About The Senator James J. Rhoades Library

In September 2009, the Mahanoy Area High School Library was dedicated to Senator James J. Rhoades. Senator Rhoades was a long time resident of Mahanoy City. He worked for the Mahanoy Area School District as a teacher, football coach and principal. He was a respected and admired figure in the community. He left Mahanoy Area to become a member of the State House of Representatives and then the State Senate in Pennsylvania. As a Senator he advocated for education improvements and the betterment of school libraries in Pennsylvania.

The dedication of the library to Senator Rhoades was initiated by Gary Perna, Class of 2010 . Gary worked diligently with the MASD Board of Education, Mrs. Mary Edith Rhoades and other community members to finance the plaque at the library's entrance. Pictures, certificates and other memorabilia representing Senator Rhoades's contributions to Mahanoy Area fill display case on a wall in the library. Senator Rhoades will forever be a Golden Bear.

The mission of the Mahanoy Area High School Library is to provide a welcoming, comfortable environment for students and teachers to research, study and read. Our goal is to provide a variety of up-to-date print and electronic materials to support the curriculum and further its goals. The library staff will strive to collaborate with teachers to ensure that students are effective users of information, independent learners and technology literate. We will also strive to promote reading and a love of literature in order to encourage students to be lifelong learners.

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