See message below from the President of the Ardmore Library Board:

Dear Friend of Ardmore Library:

I am excited to report that the final plans and cost estimate for the Ardmore Library Renovation Project are now complete (see details below) and will be presented to the Library Committee of the Township Board of Commissioners for a yea/nay vote on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Public comment is vital. Please support the Ardmore Library Renovation Project by sending a letter or email no later than Tuesday, December 3 to every Township commissioner. Tell them why the library is important to you and our community and ask them to vote for the project to proceed. Address your letter to Lower Merion Township Commissioners, 75 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003. Send your email to Township Secretary Jody Kelley at jkelley@lowermerion.org and ask her to forward it to all the commissioners.

The length of your communication is not important, but the number of letters and emails voicing support of the project is. Come and speak in support at the Library Committee meeting on Dec. 4 (go to http://www.lowermerion.org for details). Tell your friends and neighbors and share this letter with anyone you think might be interested.

Here’s what the renovation will mean to patrons. And bear in mind that this is just a partial list:

• A new ADA-compliant elevator to allow all patrons to comfortably and safely access all areas of the library.
• A reading loft in the main room opened for patron use for the first time.
• A new soft-seating and play area in the children’s room
• A dedicated Young Adult nook
• A new conference room that allows more than one group to use the program room simultaneously.
• A more efficient circulation desk with Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) and a self-checkout station.
• Improved energy-efficient lighting, fresh paint, and new carpeting.
• A small outdoor programming space.

All of the proposed changes have been designed to mesh with the historic fabric and tone of the building. And we know that they are needed. The last renovation at Ardmore Library was nearly 20 years ago. As you probably have noticed, Ardmore is now expanding, both in the number of businesses and also in its population: several new large residential developments in Ardmore are underway or soon to begin construction. A renovated Ardmore Library would add to the appeal of our walkable and lively community.

If you would like more information about the Ardmore Library Renovation Project, please feel free to call or email me at 610-642-7346 or a2kirsch@verizon.net.

Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Ann Kirschner
President, Ardmore Library Board