Big Changes Are Coming To Free Libraries Throughout Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A multi-million dollar renovation project is set to kick off at one of Philadelphia's oldest free libraries.
The Tacony Library was built in 1906. Now, officials want to give the 110-year-old library a facelift.
"We're adding an addition to the library, which will included handicap accessible access, as well as more community space and places for students to come together and have meetings," said Lisa Mattioli, who is part of the team renovating the library. "We're updating and upgrading the library to bring them into the 21st century."
Mattioli says they've been holding meetings to see what people in the neighborhood are looking for in their library.
"They wanted to make sure that the library was still a beacon of their community," she said, "which we hope that the renovations and the construction will make the library even better and even more accessible."
Joe Benford with the Free Library of Philadelphia says this $7-million update to the library is just the tip of the iceberg.
"This is the first wave hopefully of all of our neighborhood libraries," he said.
Construction on the Tacony Library is expected to start in mid-September. It's projected to be completed in spring of 2017.
