A New Chapter Begins at ELANCO Library…We’re Renovating & Expanding Our Children’s Library!
ELANCO Library is thrilled to announce an upcoming expansion and renovation of our Children’s Library. The project will include:
- Transforming underutilized space into an Early Learning Area for education and recreation for children age birth to five and their parents or caregivers
- Creating a suitable space for teen programming, which will double as an attractive meeting room for community groups
- Upgrading the HVAC system for improved air quality
- Enhancing the entire Children’s Library with a raised ceiling, carpet, paint, improved lighting, some new furnishings, and more.
Construction will begin in early 2024 and conclude with a grand reopening of Children’s Library in late Spring 2024.
Many children’s books & audiobooks ARE still AVAILABLE TO CHECK OUT during the construction & temporary Children’s Library Closure!
Although the Children’s Library is currently closed, you can still check out children’s books & audiobooks from ELANCO Library! Visit the library’s first floor to browse and check out children’s materials.
Frequently Asked Questions: What’s Happening? How Will Library Services be Impacted by the Construction?
What’s Happening?
Our Children’s Library will be undergoing a remodel starting in January of 2024. This will include updated paint, furnishings, carpet, the creation of a new early learning room, and more. The lower level, where the children’s library is located, will be CLOSED from January 8, 2024 until late Spring of 2024.
Will I Still be Able to Check out Children’s Books?
YES! A limited collection of children’s material will be moved upstairs into the adult library. Other materials will be available by request (hold) only, and some will be temporarily unavailable. You can also request materials from other County libraries for pickup at ELANCO Library.
The following children’s materials are available for browsing and for checkout on the library’s first floor. (In the library’s catalog, you can search for, view, and place holds on these items as usual.)
- Board Books
- Easy Readers (Fiction and Non-fiction)
- Spring Holiday Books (Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter)
- Some Picture Books (Popular Books & Favorites)
- Graphic Novels
- Popular Children’s Chapter Book Series
- New Books
- Audiobooks on CD
The following are available by request (hold) only. (In the library’s catalog, these are marked STORAGE. You can search for, view, and place holds on these items as usual. )
- Juvenile Biographies
- Juvenile Fiction (excluding series)
- Parent Collection (books, art study kits, and music study kits)
The following are temporarily unavailable, until the Children’s Library reopens. (You will not see these items in the library’s catalog – they are temporarily hidden.)
- Board Games
- Book/CD Bags
- Children’s DVDs
- Some picture books
- Books in Braille
- Some Holiday books
- Juvenile Non-Fiction
- Kits/Dolls/Launchpads
- Magazines
- Wonderbooks
- World Languages Collection
Will there Still be Story Times?
YES! Story times and other programming will continue as scheduled in the upstairs activity room. Click here to view a full listing of upcoming events: January to May 2024 Events Catalog.
How Can I Learn More? What Will the Newly Renovated Children’s Library be Like?
Ask us about the children’s library renovation project the next time you visit the library! You are also invited to contact Anna D’Agostino, Library Director, at 717-354-0525 or adagostino@elancolibrary.org with any questions. More information, updates, the date of the Children’s Library re-opening, and details on our Grand Reopening Party will be posted here when they become available.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
ELANCO Library will close early, at 1:30pm, on Wednesday, January 24 to prepare for the construction.
ELANCO Library will close early, at 1pm, on Friday, February 2, to prepare for the construction.
How Can I Get Involved?
We are grateful to a generous donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) who paid a significant portion of the construction bill. However, we still need to raise $57,000 to furnish the new space! Please consider contributing. Your gift will benefit local children for generations to come. There are three easy and secure ways to give:
Online: Click here or on the PayPal button below to give. Please select Help Us Renovate Our Children’s Library from the Use this donation for menu.
At the library: Speak with a staff member at the desk and donate cash or by check.
By mail: Send your check, payable to ELANCO Library, to: Eastern Lancaster County Library, 11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland, PA 17557. Please note Children’s Library Renovation in the memo line.
Note: If ELANCO Library exceeds our fundraising goal of $57,000, funds in excess of $57,000 will be applied towards general library operating expenses.
Volunteers are also needed to assist us to move furniture, shelving, and library materials before and after the construction. Interested in helping? Please contact the library at 717-354-0525 or adagostino@elancolibrary.org.
Thank you for your support!
