The Wi-Fi speed at the Murrysville Community Library doubled in early May, and library officials are planning renovations aimed at getting more people through the doors to take advantage of it.

“We’re purchasing new furniture to promote the library and broadband usage in and outside the library,” said director Kat Neidig. “We’re planning to update our lounge area for adults, create a fully renovated area for teens outside the librarian’s office, and we’re adding some seating in the stacks so people can sit if they need or want to.”

A $400,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s multipurpose community facilities program will fund the renovation, which Neidig anticipated will start in early 2026.

“It’s basically a giant facelift to the library to encourage people to use our expanded broadband services,” she said.

Patrick Varine | TribLive The Murrysville Community Library, shown here with labels where renovations will take place.  

Neidig said she’s most excited about the addition of several “quiet rooms,” which patrons have asked more about in recent years. They can be used for studying, tutoring, telemedicine calls, job interviews, video conferencing and more.

“Those will be the focal point,” she said. “They won’t be fully soundproof, but they’ll be much more quiet so people can do a variety of things. It’s the main reason we’re moving things around, because the use of quiet rooms aligns best with the grant’s overall purpose.”

The grant program’s larger aim is to enhance public libraries’ existing function as a community hub, offering high-speed internet service for patrons who may not have it at home.

But it will also be used to renovate the library’s concrete entryway to promote better access, purchase new furniture, replace older carpeting, create a new art display wall and replace some of the book stacks.

“We’ve also started the conversation with (information technology) and public works about trying to improve cell service inside the building,” Neidig said. “And I’m leaving community surveys at the library and the municipal building to take feedback on other things residents would like to see.”

Follow updates about the renovation project at MurrysvilleLibrary.org.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---