Coudersport Rotary Club welcomed Librarian Teri McDowell to our September 15, 2025, meeting at A&W West End Grill. Teri McDowell has been the Librarian at Coudersport Public Library for 10 years. For 25 years she worked as a journalist and writer for local newspapers and he has a bachelor’s degree in Library

Science and two Masters degrees.

Teri is Chair of a regional library association and President-elect of the Pennsylvania Public Library Association. She is a former Rotarian until she couldn’t attend due to work. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of A Way Out.

Coudersport Public Library is one of the oldest libraries in the nation, at 175 years old. The oldest library is in New Hampshire, founded in 1833. Boston and Coudersport have libraries founded in 1850. The founders were a Sewing Circle who sewed and sold items to purchase books. The value of determination and persistent effort is shown by the fact that in 6 months they had 50 books. Meetings were held at homes, and later at the old courthouse (which is now the Coudersport jail) and later the new Courthouse.

Members of the Sewing Circle took turns being the Librarian. They held lectures and debates. Mary Mann, who was Librarian from 1854 1868 was also a conductor on the Underground Railroad. In 1905 the Dewey Decimal system was introduced. A

¾ mil tax was established to pay the librarian. The library was housed upstairs from the current Historical Society. In 1932 a Memorial Fund was established to improve cash flow, which continues today.

In 1973 the current building was built. It was 1,000 square feet and has since been expanded to 4,000 square feet. Some of the original carpets and shelving are still in place. Darlene Peasley was hired as Librarian in 1976. Laurie Shear, as Administrator, brought us into the State system and although she is

retired, still fills in weekly.

The Library Board of Directors is grateful to the local community for its response when the County Commissioners were considering cutting back the Library’s funding. The overwhelming support expressed by the community convinced them not to do this.

The annual budget is $125,000/year. Major donors are Coudersport Borough, two townships, the State, County, and School District. $50,000 of funding comes from fundraisers, donations and small grants.

Ebooks are growing in popularity. You can download the Libby app using the barcode on the back of your library card and access free books and periodicals.

Coudersport Rotary members pointed out the ways the library functions for the community. Rotarian Ruth Sallade mentioned their help when she was getting her teaching education. Meetings are held at the library for groups such as a Book Club, Knitters, Trout Unlimited, and Potter County Bird Club. There are story hours for young children and special events such as a Downton Abbey tea and short story readings.

Thank you, Teri McDowell, for telling us how valuable our library is to the community.