History
Amanda Bayne Balph and Jane Bayne Teece bequeathed the old homestead and four acres surrounding it to the Borough to be used as a library and park. The Library was named Andrew Bayne Memorial Library in memory of their father, Andrew Bayne who also was a member of The Constitutional Convention of 1837-38 and subsequently elected Sheriff of Allegheny County in 1838. Mrs. Bayne was the former Mary Anne Matthews, of Butler County.Andrew Bayne's farm house actually sat on a rise of ground the corner of Teece and Balph Avenues long before the grassy slope had been cut down to lay out streets. Jane Bayne Teece, married Arthur Teece in 1880, and widowed four years later, lived in the house now occupied by the Lawrence Miller Funeral Home. When she died in 1896 all of her property was left to her sister for life with the provision that after the sister's death it would revert to the borough for a park and library.The house in the park, which is now known as Andrew Bayne Memorial Library was the home of Amanda Bayne Balph. Amanda's husband, James Madison Balph, a prominent architect of Allegheny County, designed and built the beautiful Victorian home in 1875. Inside the home, there are marble fireplaces in each room. His initials are engraved in the glass transom over the front door. Mrs. Balph, widowed in 1899, lived on in the big white house until her death in August, 1912, when it became Borough property.
Mary, Harry and their 10 children.The building, which has been recently renovated, currently houses more than 14,000 titles, several magazine subscriptions, reference materials, Internet access (installed in 1995), and also a new video room including children's and adult videos. Most of the second floor is now open to the public. It includes a juvenile room and a children's room with many exclusive picture books. The video room is also located on the second floor. The library is open seven days a week to provide for the patrons. The newest technology and Internet access has developed a better place for everyone. Often the library holds public events for the whole family. For example, they hold a Victorian Christmas Party for the holidays. There are also times when the newest director Sharon Helfrich will do a story time with school children. Employees at the library also join in on the fun and activities. There is almost always something fun to do at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library. Whether if it is playing tennis in the past or reading best sellers now. The park outside of the library is a great place for parents to have fun with their children also. There are currently new slides and swings along with a merry-go-round and lots of other playground adventures. During the summer months the library holds a Summer Reading Program for certain age groups. The building, which has been recently renovated, currently houses more than 14,000 titles, several magazine subscriptions, reference materials, and Internet access (installed in 1995). The library is a member of Access PA, the statewide library system.
Library Hours
Monday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
