Change is happening at the Manheim Community Library! The library held a party for Library Lovers’ Month on Friday, February 17th with their Board, Staff, Volunteers, and Friends of the Manheim Community Library members. The night promised a “big announcement” which was delivered by Manheim Community Library Board of Trustees President, Ken Hameloth, announced the library has received an anonymous donation of $470,000 for a new building. The Library Board is looking into buildings that meet the criteria of residing in the Borough of Manheim, at least 10,000 square feet, able to hold the weight of book stacks, and plenty of parking. If residents have any suggestions, they can contact the Director, Melissa Foltz, at mfoltz@manheimlibrary.org or call the library at 717-665-6700.
The Manheim Community Library has been located in the Manheim Borough Building since 1974. Circulating over 118,000 items per year and organizing 33,000 items within its 2,500 square foot is certainly a challenge. On top of the need of space for materials, the library holds over 150 programs per year with 6,000 people attending. Over 800 children sign up for the Summer Reading Program and 62% of children complete the program. The library staff is composed of one full-time librarian, seven part-time staff, and 25 dedicated volunteers.
This announcement was followed by an appeal from the President of the Friends of the Manheim Community Library, Stacey Gibble Barrick, who encouraged attendees to renew their memberships or recruit a new Friend of the Library. Currently, the Library has 155 Friends with a 2017 goal of 200.
Love, and support, for the Manheim Community Library could be seen at the party. Library Volunteer, Russ Stahley, was signing copies of the children’s book he published about his favorite days which are Mondays and Fridays – the days he volunteers at the Manheim Community Library. The walls were filling up with hearts as attendees were purchasing a paper heart for $1 to show their love for the library. This is an on-going program taking place at the library throughout the month of February.
The Director, Melissa Foltz, spoke at the Library Lovers’ Party to update all of the library’s Friends on new changes. The library’s hours will be changing March 1st (Monday & Tuesday 9AM – 8PM; Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday 9 AM – 5 PM; Saturdays 9 AM -1 PM). The library has 8 new dedicated library parking spots, 2 directly behind the building sponsored by the Women’s Club and 6 across South Wolf street in the parking lot by Teen Central. The library has hired Raven Eckman as their new Community Relations Coordinator starting March 27th.
Change is certainly happening at the Manheim Community Library. To stay informed become a Friend of the Manheim Community library by visiting their website, www.manheimlibrary.org. Follow the Manheim Community Library on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ManheimCommunityLibrary/ .