The Haddonfield Public Library has been open for about a month since its renovation, but the borough wanted to wait for an official grand re-opening celebration for when residents were back from summer vacation.
That grand re-opening came to fruition Saturday, when the Haddonfield Public Library held a ribbon cutting, with daylong activities and tours. The Sun asked residents their thoughts on the recent renovations.
Because of its age, the library was in need of improvements, not only structurally, but also for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and 21st century technology. Borough commissioners approved the renovation and awarded bids in April 2015. Construction began not long after, continued for 15 months, and the library officially re-opened in early August.
Since the library opening, people have come into the 60 N. Haddon Ave. location more than ever before. Teen Haddonfield residents Andrew Cedar, Henry Courtney, Blaze Driscoll and Justin Kasko said they used to go to the library maybe once a week, but since the re-opening, they come every other day. Faith Birnbaum and Gail Distenfeld, living right next to the library, would come every day and now say they come two or three times a day.
Everyone interviewed felt the library renovation was much needed. It was outdated and needed improvements in many areas. Now, they all say the library looks beautiful and is very up-to-date with 21st century technology.
“Right now, I feel like it is very up to expectations with modern technology,” Courtney said.
“It’s very big now. I like it. When I walk in here, you can really see everything. The children’s area is very nice and there is now an elevator for handicap people,” Distenfeld said.
Much of what interviewees liked were the lobby with its mosaic tile floor, restored plaster moldings on ceilings and how open it feels upon entering.
“It’s my first time here since it has opened … The ceilings are lovely and the mosaic floors and furniture are great,” Bob Miller said.
Miller also said the library has more power sockets than before, which he appreciates because he likes to come with his laptop on occasion. The teen residents liked the teen room with its furniture, technology and wide-open space. They really enjoy that there is more technology and resources available in general as well.
“The upstairs is good for homework. It’s very quiet and there are textbooks,” Kasko said.
“And there are tablets up there if you need to go on the Internet or look up a book. It is right there,” Cedar said.
Miller said it is not as big as the surrounding libraries, but Haddonfield’s Dave Petrelius said that is fine.
“It’s not a big library like Cherry Hill, but they have everything you need here, and if there is something they don’t have, they can get it for you in a few days,” Petrelius said.
Joe Fasula, a resident of Haddonfield for three years, said his first time going to the library was after the renovation. Coming to check out the library since its restoration and wanting to find a quiet space to do some work, he stopped in and thought it was beautiful. Now his second time at the library, he said he is looking forward to bringing his daughter to the children’s area in the basement as it is filled with beautiful paintings, children’s books, fun activities and a children’s room.
At the grand opening, the activities residents were invited to take part in were a button maker station, classic board games, a trivia contest, a 3D printer demonstration, a children’s documentary screening, a visit by Haddonfield resident and award-winning illustrator Robert Byrd, a temporary tattoo station and a family movie screening.
Library Director Eric Zino said the library is planning to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, as construction began on the library in 1917, and will continue that celebration through 2019 as it was officially opened in 1919.
To learn more about what is happening at the library visit www.haddonfieldlibrary.org.
