CENTRE HALL — A $2.5 million expansion of the Centre Hall Area Branch Library could begin as early as 2027 thanks to a recent $750,000 grant award from the Hamer Foundation.
The expansion, which has been in the planning stages for many years, will double the size of the current facility by extending to the rear, according to Project Manager Denise Sticha. It will benefit the more than 12,500 residents served by the branch by introducing dedicated public meeting spaces, expanded collections, and enhanced accessibility features.
The Hamer Foundation grant was the second of two major grant contributions toward the total projected $2.5 million price tag.
“In April, we received a Keystone grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries. This is a reimbursable dollar-for-dollar matching grant,” Sticha explained. “So, the Hamer Foundation grant will help us with the match. The two grant awards significantly bring us to the goal of $ 2.5 million.”
Sticha said the project should now go out to bid sometime in the late summer, and if the bids come in as expected, construction could begin in early 2027.
She added that the Keystone grant requires libraries to work with a municipal partner, and in this case, Centre County Commissioners partnered with the library for this project.
In addition to grant funds, public funds will also be utilized to help with the project.
“Our Capital Campaign committee has been working in the “quiet” phase of our fundraising strategy for several years,” Sticha said. “Now, with these two major grants secured, we are planning to launch the public phase of the campaign in the fall, which will include a community wide pledge drive, opportunities for donor recognitions and naming opportunities.
“The expansion of the Centre Hall Area Branch has been a need for many years. We are so grateful to The Hamer Foundation for recognizing the importance of literacy, technology access, and lifelong learning,” said Sticha. “With their support, the Centre County Library & Historical Museum can ensure that future generations of Penns Valley residents will find the enlarged space to be a welcoming community hub.”
The expansion project will double the size of the existing facility, creating a modern, 5,000+ square-foot space. Key features of the project include:
Dedicated community meeting space: Quiet study areas and a flexible meeting room to host library programming, public events, and community gatherings.
Expanded collections: Increased shelving capacity to accommodate more books, digital resources, and physical materials.
Improved accessibility and amenities: Upgraded energy-efficient systems, an enlarged entrance vestibule, and enhanced family-friendly amenities such as a family restroom, a dedicated nursing room, and a baby-changing station.
Originally built in 1997, the Centre Hall Area Branch Library currently serves more than 12,500 residents across the Penns Valley region.
Members of the public interested in learning more about the Centre Hall Expansion Project, viewing architectural renderings, or contributing to the capital campaign can visit www.CentreCountyLibrary.org/expandingcentrehallareabranchlibrary.
The Hamer Foundation is a regional philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting local community infrastructure, conservation efforts, educational opportunities, and nonprofit development across Pennsylvania.
