$100K grant fuels transformation of Children’s and Teen sections; adult area upgrades eyed for 2026
Fresh paint is dry, new furniture is in place and the transformation of the North Wales Area Library’s Children’s and Teen sections is well underway.
Library Director Jennifer Koch said the recent two-day closure allowed more than 50 volunteers from Merck, joined by staff and board members, to repaint and refresh the youth spaces as part of a broader renovation effort funded by a $100,000 Chester County Community Erb Charitable Fund grant.
“Our Teen and Children’s Sections got a fresh coat of paint thanks to an army of incredible volunteers,” Koch said, calling the effort a “dream team” collaboration that included library staff, board members and community volunteers. “Teamwork really does make the dream work.”
The Feb. 11 and 12 volunteer push was led by Merck’s Jason Joung and supported by North Wales Area Library team members Erin Thompson and Nicole Skinner, along with board members Jeff Ferguson and Megan Joung. Additional volunteers helped reorganize and return books to shelves.
"Sue Biddle, Helena Mansson, Brenda Weir, and Scott Cunningham worked their organizational magic, getting books back on shelves with military precision along with a few of those Merck volunteers who didn’t want to risk painting the ceiling tiles instead of the walls. We even had brilliant teen input from Mark Baraghamyan, a National Honors Society student at North Penn School District, because who better to design a teen space than an actual teen?" Koch said.
On Monday, the brand-new teen furnishings were delivered, assembled and placed, she said.
"And let us tell you, they look good. The teens are going to flip," Koch said.
The $100,000 grant awarded in 2025 is aimed at creating inclusive, accessible spaces for children and teens, with a focus on adaptive features for neurodivergent children and those with sensory needs.
“This renovation enhances services for thousands of children annually,” Koch said, adding that the redesign honors the legacy of equitable access to knowledge and education tied to the grant’s benefactor. “Every child deserves a library that works for them.”
The project is expected to wrap up in April with the installation of new shelving in both youth sections, along with additional sensory and inclusivity materials.
More upgrades planned
Koch said the work is not finished.
The next goal is securing funding to repaint the remainder of the library and, in 2026, update the adult section and replace aging carpeting with new Pergo-brand flooring "to brighten up the entire space for our amazing community of patrons."
“Thank you for checking back in,” Koch said. “I have been blessed with an amazing team at the North Wales Area Library, and I love how we are each able to rise to our strengths and create a space that is welcoming for all in our greater community.”
Community members can support the renovation through the library’s Amazon wish list or additional donations.
The library, located at 233 S. Swartley St., at Washington Avenue, serves North Wales Borough, Upper Gwynedd Township and surrounding North Penn School District municipalities.
