Blair County Human Services Office

ALTOONA AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY
1600 5th Ave.
Altoona, PA 16602-3693

DEBORAH WEAKLAND
Director

Phone: (814) 946-0417
FAX: (814) 946-3230
Email: altpublib@aasdcat.com
Web: http://www.altoonalibrary.org

Agency Type: Public

The library has books, compact discs, puzzles, videos (both VHS and DVD), audio books (both cassette tape and CD), large print books and computer software available for loan. No fees are charged for membership to residents of Bedford, Blair, and Huntingdon Counties, nor to persons who hold an Access Pennsylvania Library Card from other counties in PA. Other services are homebound delivery, art exhibits, lectures, arts and craft demonstrations, storytelling, and materials for the learning disabled. The Altoona Library is the State designated District Center for Bedford, Blair, and Huntingdon Counties as well as the Headquarters library for the Blair County Library System. The Blair County Literacy Council's office is located in the library.

Hours of operation:
Monday - Thursday: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Friday & Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

PROGRAMS:

AUDIO-VISUAL DEPARTMENT

(814) 946-0417 ext: 127

Located at the main library, this department specializes in video and audio materials and equipment. Projectors and some playback units are available for rent. Laminating is available most Wednesdays. This department is the liaison for talking book service for the blind and/or physically handicapped.

INTERNET
The Altoona Public Library Homepageis http://www.altoonalibrary.org/
Library services on the Internet are digitized historical documents, government links, Learnatest, science.com, factsonfile.com, and POWER Libraries. Access to some of these is also available from home or office computer via the world wide web. All of this information is available from our homepage.

REFERENCE AND INFORMATION
The Reference Department at the library answers questions asked in person, by telephone, by e-mail, or by regular mail. The library has a large government documents collection, a Pennsylvania Room collection, and a collection of railroad photographs. Current and back issues of magazines and newspapers may be used in the library. Interlibrary loan service is offered for material not locally available. Librarians can access Internet resources to locate information. No fees are charged except for specialized services. Internet access is available for our patrons in both the reference department and the youth room.

YOUTH SERVICE
In addition to lending books, the Youth Room has books on cassette and CD, puzzles, videos, DVDs, CD Roms and magazines. Internet computer are available for use in the Library. Story hours for toddlers and pre-schoolers are provided on a regular basis and special programs are presented throughout the year, including a Summer Reading Program with a different theme each year.