Jamie Cozza
Jamie works at the Sharpsburg Library, and she is one of the main reasons that my 6-year-old daughter is such an avid reader. Jamie knows that my daughter loves ballet and The Berenstain Bears and will often set aside books related to those topics that she thinks my daughter will enjoy. This is the type of individual love and attention that Jamie bestows on every child in Sharpsburg. She looks after their minds and their hearts. It's not uncommon to walk into the library to see Jamie reading with a child or helping them pick out a book. What I also love and admire about Jamie is she is unabashedly her own unique soul. With her tattoos, spiky blonde hair and boisterous personality, she makes the library a bright spot in the community. She is also my friend.
- Heidi Brayer, of Sharpsburg
Although Jamie Cozza, age 50, grew up in Penn Hills, she spent every summer in Sharpsburg. She remembers having lunch at Madonna Church, swimming at Linden Gym and buying candy at Angelini & Sons. “I love it here. You can walk from one end to the other.”
She began frequenting libraries in her childhood. “I like reading about other peoples lives.” Cozza’s first library job was at Dible Elementary School in Penn Hills when she was in 5th grade. “I like sharing information. Knowledge is power.” says Cozza.
Jamie celebrates her first birthday in Sharpsburg.
Jamie with her beloved Aunt Judy Meinert who was a Sister of Divine Providence.
A family dinner at her childhood home in Penn Hills in 1978.
Sears portrait at age 17.
Cozza moved to Sharpsburg in 1996. She met her husband Vinnie in Sharpsburg and they married in 1997. She raised three daughters. “We look out for each other here”
Jamie with her daughter Jesse in 2004 following Hurricane Ivan. Their home was flooded.
Jamie with her daughter Jessie during a April 2018 visit to Maryland where Jessie was in rehab. Jessie died from an heroin overdose in Sharpsburg on August 20, 2018. Since her death, the Cozza family mission has been to educate other parents on the dangers of drugs and prevent other children from experimenting with drugs. "I love her and miss her every day.” said Cozza.
***************************************
Because she was constant presence at the Sharpsburg Library, they asked her if she wanted a job. She has been one of their circulation assistants since 1997.
Jamie’s passion project was creating a summer reading program for children at 16th Street Park in Sharpsburg.
Cozza, who was raised by single mother, has advice for other women, “Don’t be afraid to stand up and make yourself happy.”
