Sewickley Public Library back to regular operations following renovation project

Sewickley Public Library is back to regular operations following its $1.6 million renovation.

The scaffolding that was at the main entrance and side of the facility has been removed and the second floor children’s section has been restored to its former glory after programs were moved to the first floor Colbert Room during summer construction.

HVAC testing this month is all that remains of the work started in early May by Allison Park-based Landau Building Co.

Library executive director Ruth Neely said most of the project was finished shortly before the Savoring Sewickley fundraiser Nov. 5.

About 300 people visited the library that evening to try samples from about 17 different area restaurants.

They did so under the new roof of the reference department, also known as the original entrance of the historic landmark at 500 Thorn St.

“I think we’re all thrilled to be reaching the end of this project,” Neely said. “It’s been a longtime coming. The first draft of the grant application was written in 2021. We’re so grateful for the support from the state and the Keystone grant to make this happen, and from the borough.”

The project was largely funded through a $750,000 Keystone grant awarded by the state Department of Education in March 2022.

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries Bureau of Library Development administers the public library portion of the program, which is funded from a portion of the state’s realty transfer tax.

Matching funds for the grant were largely provided by The Raymond C. and Martha S. Suckling Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation, as well as other individual major gifts.

The project resulted in several library closures and “park at your own risk” warnings in the library’s parking lot during construction.

Spanish tiles and 10 historic winders were also removed and replaced as part of the project.

Some programs were moved to other venues, including the Ohio Township Community Park, Fern Hollow Nature Center and Quaker Valley Middle School due to heat and lack of fully functioning air conditioning.

“I think everybody is enjoying being able to fully have the space back,” Neely said. “It feels much less crowded without all the spot coolers and scaffolding. We have such an eye toward making sure we preserve this building for the next generation and for the next 150 years. It feels really satisfying and good to know we’ve made a concrete step toward doing that.

“Everybody that works here is excited to get back to all the programming and creating the special warm welcoming environment, all the things that make our library so special. Now, we can get back to the good stuff.”

The library’s annual report showed nearly 145,000 people visited the last year. More than 351,000 items were checked out, 1,190 programs were offered and 845 new patrons got library cards.