The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County proudly announces the expansion of its services, programs, and 
collection with the opening of a new branch location in the Village of Bergholz. 

The Bergholz library branch is expected to open in the summer of 2026.  It is located at 270 2nd Street.  The building sits near 
the Bergholz Museum, the Bergholz Community Foundation office, and the garage where police house their cruisers. The 
building that will become a library was once a restaurant that burned down and construction to rebuild it was never 
finished. Now, the Bergholz Community Foundation is funding reconstruction of the inside to make way for the library to 
transform it into a place for reading and lifelong learning.

Amy Richards of The Bergholz Community Foundation and its board of trustees approached Library Director Mike Gray 
approximately 9 months ago about establishing a library branch in the community. "Two years ago, the Bergholz Community 
Foundation received a large bequest from a lifelong resident of Bergholz,  said Amy. The trustees agreed that the income from 
this gift would be used strictly to fund projects that would directly impact the Village of Bergholz. We were looking for a project 
that would make a difference in the lives of the residents and improve the village. Beth Ruppert Warren from the Jefferson 
County Resource Network, introduced the foundation to library director Mike Gray, and the wheels began turning."

Mike Gray said trustees of the library board are excited to create a new branch to serve Bergholz residents and the surrounding 
area. "The new library addition allows us to further provide the people of Jefferson County with books, story times, and 
connection to digital resources, said Mike. The library plans to include shelving to showcase local history information that 
community members can contribute to."

The foundation has partnered with the Village of Bergholz to help provide the funding necessary, through grant opportunities, 
to make a $1.6 million revitalization project possible.  In addition to the library, other areas of improvement include a health 
and resource center, an outdoor courtyard, greenspace in neighboring lots, a community hotspot center, and more.

The foundation is sponsoring a community celebration to kick off the new library and its projects on September 11 from 
5-8 p.m. on 2nd Street with food trucks, music and inflatables for kids. The library's Bookmobile will be at the event to 
offer registration for a library card. All are welcome to attend!