Why library visits are growing | Inquirer Haverford
Plus, Kevin McGonigle celebrated his Rookie of the Year win at Barnaby’s.
Hello, Haverford!
The township’s library is having a standout year after a $22 million renovation. Here’s why. Also this week, the Havertown Barnaby’s played host to a watch party for the MLB American League’s Rookie of the Year, a Delaware County native. Plus, Main Line Health is no longer accepting cash or checks as payment and a local chef is fueling Mark Ruffalo while he’s in town to film Task.
— Lisa Dukart (haverford@inquirer.com)
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After undergoing an 18-month, $22 million renovation, the Haverford Township Free Library is having a banner year.
The library, which reopened in May 2025, has seen programming attendance quintuple and reference queries double, compared to 2022. It’s also reported an increase in visits.
That growth is thanks in part to increased programming — think book clubs, quilting, and canasta — and the desire for third spaces, library director Maryanne Olson said. Residents are also taking advantage of the “Library of Things,” checking out cornhole sets and label makers, in addition to museum passes and online databases.
💡 Community news
The Barnaby’s in Havertown this week hosted Kevin McGonigle and about 50 of his friends and family members, decked out in Detroit Tigers apparel, as the MLB American League named him Rookie of the Year. The Delaware County native took 28 of the 30 first-place votes.
The board of commissioners is scheduled to meet Monday evening to discuss the township’s preliminary 2027 budget.
The township is hosting a public open house Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. to discuss the second phase of its comprehensive zoning update.
Havertown resident Curtis Parker competed on Jeopardy! this week, winning his first episode before falling in the second. Stumped during “Final Jeopardy!” on night two, Parker, a researcher, shared a fitting message instead of an answer: “Go Birds.”
Police are investigating a report of a man exposing himself to a woman at Haverford Reserve on Sunday, NBC10 Philadelphia reports.
A new study from the Welcoming Center found that the county’s population grew between 2020 and 2025 thanks to immigration, without which it would have shrunk. The county was also the only one in the region to see H-1B certifications rise between 2025 and 2026. The Inquirer’s Jeff Gammage unpacks the major takeaways.
🗺️ Other nearby news
Main Line Health, which owns nearby Lankenau Medical Center and Bryn Mawr Hospital, is no longer accepting cash or checks for any transactions, including patient copays and gift shop purchases. Here’s why.
The local woman behind private chef service Prepped by Carly is putting her skills to work to feed Mark Ruffalo. The Hollywood A-lister has been in the region for the past few months to film the second season of HBO series Task, which is set locally and was created by Berwyn native Brad Ingelsby. Carly Foglia began the business from her West Chester University dorm room and still operates near campus. Here’s a glimpse at what she’s been cooking up for Ruffalo.
🏫 Schools briefing
Haverford Middle School has been named a Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School, ranking among the top 15% of schools statewide for “whole school improvement while showing progress for all student groups.” It is the only school in the county to earn the distinction this year.
🍽️ On our plate
A new restaurant, Koutouki, opened at 24 E. Eagle Rd. in Havertown Monday. Chef Tony Procopos’ joint dishes up traditional Greek cuisine such as spanakopita, souvlaki, lamb chops, and moussaka.
Popular Philadelphia cafe Rival Bros. is expanding to the suburbs, with plans to open a cafe at Wayne’s Eagle Village Shops.
Main Line restaurant Sangkee expanded its footprint this week, soft opening Sangkee Peking Duck at Wayne’s Gateway Shopping Center. The new spot specializes in its namesake dish and other duck offerings such as duck stir-fried noodles, Peking duck bao, and duck soup, along with other Chinese dishes.
🎳 Things to do
🎶 Lauren Mendelsohn: Hear the singer-songwriter perform. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30-10 p.m. 💵 $19.36-$21.40 📍 Kelly Center, Havertown
🦸 The Incredibles: Catch a screening of the 2004 Disney Pixar animated film. ⏰ Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. 💵 $6.75-$7.75 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute
🖼️ 23rd Annual Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition and Opening Reception: See the works of three contemporary artists, which will be unveiled at an opening reception and on display for the next month. ⏰ Opening reception is Saturday, Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m., exhibit is on display through Friday, Dec. 18 💵 $10 suggested donation for the opening reception 📍 Main Line Art Center, Haverford
🦃 Delco Friendsgiving: Kick off the holiday season with the annual event that features vendors, a DJ, a performance by country band Shot of Southern, and more. ⏰ Sunday, Nov. 15, 1-8 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 The Yard Pub, Havertown
🏡 On the market
This nearly century-old Dutch Colonial in Havertown’s Merwood Park neighborhood has been fully updated. Its first floor features a living room with a fireplace, an eat-in kitchen with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, and a great room with an electric fireplace. Three of the home’s bedrooms are on the second floor, including a primary suite with an electric fireplace, a walk-in closet, and a soaking tub. There are two additional rooms on the third floor and additional living space in the finished basement. There’s an open house today from 4 to 6 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $849,900 | Size: 3,298 SF | Acreage: 0.14
Each week we feature an interesting local listing in or around the township. Have one we should consider? Email us at haverford@inquirer.com.
🗞️ What other Haverford residents are reading this week:
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