New Space is Seven Times Bigger
Hellam, PA – Kreutz Creek Library is now open to the public in its new building at 66 Walnut Springs Road in Hellam. The 8,800 square foot structure has been fully renovated into a library and is no longer recognizable as the former Hellam Township building. The move to the new facility follows 42 years of providing library service in a 1,200 square foot FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) trailer that sheltered families following Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
The new library features dedicated areas for children, teens, and adults, a conference room, study room, public access computers, and a community room for story time and other library activities. A small courtyard also offers a special program space for children and families. “We have this new library, and we want to offer what other libraries offer in that space,” says Kreutz Creek Library Manager Susan Nenstiel. The new library is seven times the size of its former home in the doublewide trailer. “We are currently welcoming back volunteers who helped us previously and training them at the new library,” she adds.
According to York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert, Kreutz Creek Library is the first of three building projects to be completed. “This is a monumental moment for library members, donors, staff, volunteers, and the Friends of the Library who worked tirelessly for many years to bring the opening of a new Kreutz Creek Library to fruition,” says Lambert. “This library was a powerhouse in providing resources and opportunities to over 43,000 visitors a year in its tiny quarters. I can’t wait to see its service to the community in this larger state-of-the-art facility.”
In York City, Martin Library’s project will be finishing this spring right around the same time that construction is expected to begin at Red Lion’s Kaltreider-Benfer Library. “All three of these locations are undergoing major changes to meet the service needs of York County residents,” says Lambert. Funds for all three projects were raised through the “Imagine. Discover. Connect.” capital campaign led by co-chairs Mike Kochenour and Lynda Randall, and campaign co-chairs Jody Keller, Bill Shipley and Tony Campisi. Together, a combination of local support, matching grants, and the Financial Assistance of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Honorable Tom Wolf, Governor, are making the library transformations a reality.
For Nenstiel, seeing the new library come to fruition has been top of mind for nearly 20 years. “I remember when I was interviewed. They wanted someone to stick around to get a new space,” says Nenstiel, who says they were all anticipating a much shorter time frame. “I’ve reached this goal, and this is wonderful. “We’ve taken what started out as a quiet library, got the community involved and showcased what our library can do.” Now that she has reached her goal, Nenstiel is starting a new chapter in her life, retirement. “I am looking forward to bringing my grandbabies to the library,” says Nenstiel.
Kreutz Creek Library is located at 66 Walnut Springs Road in Hellam and is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. Visitors, age two and up, are asked to mask up while in the library building. Community members with questions should call the library at (717) 252-4080. A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration are being planned for April.
Kreutz Creek Library is a branch of York County Libraries which includes 13 libraries that provide the latest in print and digital information, best sellers, Wi-Fi, digital story times, book discussions and 80 databases. Their extensive collection of 700,000 items includes over 80,000 digital library materials for loan. All are available for free with a York County Libraries card.