CRANBERRY TWP — The Cranberry Public Library recently presented its inaugural Spirit of Giving Award that was named for its first recipients for their support of the library.

Township residents Bruce and Conni Mazzoni received their award at an April 16 ceremony at the library.

The Mazzoni Spirit of Giving Award will be presented annually during Library Week.

They also learned that the soon-to-be built Reading Garden will be named in their honor.

“We were very surprised and humbled. There were many people whose efforts help make our library an outstanding community asset,” said Mazzoni. “To be honored in this way was very meaningful for Conni and me.”

The library was looking for a way to honor people who support the library through financial and volunteer contributions and decided to make it an annual award, said Leslie Pallotta, library director.

The work of the Mazzonis jumped out, she said.

“They’ve done so much more than give to the library,” said Pallotta.

Bruce Mazzoni, who is the chairman of the township board of supervisors, first got involved with public service and philanthropy through his service on the township library board.

“We always were happy to donate/support the library, and have done so for 20-plus years,” he said.

He said that when he and his wife moved to the area, they took full advantage of the library, especially with their young children, who loved to visit the library.

“We took it for granted not knowing what other people in the past have done that allowed us to enjoy a great library,” said Mazzoni.

“Giving our recent gift was our chance to help do the same for the next generations of families. We hope other families will consider the library in their estate planning.”

In 2008, the Mazzonis set up a Cranberry Legacy Endowment Fund to benefit the Cranberry library.

Later this year the library will begin an expansion project that will include the new Reading Garden along with a larger meeting room, Pallotta said.

The current meeting room will be converted into a quite study area. She hopes the Reading Garden will be open by next spring.

Mazzoni said, “Good communities have good libraries. Great communities have great libraries. The two go together. Fortunately, Cranberry enjoys a great library.”