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For the first time in two years, the New Castle Public Library has a working elevator able to bring patrons from the first floor to the second floor. The library hosted a grand reopening ceremony Friday for the elevator and the Youth Services department on the second floor. Library Director Andrew Henley said this was made possible by the continued support and patience of the community.
“We’re beyond grateful for the community for their support during this time,” Henley said. “All of these upgrades are for you.” The New Castle Public Library hosted a screening Friday of the episode of PBS Western Reserve's "City Centric" on New Castle.
From now through Nov. 7, the New Castle Public Library has a collection of pictures of people, businesses and industries from New Castle's past, including a picture of workers building a bridge over the Neshannock Creek. There are STEM kits and sensory activity kits for children with mental disabilities at the Youth Services department at the New Castle Public Library.
The New Castle Public Library formally kicked off its next capital campaign, "Inspire," on Friday, with the goal of raising $100,000 in a year. The New Castle Public Library hosted a celebration for those 21 and over on Friday for the reopening of the library's second floor and new elevator. Children and their parents/guardians explored the reopened and revamped Youth Services department on Friday at the New Castle Public Library.
Attendees at the New Castle Public Library check the bookshelves at the revamped and reopened Youth Services department on Friday. Young children play with toys at the Youth Services department at the New Castle Public Library on Friday. New Castle Public Library Director Andrew Henley during the grand reopening celebration of the library’s elevator and Youth Services department on Friday.
A large crowd of people of around 100 attendees attended the grand reopening celebration of the New Castle Public Library’s elevator and Youth Services department on Friday. New Castle Public Library board President Philip Tramdack speaks to children at the grand reopening celebration of the library's elevator and Youth Services department on Friday. The New Castle Public Library hosted a grand reopening ceremony Friday for the revamped Youth Services Department and for its now in-service elevator.
The New Castle Public Library hosted a screening Friday of the episode of PBS Western Reserve's "City Centric" on New Castle. From now through Nov. 7, the New Castle Public Library has a collection of pictures of people, businesses and industries from New Castle's past, including a picture of workers building a bridge over the Neshannock Creek.
There are STEM kits and sensory activity kits for children with mental disabilities at the Youth Services department at the New Castle Public Library. The New Castle Public Library formally kicked off its next capital campaign, "Inspire," on Friday, with the goal of raising $100,000 in a year. The New Castle Public Library hosted a celebration for those 21 and over on Friday for the reopening of the library's second floor and new elevator.
Children and their parents/guardians explored the reopened and revamped Youth Services department on Friday at the New Castle Public Library. Attendees at the New Castle Public Library check the bookshelves at the revamped and reopened Youth Services department on Friday. Young children play with toys at the Youth Services department at the New Castle Public Library on Friday.
New Castle Public Library Director Andrew Henley during the grand reopening celebration of the library’s elevator and Youth Services department on Friday. A large crowd of people of around 100 attendees attended the grand reopening celebration of the New Castle Public Library’s elevator and Youth Services department on Friday. New Castle Public Library board President Philip Tramdack speaks to children at the grand reopening celebration of the library's elevator and Youth Services department on Friday.
The New Castle Public Library hosted a grand reopening ceremony Friday for the revamped Youth Services Department and for its now in-service elevator. Henley said the children no longer have to be afraid of the elevator, which they nicknamed the “alligator.” “It can definitely take us on journeys to the great beyond,” Henley said.
The library’s elevator stopped working in November 2022, reverting all library services and programs to the first floor. The library launched its “Elevate” capital campaign, which raised $561,000 — of which $140,000 was earmarked for the new elevator. Library board President Philip Tramdack said when the elevator went down, it gave the board and other library officials a chance to review the overall status of the building and launch a four-phase renovation project.
Phase one was largely focused on the elevator, while phase two, which is ongoing, is for the second floor which houses the Youth Services department for children aged infant to high school. Story continues below video The remaining funds from the Elevate campaign went toward either the second-floor improvements or to use as matching funds should the library receive grants. Tramdack said the library’s main goal is to be a resource for the community, especially for children and young adults.
“The elevator breaking down kicked off something new for the library, and you guys are going to be the beneficiaries,” Tramdack said to the children in attendance at the ceremony. Youth Services Director Lori Daytner said the second floor is largely separated for younger children, tweens and teens and now has new furniture, new computer stations, a gaming PC and a 3D printer. She said there are STEM or STEAM activity kits and sensory activity kits for children with autism and other mental disabilities that can be rented from the library.
Library staff were given sensory training by library planning committee member Dr. Jessica Patton, an autistic support teacher for the New Castle Area School District. Daytner said there is still some flooring work left to be done and the library is waiting to start construction on new conference rooms on the second floor if it receives on funding.
“We hope children continue their literacy journey with us. We’re here to help them,” Daytner said. “We have such big plans.
This is just the beginning.” The library hired Catherine Huth in June as the youth services librarian. Originally from Sandusky, Ohio, she said she is excited to be in New Castle and have a positive impact.
Huth said there are activities planned for the remainder of the year, such as spooky terrariums, boba tea and boba tea keychains and 3D-printed holiday ornaments. A Tween Tuesday program for children 8 to 12 will gather from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
starting Oct. 1 and rotate through STEM activities, gaming, crafts, food and fun. The planned third phase of renovation includes shifting the main entrance to Mill Street and using the existing entrance as an enclosed patio.
The last phase includes first-floor upgrades including in the Copernicus Room and a dedicated genealogy department space. The grand opening was capped with a screening of the PBS Western Reserve documentary “City Centric,” which featured six community leaders from New Castle, including Henley. The library’s new campaign, “Inspire,” launched in August and will feature the return of the Library’s Finest fundraising challenge among under-40 leaders in the city.
The library also received on loan a collection of photographs of New Castle’s past by Michael Colella. It can be viewed through Nov. 7.
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