Bridgeville Library Facing Major Cutbacks

A lack of volunteers and donations is forcing the to drastically cut back its hours beginning May 1.

The library is cutting its hours by nearly half and now will be open only 35 hours a week, which is the minimum to still be able to accept state funding.

The decision to reduce the hours is especially disappointing because and a new entrance to the McMillen Street building was paved recently.

Nino Petrocelli Sr., who is the borough council’s president and member of the library board, said volunteers and donations are the lifeblood for any library. But Bridgeville Public Library is having trouble getting interest from the community to offer help or money.

“I’m disappointed, but maybe that’s what Bridgeville wants,” Petrocelli said. “We haven’t got one person from Bridgeville to volunteer for anything. Not one person. It would be nice for someone to come by and say, ‘You need your grass cut? I’ll cut it this week.’”

He pointed to grass cutting, landscaping, snow plowing and window washing that are very costly and could be done by community members who want to help. He said the response to annual fundraising letters to Bridgeville residents has been anemic.

“People have to contribute a little more than they do,” Petrocelli said. “Nobody wants to volunteer to do anything. Everything we have to do we have to pay for.”

The library currently is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

That changes May 1, when the hours will shrink heavily and the library will be open 1 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The library will be closed every Sunday and Monday.

Donna Taylor, who is the library’s director, could not be reached for comment.

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