More Info
- General Info
- The Helen Kate Furness Free Library was founded in October 1902 by a group of Nether Providence citizens as the Horace Howard Furness Free Library, named in honor of one of the founders, a famous Shakespearean scholar whose estate, Lindenshade, was located in what is now Furness Park. In the early years, the library was housed in a 12 foot square room of the newly built Wallingford elementary school. Dr. Furness' died in 1912. In his will, he bequeathed $5, 000 to the library on the condition that the Library's name be changed to The Helen Kate Furness Free Library to honor Dr. Furness' wife who was also a Shakespearean scholar. In today's dollars, Dr. Furness' bequest would be worth about $87, 000. In 1913, Dr. William Henry Furness III, a son of Dr. and Mrs. Furness, conveyed to the library an acre of land on which a native stone building was constructed in 1916. It was then that the dedicated volunteer system really started. The library was open for limited hours each week, staffed by community volunteers and part-time professional librarians. The library was only open in the evenings. In fact, for several years during the late 1940's, the Nether Providence School District rented the library during the day for use as a kindergarten classroom. The proceeds from the lease were the library's only source of income. As late as 1954, the library was only open 8 hours a week. By 1959, the population of the area had increased from less than 2, 000 in 1916 to over 10, 000. The citizens of Nether Providence and Rose Valley initiated a capital campaign which raised approximately $65, 000 to build an addition to the original building, add equipment, and renovate the old building. In today's dollars, the proceeds from that campaign would be worth about $375, 000. A second addition, the Chadwick Wing, was added in 1974 with a gift of $50, 000 from the estate of Judge E. Wallace Chadwick of Rose Valley, who died in 1969. A $10, 000 bequest from the estate of Mr. Chadwick's wife, Alice Chadwick, provided additional funding to furnish the wing. Today the value of those two gifts would be about $210, 000. Since 1974, usage of the library has increased dramatically, placing a strain on the current facilities and preventing the library from offering the environment and the services that our patrons want and need. The quality of life we enjoy in our community has always attracted families who value education and who want a strong Library for their children, grandchildren, and themselves. Consequently, an addition to the Library was completed in 2006 in order to meet the needs of the community. Helen Kate Furness Free Library 100 N. Providence Rd., PA 19086 Wallingford( 610) 566-9331 furnesslibrary@delco.pa.us
- Extra Phones
Phone: (610) 566-9337
Fax: (610) 566-9337
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- amex, check, discover, master card, visa, paypal
- AKA
Helen Kate Furness Free Library
Helen Kat Furness Free Library
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- Other Information
Parking: Lot
Wi-Fi: Free
Reviews
07/28/2010
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library is a focal point for the residents of Nether Providence (Wallingford) and Rose Valley. It's inviting interior provides amazingly comprehensive services for this population of 14,000 persons. The full-time staff of three and two part-time employees are aided by an army of volunteers. A well used and attended childrens' section downstairs not only provides library materials of all types but Miss Lori, the childrens' librarian, arranges interactive programs that appeal to all ages and are widely popular.
The main floor is abuzz with computers, a puzzle table, DVD's and CD's, Books on Tape and CD, books on MP3 devices, a room dedicated to Young Adults, a reference and the fiction collection with its active mystery/detective volumes.
A second floor houses non-fiction materials and a meeting room. Chairs and alcoves for quiet reading have been included in a recent renovation.
Patrons have quick access to books that are not in this library's collection through the Delaware Country Inter-library Loan system. All in all, a remarkably broad range of service for a small town.
Details
Phone: (610) 566-9331
Address: 100 N Providence Rd, Wallingford, PA 19086
Website: http://www.hkflibrary.org
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