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Saturday, April 2, 2011

The "More Than Books" Story

It was an ordinary day. Decided to visit the Manheim Township Public Library which is a stone's throw away from my house and a building that I helped pay for with my tax dollars. Literally! For the last few years I have watched as they broke ground, moved land, dug the hole for the foundation, poured the footers and foundation, did the construction work and finish work, and opened for business. Neatest looking library anywhere!! And now, finally, I am going to visit it. The 20,000 square foot library sports architecture that is based on the agrarian roots of Lancaster County. Means it looks like a barn! The library houses both print and electronic media collections and provides a home for art and other special exhibits. As I entered I found I was in a beautiful lobby with painting hanging above me, to the near right was a cozy reading area with fireplace, meeting rooms that can be rented followed next on my right, a modern Cafe directly to my left where you can get a drink or a light meal and where the sell used books, and the library entrance at the rear of the lobby. Inside the library I found the Hogan & Herr Children's Library, The Lapp Family Story Silo, a Children's reading area, and the beautiful library which houses computers, magazines and newspapers, music collections, movie collections, as well as the huge selection of books. Most everything is free to borrow as long as you have a library card. Since the MT Library is part of the Lancaster County Library System, I can use my new library card at all 18 libraries in the county. Also, can access their website and download books to my Kindle for free. Once I download them, I have 2 weeks to read them before they disappear from my Home Page of my Kindle. Gone are the days of the wooden drawered card catalog, being replaced by a computer that does the same thing, but the library still looks just like the library of old. Anxious to use the many features they offer for free. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The front of the Manheim Township Public Library.

The side of the library showing the Lapp Family Story Silo where librarians read books to the children who visit the library.

This is the lobby that is located directly inside the main entrance. To the right are meeting rooms, an area to relax by the fire, while to the left is the Cafe and the main library.

The rear of the lobby is where the main library opens.

The service center, directly inside the main library. The card catalog is now computerized for the electronic age.

The main library that houses the computers, music collection as well as the reference books, paperbacks and hardback books.

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