Palmyra
SERVING THE ANNVILLE & PALMYRA AREAS
townlively.com
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Library is spot to know, place to go, space to grow BY JEFF FALK
A
public library not only reflects the character of its community; it reveals it. If indeed a community is as strong as its library, then Palmyra is in pretty good shape. The Palmyra Public Library (PPL) serves its residents as a safe space offering varying resources and programs and as a community hub. Over the 70 years of
In 2023, PPL hosted 110,071 total visits and lent 132,016 items. “The favorite part of my job is helping people,” said Weibley. “I didn’t intend to work in a library, but I had a heart for helping people. I realized a public library was the place to do that. I like the variety of my job. I like helping people with anything and everything. I enjoy giving them a smile and giving them a feeling that See Library pg 2
See Giving campaign pg 2
the community’s needs,” said Weibley. “It’s fun to see people connecting through the programs. Most of the people who are coming to the library are from Palmyra Borough, North Londonderry Township and South Londonderry Township. Because of where we’re situated, we also get a number of families from surrounding areas. It’s a really neat place to see a cross-section of the community.”
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Executive director Chelsea Weibley welcomes visitors to the Palmyra Public Library’s circulation desk.
newspaper archives. In addition, PPL is home to children’s, family and adult programs and activities like Smart Start Story Time, themed preschool classes, summer programs for school-age kids, a genealogy club, craft groups, a Finding Independence Through Technology learning program and even a strength and stretching course. “We try to offer a whole variety of programs to connect with all
Annual 24-hour giving campaign posted The sixth annual Palmyra’s Great Give, an online giving d ay, is se t for T hursd ay, Sept. 19, from midnight to 11:59 p.m. The event unites nonprofits serving Palmyra, Annville, Lebanon, Hershey, and Hummelstown with the goal of building stronger communities through collective generosity. “We’re bringing the community together for a greater cause,” said organizer Missy Patrick. “Supporting our local nonprofits directly strengthens the hear tbeat of our community.” New this year, organizers will host live events via Facebook throughout the day, highlighting participating nonprofits and sponsors. Additionally, Texas Roadhouse in Palmyra is partnering with Palmyra’s Great Give to host a Dine to Donate event from 3 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 19. When diners show the flyer found on the “Palmyra’s Great Give” Facebook page, Texas Roadhouse will donate 10% of the customers’ food bill to Palmyra’s Great Give. A randomly selected nonprofit will win the entire evening’s proceeds. Par ticipating nonprofits include Campbelltown Community Alliance, the Caring Cupboard Inc., the Lebanon Valley Conser vancy, Cocoa K i t t i e s , Pa l my ra P u b l i c L i b r a r y, P h o e n i x Yo u t h Center, PAWS - Preservation of Animal Welfare & Safety
“We try to offer a whole variety of programs to connect with all the community’s needs.” its existence, the local library has changed and evolved to meet Palmyra’s growing needs. “O ur broad mission is to bring people together to enrich lives and build community,” said Chelsea Weibley, who’s been PPL’s executive director for eight years. “The library’s not just for literacy or reading. Public libraries provide this free place for all. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. You can come here, and we can provide education resources and entertainment resources. We want to see ourselves as a community center.” Located at 50 Landings Drive, Suite B, Annville, PPL is so much more than stacks of books. T he librar y also offers free Wi-Fi, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, themed preschool kits and access to
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