Paoli Library’s Mini-Renovation Commemorated

PAOLI, PA — For a tiny public library, Paoli Library has an exceptionally long history and an exceptionally devoted fan club. Both were on display at the open house on Thursday, July 25 for the unveiling of a plaque to acknowledge contributors to the library’s mini-renovation.

Founded in 1910 as a private library, Paoli became a Tredyffrin Township Library in 1980, and moved into its current space in the Wells Fargo Bank building on Darby Road in 1987.

The recent renovation reconfigured that space in response to widespread changes in library usage.

Now less space is devoted to the physical collection—books and AV materials—so there is more space for people.

Computer carrels offer comfort and privacy for working online, tables provide space for individual or group work, and comfortable seating invites visitors to stay a while.

Guests at Thursday’s event included library leaders from the entire span of Paoli’s existence as a public library.

Marian Stevens was the director of Tredyffrin Library when Paoli joined with it to form the Tredyffrin Township Libraries.

She spoke about the negotiations with the Paoli Library Association to ensure the stability and survival of the library with support from both Tredyffrin and Willistown townships.

Joe Sherwood, now the executive director of the Chester County Library System, led Paoli and Tredyffrin Libraries from 2008 to 2011. At that time discussions were already underway for a plan to make better use of Paoli’s tiny space, and Joe provided ideas and perspectives that became integral to the project.

Chris Kibler, the current director of Tredyffrin Township Libraries, was closely involved with the project from the time funding was secured, in 2016, to its completion this summer.

He credited the staff and the Friends of Paoli Library for making the plan a reality.

The Paoli Library renovation project was funded by the Friends of Paoli Library, with additional funding from the Thornedge Foundation and the Hardware Center, Inc.

Renovation of the circulation desk was made possible by a generous gift from Pat Sobota and Kelly Sobota Wallace in memory of Pat’s late husband, Frank.

A commemorative plaque acknowledging all of the donors now hangs in the library alongside another piece of library history, a ceremonial sword and bust of General Pasquale de Paoli presented to the village of Paoli in 1966 by the mayor of Morosaglia, Corsica, Paoli’s birthplace.