While they were working on a town cleanup last spring, two Millvale residents came up with the idea of establishing a borough library. As a result, a free summer children's library program for youth up to age 18 will open June 3 at Millvale Community Center, and its success could determine whether a permanent library will take shape.

Spearheading the project are Brian Wolovich, 31, a teacher at Quaker Valley Middle School, and Tricia George, 22, a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh who works for the Braddock Youth Project.

A survey of about 200 residents last year showed support for a library, Mr. Wolovich said, but progress was derailed when his house was among those inundated in widespread flooding that hit the community in August. The project is back on track, he said.

"Seeing how people came together to put things back together after the flooding made me think they could come together for a positive cause," he said.

New Sun Rising, a grass-roots nonprofit organization founded by Mr. Wolovich and his brother, Scott, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, is sponsoring the project. The organization, which aims to improve the quality of life for people in Western Pennsylvania, raised almost $7,000 for hurricane relief in 2004, with 80 percent going to New Orleans the rest to the North Hills Community Outreach.

"The organization identifies different projects and takes them on. The library is one of its projects," Mr. Wolovich said. "Eventually, we hope it would become at least partially self-sustaining."

This year's Millvale Library Children's Summer Program was founded with the help of a $9,000 Grable Foundation award. In addition, Shaler Area School District donated desks, shelving and other equipment from the high school library, which is being renovated.

"We're getting all new equipment and most of the old would be disposed of," Superintendent Donald Lee said. The school board approved the gift, which Dr. Lee estimated would cost about $250,000 if bought new.

"The school district maintenance workers packed everything up and included directions for putting it back together. They will use a portion for the summer project and the rest is in storage for use in a permanent library," he said.

Beta Alpha Psi, a service fraternity at the University of Pittsburgh, held a Run to Read event in April and a concert at Mr. Small's Theater in Millvale to benefit the program.

Having the summer program in place could help bring in funding for a permanent location, which ideally would be located where residents can walk or bike to it, Mr. Wolovich said. The closest libraries are Shaler North Hills Library and the Lawrenceville branch of Carnegie Library.

"The good thing about Millvale is its affordable real estate. We want to be in the middle of town," he said.

A library could increase property values and the quality of life, draw people into the borough and create an educated workforce, he added.

Borough funding is still questionable. Millvale Manager Virginia Pucci said a study after the summer program will determine interest.

"We'll see how many attend the program. Council would support it if they get enough funding, but I'm not sure they could commit to any financial support. Since the flooding, the borough budget has been very tight," she said.

Rent for the summer program will be paid through the Grable Foundation grant. The program will occupy 1,300 square feet on the second floor of the building owned by the borough.

Jean-Marc Chatellier, owner of a French bakery in town, said he believes the library would be the "best thing for the borough," and praised the efforts of Mr. Wolovich and Ms. George. "It's sad they have to do so much fund-raising."

Mr. Chatellier donated money to the library effort from the sale of baked goods at the concert at Mr. Small's. His daughter, Adele, is considering making volunteer work at the library her high school senior project.

Volunteers are still needed to collect donations of children's books, to help move furniture and books in the coming weeks, and to help this summer. A children's librarian also is being sought for three months, 30 hours a week for $15 an hour.

The children's library program will be held Tuesdays through Saturdays in June, July and August, with programming for different ages. Story times and reading programs will be offered for younger children and computer use will be available for older ones, after a recent donation of six computers.

To learn more about the summer program, residents can attend a meeting at 7 tonight on the second floor of Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave. Those interested in volunteering or donating books can e-mail Brian Wolovich at info@millvalelibrary.org or call him at 412-977-7672.