Dear Community:

On behalf of the Library Board of Trustees and staff, we are pleased to report that on Monday evening, May 8, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the funding for the renovated and expanded Library! We extend our sincere gratitude to the Commissioners for their confidence in, and support of the Library. We are also grateful to many of our patrons for advocating for the Library and speaking at numerous Commissioner meetings over the years about the value of the Library and what a renovated and expanded library will do to enrich our community.

The Board of Commissioners have approved a bond of $13.2 million for the renovation and expansion of the Library. We have also been the recipients of a number of grants for the project including a Keystone Grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of $750,000, a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of $1 million, and a Federal grant (Community Project Funding) of $2 million. We also are conducting a Capital Campaign with assistance from Schultz & Williams, a local and nationally recognized fundraising consulting firm.

With these resources, our plans for the renovated and expanded Library include a number of features that will enable us to be a library that meet the needs of our community in the 21st century:

• A dedicated teens/tweens library
• Tutor rooms on both the first and second floors
• Increased number of meeting spaces with enhanced technology for both Library and public use
• A sensory space for patrons to use 
• Creative learning play areas for toddlers and preschoolers
• An innovation Zone/Maker Space for children, teens, and adults
• A Living Room to provide a safe and quiet place for adults and seniors
• Up to date technology throughout the building, including a laptop bar
• Additional parking

Our current plans are to vacate our existing building in mid to late summer and begin to offer services in a temporary facility in the Manoa Shopping Center shortly thereafter. The construction project is scheduled to take about eighteen months. We continue to be committed to making this project as transparent as possible and to provide as many library services as possible during the renovation/expansion. We will provide updates, changes, and timelines on the renovation/expansion page of our website , our newsletter The HTFL Connection, and on social media.

We are excited for this next chapter in bringing a 21st Century library to the residents of Haverford Township!

Warm Regards,

Sukrit Goswami

Library Director

Phil Goldsmith

President, Library Board of Trustees