Patrons of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Walnut West Branch will soon be borrowing their reading material from a newly renovated library.
Construction recently began on the Walnut West Branch, which is located at 40th and Walnut Streets.
Managed by Philadelphia architectural firm Buell Kratzer Powell Ltd., the renovations will eliminate the basement of the building and make the branch handicap accessible. In addition to reinforcing the structure of the building and the content of the library's collection, new technology and a separate children's wing will be added as well.
Community meeting rooms and personal work stations will inhabit the first floor of the branch, while the collections will be held on the second level.
President of Friends of Walnut West Library Beth Ann Johnson is pleased about the plans for the library, and is even happier now that the renovations have begun.
"We're extremely excited," Johnson said. "Every time I meet someone on the street, a smile just breaks out across their face -- everyone is just thrilled."
Originally built in 1905 with the donations of the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the West Philadelphia library was discovered to be structurally unsound in 1996.
Since then, the library has been temporarily located at the 4000 block on Walnut Street. Owned by the University, this interim space is much smaller in size.
Although the library's current building has been a short term solution, Walnut West branch Director Allison Freyermuth is enthusiastic about the expansion.
"We've been getting new materials in preparation for the new building, which will be a large expansion," Freyermuth said.
Due to the recent economic recession, a larger number of people have frequented the branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The Walnut West branch has been no exception.
"We have seen a greater number of patrons, and [we're] sure that the number will continue to grow when we make the move into the new building," Freyermuth added.
The library was set to reopen in 1997 -- that is, until the Free Library of Philadelphia determined that the nearly $4 million estimated cost of repairs was a fee which the was too large to be feasible.
However, protests by community members to hasten the reopening caught the Free Library of Philadelphia's attention -- in April 2001, plans were reannounced for a $3 million renovation project.
University Vice President of Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said that the renovated library will add a sense of the West Philadelphia community to campus.
"We've wanted the library to be open for a long time," Scheman said. "It's a beautiful library to have there, and it can act as a town center for the area residents."
Funds were secured for the project despite concerns over the multi-million dollar amount, enabling the beginning of the renovations during the past two weeks.
The plans are part of the Free Library's initiative to equalize all fifty-five Philadelphia libraries said Free Library spokeswoman Jennifer Barry.
"All of the branches were in a great need of updating, both physically and technologically," Barry said. "There is a great variety in the Philadelphia system, with many new and old libraries.
"The goal is to create a uniformity in the libraries; to create equal access for all Philadelphia residents," she added.
In fact, renovations are actually ahead of schedule. As of last fall, the predicted starting date was July 1.
Nevertheless, the move will probably not be made for over a year, as the original building was left unstable after ground water entered the library through the basement.
