Coyle Campaign Case
Statement
“The only thing you
absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”
--Albert
Einstein
The Project
The Coyle Free Library’s Greek-style portico with its
six columns is distinctive.
It sends a signal to visitors that this is an
important civic building where significant activities
take place.
Since 1964, the Library has been in this building, once
the town’s Post Office.
The last major improvement took place in 1980
when a successful campaign added square footage,
installed an elevator, and converted the basement into a
children’s library.
The project will restore the exterior and other historic
parts of the building.
The renovation and building project will add new,
flexible square footage to support the future needs of
the Coyle Free Library and new programs of the Franklin
County Library System.
Some of the existing building will be demolished
and Hazardous Materials Mitigation undertaken.
After
demolition, a complementary yet modern addition will be
constructed to harmonize with the historic portion of
the building. The campus also has what is believed to be
the only remaining English Elm Tree in downtown
Chambersburg. It stands tall and proud at the corner of
King & Main.
The addition will include a theater on the Lower-Level
(basement) to encourage small-group lectures, theater
and cultural arts. The
lower level will also be home to a conference room to
seat up to 120 as well as a “creation station” studio.
A reception and circulation area will be
designed on the Main Level (first floor) to enhance the
flow of library visitors through the building.
It will feature
a new Teen Room and Coyle Caf�.
The children’s library, currently in the
basement, will be moved to this main level and will
feature a story time room, as well as an outdoor
activity area. Children
will look through the new wall of windows onto a newly
designed backyard space full of nature and gardens.
The Second Level (second floor) will provide space for
the fiction and nonfiction collections, library
services, offices, an expanded genealogy center, a
business center, huddle rooms and conference areas.
Mezzanine seating will overlook the first floor.
The top floor will be the Terrace Level
consisting of a glass Conservatory and an outdoor
terrace space, a “living roof.”
The Conservatory will house an area for lectures,
teas, and public and private events along with a
kitchenette capable of catering small events. The living
roof will bring light to the lower floors and reduce
heating, ventilating and air conditioning costs, thus
closing the gap between traditional building energy
systems and net zero building energy systems.
Furthermore, energy studies show that due to the
efficiency of the new construction the utility bills for
operating Coyle should not increase even though the size
and occupancy of the building will increase.
Supporting the Project
Support for the project will come from federal, state,
and local grants; foundations; corporations; businesses;
churches; individuals; and fundraising events.
Those interested in supporting the project can
make a one-time gift or pledge their support over five
years.
Gifts of all sizes are needed, it will take everyone’s
support to renovate and expand this community treasure
that serves everyone in our community.
Sound stewardship has extended the life of the
present building, but an ambitious project is needed.
It is time to undertake a renovation and building
project that will transform Coyle Free Library into a
library for the 21st century.
Expansion plans are sound, library funding is
available to offset total costs, and a community
fundraising plan is in place, with naming opportunities,
large and small, throughout the building.
The campaign will transform a community resource
into a downtown destination and increase Chambersburg’s
attractiveness to future employers and residents. A gift
to the library is a gift to the community. Join us!
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