From its mid-century origins to its current Grand Avenue home, the Mars Area Public Library enters its next era the same way it started — relying on a dedicated staff, creative space management and an unbreakable bond with the community.

That dedication was put to the test in early 2026, when the library sustained serious damage after a severe January storm left a foot of ice in the building’s gutters, forcing melting water back into the ceiling and exterior walls. The interior damage was estimated at between $20,000 and $30,000 and required the replacement of drywall, insulation and furniture.

The library was forced to close its doors for a month and a half. However, thanks to diligent effort from the library’s 10-person staff, no books, magazines or video games were damaged. Staff quickly moved materials away from the affected areas and, for the next 44 days, monitored leaks, shifted books and other items away from drips and kept library operations as normal as possible.

Each day, they stood outside on the curb handing out requested books to patrons. They also continued programs at various off-site locations throughout the community.

“We were able to pivot for the community,” said library director Janae Callihan. “I applaud my staff and the volunteers that were able to assist us. When we were able to get back in, it was an all-hands-on-deck operation.”

The library that bounced back so quickly from water damage didn’t start out so well-equipped. It began as a stack of donated books in a private home.

The first Mars library began about 75 years ago in a modest home at 211 Crowe Ave. It started as a collection donated by the Women’s Club in a residential space.

“I’ve heard that books lined the stairwell,” Callahan said.

That early space later evolved into the present-day library on Grand Avenue, near Mars’ downtown business district. The building had previously been used as industrial space and, over time, has gone through several makeovers and renovations.

For generations, many people thought of libraries as quiet places where visitors searched for books, did research and kept their voices low. But today’s libraries are expected to do far more. The Mars library has become a busy gathering place filled with programs, tutoring, technology help, children’s activities and community connections.

Callahan said the library’s work today extends far beyond its shelves. The library offers interactive children’s story times, outreach visits to schools, day cares and senior centers by an outreach librarian, technology help for older residents and programs designed to bring in people who may not otherwise use the library.

It has become a welcoming, safe and free place for tutoring, meetings and community connection.

Callahan said the library’s role as a learning space was evident on a recent day, when every table was filled with students and tutors.

One big change in library operations is children’s programming, which Callahan described as the “bread and butter” of library programming. She remembers, just a few years ago, when the children’s librarian sat in a rocking chair surrounded by children as she read a story.

“Today, story hour is like a show for the librarian to put on,” Callahan said.

What once was a simple reading session has become a more interactive experience, with shaky eggs, scarves, felt boards, silly songs and other activities designed to keep children engaged while building early literacy skills.

“We want a comfortable environment for them,” Callahan said.

Young children are easy to draw in with songs and toys. Teenagers are a tougher audience. Callahan said teens and young adults are among the hardest groups for the library to reach, so staff members use programs and community events to draw them in. She added that even if they do not come in first as regular library users, a program may introduce them to what the library offers.

“We have a teen advisory group that enables them to get volunteer hours, which they need for school or which look good on an application,” Callahan said. “They work with the librarians to plan teen programs or help the children’s librarian plan programs. We are giving them skills they need later in life through their volunteer program.”

Technology has also changed almost every part of library work. Gone are the card catalogs, as patrons now have 24/7 access to the library’s online catalog and can browse the library collection from home and place holds on items they wish to borrow. Digital borrowing has increased with the growth of e-books.

Behind the scenes, staff members use technology for circulation, program registration, communication, marketing and planning.

Volunteers and groups such as the Friends of Mars Public Library also are invaluable to the operation of the library.

“The Friends are the Santa Clauses of the public library system,” Callahan said, adding that the group’s fall and spring book sales recently helped provide technology for the children’s library. The group is currently supporting a chicken-hatching project for the annual summer reading program.

Volunteers come in on scheduled days and times, while others volunteer as needs arise.

“They are invaluable to us,” Callahan said.

Even with that volunteer support, Callahan said one of the library’s biggest challenges is meeting growing community needs with limited space, staffing and funding. She would love to have individual study rooms in the library and a space separating the children’s and adult areas.

“Small libraries are expected to provide modern technology, robust programming, updated collections, accessible spaces and community support, often with very lean budgets,” she said.

“Space is also a challenge, especially when program attendance grows faster than the building can accommodate.”

The library is watching the proposed merger between Mars Borough and Adams Township, which could shape its future growth. If approved by voters in both municipalities in November, the merger would create Mars Township in 2028 and could affect long-term planning for library space, funding and service to the growing community.

“It is a path forward for the public and the library,” Callahan said.