Vandergrift library director has big plans for $15K grant

Joyce Hanz, The Valley News-Dispatch, Tarentum, Pa.
·3 min read

Dec. 15—The Vandergrift Public Library recently was awarded a $15,000 grant to offer additional tutoring to students beyond what they can get in school.

Sarah Buzzard of Vandergrift started her job as director in September and immediately began her grant mission to secure funds for the library.

She said she likes the challenge of grant writing and has experience landing grants. She applied for and was awarded a $10,000 ARP Humanities grant at her previous library job.

"I find grant writing a lot like writing an extensive report for school," she said.

The Enhancing Education and Employment Needs Grant was awarded last week from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County through the Pittsburgh Foundation.

The funds will be used to offer a variety of programs in partnership with the Kiski Area School District and the Alle-Kiski Career Link branch.

Buzzard plans to offer employment readiness, GED assistance, free GED testing, resume writing, interview preparation, job searching and provide laptops for in-library use.

Plans also include providing tutoring opportunities for students beyond what is offered during regular school hours.

"I'm really excited to be partnering with KASD, my alma mater. It's refreshing to see the district jump at the idea of partnering and enhancing tutoring options for students, in all grades," Buzzard said.

Representatives from the Kiski Area School District did return several calls for information.

Tutoring will be available to students from any school district at various locations in the two-story library adjacent to the Casino Theatre in downtown Vandergrift. The Teen Alley section of the library is one option, Buzzard said.

Kiski Area officials did not respond to several requests for comment.

In addition, Buzzard hopes to enhance the established HomeSchool Creative Program.

The homeschool program is held once a month for up to two hours at the library. Program themes have included genealogy and learning about park rangers.

Vandergrift Councilwoman Marilee Kessler said the grant money is much needed.

"It's particularly gratifying to see that the library will be able to offer tutoring services to our residents. Especially since the pandemic has caused such disruption to the education of our children everywhere," Kessler said. "Test scores are revealing that we've got a lot of catching up to do, and this will go a long way toward meeting that need."

For Buzzard, hearing the news of the grant award felt like Christmas morning.

"It's been a week, and I'm still in utter shock over this. This grant is going to do so many great things for this library and community," she said.

The Vandergrift Public Library was founded in 1901 by George McMurtry, former president of the Apollo Iron and Steel Co. To stock the library, McMurtry asked borough residents to match his donation of 1,000 books. The citizens did just that.

Buzzard grew up in Vandergrift and plans to use Kiski Area High School students as tutors.

"To be awarded such a high-dollar grant is terrifying, yet exhilarating, especially when I've only been in this role for three months," Buzzard said.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .