New Library Coming Spring 2020!
Three years ago, the Adamstown area community expressed support for a new public library. Today, the building is rising rapidly and on schedule to open by mid-2020. Funding for the $1.2 million building project is being raised through the aid of our local municipalities, the Room to Grow Capital Campaign, and through fundraising events.
The 8,500 square foot facility is being built just north of the current library at 110 West Main Street, and is designed to fill the space with natural light. The new building will provide an expanded children’s area with interactive book displays and STEM learning stations, a study area, and a multi-use programming room – as well as the library’s more traditional fiction and nonfiction collections. After completion of phase 2, there will also be a community room that can hold 60 people. State-of-the-art technology in the new facility will help us meet 21st century needs while also maintaining the spirit of the library – a community meeting space open to all, regardless of social or economic status, for patrons to gather, socialize, and learn.
The Adamstown Area Library currently has 7,065 cardholders, and receives more than 800 visitors each day. Last year we circulated more than 148,000 items and had 12,000 adults, teens, and children participate in our many programs. The Room to Grow Capital Campaign is still underway, with several options for contributing. Please consider making a donation toward this valuable community resource.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
February 19-21, 2020 – week #14
February 14, 2020 – week #13
Trusses were set on the main roof this week
February 3, 2020 – week #11
The steel beams are in, so the rooms are starting to come to life!
January 29, 2020
We are up and running! The walls are up and windows framed. Window blocking should be completed as well as block walls for cement board siding.
Nov 22, 2019 – Weekly Construction Report #1
Drone video of construction 11/22/19
Groundbreaking
75 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, November 16th.
November 8, 2019
Demolition has begun on the old VFW building. Here’s the timeline:
Week ending 11/8 – Building demo started
Week ending 11/15 – Building demolition should be substantially completed, groundbreaking Saturday
Week ending 11/22 – Construction start, planning foundation
Fundraising
The Borough of Adamstown has given the library a $150,000 donation and extended a loan of $450,000 so construction can begin.
Since the final portion of the funding is a loan, we are still fundraising! We hope you will continue to support the plans and vision for the new AAL. We are grateful to the many businesses, civic organizations, municipalities, and individuals who have helped us make this happen! Several fund raisers have been held and we continue to seek assistance from the community.
We welcome those eager to donate to do so now. Every dollar counts! Please direct questions and requests for more information to adamstown356@gmail.com. Naming opportunities are also available.
The Friends of the Adamstown Area Library have been an incredible support and an asset to the Adamstown Area Library. They continue to help with both financial support and support through the many events they promote and oversee.
VFW Building
The board of trustees worked closely with Heck Construction and Olsen Design to plan and evaluate the best renovations and designs to make the building function within a reasonable budget. Through a building code assessment, we learned that the upper 3 floors of the building could not be used without a costly stairwell and fire prevention installation. Substantial structural steel would need to be installed to support the oldest part of the building so we determined that it will need to be removed. The footprint of the original structure will be used.
Without question, the new structure will enable a larger and fully functional library that meets the needs of the five municipalities we serve – Adamstown and Denver Boroughs, and Brecknock, East and West Cocalico Townships.
The New Library
The new library will offer triple the interior and parking space we have now. Our new facility will provide:
A gathering place for the community for life-long learning; more children’s programs and story times; more computers, technical assistance and training; in-house space for programs; and a separately accessible Community Room for library programs, business training use, community meetings, and rental for family events.
There will be two building phases. Most of the construction will happen during Phase 1, including:
• State-of-the-art technology
• Expanded children’s learning center
• Multi-use space for educational & social events
• Coffee service with a place to meet and visit
• Comfortable reading areas
• Plenty of off-street parking
• Handicap accessibility
Collection Expansion
• Size: 32,000 items to increase to 50,000
• DVD’s: 5,000 to increase to 10,000
• Audios: 1,500 to increase to 3,000
• Computers: 13 to 16
During phase 2, we will add:
• Tranquility Garden for outdoor enjoyment
• Expanded multi-use community space for educational & social events.
We look forward to your support and continuing the excellent customer service provided to the community by our staff and volunteers.
- 10/4/2018 Case Assessment
- 2016 Annual Report to the Community
- Donation Card
- Naming Opportunities Update 01/19/2018
- adamstown356@gmail.com
New floor plans coming soon!