Renovation of Greensburg Hempfield Area Library underway

Jamie Falo wants to be able to give the Greensburg community a library it can be proud of.

Last week, renovations began at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library to update the 110-year-old building located in the heart of the city.

“I’m just so excited about it,” said Falo, library director. “When I took this position and saw the building, I knew it was in disrepair then but it’s just so majestic.”

Work on the library, which began Wednesday, includes updating mechanical, electrical and plumbing aspects of the building; repairing the roof and front stairs; repointing brick on the outside of the structure; adding two new circulation desks; and bringing the library up to code with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The project is supported through a grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the state Department of Education and from monies provided by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. The grant, which is in conjunction with the City of Greensburg, was awarded in November.

After receiving word they had won grant money, several surveys were conducted by engineers and library consultants who determined it was best to repair the building rather than to move to a different location, said Falo, noting, “When we did the surveys, we found that the bones were good, but it was just deteriorating everywhere else.”

Now, Greensburg-based Raimondo Construction Co. is working to complete the project in four to six months.

Crews on Thursday worked to remove walls in the area of the first-floor restrooms, which will be renovated to make them ADA compliant. A makeshift wall was constructed to keep dust and noise levels down, and the company is completing work from 4 a.m. to noon, providing for as few disruptions to library operations as possible.

Falo said officials plan to keep the library open throughout the construction period, but noted that, if needed, the library may close for a few days.

According to Falo, the library moved to its current location at South Pennsylvania Avenue and East Third Avenue in 1969. The building formerly was a post office constructed in 1912, according to the library website. A renovation took place in 1997, when the children’s library was added to the building.

Falo noted, however, “These major renovations that we’re doing now, it’s been quite some time since they’ve been addressed.”

Now that work is underway, Falo said she is excited to for the community to have a place where they can feel secure and welcome. She noted that, before the covid-19 pandemic, up to 500 people utilized the library daily to take advantage of books and DVDs and to utilize the computers for resumes or other projects.

“Some people said, ‘Why are you investing in the library? The library’s a thing of the past, nobody visits the library,’ ” Falo said. “Well, not only are we investing in the library, but the community. The community deserves a library that’s secure and accessible and safe.”

She added, “The City of Greensburg doesn’t need another abandoned building. That’s the last thing the wonderful City of Greensburg needs, so we’re really happy to be part of the revitalization of the community and the county seat.”