"Significant milestones in the life of a community calls for significant celebration and marking of such milestones gives us a sense of history of how it is that we have come to this place. Today we celebrate the 40th anniversary and the retiring of the debt for the Western Pocono Community Library," said the Rev. E. Ann Melot of Zion United Lutheran Church Wednesday on the library's lawn.

To help mark the milestone, the Pleasant Valley Marching Band, under the direction of James DeVivo, played several musical selections. The West End Fire Company and Unit 43-6-1, raised a large American flag for the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem. The Pleasant Valley Choral Society, under the direction of Dottie Mohr, sang "I've Got Rhythm," "Music of the Night," "September" and "Rhythm of Life."Dr. Karin-Susan Breitlauch, president of the library's board of trustees, gave a brief history of library.In 1974, "a group of citizens came together and decided that this community needed its own library. Six months later, there was a collection and it was housed in a Sunday School room at Zion Church in Brodheadsville," she said.The collection was later moved to a 3,064-square-foot area on Bond Lane in Brodheadsville, now the library's Heritage Center. In 1998 a groundbreaking was held for a new 15,000-square-foot facility on Pilgrim's Way in Brodheadsville. The $3 million dollar project was financed from public contributions plus a $1.3 million dollar mortgage by First Northern Bank and Trust of Palmerton. Earlier this year, the library informed the public that it needed $70,000 to pay off the mortgage. It challenged the community to raise half of that, and a matching dollar to dollar grant would be provided for the other half."The mission of the WPCL is to provide lifelong access for educational enrichment opportunities through resources, services and programming to the residents of our community and surrounding areas," said Breitlauch. "This library has continued to grow and change with the needs of its community. As libraries struggle to remain relevant in the age of electronic books and information overload, this library has continued to broaden its services: The Community Room; literacy and GED programs; computer access; a walking track and newly renovated Hommer room downstairs available for community events; Strong Women exercise program; audio and e-books; Story Time; community bus trips and programs; and so much more."Breitlauch said the money that was used to pay the mortgage will now be used to fund community programs."There has been one individual who has been the driving force behind the creation and continuing development of this building ... Carol Kern, the woman who made all of this possible," to which she received a standing ovation.Kern was the library's president until 1983, when she was appointed library director, a title she has retained ever since. It has been through her tireless efforts that WPCL is the vital heart of the community it is today.Kern thanked everyone. "Without you, we wouldn't be burning our mortgage. The community raised $36,469 and we received a matching grant of $72,935, more than we needed."She said a lot goes on behind the scenes. She thanked her husband, Peter, their three children, Karl, Keith and Karen, their spouses and children for their support. She thanked the board of trustees, a great group of employees, Shereen Eckhart, WPCL's administrative assistant, "without them, we wouldn't be here today."She then presented a plaque to Marion Mackes, the treasurer of the library, for her years of dedication. Together, they held the mortgage, lit a flame and proceeded to burn it, amid cheers and applause from everyone.The library received citations from U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, Rep. Rosemary Brown and Rep. Mario Scavello.WPCL is a member of the Easton District Center. Jennifer Stocker, the director of the Easton Area Library offered their congratulations.