Partnerships

We are so thankful for the many organizations that partner with us. We work with many groups at the library. Some just come to use us as a place to meet. Some share resources and use our resources. Some view us as their home. See some of our partnerships in the menu.

Fulton County Literacy Council

Who is the Fulton County Literacy Council?

We are your friends and neighbors who want to help improve the literacy, math, and computer skills in Fulton County. If you want to increase your competency in any of these areas, you should get in touch with us as soon as possible.

The Fulton County Literacy Council’s Advisory Council is a partnership of the following organizations: The Fulton County Library, Center for Community Action, Employment and Training Services of Fulton County, Fulton County Partnership, Inc., and Fulton County School Districts.

What do we do?

We help adults who may have difficulty reading, understanding, or writing English or who need help with preparation for high school equivalency, basic math, and computer skills. Students are matched up with trained tutors.

Where do students and tutors meet?

You can meet at the library in McConnellsburg or at a mutually convenient location. You can customize your program to suit your needs. You can work out your meeting schedule with your tutor.

Why should you learn more about the Literacy Council?

If you need help with reading, writing, math, computer knowledge, or just want to brush up on your skills, the Literacy Council is the place to go.

If you like helping people, enjoy getting to know people in your community, are retired, or just want to get out, being a literacy tutor may be a role you would enjoy.

Join us to become a tutor or to further your learning.
Call 717-485-5327 or email literacy@fclspa.org.
Training for tutors is online or by group.
Fulton County Literacy Council
227 North First Street
McConnellsburg, PA 17233
Like us on Facebook: @fultoncountyliteracycouncil

Literacy Resources at the Library

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For New Readers

  • Laubach: The Laubach Way to Reading series is a four-level, time-tested method that has taught millions of adults to read. It is ideal for adult learners who have little or no reading skills and require a uniform, step-by-step approach to reading. Teacher’s manual available.
  • Challenger: Challenger is an eight-level integrated series that develops reading, writing, and reasoning skills through high-interest fiction and nonfiction stories relevant to today’s adults. Teacher’s manual available.
  • Placement tests are available for both series.

Pre-High School Equivalency: Often, students with the goal of obtaining a high school equivalency diploma lack basic skills needed for test success. These books provide the basic content and skills and strategies to get learners prepared for HSE level work.

  • PRE-HSE Core Skill books (Math, Reading, Writing Social Studies, Science); Math Sense series; Breakthrough to Math series (4 levels).
  • Hi-SET: HiSET exam power practice; HiSET secrets study guide : your key to exam success; Language arts for the HiSet test; Mathematics for the HiSet test; Science for the HiSet test; Social studies for the HiSet test; Basic skills workbook for the GED test, TASC, and HiSET; ScoreBoost HiSET (set of 7 workbooks on math, writing, English and thinking skills); The Official Guide to the HiSET Exam.
  • GED: McGraw-Hill Basic Skills for the GED Test; GED secrets study guide: your key to exam success; Writing for the GED test. 1, Grammar, usage, and mechanics; Writing for the GED test. 2, Reading comprehension; Writing for the GED test. 3, Extended response and short answers.
  • TABE: TABE test study guide: TABE test prep and practice questions for the test of adult basic education; McGraw-Hill Education : TABE : Test of adult basic education. Level D; McGraw-Hill Education TABE Test of Adult Basic Education level A math workbook.

Workplace

  • Workwise series: The first three books in the WorkWise series teach key job readiness concepts and provide meaningful exercises to boost students’ confidence and get them job-ready. WorkWise will help your students explore career pathways, apply for jobs, create effective resumes and cover letters, apply strategies to have great job interviews, navigate new jobs, and more.

Puzzle books and workbooks for students to keep and write in.

Tutor resources: Teaching Adults: A Math Resource Book; Teaching Adults: A Literacy Resource Book; Teaching adults : a 2014 GED test resource book; TUTOR : a collaborative approach to literacy instruction

Audio+book Playaways: Titles include Hamlet, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Call of the Wild, Little Women, Murders in the Rue Morgue, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Pit and the Pendulum and other Stories, The Scarlet Letter, Wizard of Oz, Oxford Classics (leveled).

iPads and Laptops: Can be borrowed for use in the library by students and tutors or at your agency.

  • iPads have the following apps: GED Exam Prep 2017; GED Social Studies Prep Flashcards Exambusters; GED Science Prep Flashcards Exambusters; Practice test for the HiSET Exam Prep 2017; Khan Academy; Mad Minutes Mathematics; How to Get the Job You Want: Tutorial and tips; Deluxe Math Tapper; Math Minutes: Addition Lite; Financial Football HD; HISET Test 2017 Ninja Flashcards; BrainPOP; Sky Numbers HD; Smart Resume Pro: Resume Pro and CV Designer; Word Mover; Exam Vocabulary Builder.
  • Laptops have MS Office.

ONLINE

Tutor resources

Access to Learning Videos

This series of videos features real adult learners and tutors demonstrating research-based best practices for teaching strategies to improve reading skills in the four components of reading: alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKEZxGu-wMvQ-pYXbB7qGTw

Pre-High School Equivalency

Computer Literacy (and other)

  • Contact Employment & Training, Inc. 717-485-5131 to get set up with Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment and Practice Sites. Through this program you can get certificates (with a proctored test) after learning various skills.
  • If you are new to computers, haven't used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, Digital Learn has the tools to help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed. https://www.digitallearn.org/
  • For more than a decade, the GCFLearnFree.org program has helped millions around the world learn the essential skills they need to live and work in the 21st century. From Microsoft Office and email to reading, math, and more, GCFLearnFree.org offers more than 180 topics, including more than 2,000 lessons, 800+ videos, and 55+ interactives and games, completely free. http://www.gcflearnfree.org
  • Basic Keyboarding Site https://powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html
  • Visual assessment of computer literacy from basic knowledge to specific programs. https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/

English Literacy

You will want to check out https://usalearns.org/ which has lots of free English resources. You may also want to try The Mixxer which matches learners in different languages with each other.

This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor.

IMLS

Friends of the Library

The FCFL’s mission is providing perpetual financial support to the Fulton County Library with assistance from a wealth management team. Meetings are twice yearly at 6 p.m., spring and fall, with occasional special meetings. Board members are volunteers and serve three-year terms.

Fulton County Friends of the Library, Inc. Board Members
Jamie Baker
Elizabeth Boyd
Sarah Duvall
Cindy Fraker
Dori Ann Hoffman
Brandt Mellott
Kathaleen O’Connor
Pam Ott
Don Sheehan

The Fulton County Friends of the Library (FCFL), a non-profit group, sometimes has openings for new board members. If interested, please send a letter of interest with qualifications to FCFL, Fulton County Library, 227 North 1st Street, McConnellsburg, PA 17233, or email to jbaker8125@gmail.com.

FULTON COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, INC.
History 1975 - 2021

In 1955 volunteers from the McConnellsburg Women’s Club with books donated by local residents operated a lending library. After five years that project failed. The Public Library was opened in the early 1970’s with the support of the McConnellsburg Ministerium. In spring 1974 the Conococheague District Library of Chambersburg, PA was awarded a $50,000.00 Federal Grant to establish a library in Fulton County. The District Library of Chambersburg used the grant to establish a library at 129 North Third Street with a fulltime librarian and the purchase of a small quantity of books. A book mobile serviced the outlying areas of the County.

When community members heard that the library operations might end when the grant funds expired, several local library supporters agreed to seek funding and established the Fulton County Friends of the Library, Inc. (herein “Friends”). Articles of Incorporation were filed December 9, 1975, and an Organizational Meeting held January 6, 1976. Organizers and original Directors of the Friends were: Cecil V. Shimer, Larry R. Fischer, David D. Morrison, Elton W. Schoen (Duvall), Anne J. Lodge, Margaret Mary Ulrich (Taylor) and James M. Schall. Together the seven adopted By-Laws and obtained 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. The board unanimously elected the following officers: President – James M. Schall; Vice-President – Larry R. Fischer; Secretary – Elton W. Schoen; Treasurer – David D. Morrison.

The By-Laws created a Board of Directors and Membership status in the Friends. Board meetings were established and scheduled for the first Tuesday of odd numbered months. Membership meetings customarily occurred at the time of the Board meetings. All members of the Board attended most meetings. Attendance by Members dropped off to the extent that often there was no quorum for the conduct of business. Eventually, the By-Laws were amended to eliminate Membership as a category of voting participation within the Friends because certain actions of the Board had to be approved by Members and lacking a quorum often meant that the action could not be approved as quickly as necessary. Library supporters were still welcomed to the meetings and helped with Friends’ projects and fundraisers.

Library supporters had hoped to obtain County funding for the continuation of the library after the grant funds were exhausted. After two unsuccessful tax referenda in 1975 and again in 1978, the Library Board comprised of members appointed by the Fulton County Commissioners sought help from the Friends to create an endowment trust from which the earnings would finance all Library operations. For help and advice in working out the details, the Library Board invited Richard Azel, Director of Conococheague District Library of Chambersburg, of which the Fulton County Library was a part; Albert Diegleman, Public Accountant and former Trust Officer with The Fulton County National Bank and Trust Company (herein “FCNB&T Co”; and Attorney James Schall, President of the Fulton County Friends of the Library, Inc. It was determined that at least $100,000.00 of principal would be required to earn enough income from investments to pay the administrator’s salary and operate the Library. FCNB&T Co agreed to act as Trustee. On October 2, 1978, a Trust Agreement was executed between The Fulton County Friends of the Library, Inc., and FCNB&T Co. The Trust Agreement stated that the $100,000.00 be raised within the following ten years and if that goal was not met, the funds in trust would be distributed in equal portions to each of the County Volunteer Fire Companies and the Trust terminated. FCNB&T Co agreed to invest all monies deposited to the Trust Account into real estate mortgages and deliver the income generated from the Mortgages to the benefit of the Trust. The late 1970’s and early 1980’s were a period of high inflation so interest rates on Mortgages were in the double digits going as high as at least 14%. That was a boon to the investment and helped Friends on the way to achieving its goal.

Though the Library could not get direct financial support from the County, it began to receive contributions from four of the County’s thirteen local municipalities: Taylor, Licking Creek, Todd and Dublin Townships. The Friends were always grateful for the early financial support of these township supervisors.

In 1981 before the Trust Funds could be fully raised and before the end of the ten-year term, a small one room library was opened in the Fulton Courthouse Annex II. It was staffed by volunteers and was open for a limited number of hours. Books were provided through the efforts of Paul Shockey, an executive and co-founder of JLG Industries, Inc McConnellsburg, PA, who had stored books in the “Shockey Annex” adjacent to his local residence on North First Street ever since the library had closed when the Federal Grant Funds were exhausted about the time of the unsuccessful referendum.

On December 23, 1981, Anna E. Shockey and Paul Shockey donated the house and property at 121 West Market Street, McConnellsburg to the Friends. These were the house and lands purchased by Shockeys from Herbert Lyle Duffey and Dorothy Alloway Duffey in September, 1981. This became the first permanent home for the library. A library-trained volunteer Mildred Henry recruited a volunteer staff, trained them and operated the library 20 hours a week for two years during which time local residents contributed furniture and fixtures. Day to day operations of the library were overseen and established primarily by the County Library Board (herein “County Board”).

In 1983 representatives from the Friends and the County Board met with Pennsylvania State Senator Robert Jubelirer at his office in Harrisburg seeking financial support. Soon thereafter the Chambersburg District Library (formerly the Conococheague District Library of Chambersburg, PA) again received a $50,000 federal grant through Title I to re-establish Library services in Fulton County. This time the grant provided for a full-time librarian, a public relations assistant, and the purchase of a computer, photocopier, furniture, supplies and new books for adults and children all located at the West Market Street address.

Through the years the Friends raised money from sources such as bake sales, an annual yard and book sale, raffling a quilt at the Fulton County Fall Folk Festival, and recycling aluminum at the Hagerstown, MD Recycling Plant. For the most part, the library has existed because of the commitment of its volunteers and the financial and other contributions of its friends. Also, over the years the library received a steady supply of current best sellers from residents who belonged to the Book of the Month Club and received paperbacks from avid readers.

Since the Library reopened in 1981, many residents of the County began to use its facility for books, films, children’s story hours, crafts, hobby programs, the several read-and-return centers located in stores throughout the County and Senior Citizens Program Centers.

One year ahead of the ten-year deadline for raising the Trust Funds, the Friends launched a drive to raise the last $10,000 of the $100,000 goal. Cumulative contributions over $500.00 to either the Trust or Operating Fund were recognized on a plaque having the donor/s’ name/s in the library. The Trust Fund goal of $100,000.00 was realized and its income, together with governmental and private grants supported the continued growth of library services which included the establishment of small branch libraries in Hustontown and Needmore.

Soon the library outgrew its home at the Market Street “permanent location”. In 1989, the Friends successfully bid $125,000.00 for the former American Legion building on North First Street owned by the Fulton Post, Inc. The Friends used the proceeds of the sale of the Market Street property toward this purchase. The new building provided much needed room for operations and offices and remodeling began. Unfortunately, servicing the purchase money mortgage in addition to the ongoing expenses of library operation caused renovations to nearly stop.

For the next twenty years the Friends and the County Library Board worked together to renovate the building which had once been a barn into a public library.
In 1997 construction of the ‘Children’s Addition’ began but only after permits were obtained from the Borough of McConnellsburg and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. Because no permit had been obtained from the Dept. of L & I when the American Legion converted the barn for its purposes the Friends were required to hire a professional engineer to prepare a plan for the entire building. David L. Black Engineering, Chambersburg was engaged to furnish the plan. The children’s addition was completed in 1998.

The Friends explored improvements to the building’s exterior and employed the services of Paula S. Reed & Associations, Inc., from Hagerstown, Maryland. Paula Reed provided a report and suggestions for exterior of the library building such as replacing the roofing and siding material with something more “reminiscent of a 19th century barn”. An alternative was to change the appearance to be more contemporary with warm tones for the walls and darker roofing with texture. A report from Paula S. Reed & Associates dated November 30, 2000, may be found among the records of the Friends. No action was ever taken to proceed with the recommendations.

Over the next several years the stage area on the main floor that the American legion had used was removed. The two upstairs apartments were no longer rented. A Finance Committee was formed by the Friends and a Building Committee was created which included members from both the Friends and County Library boards. Also, the County Commissioners suggested moving library operations to the old IGA building along North Second Street in McConnellsburg. Maintenance issues at the existing North First Street building, including but not limited to, a flooded basement, electrical malfunctions and squirrels entering the building made the possibility of moving more attractive.

In 2007 the Library applied for and received a $500,000 Matching Grant from Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to be used for major rehabilitation and renovations to the existing structure. The Keystone Application process required that the Fulton County Library own the building in order to receive those proceeds. Consequently, on June 13, 2007, the Fulton County Friends of the Library, Inc., conveyed to the Fulton County Library, Inc., the lands and building acquired from the Fulton Post, Inc. That conveyance was subject to a right of reversion of the ownership to the Friends if the building would no longer be used for the purposes of a free public library.

Financial support came from the following sources: the Alexander Stewart Foundation; Modern Woodmen Foundation; the Trust Fund established with FCNB&T Co (which later became F & M Trust Company); State and County of Fulton; many of the businesses and County residents: fundraisers such as book sales and plant sales; imprinted bricks at the entrance, children’s handprints on ceramic tile to be displayed near the Children’s Room; annual funding requests; annual mailings to patrons soliciting contributions; auction items solicited from various organizations and individuals: and most significantly Paul and Anna Shockey.

During the remodeling process, a library consultant met with the Friends and the County Board to discuss the respective duties and obligations of each Board. Except for the early years, until this time, the Friends were primarily involved in fundraising and the County Board primarily with day-to-day library operations. The Friends left the meeting understanding that fundraising was primarily the duty of the County Board. The Friends were subsequently made aware of the State Library Policy by the local librarian. That policy states, in substance, that both Boards can engage in fundraising and the only difference between the two Boards is that the County Board has legal and financial responsibility and makes policy for library operations. The Friends continued their separate but reduced fundraising activities.

Also, during the remodeling process, the Friends created an Investment Account with an Investment firm which at present is known as Wells Fargo Advisors. Those funds included the proceeds of JLG Stock donated by Paul and Anna Shockey over the years. The Investment Account now provides monies to support the library. Over the years, the Friends have provided funds to the library as needed. Eventually to make budgeting more efficient for the library, bi-annual payments were established. In addition, when special projects arise or special needs for maintenance, the Friends have always given additional funds. Since 2007, the Friends primary purpose has been to manage its investments with the advice and counsel of Wells Fargo Advisors. Since then the Board has met at least twice a year and one of the meetings is with representatives of Wells Fargo Advisors and the other with representatives from F & M Trust Company, Successor Trustee under the 1978 Trust Agreement.

The completed major renovations included installation of an elevator and automatic doors, renovation of the upper floor for library use, and creation of additional library space for patron services and collections. On September 26, 2009, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held marking the opening of the renovated Library. In recent years construction of the Children’s Addition has been completed and the library building has been named “Paul and Anna Shockey Building”.

The library now has many active cardholding members and is used daily by persons seeking novels and books exploring subjects such as history and science, broadband internet access, pre-school programs, and books in audio as well as visual media. The Community Room serves as a meeting place for local organizations.

The Friends Board and all its members since 1976 are extremely proud of their contributions of time and energy to make the library as we know it today. Today’s Board represents an engaged group of persons who continue the commitment of the original seven back in 1976 to provide access to books and information for Fulton County families, residents and visitors.

Jim Schall

Family Place Libraries

Family Place Libraries are nationwide network of libraries that embrace the fact that literacy begins at birth, and libraries can help build healthy communities by nourishing healthy families.

A proven change agent, Family Place Libraries transforms libraries into community centers for early literacy & learning, parent education and engagement, family support and community connectivity helping to ensure all children enter school ready and able to learn.

Learn more about Family Place Libraries™ on their website.

A Family Place Library is a resource for you!

  • A special area that’s user-friendly to parents and preschool children together with age-appropriate toys and books, resources for parents, and comfortable seating.
  • Parent/child workshops engaging preschoolers in educational play and creative activities while introducing parents to valuable information on speech and language development, child development, nutrition, physical fitness and movement, books and reading. Knowledgeable professionals give advice on being your child’s first teacher. Join us for Play Grow Learn and Play Grow Learn Plus!
  • Up-to-date collections of books, magazines, and other media to assist the parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children.
  • Staff members trained in Family Place Library service.

Please check with the staff at any Family Place Library to find out when the next Parent/Child Workshop series begins. Enrollment in each series is limited by space.

Fulton County Historical Society

The Fulton County Historical Society maintains a library housed at our library. If you are interested in using it, please stop by the front desk to fill out paperwork and get a key. Leanr more about the Historical Society, the awesome museum, publications and more on their website.

Libraries Connect Communities

Our library is a part of an effort to increase broadband internet access for everyone.

You probably already know that there are not a lot of options for high speed internet in this area. To get an idea of what is available, you can visit these resources: National Broadband Map from Broadband Now and Broadband Resources from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Both include maps which will allow you to determine how many providers there are in your area or what type of connection they use to provide service to your area.

If you do not have service or only have low-speed service, please consider filling out this form to help us gather information.

If you’re interested in acquiring broadband but are not sure if you’ll be able to afford it, check out the Affordable Connectivity Program. It is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

PA Forward

Have you noticed the phrase PA Forward in our announcements and fliers, on our brochures, or on our social media? You are probably wondering what it means.

PA Forward is the Pennsylvania Library Association’s Literacies Initiative and it was conceived to give voice to what libraries throughout the nation are recognizing – that “with the right support, libraries are ideally positioned to become the community centers of information, technology, and learning that will fuel educational and economic opportunity for all of our citizens.” Libraries are viable organizations that serve real-life needs and we can play a huge role in improving the quality of life in PA and elsewhere by providing the knowledge needed for success. To that goal, PA Forward has identified five types of knowledge, i.e. literacies, essential to powering success: Basic Literacy, Information Literacy, Civic and Social Literacy, Health Literacy, and Financial Literacy.

We have embraced the principles of PA Forward and are actively engaged in promoting this initiative. In fact, our efforts have earned us the designation of a Gold Star Library. We have reached the highest level! We are excited to be a part of this initiative because we know that libraries provide value to you and our community.

Our library participates in this initiative by providing programming from Preschool Story Hour to adult programming. We partner with the Fulton County Literacy Council to provide resources to increase literacy in our county. We are your source for books, magazines, audiobooks, and more about a wealth of topics and we’re here to help you access those resources.

Learn more about PA Forward at www.paforward.org. Thanks for your support!

Community Websites - Health and Human Services Directory

Fulton County Partnership, Inc Helpline and Health and Human Services Directory

“Your local connection to the services you need!”
1(888) 329-2376 (Toll Free)
(717) 485-6767 (Local)

The Fulton County Family Partnership, Inc. HelpLine is an Information and Referral Line. No matter what your need, you can call the HelpLine. We may not have the answer immediately, but if you leave a number where we can reach you, we will research your need and get back to you with as many resources for your need as we can find. There is no fee for this service, and you can call toll free at (888) 329-2376. We are “Your local connection to the services you need!”

You can also follow this link to visit the Directory which is a searchable directory that may have the information you’re looking for.

Voting in Pennsylvania

If you’re looking for voting information, registration, or almost anything else to do with voting in PA, visit this site.