Excitement is in the air over at Newtown Public Library as they celebrate 50 years of the joy of reading, the exploration of ideas and the pursuit of lifelong learning for all. The original Newtown Public Library first opened its doors on July 15, 1974. It was located in a small house at 3129 West Chester Pike and housed 300 books on shelves in three rooms. Within six months, the library had grown to occupy the first two floors of the building, and within two years, it was time to find a larger space.
In 1976, the library moved to the lower level of the Newtown Square Shopping Center, where it remained until March 2003. Today, our beloved Newtown Public Library, located adjacent to the Newtown Township Building on Bishop Hollow Rd, is an impressive 9,400-square-foot modern facility. The library, which was founded and run for many years by dedicated volunteers, is now managed by a small team of paid employees, including a full-time Director.
The 50th Anniversary festivities kicked off in April during National Library Week with a full lineup of special events for the whole family. The celebration continued with a fun and very successful Silent Auction on May 3rd, which brought our community together to enjoy light fare, libations and some fantastic auction items donated by local businesses. Next up is the library’s summer reading kickoff, which will begin with a glow party on June 17th, then a family fort-night party on June 28th featuring a room full of lifesize forts, each with a different theme.
Arlene Caruso has been the library director for the past ten years. She said that much more is in store over the next few months. “This is an exciting time for the library, and we want the entire community to celebrate with us!”
Save the Date for an anniversary party for library patrons on Monday, July 15th. Now that the library is 50 and considered “over the hill,” the decor will match the theme, and the music will be songs from the 1970s. There will also be cake, drinks, kids’ activities and giveaways. “I am especially excited about an exhibit we are working on that will showcase 50 years of library history,” Arlene said. “We have been scouring through old photo albums and collecting items to put on display in the lobby.” The exhibit will also begin on July 15th and continue through the fall.
The fun doesn’t end there! The library’s monthly book club will discuss novels published in 1974, such as Stephen King’s Carrie, Peter Benchley’s Jaws and John le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Then, join your friends at the library on August 12th for their end-of-summer 70s-themed disco bash, and keep your eyes out for a shark in the pond as the library hosts a screening of the movie Jaws.
Arlene explained that in addition to parties and special events, the 50th anniversary brings some welcome changes. They recently designed and introduced a new logo reflecting the library’s role as a learning, enrichment and cultural exchange hub. They are also in the process of completing an exciting renovation. “With the help of our PA. State Representative Lisa Borowski, we were able to secure grant money administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development,” explained Arlene. “That money will be used to build a community meeting room inside the library.” The new space will be available for public use and to reserve for business and personal use.
Another recent addition to the Newtown Public Library is its newly launched podcast hosted by Arlene. “The podcast commemorates a half-century of literary legacy at the library,” she explained. “It’s a journey through time and tales as we reminisce on five decades of community, knowledge, and imagination.” Arlene said the episodes, released on the first Friday of every month, feature captivating conversations with individuals who have shaped the library’s narrative over the past 50 years.
Arlene stressed that the success of the Newtown Public Library stems primarily from the diligent efforts and unwavering dedication of its staff, trustees and Friends of the Library. “We are fortunate to have generous friends in our community who volunteer their time and talents,” she explained. “One such group is the Friends of Newtown Public Library (FOL), a 501c3 organization, who raise funds to donate for the better-
ment of Newtown Public Library.” Arlene added that this all-volunteer group enables the library to purchase items and equipment not covered in its annual budget through book sales and special event fundraisers. They meet monthly on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at the library.
Another vital group is the Library Board of Trustees. These individuals are appointed by the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors as provided for in the Library Code of the State of Pennsylvania. The Board meets every third Tuesday of the month at 7pm at the library. These meetings are open to the general public.
“All of us at Newtown Public Library are looking forward to celebrating 50 years of reading, exploring and learning with our wonderful community,” Arlene said. “We encourage you to reach out if you are interested in getting involved with our volunteer groups or if you have meaningful memories you’d like to share on our podcast.”
The Newtown Public Library is at 201 Bishop Hollow Rd, Newtown Square. Their regular hours of operation are Mon.–Thurs. 10am–7pm; Fri.–Sat. 10am–5pm. For more information, visit NewtownLibrary.org, give them a call at 610-353-1022 or email Arlene@NewtownLibrary.org.