Located in the heart of downtown Jim Thorpe, the Dimmick Memorial Library has been opened for continuous service since 1890.

The Dimmick library’s current location was built toward the end of the Victorian era and opened on Oct. 1, 1890. The town was previously serviced by the Mauch Chunk Library Association (opened in 1827) and the Minerva Library (1867-1889).

Today, the Dimmick Memorial Library is home to eight staff members, including Library Director Rachel Hoff, who joined the staff nearly two years ago. The library is also one of Pennsylvania’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

The library’s unique location, in the heart of downtown Jim Thorpe, has naturally led the library to focus on local history and researchers who live nearby or frequent the area. The library also does its best to share the talents of local residents, whether they are artists, history enthusiasts or storytellers.

“Two of the really great programs that we’re offering are a skill-share program and our historical research night,” Hoff said.

On the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., the library offers a skill-share program called “Be a Beginner.” The program offers an introductory look at skills such as bullet journaling and loom weaving.

The historical research night is offered on the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Current topics include research guides and instruction. The library has several presentations planned for summer, including the history of Mauch Chunk and the Switchback Railroad.

“Since we are in a historical town, we do get a lot of research requests,” added Hoff.

Dimmick recently installed a new microfilm reader and has local newspapers on microfilm dating back to 1829. The library also has a local history collection, cemetery records and genealogy books and family records.

Because of the library’s focus on history, it also has historical documents regarding the library. For example, a fire gutted the center of the library in 1979, leading to a restoration and rededication in 1982. Photographs and newspaper clippings about the fire are available in the library’s reference section.

Another way that the library features local talent is through their ongoing art display, which features a new artist and reception every two months.

Larissa Weston, a photographer and Philadelphia’s University of the Arts student from Weatherly, is currently featured at the library. The next artist to be featured will be Jared C. Balogh, a painter from Allentown who will be on display during March and April.

The library’s summer and weekend hours tend to flex in order to fit downtown events, while still remaining open extended hours during the week for locals. They also work to fit the library into the town’s themes and festivals, bringing Santa to read on December weekends and offering a reading of “The Lorax” during Earth Day.

“On the weekends, we make ourselves available for events in town and tourists. But we also love that our heart, our local patrons, are going to come in on Monday morning,” said Hoff, noting that Monday morning is typically the busiest day of the week, and the most popular time for locals to come into the library.

Dimmick also offers story time for children at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. This program features a variety of community members and library staff, offering stories, crafts, and even the occasional puppeteer. They are also busy planning their summer reading program, which will follow the nation Collaborative Summer Library Program’s theme of Libraries Rock. Hoff hopes to take a more literal interpretation of the theme and feature a geologist and earth theme.

In addition to their historical expertise and community outreach, the Jim Thorpe library offers basic services such as computer access; printer, copies and fax; online databases; free downloadable books and magazines form the Carbon Lehigh Downloadable Library and Zinio; internet and Wi-Fi access, and more.

Dimmick Memorial Library also recently added a charging bar with USB ports and wall outlets for patrons to use as needed.

Hoff noted that with a building nearly 130 years old, wall outlets have always been at a premium. The charging bar allows locals and tourists alike to charge their devices while tapping into the library’s Wi-Fi, a big selling point in downtown Jim Thorpe where coverage can be spotty.

Dimmick Memorial Library is located at 54 Broadway in Jim Thorpe. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 570-325-2131 or go to www.dimmicklibrary.org. A complete schedule of events is located on the website and Facebook page.