By Felicia A. Petro

Allied News Staff Writer

Linda Bennett walked into the Grove City Library to a surprise retirement party on Jan. 10; however, a secret was revealed that astonished everyone.

“I’m so happy,” she said, excitedly.

Jim Hughes, library board president, gave a little speech at the party about Bennett, who’s seen the library through ups and downs as its long-time director.

This was definitely an “up” moment, though.

Hughes began reading a letter from the Commonwealth of Libraries for Bennett, which she thought “was going to be a thank-you” for her service, she said.

But the letter, dated Jan. 7, stated that the state office had approved the library and Grove City Borough’s joint request for over $426,000 in grant money from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to expand the library.

The office also threw in an unprecedented extra 15 percent above the amount, or nearly $64,000, which could bring the grand total to almost $490,000.

“With the state budget the way it is, we’re fortunate to see any funding at all. We’re totally surprised to get the 15 percent,” said Vance Oakes, borough manager.

Oakes wrote the grant in the borough’s name, with Bennett’s help. The library will now have to come up with a match up to the amount the state has approved to get the grant money.

“We worked very hard to provide every piece of documentation they asked,” Oakes said. “Perhaps they were impressed with the effort brought forth and the community support of a library.”

That was evident, as Bennett and her guests at the party were “screaming” upon hearing the news, she said.

“It was like the icing on the cake, like I accomplished everything I wanted” in her work at the library, she said. “It’s really a blessing.”