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CULTURAL RESOURCES
PLANNING ISSUE
Libraries play an important
role in any community—made
only more challenging in tough
financial times when funding
falls short. Keeping libraries
both fiscally strong and cutting
-edge is a continuing
challenge.
Historic Resources
Scenic Roads and Vistas
Libraries
Arts and Culture
Libraries
Libraries not only give access to books, storytelling, and
information, but also provide resources and activities for
seniors, supply reference materials for entrepreneurs and job
seekers, make computers and internet access available to
anyone, and advance democracy by creating educated
constituencies. Libraries are also meeting places, social
outlets, and sources of entertainment—they show movies,
host clubs and groups, present speakers and provide health
screenings—frequently in places that don’t always have
other focal gathering spots.
As of 2010, about 49% of the county’s population had a
library card—about the same level reported in the last
comprehensive plan. However, the circulation levels per
capita have gone up—on average, county residents checked
items out of the library about 7.5 times a year.
There are a total of 35 libraries in the county. Aside from
several township-level library systems, the Montgomery
County–Norristown Public Library is a group of member
libraries located across the county, many in smaller
communities that might not otherwise be able to support a
strong library on their own. And the Montgomery County
Library and Information Network Consortium (MCLINC)
provides both an information sharing network and
interlibrary loans for many of the county’s libraries.
In addition, the Montgomery County–Norristown Public
Library operates several bookmobiles that make regular trips
to municipalities without libraries, communities for the
elderly, and day care facilities. There are also libraries in
the county associated with colleges and universities,
historical societies, businesses, religious organizations,
environmental groups, legal groups, and medical groups.
The library at Montgomery County Community College is
open to all residents of the county. The Law Library of
Montgomery County, located in the county courthouse,
provides materials to the general public for legal research.
What’s New
Many of the county’s libraries have moved, expanded, or
renovated over the past decade:
•
Horsham Township’s library opened in October 2004
in a new 25,000 square foot building. A meeting
room offers space for community events and book
discussion groups, popular speakers, weekly
storytime events, and afterschool programs.
•
The Lower Merion Library System is in the midst of
an ambitious renovation project at all of its branch
libraries. Its main branch, the Ludington Library,
reopened in September 2012. The Bala Cynwyd
Library’s renovations are scheduled to be completed
by early 2013.
•
The North Wales Area Library moved into a newly-
renovated space in the former Koaxis, Inc. factory in
January 2010. Since opening, circulation rates for
library materials have doubled and the number of
users (as well as the staff to serve them) have been on
the rise. The library now has over 3,600 registered
patrons from eight nearby municipalities, as well as
from outside the local area.
