Introducing new faces!
Tara Watson
Youth Services Librarian Tara Watson graduated from the Catholic University of America with a Masters of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) in 2008. After working at the Pohick Regional Library and with the Fairfax County Public Library system, she left the library field for a while to work as a Marketing and Communications director first at George Mason University and then the University of Arizona. After moving to the Pittsburgh area three years ago, Tara worked at the Cranberry Public Library, and joined the Mars Area Public Library in March 2024.
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Fun fact: Tara's favorite animal is the sloth.
Vince D'Alesio
Programming and Outreach Librarian Vince D'Alesio graduated with a Masters of Information and Library Science (MILS) from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014. Since then, he has worked in Carnegie Libraries in both Swissvale and McKeesport. Vince joined the Mars Area Public Library in June 2024.
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Fun fact: Vince's favorite animal is the barn swallow.
Janae Callihan
Director Janae Callihan started her career when she began volunteering at age 14 at the Cranberry Public Library. While at the Cranberry Public Library, Janae progressed from page to youth assistant to Teen Librarian to the Head of Youth Services. During this time she also earned a Bachelor of Science in School Librarianship from Clarion University and a Masters of Information and Library Science (MILS) from the University of Pittsburgh. Janae joined the Mars Area Public Library in April 2024
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Fun fact: Janae has a Basset Hound named Zelda.
Growing a Community of Readers
Since January of 2024 we have added 336 cardholders for a total of 12,267 cardholders as of August 9, 2024!
As of August, 55,852 items have been checked out of the Mars Area Public Library during 2024.
400 Mars Area Primary Center Students visited in February for Read Across America.
Summer Reading Success
As of August 11, 2024, 3,191 individuals attended 153 in-person library events. 537 people participated in our annual summer reading challenge.
A foamtastic party to celebrate everyone who completed their summer reading challenge!
A New Home on the Horizon
Adams Township and Mars Borough have partnered up in a big new project after receiving a generous donation from NexTier Bank! Where the current NexTier Bank sits on the main street of Mars is the potential new location for the Mars Area Public Library and NASA Discovery center!
Your generosity gives us the power to make a positive impact in the community we serve!
Your gift is an investment in our future. Our little library is busier than ever, making the need even greater. Your gift, no matter what size, helps strengthen our services.
We invite you to give to the Mars Area Public Library 2024 Annual Fund Drive and keep the momentum going strong as we head into 2025 together.
With grateful appreciation,
Mars Area Public Library and Board of Directors
Ed McCaul
Mars Borough
Anastacia Nelson
Mars Borough
Jennifer Bainbridge
Adams Township
Vanessa Fellers
Adams Township
Raymond Abate
Middlesex Township
Emily Wiley
Middlesex Township
Rob Vigue
Valencia Borough