Ludington Library reopens with a sparkling renovation

When Ludington Library reopens Saturday after a two-and-a-half-year makeover, the residents of Lower Merion Township and Bryn Mawr will be welcomed into a beautiful space many speak about in excited tones.

"Saturday will be a memorable day in Bryn Mawr!" said Scott Zelov, Lower Merion Township commissioner for the 10th ward. "The community has been anxiously awaiting the re-opening of Ludington Library, and the grand re-opening celebration coincides with Bryn Mawr Day, where we will also be recognizing 21 institutions located in Bryn Mawr which are over 100 years old."

When entering the new Ludington Library, patrons will walk up a handicap-accessible ramp. On the left is the library's brand new "reading porch," a welcoming room flooded with natural daylight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. It has tables and chairs reminiscent of mid-century modern, along with  armchairs and coffee tables. Slightly behind the porch is an area with machines vending coffee, water, soda, juice, and snacks.

Opposite the reading porch is the renovated library, with an open, airy feeling, and natural daylight combined with the clean lines of the new construction. Past library renovations, along with the original library, are cleverly folded into a space that flows from one end to the other, one floor to the next. Tucked into all areas of the library are the reading nooks Ludington has been known for.

"This is an example of private and public money which was well spent," said Charlie Bloom, chair of the Lower Merion Library Foundation and the Capital Campaign Committee for Ludington Library.

The extensive renovations and redesign of the library hves not only opened up and reinvented the interior and exterior spaces, it has also provided the long-needed upgrades to make the library handicap accessible. Other upgrades include a self-checkout system, new computers, and a vast library of downloadable electronic books available for free.

But Helen Weary, chair of Ludington Opening Committee, notes that the new Ludington Library is still about the physical book. And for that, they need help. "While Lower Merion Township supports the physical building and the library staff, in normal years, they don't buy books," she said. "We need the public's support in that area."

That's why the library's capital campaigns are so important. Plaques throughout the library note those who contributed to its reconstruction efforts: John C. Bogle in memory of Walter L. Morgan; Mrs. F. Eugene Dixon, Jr. in memory of Sarah C. Robb; James A. Jensen Periodicals Section Given by Julie Jensen Bryan; and institutions like Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Saturday's opening-day festivities begin at 10 a.m. and include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, remarks by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stuart Diamond, and many other events throughout the day.