Expansion project ongoing at Honey Brook Community Library

A construction project that will nearly double the building's space is currently ongoing at the Honey Brook Community Library. Work began in April and is expected to be completed in November.

According to the architect's sketches, the expanded library will have a U shape and the main entrance of the library will move from the front of the building on Route 10 to the current back of the library. The library's parking lot will be expanded to 40 spaces.

The project will include the addition of a community room and a new children's library. The existing library will house the books for adults.

Another feature will be an adult reading room, which will also house a display of historical memorabilia. "I wanted a spot where the adults could go for a little quiet - to sit and read magazines and newspapers - and all our local history (items) will move there," explained library director Jennifer Spade. "There will also be a small meeting room that can fit about six people." She noted that the space could be used for homeschool group meetings and classes like English as a Second Language.

The books from the current children's library will be relocated into the new children's wing. The other books will be boxed and stored until the work is complete.

"The whole (existing library) needs to get painted, and we are getting new carpeting," said Spade. "All of the lighting will be changed to LED to be more energy efficient."

"Our new addition, which is the children's wing, will be ready for all the books," she added. "What is left is the adult books and the DVDs. Those are ones that will have to be moved when we do the new rug and the painting."

The Friends of the Library's book nook will be relocated, and a room will be added for the sorting of donations. "Where the book nook is now will become our kitchenette for the community room," said Spade, noting that a third restroom will be added.

She noted that a wall will be added to separate the restrooms and the community room from the rest of the library. "If we do programs out of hours, like Sewing with Ms. Nancy on Friday nights, these doors can be locked, and the people will only have access to the community room," said Spade.

The building project began thanks to a $1.14 million grant that the library received through the Department of Community and Economic Development, which was garnered by state Sen. Katie Muth. "The grant just covers the building (construction)," Spade said. "The capital campaign is ongoing to purchase furniture and shelves to be put into the building. For our community room, we will need a table and chairs. In our adult reading room, we will need comfortable chairs."

As part of the capital campaign, the library recently introduced a wall-mounted donor recognition tree. The tree recognizes patrons who contribute a set donation. Various colored leaves that correspond to the level of contribution are currently available to purchase, as well as acorns and doves for larger donors. "There is a lot of space to write (on the leaves)," Spade noted. "People can write 'in memory of' or businesses can write their names."

Donors on the tree so far include Honey Brook Township, Honey Brook Animal Hospital, Tel Hai Retirement Community, the Honey Brook Community Partnership, the Ladies Book Club at Knob Hill Farm, Brandywine Shoe Shop, the Honey Brook Women's Club, the Honey Brook Library Mystery Book Club and Hoover Building Specialists. One leaf was inscribed with the words, "Reading saved my life."

Once the construction project is completed, the tree will be displayed inside the lobby.

The Honey Brook Community Library is located at 687 Compass Road, Honey Brook. For more information about the project or to donate, contact Spade at 610-273-3303 or jspade@ccls.org.

The library will remain open for most of the summer, although it will close for several weeks in late August and early September. Updates will be posted on the "Honey Brook Community Library" Facebook page.