Company Profile
Haverford Twp Free Library
Company Overview
About Haverford Township Free Library
The Haverford Township Free Library has been the Township’s official public library since 1934, providing continuing service to the community for more than 80 years. The Library is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees, four of whom are appointed by the Township of Haverford Commissioners and three who are elected by members of the Haverford Township Free Library Association. It is one of 28 libraries in the Delaware County Library System (DCLS) and follows the laws and regulations of the Pennsylvania Library Code.
The Library’s mission is “to provide the residents of Haverford Township, as well as the public at large, with exemplary access to the broadest range of resources, programs, and services that enhance and enrich their lives.” The HTFL is committed to lifelong education and learning, and to serving patrons of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The Library’s total collection use of more than 151,500 items (2024) is among the highest of the 28 libraries in Delaware County.
Company History
HISTORY OF THE HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP FREE LIBRARY
Haverford Township Free Library’s grand opening was in 1934 at the smaller building next door on Darby Road, called the Waybar Building. It started a year earlier when Ms. Golden, an Editor of the Haverford Township News, called a meeting to discuss plans to create a public library in Haverford Township. Attending were many of the township’s civic and political leaders; like school principals, Miss Hannum, a Township Commissioner; Mrs. Bomberger, President of Oakmont Women’s Club; Mrs. Marchand of Manoa American Legion; Miss Genevieve Geiger, High School Librarian; and Miss Matthews of the State Library Bureau.
Miss Matthews stressed that the library must be centrally located, that a trained librarian be hired as soon as the library was to open, and that a library association be formed.
In 1934 Miss Hannum organized a Library Committee to look into obtaining temporary quarters and providing a book collection. It was pointed out that if a library were to be funded, it would eventually become a township institution and therefore a consideration of the township administration for its maintenance. At that time that had a Library Association Committee with dues at .50 cents per year for members, $2 per year for donors, and $100 for a lifetime membership.
Funding was also provided by Penfield Civic Association, the Brookline Parent-Teacher Association, and the Haverford Township Chamber of Commerce to help pay the building lease of $10 per month to rent the library building. Later Township Administration added $2,500 a year for library expenses and the School District contributed $100/yr. We started our collection with just over 2000 books of which half of the book donations were received from the Brookline Club, while the State Library in Harrisburg donated library supplies.
Our first Librarian was Miss Helen Sharpless and she was paid $15.00 a week for 28 hrs/wk. That first year we had almost 1,800 people borrow books over 17,000 times.
In 1936, a bank called the Haverford Township Title and Trust Company offered to sell our current Library location for use as a larger library building for $12,000. A Township Commissioner, Mr. Horatio Lloyd and his family, donated the entire amount to purchase the property for the Township. This building had its grand opening as the new library in 1938 and continues to serve the Haverford Township community from this location.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
2023 Renovation began for our Library. Be on the lookout for our Grand Reopening this spring at 1601 Darby Road! The library's renovation and expansion project is progressing in a timely manner and is on track to be completed in the spring of 2025. Our newly renovated and expanded space will provide:
A multi-story entrance and modern elevator to ensure convenient access to all three floors, with after-hours access to the new Community Room.
A second-floor addition that will increase the public space by over 25 percent.
A welcoming Living Room with a fireplace, perfect for quiet moments and reading, fulfilling the requests of senior patrons.
Separate dedicated spaces for young children, tweens, and teens to allow these groups to gather and enjoy the library at the same time in maximum comfort.
Meeting Rooms for community gatherings and Study Rooms for small groups and collaboration, all supported with technology.
An Innovation Zone, a versatile Makerspace for all ages to facilitate hands-on projects and advanced programming.
Increased public computer access including tech zones, laptop bars, ample charging outlets, and robust WIFI coverage.
A building infrastructure that will provide completely new and upgraded systems.
A new parking lot across the street that will nearly double the existing on-site spaces.
Additionally, there remain 125-250 on-street parking spaces nearby.