PUNXSUTAWNEY - A new circulation desk and new meeting rooms are in the works for the Punxsutawney Memorial Library.
The library was recently awarded a Keystone recreation, park and conservation fund grant that will help it move forward with plans for renovations.
The new additions are the latest in a series of moves the library has made to stay relevant and thrive in a new, technology-driven information age.
"Libraries are more than just books," said Coral Ellshoff, Library director at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library. "We have programs for all ages, adult book clubs, computer classes, teen programs and traditional story times for children."
So far, Ellshoff's plan seems to have worked. There's been an increase in library visits. In 2012, the library chalked up 28,402 visits, whereas in 2011, it had 19,972.
She also added that the library has served as a life-raft for those areas in rural Pennsylvania without high-speed internet access.
"I live seven miles out of town and I don't have any ability to get the internet," she said. "A lot of people are in that same position and they're only possible connection is here at the library."
As for library funding across the state, Ellshoff says the state's formula for funding libraries has been frozen due to budget cuts since 2003.
"Libraries were actually well-funded in the 1990s in Pennsylvania," she added. "It's been gradually decreasing since 2003."
Ellshoff says donations to the library have picked up much of the slack.
"Municipalities have been extremely supportive," she said.
With the new grant in-hand, Ellshoff hopes the renovations and new meeting rooms will continue the Punxsutawney library's support and usefulness.
"The libraries play a role as gathering spaces...and libraries can do that very well for community groups."
She added that reasons for visiting libraries are far different then they were 10 years ago, but insists her library is ready to meet those changes.
"Our circulation has gone up, our computer use has gone up and our programs have doubled," she added. "We must be doing something right."
The library was recently awarded a Keystone recreation, park and conservation fund grant that will help it move forward with plans for renovations.
The new additions are the latest in a series of moves the library has made to stay relevant and thrive in a new, technology-driven information age.
"Libraries are more than just books," said Coral Ellshoff, Library director at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library. "We have programs for all ages, adult book clubs, computer classes, teen programs and traditional story times for children."
So far, Ellshoff's plan seems to have worked. There's been an increase in library visits. In 2012, the library chalked up 28,402 visits, whereas in 2011, it had 19,972.
She also added that the library has served as a life-raft for those areas in rural Pennsylvania without high-speed internet access.
"I live seven miles out of town and I don't have any ability to get the internet," she said. "A lot of people are in that same position and they're only possible connection is here at the library."
As for library funding across the state, Ellshoff says the state's formula for funding libraries has been frozen due to budget cuts since 2003.
"Libraries were actually well-funded in the 1990s in Pennsylvania," she added. "It's been gradually decreasing since 2003."
Ellshoff says donations to the library have picked up much of the slack.
"Municipalities have been extremely supportive," she said.
With the new grant in-hand, Ellshoff hopes the renovations and new meeting rooms will continue the Punxsutawney library's support and usefulness.
"The libraries play a role as gathering spaces...and libraries can do that very well for community groups."
She added that reasons for visiting libraries are far different then they were 10 years ago, but insists her library is ready to meet those changes.
"Our circulation has gone up, our computer use has gone up and our programs have doubled," she added. "We must be doing something right."
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.