After about 10 years of planning and designing, the Shippensburg Public Library expansion moved forward with the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction on the library’s new addition.

With the construction of a newer wing, there will be a blending of modern technology into the historical aspects of the current library.

“The expansion entails two phases, really. One part was the renovation of the existing library and the second is the construction of the addition,” said Colby Fry, president of the Shippensburg Public Library board.

In Phase 1, the first floor was adjusted to become compliant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There was new carpeting put on the third floor and all rooms received updated electrical work and high-speed Wi-Fi.

There were upgrades to the heating and air conditioning systems, an installment of a circulation checkout desk in the central location of the library and an elevator installed for easier access to all floors, which complies with ADA accessibility.

In Phase 2, there have been delays in the construction of the bridge across Branch Creek. However, construction has started on the 6,000-square-foot addition, which will serve as the children’s and teens’ area.

Previously, the library demolished the Freeman Medical Building for 40 additional parking spaces for the library.

The original plan was to build a two-story addition to the rear of the George Stewart House, which is the current library. Now, the layout of the addition is one-story, as Phase 2 of the expansion continues.

“The biggest obstacles we faced in the expansion were environmental as well as compliance. We had to do a three-phase environmental obstacle study with the Freeman medical building,” Fry said. “We had to raise the addition and move the position of the building at more of an angle because of the flood plain. We also did the same to the parking lot while being careful to preserve permeated ground.”

According to Jody Cole, executive director for the Shippensburg Public Library, there will be a community room in the children’s wing of the addition that can hold about 80 people. Fry also said the room can be used for multimedia purposes, meetings and programs.

“The library needs more room to facilitate the programs they are presenting to the community,” Paula Yasenchak, president of the Friends of the Shippensburg Public Library, said. “The role of the library in the community has changed. It’s not just a place to borrow books.”

Sysha Irot, director of youth services for the Shippensburg Public Library, said there are programs for children of all ages, up to age 18. Many of the programs are weekly, such as Toddlertime and Storytime. There are also monthly school-age programs provided in the evenings.

“It is so important for a library to grow with its community so that it can continue to provide for the community,” said Samantha Kelsey, youth services assistant for the Shippensburg Public Library. “Libraries offer the space and resources that are needed.”

The overall cost of the expansion is approximately $5.6 million, with $4 million being covered by a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) match grant. The library has raised money through multiple grants and fundraising efforts to alleviate the financial burden.

Fry said the expansion will benefit the Shippensburg Public Library by providing an epicenter for cultural activity in Shippensburg.

“In the future, I want to have a downtown movie theater and musical venue,” he said.

There are discussions to incorporate artwork from students of the Shippensburg Area Senior High School and Shippensburg University in the renovated library.

“I think to have a cultural center in town is something that every town needs in order to flourish. It is important for the well-being of the youth and the adults as well,” Fry said.

The project is expected to be completed in May 2017.

Share