NEW CHAPTER
Regional library cuts ribbon on $755,000 renovation project
POTTSTOWN >> The new and improved Pottstown Regional Public Library celebrated the completion of more than $700,000 in renovations Dec. 1 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house Dec. 3.
“We’re very excited to unveil this renovated library space for this community,” said Reed Lindley, president of the board of trustees.
Improvements include a new front entrance, which includes a new handicapped accessible ramp and restroom, a new conference room and multimedia space, a new passport office, new wiring, new lighting and new plumbing and storm water control, elevator improvements which give handicap access to the library’s mezzanine level for the first time, a new foyer and circulation desk as well as the revelation and preservation of mosaic floor tile from the when the 1915-built building was a post office.
It was converted into the library in 1961.
The renovation project was made possible through a $300,000 matching Keystone Fund grant awarded in 2015 which was matched with money raised through fundraising.
Lindley said his board and previous boards “were very steadfast” in resisting the temptation
to dip into those donations to help close the budget gaps that loom at the end of the year for the library.
He praised the quality of the work, and the flexibility of the contractors, SMJ Construction, the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, which funded the ramp out front, the $20,000 donation from the Arcadia Foundation, and the Friends of the Library, who presented a check Dec. 1 as part of the payment on the new $20,000 circulation desk and $5,000 installation cost.
During the renovation, which began in June, the library operated from the basement children’s area and children’s programs were “on the move,” held at different locations around the region, “which fits in with our strategic plan, which calls for building partnerships,” said Lindley.
A public open house was held Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the library returned to full public access on Monday, Dec. 5.
Children’s program director Leslie Stillings said the open house will include visits from firefighters, a demonstration of the “Dogs Are Readers Too” program and other fun family events.
The library receives public funds from Pennsylvania, Pottstown, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Upper Pottsgrove Township and West Pottsgrove Township.
The library serves a population of 43,625 from four municipalities in Montgomery County. A sizeable number of patrons are from Berks and Chester Counties as well.
The building houses a collection of over 70,000 cataloged items. In 2015 the library offered 748 programs with an attendance of over 20,000. The library offers many online resources including homework help, online job search resources, e-books, e-magazines, streaming music, and is a Funding Information Network Partner of the Foundation Center of New York.
Lindley, former Pottstown Schools superintendent, urged area residents to make use of the library’s many programs and noted “readers become leaders.”