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Allan Hughes, UPT Librarian for 41 Years, Retires This Summer
TITUSVILLE, May 30 - When Allan Hughes started working at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, there were only two buildings that housed an entire campus and the library was downtown. Now, forty-one years later, the campus boasts its own Haskell Memorial Library, plus seven other buildings and the beautiful Helene Barco Duratz Plaza that connects the campus. Hughes, who has served as the UPT Librarian since July 26, 1965, has enjoyed watching the campus grow. Originally, the UPT Library was housed in downtown Titusville in the Masonic Building. Haskell Memorial library was built just in time, according to Hughes, who says, “We had absolutely run out of space.” The University moved the library to its current location in 1975 and opened its doors with a special reception that generated community interest. “We planned a Friday opening,” says Hughes. “I didn’t think there were going to be many people, but instead the people just came and came and came on that day.” Hughes, a Pittsburgh native, earned both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in History and a Masters in Library Science Degree all from the University of Pittsburgh. At first he wanted to teach History. “History was always my favorite subject,” says Hughes. “I never actually considered becoming a librarian.” Although he wanted to teach high school, an advisor suggested that he teach for a college, which eventually led to his interest in a small campus that valued flexible personalities capable of wearing more than one hat. Although he knew no one in Titusville when he accepted the position of Librarian at UPT, Hughes eventually met and married a Titusville woman, the former Carol Graff. They will celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary on August 11th of this year, right after they welcome the arrival of their first grandchild in late July. While at UPT, Hughes was able to combine his two interests by serving as Librarian and by teaching classes in both European and American history. He taught regularly during each academic year through the 1980s, as well as summer courses until 1995. Hughes witnessed the changing times and the developing technology not only on campus but within the inner workings of the library. “Computerization has been a wonderful thing for libraries,” he says. Now students can utilize interlibrary loans and borrow books from other campuses, while the library is able to keep better records on those books. Hughes welcomes the online catalogs and does not miss the printed ones that “were never up to date.” Books that are checked out can now be tracked by the computer, which helps identify overdue books and books that previously would have been labeled “missing.” Not only is Hughes involved with his work in the Library, he is also involved in other areas of the campus and in the community. He serves as recording secretary for the UPT Faculty Senate, a board member of Titusville’s city library, Benson Library, recording secretary for the Titusville Lions Club, and as an usher in his church. Serving as recording secretary for community organizations allows him to satisfy his desire to keep records. “I always like writing things out,” he says. Hughes announced last August that he would retire this summer. Like so many other retirees, he wanted to make sure he would have enough money to live comfortably. As for leaving UPT, he says, “I’ve been a part of this for so long, I wonder what it’s going to be like when I retire and September rolls around and I’m not a part of this scene anymore.” It appears he is planning to make new scenes and new memories with his family and, particularly, that new grandchild, who may arrive before Hughes officially retires from his campus position on July 31. # # #
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