WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – At just 18 years old and in her senior year of high school, Judy Legge faced a life-altering shock: she was unexpectedly pregnant.

Without many options or support, Judy knew she would not be able to complete her senior year in school. Faced with this situation, Judy wanted to find a way to finish her high school education and get her high school diploma.

When she went to the county assistance office for help, a STEP case manager recommended that she take GED classes offered at the James V. Brown Library through the Lycoming County Library System’s Learning Center. The program offered free childcare for her son while she was in class. After months of hard work and sacrifice, Judy received her high school diploma.

“The Library holds a special place in my heart,” Judy said. “If it wasn’t for the Library, I could not have taken classes and earned my diploma.”

Now, 14 years later, Judy is the Youth Program Director at Firetree Place. She is determined to make sure the children in her care have access to the Library’s educational resources, materials, and books so they can be successful.

“Firetree is a nonprofit, so we don’t have a lot of new books that our kids are interested in reading,” she said. “So, I reached out to the Library to see what they could provide. I wanted the kids to pick out their own books, learn more about what the Library has to offer, and encourage kids and families to get Library Cards.”

Judy worked with the Library to schedule Book’s Bus visits every two weeks to ensure that the hundreds of children in the program get Library service.

Now, Judy is finishing up her bachelor’s degree and credits the Library for being there when she needed it.

“I can clearly see how beneficial the Library is to people in our community,” she said. “I came here and the people positively impacted my life with kindness and empathy.”

Judy’s story shows the powerful potential of education and community partnerships. Your generous gift to the Library’s annual fund ensures that the Library remains a vital resource for individuals like Judy.

Donations may be mailed to the library at 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, PA 17701 or made online at jvbrown.edu/support-the-library .

“Every dollar contributed plays a crucial role in driving transformation within our community,” said Amy C. Resh, CEO & Director of the James V. Brown Library. “Supporting libraries and their services means more than just backing a place with books and technology. It’s about nurturing ideas and strengthening connections. it’s also about ensuring that all members of our community have opportunities for lifelong learning.”

The James V. Brown Library is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library’s operating hours. Walk-in passport services are available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, Pa., is the place to go to learn, connect and grow. Founded in June 1907, the library champions the love of reading, opens new doors to lifelong learning, provides a haven to those who seek and ensures the preservation of public library services for future generations. The library has more than 225,000 visitors in a year and circulates a half-million items annually. A member of the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library participates in PA Forward, a statewide initiative to promote literacies in our communities to power a better future for everyone.