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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