Crafton library director outlines programs, council approves park little free library

Beverly Novak, the new director of the Crafton Public Library, told the Crafton Borough Council on Sept. 11 that her team is expanding programs for seniors, teens and middle graders and plans quarterly book-and-bake sales as part of fundraising for “Love Your Library” month. Novak said space constraints are limiting some programming and asked the council to consider installing a door for the children’s room so the library can better serve mixed uses: “We are running into the problem, however, of being able to do that with our space without a door for the children's room,” Novak said. The request followed Novak’s announcement that the library will hold a book-and-bake sale on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and that fundraising letters are being mailed to Crafton residents in the coming week. Novak said the effort supports the library’s effort to expand STEM and age-targeted programming. Separately, council approved a resident-led project to install a free little library in Crafton Park. Kit Kolnick presented the proposal and said volunteers would provide materials and initial stocking: “we would be providing all the materials to build it, paint it, stock it for the first time,” Kolnick said. Kolnick told council the structure would be freestanding: “it would just be a post.” Council and staff discussed siting, utilities and maintenance. The borough manager said the Crafton Public Library has agreed to maintain the unit after installation and that, if approved, staff would coordinate placement, check for underground utilities (a one‑call), and confirm a final site to avoid conflicts with trees or utilities. The council took a formal vote and approved the little-library installation; no detailed vote tally was recorded in the meeting minutes. Discussion only: Novak’s request for a children’s-room door remained a staff action item to schedule and discuss in coming months; no formal spending decision or timeline was recorded during the Sept. 11 meeting. Ending: Novak asked for community support for the library’s fundraising and programming; the council approved the free little library and directed staff to coordinate details and utility locates before installation.