LEWISTOWN – Renovations on the Mifflin County Library are expected to continue next year, revealing a modern, energy-efficient space designed to serve residents for decades to come.

The $1.5 million Phase 1 renovation represents the most significant overhaul in the library’s 50-year history, bringing new technology, upgraded infrastructure, and a reimagined children’s area to the heart of downtown.

Library Director Susan Miriello said the transformation was overdue. “Before renovations, we were turning the lights on and off at the breaker box,” she said. “The HVAC system didn’t heat or cool properly, the elevator worked now and then, and the children’s library was buried in the basement.” Now, energy-efficient lighting, a new HVAC system, updated electrical and fiber internet, and additional outlets are in place. “The question isn’t what changed; it’s what didn’t,” Miriello said.

The upgrades also include a nursing mothers’ room, new public restrooms, and a bright children’s library on the main floor–a recognition of how important young readers are to the system. “Children’s books have the highest number of checkouts for the library,” Miriello said. “We wanted a space that reflects that.”

While the Lewistown building was closed to the public during the construction, services continued at the Kish Branch Library in Belleville and through a locker pickup system outside the main branch. “We used our COVID-era skills to keep getting books to patrons,” Miriello said, noting that the locker system is still available for convenient access.

Phase 1 of the project was financed through a Keystone Grant, administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The program supports older, rural libraries that partner with local governments to upgrade facilities.

Miriello credited the Mifflin County Commissioners for their support and partnership in securing the funds. “The commissioners understand the need to improve county buildings for future generations,” she said. “The library staff and board fully appreciate their work. We’re grateful to have commissioners who value libraries and the services we provide.”

The improvements are far from finished. According to Kristen Price, grants program administrator with the Mifflin County Planning Department, Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in spring 2026. That phase will expand the project beyond interior modernization to include exterior renovations and physical additions, transforming the library into a countywide hub for workforce development, education, and healthcare.

A federal Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund grant, administered by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, will cover Phase 2 costs, an estimated $1.64 million. The funds, Price said, are specifically earmarked to support broadband access and digital equity initiatives.

“This project will transform the Mifflin County Library into the Mifflin County Community Learning Center,” Price said. “It will expand the building’s space and modernize its technology infrastructure to improve broadband access for residents and support a range of educational and community services.” Commissioner Robert Postal added that the renovation is designed “for generations to come.”

The new library aims to serve not just readers, but learners of all kinds. When construction is complete, the Penn State Extension office will move into the building, and a new community room will be available for public rental. The library’s role, Miriello said, is expanding along with its walls.

“Libraries benefit the community by providing free and equitable access to information, technology, and books for all ages,” she said. “We encourage social connections through children’s and adult programs, and we foster literacy and lifelong learning. Libraries are an integral part of a vibrant society.”

The reopening marks a new chapter for a building that first opened its doors in 1975 — a time when card catalogs, not computers, were the heart of library organization. Today, fiber internet, charging stations, and digital resources sit alongside traditional stacks, reflecting both continuity and change.

For Mifflin County residents, the improvements promise more than aesthetic updates. They mean a safer, more comfortable, and more connected public space, a place where generations can gather to learn, collaborate, and share ideas. “The renovations ensure that library service will be available for the next 50 years,” Miriello said.

The library’s reopening will also bring back programs that were relocated or paused during construction. “Fall story time for children is currently ongoing, and there are many activities for adults,” Miriello said. She encouraged residents to visit mifflincountylibrary.org for updates on adult programs and upcoming events.

For many locals, the library is more than a building; it’s a public commons, a place where a child’s first story time or a job seeker’s internet session can mark turning points in a life. The renovations, Miriello said, aren’t about changing that mission, but protecting it.

“The improvements to the library and to the historic courthouse took thoughtful planning,” she said. “It’s about preserving what matters most while preparing for the future.”

When the ribbon is cut this spring, the Mifflin