PORT ALLEGANY — The S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library has expanded its services to the community by investing in a new outdoor space for library program and patron use.

Federal American Rescue Plan funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services were provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Commonwealth Libraries to support the long-term work of community and library recovery in Pennsylvania. The furnished outdoor patio premiered at the “Get Hooked on Your Library” Happy Hour Fundraiser on July 8.

The new smoke-free patio allows patrons and local organizations to use the library’s outdoor space for in-person meetings, telework and virtual meetings in connection with the library’s free WiFi, and for leisure activities such as reading, card playing, and chatting over coffee with friends.

The new patio has been enjoyed by children who participate in the free Summer Snack program at the library and by small-group library programs such as the Book Buddies Book Club. Concreteman Inc. designed and poured the patio in April 2022. The patio joins with the existing sidewalk to provide full accessibility to the tables and the main entrance of the library.

The patio includes new outdoor tables with umbrellas that were donated by The Port Allegany Rotary Club and posthumously by James M. Niles of Port Allegany.