Building Project & Capital Campaign Facts

You may also download a copy of the Building Project and Capital Campaign Fact Sheet at the bottom of this page.

The past: The Haverford Township Free Library’s collections in year 2010 have multiplied more than 2000% since it was founded in 1934, while its space has increased only 70%. Over and over again, we have settled for “make do” expansions, an addition in the 1970’s, a third floor in the 1990’s. But it is simply not enough. The building that was bursting at the seams in the 1960’s is crippling the library today.

21st Century Libraries: Far from making libraries obsolete, the information age has radically increased demand for libraries; the percentage of card holders using library websites is up almost 60% in the last three years alone.  Being adept with information has fueled, not diminished, their appetite for learning, and for our library.

Usage: Before television, the internet, and social media, more people used the library, right? Wrong. Although the Township’s population has grown only 55%, from 27,000 in 1940 to 50,000 today, library circulation is up 350% since 1934. And circulation is only one measure of use, not reflecting the more than 320,000 people who come to the library each year for reference help, meetings, or programs.

Collections: The library’s collection included 6,000 books and periodicals in 1934. Today’s 135,000 items includes those, but also contains audio books on tape, CD or MP3 player, movie DVDs, music CDs, and downloadable formats. Not only are there many more of these items, but multi-media items are in great demand. Most of these media had not even been invented in 1934, and each requires its own special storage and display space, not to mention different handling by staff.

Programs: At a time when communication via email and the vast array of communication devices now available is commonplace, the library’s live performances, lectures, readings and book-clubs create a place where people come together in community. In just the last five years, the Haverford Township Free Library’s program attendance more than doubled while the variety of our library programs increased 300%.

Accessibility: The Facts--the library’s parking deficit, its single cramped elevator and its pre-ADA design all frustrate the elderly, disabled and those with strollers who struggle, and sometimes fail, to navigate our library.

Services: Library usage increases during hard economic times; ours has jumped 10% just since  2008. Job loss can devastate families, and job-seekers turn to our library looking for computers and resources, expecting help. There are unfortunately many unemployed American workers right now, job-seekers the library wants to help, today and in the future.

Computer/Internet access: Due to severely limited space and 1930’s electrical wiring, the library is extremely limited when considering technology upgrades.

A leader falling behind: The Haverford Township Free Library provides almost $9 in value for every $1 the community invests in it…almost twice the return of any library in Pennsylvania. The library’s effective board, respected staff and loyal volunteers are also proud that ours is a leading library serving all of Delaware County. These, and other community leaders, are now determined to create a library that works…for today and tomorrow.

The Vision: A new LEED-certified ‘green’ library will ideally contain these 21st century library designs:

• Twice the space, giving plenty of room for current and future collections
• More than 5 times the parking
• Twice the computers, a computer lab and business center
• ADA-accessible bathrooms, elevators, doors and ramps
• Separate zones for tutoring, teens, children, seniors, quiet study and reading, as well as additional meeting rooms and an auditorium

How you can help: We need visionaries to contribute to the Library@Large, Seed Fund Campaign. We know the new library’s construction will cost more than $10 million. To secure public dollars, we must demonstrate private support, your support. Increase your impact by meeting the library board’s challenge that will match gifts up to $250,000, if they are made now.

To make history, please contact:
Richard Thau, Library Director
Haverford Township Free Library
1601 Darby Road Havertown PA 19083
Telephone: 610-446-3082 or by
email at thau@haverfordlibrary.org