m., Tuesday, August 16
Kenneth C. Turner will talk about his co-authored book The Civil War in Pennsylvania: A Photographic History. Pennsylvania fulfilled its role as the Keystone State when the Civil War erupted in 1861, and its large size and varied economy contributed 315,000 men and more munitions than any other state. On the home front, women and children tended to vast farms and filled factory jobs. The Civil War in Pennsylvania: A Photographic History presents for the first time in a single volume these stories and tells the story of the war’ s impact on the state through hundreds of images from private collections.
SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Tom Roberts, Silent Film Musician 7 p. m., Thursday, June 30
Silent film composer Tom Roberts will be playing his own score to three Charlie Chaplin films. All ages are invited for an unforgettable evening.
‘ burgh ku 7 p. m., Wednesday, August 17
Mt. Lebanon author / poet Dave Borland and Dormont artist Karen Larson will provide some fun for the dog days
Continued
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