North Hills Community Library Set to Close

When the North Hills Community Library closes its doors for the final time Thursday, it won't just be the books that'll be departing. It will be the people who read them too.

The library, a branch of the that holds about 6,000 items, has been scheduled for closure since the end of 2010, with the first public announcement . And while that has allowed adequate time for staff and services to transition, it still leaves residents like Michele Spriggs-Johnson searching for a new home away from home.

"Being at this library and using its services has always been part of my 'center,'" said Spriggs-Johnson, who has been patronizing the library for over 14 years, ever since her family moved to Upper Dublin. "It's where I get to be even when I have no place else I can go."

Spriggs-Johnson fondly recalls her relationships with the library's staff.

"All of the different librarians, their friendliness, helpfulness and patience really helped me to lose a big part of my shyness," she said.

Unfortunately, Spriggs-Johnson is part of a dwindling number of residents who use the branch, which has been in existence for over four decades.

"The branch was founded in spring 1970, and opened with just a few hundred books, all donated," said Upper Dublin Public Library Director Cherilyn P. Fiory. "Frances Walton was the first librarian and by May 1978, the library had about 5,000 books and 450 active borrowers."

However, numbers have fallen in recent times at the branch, located inside the North Hills Community Center at 212 Girard Ave. A September 2010 report by Fiory shows that only 151, or 2 percent, of the township's cardholders currently live in the North Hills coverage area. In addition, the branch consistently had the lowest circulation of any public library facility in Montgomery County.

The branch was used primarily as an after-school spot for teens, mostly interested in using the branch's four public computers.

However, the closing of the library is leaving room for other new beginnings.

"Books that are not added into the UDPL's collections are being donated to area schools, including the Philadelphia public schools, Lakeside Schools and the North Hills Headstart program," said Fiory. "While a library closing is never a happy event, we are happy to know that the North Hills Library's books will go to serve these needy schools."

In addition, the space previously occupied by the branch will now be turned over to the Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation department, which will to the surrounding community when they reopen the facility in September. Fiory also says that the library's staff members have all used the advance notice to make other arrangements, so that no one is put in a tough spot.

However, that still leaves Spriggs-Johnson searching for a new home away from home.

"I was the kid who actually read while walking home from the library, the kid who would have enjoyed spending the night at the library," said Spriggs-Johnson. "Since I'm dependent on public transportation now, I may only get to the library twice a month. I'll have to fall back on my emergency stack of books to bridge the gap."