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Passyunk Square’s Susan Posternock admits her involvement with the South Philadelphia Library, 1700 S. Broad St., originally had selfish motives.
“It was the time when the mayor was looking at making all those cuts in the library, and I am a really heavy library user and I wanted to make sure my library was going to continue to be there for me, and for everyone else too,” Posternock, a Wildwood Crest, N.J. native, who, as a child, begged her parents to take her to the area’s larger library, said.
At first there was not a big volunteer turnout, so the 35-year-old recruited two close friends and fellow library lovers, Laura McColgan, Friends of Whitman Library president, and Linda Montgomery, Friends of Donatucci Library president, to help to begin building Friends of the South Philadelphia Library in 2009. The trio, along with other volunteers including boyfriend Scott Knodle, worked with the branch manager Tiffany Smith to help develop programs and fundraisers for the library, which has the traffic flow of one of the larger branches.
The funds were used to expand cultural materials such those needed for the influx of Cambodian residents. Her team, which now includes Katie McDonald and Jennifer Brank, also put together an Oct. 22 pumpkin-painting event.
Posternock finds the simple events are easy on the committee and seem to have the most success. Things like the gardening club or book sales help to support the programs and offset library costs.
The resident of 10th and Tasker streets works as a research librarian for a Center City law firm. Along with her full-time position and volunteer work, she has a real estate business on the side. Her philosophy on balancing all of her roles is to simply just make time because the children’s excitement and reaction to her programs make it all worthwhile.
“How can I not do this?” she said.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
More 2011 Difference Makers:
Madeline Brinkman Louis DiRenzo Bonney DosSantos Andrew Emma Darren Fava
Sara Feinstein Greg Frangipani Gary Harkins Kelly Hile Mitch Little
Robert Malara Jessica Mammarella Chris Menna Anton Moore John Murawski
Cassie Plummer Michelle Rumbaugh Letty Santarelli Christy Santoro
Marianne Squillaciotti Walter Stewart Jennifer Swain Angelica Victoriano Joe Whelan
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