The Swarthmore Public Library has been a community treasure since 1921. Over the years its physical space has been built, moved, renovated and reimagined to continue serving our community’s needs.
In 2024, we kicked off the next reimagining of our beloved Swarthmore Public Library. What does this mean and what are some next steps?
Last year the library engaged architect JR Keller LLC to help us design a reimagined physical space within our existing location in Swarthmore Borough Hall.
We discussed options with stakeholders, which were carefully considered in the schematic design, keeping the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, previous surveys and focus groups, staff input, patron and community needs, architect’s recommendations, and cost, in mind.
In particular, the Swarthmore Public Library’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025) identified barriers to service and provided four priorities for the physical space:
- Improving sound and accessibility
- Providing differentiated spaces for children, teens, and adults
- Increasing access to staff
- Providing attractive and relevant collections, settings, and programs
Subsequent discussions with library staff and representatives identified secondary priorities:
- Revised checkout desk with a smaller footprint
- Addition of self-checkout
- Larger children’s book section, primarily for seating and people
- New seating configuration and furniture
- Increase staff interaction, possibly by rethinking the office space
We are thrilled with the outcome and believe the renderings show a space that will allow the library’s excellent staff and board to continue serving the community into the future.
The space will greatly improve accessibility for the children’s area and will provide a more welcoming feel to the main floor of the library while creating differentiated spaces. The updated ceiling and wall treatments will significantly attenuate sound in the library, creating a serene space while welcoming multiple uses. A revised checkout with additional seating will increase access to staff on the main level in addition to the staff office space. New seating configurations will encourage meeting, programming and discovery, through the creation of a study room, moveable shelving for maximum programming flexibility, and welcoming, light-filled reading spaces. And a curated collection with lower shelves will ensure that patrons see the most timely and relevant elements of the collection while retaining a positive browsing experience in the physical space.
We unveiled the first look at a reimagined library with community members at Casino Night on Feb. 1, 2025, and received positive feedback.
So, what comes next?
- We invite you to come check out the renderings, on display in the library, when you next visit.
- Check this website frequently, as we will continue to provide community members with updates on the project here.
- We will continue to work with experts and finalize the project budget.
- We plan to kick off a capital campaign this spring as well as begin to identify grants and other sources of project funding.
- The library board and staff will continue to meet with community members and stakeholders to provide updates, gain insights and raise awareness of this project, including as part of our next Strategic Plan process.
There are several phases ahead that stretch beyond 2025, including design development, preparing bidding documents, selecting a contractor and other professionals, and overseeing the construction.
Finally, we invite you to stay connected with us. Follow the library on Facebook and Instagram, come to a board meeting, provide input on our next strategic plan, and consider volunteering or serving on our board.
