Lower Merion Celebrates the Reopening of the Belmont Hills Public Library and Announces Major Donor

On Sunday, November 4, 2018 the Belmont Hills Public Library reopened after a year-long renovation and expansion.  The library received a 1,804 square foot addition and the remainder of the library was updated with new paint, windows, lighting, furniture and carpeting.  The additional space provides the community with a meeting room for 49 people, a new entrance and ADA compliant restrooms.  A reading patio overlooking the township pool and park was added with benches and electrical outlets.  Other features of the renovation included updated WiFi, and a laptop bar.

In addition to funds provided by Lower Merion Township, contributors to the Lower Merion Library Foundation Capital Campaign supported the project.  The Flink family donated $10,000 to sponsor the new rear lobby; the Portnoy family donated $2,500 to support the Librarian’s Office. The Dellheim family made contributions to each of the six LMLS library renovation projects and the circulation desk was presented in their honor. The Library Board named the front entrance in honor of Jean Karol.

The key announcement of the celebration was the recognition of the major donor for the entire six-library project.  The donor helped jump start the capital campaign with a million dollar contribution.  The donor is former State Senator, Constance Williams.  To recognize her donation, the children’s rooms in all six libraries will be named as Williams’ Family Children’s Library.

The project was supported in part by a $500,000 grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, with funds provided from the Keystone, Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the renovation, with over 400 attendees visiting the library’s open house.  Welcoming remarks were provided by Township Commissioner George Manos, who serves as Vice-President of the Lower Merion Library System Board of Directors. Other speakers included: local commissioner Michael McKeon, Representative Pam DeLissio, State Senator Daylin Leach and Deputy Secretary of Education/Commissioner of Libraries, Glenn Miller.  Belmont Hills Library board member, John Mayer, thanked the many people who worked tirelessly to make the project successful.  Charles J. Bloom, President of the Lower Merion Library Foundation, thanked the many donors who contributed to the campaign and introduced Ms. Williams as the project’s major donor.

The Belmont Hills Public Library is the sixth and final library in Lower Merion Township to be renovated and expanded in a program that began 10 years ago.  At that time, library supporters presented a bold plan to reimagine all six township libraries as welcoming spaces for residents of all ages to explore, learn, and connect to their community.  The first project was the renovation to the Ludington Library, which was completed in 2012; Bala Cynwyd was completed in 2013; both Ardmore and Penn Wynne reopened in 2016; and Gladwyne was finished in 2017.  The projects were completed with funding provided by the Township of Lower Merion, private donors and state grants.

The Belmont Hills Public Library resumed regular operating hours on Monday, November 05; Monday-Tuesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday noon-8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  The library is closed on Fridays and Sundays.

Belmont Hills Library Reopens & Announces Major Donor

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Lower Merion Celebrates the Reopening of the Belmont Hills Public Library and Announces Major Donor

On Sunday, November 4, 2018 the Belmont Hills Public Library reopened after a year-long renovation and expansion.  The library received a 1,804 square foot addition and the remainder of the library was updated with new paint, windows, lighting, furniture and carpeting.  The additional space provides the community with a meeting room for 49 people, a new entrance and ADA compliant restrooms.  A reading patio overlooking the township pool and park was added with benches and electrical outlets.  Other features of the renovation included updated WiFi, and a laptop bar.

In addition to funds provided by Lower Merion Township, contributors to the Lower Merion Library Foundation Capital Campaign supported the project.  The Flink family donated $10,000 to sponsor the new rear lobby; the Portnoy family donated $2,500 to support the Librarian’s Office. The Dellheim family made contributions to each of the six LMLS library renovation projects and the circulation desk was presented in their honor. The Library Board named the front entrance in honor of Jean Karol.

The key announcement of the celebration was the recognition of the major donor for the entire six-library project.  The donor helped jump start the capital campaign with a million dollar contribution.  The donor is former State Senator, Constance Williams.  To recognize her donation, the children’s rooms in all six libraries will be named as Williams’ Family Children’s Library.

The project was supported in part by a $500,000 grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, with funds provided from the Keystone, Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the renovation, with over 400 attendees visiting the library’s open house.  Welcoming remarks were provided by Township Commissioner George Manos, who serves as Vice-President of the Lower Merion Library System Board of Directors. Other speakers included: local commissioner Michael McKeon, Representative Pam DeLissio, State Senator Daylin Leach and Deputy Secretary of Education/Commissioner of Libraries, Glenn Miller.  Belmont Hills Library board member, John Mayer, thanked the many people who worked tirelessly to make the project successful.  Charles J. Bloom, President of the Lower Merion Library Foundation, thanked the many donors who contributed to the campaign and introduced Ms. Williams as the project’s major donor.

The Belmont Hills Public Library is the sixth and final library in Lower Merion Township to be renovated and expanded in a program that began 10 years ago.  At that time, library supporters presented a bold plan to reimagine all six township libraries as welcoming spaces for residents of all ages to explore, learn, and connect to their community.  The first project was the renovation to the Ludington Library, which was completed in 2012; Bala Cynwyd was completed in 2013; both Ardmore and Penn Wynne reopened in 2016; and Gladwyne was finished in 2017.  The projects were completed with funding provided by the Township of Lower Merion, private donors and state grants.

The Belmont Hills Public Library resumed regular operating hours on Monday, November 05; Monday-Tuesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday noon-8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  The library is closed on Fridays and Sundays.

Belmont Hills Library Reopens & Announces Major Donor