By now, you probably know that Mifflin County Library is undergoing additional renovations. To say I’m thrilled is an understatement. I am very grateful to the county commissioners for valuing library service to Mifflin County and for valuing the work that we do.

Because winter was so cold and so long, construction didn’t begin until mid-February. But once it started, it started in earnest. If you drive along North Wayne Street, you will see fencing and erosion control logs. Trees and shrugs have been removed as well as the top soil. The goal is to save this top soil for a later date.

Since the beginning of March, there has been bulk excavation. Digger trucks work all day long and dump trucks haul dirt away. For several days, jack hammers cut up the outdoor cement steps along the Wayne Street side of the building. Every now and then, a drill will cut into something with a loud high-pitched drone. It’s very busy and very noisy here.

Let me tell you a little bit about the stuff you can’t see. A false wall was installed sealing off the North Wing of the library. I peek in every now and then. The ceiling is gone, the carpet has been removed, the fluorescent lights are finally out for good. Because the workers don’t want to track a lot of mud into the library, they removed one of the panes of windows that overlooked the parking lot and put in a wooden wall. They are coming into the building that way.

Part of this renovation is for a larger area of book space for the library. By early next year, the North Wing will hold 16,000 books. The East Wing holds about 12,000 books comfortably. Right now, however, we have about 14,000 books crammed into every free inch of space we can find.

The other part of renovation is to have space to welcome the Penn State Extension Office, also called the Mifflin County Cooperative Extension office, currently located on Market Street in Lewistown. Penn State Master Gardeners of the Juniata Valley can be found here. The Master Gardeners offer many gardening programs and are currently accepting applications for the community garden located beyond the upper parking lot by the Library.

Mifflin County 4-H is also organized and coordinated through the extension office. I love any program that gets kids excited about learning. There are a variety of programs and clubs available to suit the interests of any child.

I know it can seem a little overwhelming and confusing for everybody but I promise, in 2027 the Library will have a big book sale, maybe not the way it used to be, but even better. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked about the book sale, the library would be rich.

And in 2027 the nonfiction collection of books will be returned to shelves and the Large Print collection of books will be on actual shelves, not just randomly on a table wherever we can put them. Thanks for your patience while we improve the Mifflin County Library.

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Susan Miriello is the Executive Director of the Mifflin County Library. You can call the library at (717) 242-2391. Kish Library’s phone number is (717) 935-2880. Visit the library website at www.mifflincountylibrary.org.