Northland Public Library celebrated its newly renovated and more functional space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 8.
A large crowd gathered in the library’s front spacious lobby, via the new lower-level main entrance, to tour the robust additions to the $4.1 million project that began in the fall of 2024.
The library along Cumberland Road in McCandless remained open throughout the process, providing a temporary lower entrance, modified pathways and service areas to adapt to the ongoing construction. The library became fully open to the public on Dec. 19.
“Since we opened that day, I’ve seen a vibrant, diverse, accommodating and active library. And for those of you on the board and on staff, that phrase sounds familiar because that was the primary goal of our strategic plan and, personally, I think we nailed it,” said Amy Steele, the library’s director.
“The New Northland” features a two-story building extension, an expanded and dedicated teen space with meeting tables and reading nooks, a mezzanine reading level with panoramic views and a new conference room on the upper level.
A centralized service desk for checkouts, customer service and material pickups is at the main entrance. A new restroom, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, is on the upper floor.
The much-anticipated Commonplace Cafe, located at the main level, was offering free coffee to its guests that morning.
The cafe partnership was a highlight of the library’s project for many patrons. During the planning phases of the “New Northland” project, community feedback overwhelmingly indicated the desire for a cafe space within the reimagined library, according to an April 2025 news release from the library.
The cafe also hosted an open house celebration Jan. 10, with giveaways, baked good samples and a scavenger hunt.
Steele is proud the project was accomplished with zero debt.
The library obtained $2.8 million in external grant funding, including from the county, state and federal levels, to help fund the project.
The nonprofit Northland Public Library Foundation contributed $368,000. This amount included a $250,000 grant, fundraising $76,000 to purchase furniture for the new areas of the building, and a donation of approximately $40,000 in signs, made possible through selling pavers, naming-rights opportunities and other donations, according to Steele.
The remaining projected $1.2 million of the total cost came out of the library’s capital savings, according to a budget presentation by Steele in October.
Several local community and funding partners also supported the project with grants.
The idea for renovating began in 2020, with discussion on changing the spiral staircase which sat in the main lobby and was not a popular feature, according to Steele.
Years later, when the architect R3A came up with the concept plans of the mezzanine and “little nook that’s hiding under the stairs, “I think we really started to visualize what that could be,” Steele said.
“When you walk around and you see the students here after school … it’s a little louder than it used to be. But it’s not loud because carts are rolling over a tile floor. It’s because there are a lot of people here doing work, gathering, conversing with each other, and it’s just a wonderful feeling,” said Steele, who is retiring in February.
The entire staff was included in the design process, and Steele thanked them for their patience during the process.
“They ensured that we were able to remain open through this entire construction project,” she said.
She also thanked the patrons who kept coming and were “excited to see our progress,” as well as the Northland Public Library Authority Board, and building and grounds committee, and Dana Getz, president of the Northland Public Library Authority.
“Libraries encourage us to be curious to expand what we believe as possible and to think bigger, and that is exactly what Northland did. This renovation was not driven by a desire for better aesthetics, although I think we can admit it is incredibly beautiful, but by Northland’s ongoing mission to encourage lifelong learning and create a welcoming, safe and accessible space for all,” Getz said.
Getz also offered gratitude for many people and entities, including its various supporters, municipalities and state politicians, grant agencies, community groups, independent donors and “our “very generous” library foundation.
She also acknowledged the architects, designers and tradespeople “who literally built this incredible space” and those on the cafe committee.
“We love the bright colors and natural light that is streaming in here on us right now. Space that reflects our values,” she said.
The library worked with local architects R3A Architecture, FMS Construction, Sargent Electric, Vrabel Plumbing, Combustion Services and Equipment Inc. and numerous local companies and partners.
Among those who attended the ribbon-cutting were state Sen. Lindsey Williams and state Rep. Arvind Venkat, who commented “the library is the beating heart of our community.”
The library acknowledged support from Venkat and Williams, as well as state Rep. Emily Kinkead, former state Rep. Rob Mercuri, state Rep. Jeremy Shaffer and state Sen. Devlin Robinson.
Northland has the second-largest circulation in the county. It serves residents of Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, McCandless, Marshall and Ross.
Northland is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays during Northland’s “regular schedule” — the weekend after Labor Day through Memorial Day weekend — when the library is open on Sundays.
To learn more about the library and to view a calendar of events, visit northlandlibrary.org.