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Martin Library Honors

York County Libraries’ Honors Events highlight prominent library supporters and community members. Learn more about York County Libraries’ Honors events here. Martin Library has hosted Honors events since 1995.

Martin Library Honors John and Maria Polli

The Martin Library Honors Committee has selected John and Maria Polli as our 2025 Fall Honoree. John and Maria are long-standing leaders of the York community and will be recognized in an honors ceremony at Martin Library on November 5, 2025, at 5:00pm.

Please join us to celebrate John and Maria Polli!

Donate in honor of John and Maria

About John and Maria

John and Maria Polli are long-time supporters of our York County Libraries. Both avid readers, John and Maria loved to visit their local library to search for their next great read and bring their young boys to weekly story times. While living in the Dallastown Area School District, the Pollis supported author visits to each of their elementary schools, and nearby Kaltreider-Benfer Library in Red Lion became a frequent place to visit early in their family years.

John and Maria supported York County Libraries’ countywide capital campaign Imagine. Discover. Connect, to improve and expand Martin Library in York, Kreutz Creek Library in Hellam, and Kaltreider-Benfer Library in Red Lion.

Today, John and Maria Polli are the Presenting Sponsor of York County Libraries Beyond the Books Author Event, featuring international best-seller author David Baldacci at our inaugural program in May. Over 500 enthused fans attended the author presentation followed by a book-signing to capstone the evening’s exciting activities.

Career & Interests

At the start of their professional careers, Maria worked at the law offices of Vedder & Morris, and later as Office Manager for Cool Air Corporation, while John embarked on a corporate pathway as owner, manager, and entrepreneur. In time, the couple shifted focus, as Maria chose to be a stay-at-home mom raising their young sons Nicolas and Adam, while John continued his career journey for more than 40 years.

After retiring in 2024 as President of Dart Trucking Company, a dedicated carrier of activated carbon for water treatment throughout the United States and Canada, John serves today as CEO of Reliance Student Transportation, a York County-based school bus contractor. John is active in the York community, serving as Chair of the Martin Library Board, and is also on the Board of Directors for Traditions Bank/ACNB, a publicly traded bank. John’s past service commitments included Chair of the York County Chamber of Commerce and President of York-East Rotary.

The Pollis are loyal supporters of numerous York County community services, with special interest in literacy and healthcare.

John and Maria enjoy traveling, their vacation home in Sarasota, FL, and spending time at Squirrel Camp, a family vacation home north of Scranton, PA.

Tribute Gifts

A key component of the Martin Library Honors event is to establish a perpetual fund to purchase books in the name of the honoree. Contributions are welcome anytime by donating securely online or by mail to:

Martin Library Honors Fund
159 East Market Street
York, PA 17401

Martin Library Prior Honorees

Click any decade below to view the Honorees by year.

Honorees:

Honorees:

  • Bill Shipley, 2020, Event Recording
  • Georg Sheets, 2019
  • Paula Gilbert, 2019
  • C. Kim Bracey, 2018
  • Jean Treuthart and Stephen Baker, 2018
  • Jody Keller, 2017
  • Michael E. Kochenour, 2017
  • William H. Schell, 2016
  • Larry J. Miller, 2015
  • Gordon A. Freireich, 2015
  • George Trout Sr., 2014
  • Trish Calvani, 2013
  • Bill Simpson Memorial, 2013
  • Loren H. Kroh, 2012
  • Dan and Brenda Elby, 2012
  • Bradley G. Rutter, 2011
  • Harvey & Win Bradley, 2011

Honorees:

  • The Presidents of the Board since 1935, 2010
  • Donald Dellinger, Jr., 2010
  • Judge Emanuel Cassimatis, 2009
  • Frances E. Keller, 2008
  • Luther and Ruth Sowers, 2008
  • Lynne Pfafflin Danyo, 2007
  • George D. Stough, 2007
  • Zoë Meisenhelder, 2006
  • Lavere Senft, 2005
  • Dorrie Leader, 2004
  • Mary G. Stephenson, 2003
  • William A. Falkler, 2003
  • Edith Allen Barber, 2002
  • Ruthe Fortenbaugh Craley, 2002
  • Walt Partymiller, 2001
  • R. Claire Frank, 2000

Honorees:

  • Elaine Kirschner Laucks, 1999
  • C. William Dize, 1998
  • Helen Klinedinst, 1998
  • William H. Kain, 1997
  • Otis B. Morse IV, 1997
  • Anna Kauffman Strayer, 1997
  • May M. Hart, 1997
  • Jennifer Paup, 1995

Martin Library Honors Committee

  • Lori Rene Weyant, Chair
  • Robert Cox
  • Liz Dellinger
  • Robert F. Lambert
  • Donna Pullo
  • Kelley Gibson
  • Patrick Ball
  • Lynne Danyo (Honorary member)