HAVERTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — After millions of dollars in renovations, a Delaware County library has reopened its doors to the public.
For almost two years, the Haverford Township Free Library building has undergone a major makeover.
“The library was packed up and part of the collection and all of the people were moved to Manoa Shopping Center,” said Susan Sternberg, the library’s interim director, “so they were able to remain open, albeit smaller, during the entire renovation.”
According to Sternberg, the new amenities include 11 study rooms and reading rooms, a sensory room, STEM workshop, 3D printers. video game areas and a host of other upgrades.
“The other things that you won’t see but make a huge difference to patrons is all new mechanical systems, HVAC, elevators, electricity, plumbing, all of that is new.”
While construction went on over the last couple of years, Sternberg said the entire process has taken an even longer time to bear fruit. “Talk of the renovation and fund raising and design has been going on for about 15 years,” she said.
All of these new features come at a hefty price: $22 million. Still, Sternberg said, all of the additions are crucial to a modern community library, “for people to study quietly, for remote workers to get out of their homes and have someplace else to go.”