Sneak Peek: Upper Moreland Library Renovations

As indicated by the giant moving trucks parked outside the today, with a precious cargo of carefully stacked bookshelves, major renovations are currently taking place.

The library closed its doors June 6 for several physical and aesthetic improvements, made possible by Upper Moreland Township, Pennsylvania Department of Education, and with funds from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

When the library doors open again this Saturday, June 17, one of the major renovations will be that the doors can open at the push of a button.

“There will be a pillar outside with a button to open the new accessible doors,” said Cathy Gilmore, assistant director of the Upper Moreland Library, explaining that the library previously used a doorbell for special needs access.

There will also be a push button door access for the second pair of doors inside the library entrance.

Taking full advantage of the beautiful weather today, Gilmore had an impromptu lunch picnic on the grass outside the township building with the library's head of technical services .

Together, they shared their enthusiasm about the other renovations currently taking place.

“I’m really excited,” Gilmore said. “It’s a lot of positive change I think the public will enjoy.”

Moving through the clutter of a library renovation, with chairs stacked upon one another and tall bookshelves awaiting restocking, Gilmore pointed out the new library layout.

With this layout, the large stacks of bookshelves now create a barrier around the computer area, located behind the reference desk, designed to help provide a quieter environment for patrons working on the computers.

This setup now allows for a larger space for study tables, and has opened up a portion of the library that will be dedicated to a young adult section.

Although the young adult section’s space has been set aside, it won’t be complete by June 17. However, the intended space will have lounge furniture as well as a mini-station for computers.

According to Gilmore, the furniture and other accommodations will be partially funded by donations in honor of the previous library director , who passed away this year.

“It always bothered Lillian that there wasn’t a special area for teens,” Gilmore said.

Aside from laying down new carpet throughout the library, the other major renovation is the addition of interior windows for the children’s library.

Several framed panels provide a clear view inside the children’s library area as patrons walk by, opening up the space to both more light and more family patrons.

“It’s amazing to see this,” Gilmore said, “like it has been a part of this building, the way it always meant to be.”

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For more information, visit www.uppermorelandlibrary.org.