When you have a facility as nice as the Manheim Township Public Library (MTPL), you want it to be utilized. But the busier MTPL is, the more resources are required to operate it.

"We are the busiest library in the county," said Rennae Newman, fundraiser for MTPL. "With as many patrons as we have, we need funding to support that value. That's why fundraising is so important.

"We have many, many, many people from outside Manheim Township who use the library," continued Newman. "It's very important to give people an opportunity to support the library. Having fundraisers here at the library is a reminder to people that you're getting all this stuff for free but someone has to pay for it."

One of the ways MTPL funds programs, activities and resources is through its upcoming annual pop-up silent auction. Currently, the library is seeking auction donations from local businesses and individuals, and then ultimately bidders interested in purchasing the items and merchandise.

Altruistic contributors can drop off their donations of goods, services, gift cards and experiences at MTPL, which is located at 595 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, or schedule to have them picked up by filling out a simple form at https://mtpl.info. The deadline to donate is Tuesday, May 26.

"We're always actively seeking donations," said Newman. "We reach out every year. We're always looking for new patrons. We're always looking to put together unique experiences."

"Every item we get has at least one book added to it," Newman added. "We're a library; we want to promote literacy and reading."

After the donations are collected, MTPL will conduct its 5th annual pop-up silent auction from Monday, June 8, through noon on Saturday, June 20, at the library. Individuals can acquire their bidding numbers on MTPL's website or by visiting the library, where the items will be displayed.

Representatives from the library will reach out to the highest bidders at the conclusion of the silent auction.

"Just like all of our fundraisers, it raises funds and gets people into the library," said Newman. "We want to do our fundraisers at the library. It gives people time to come here."

Nearly 90 items will be available through MTPL's pop-up silent auction, everything from sports memorabilia, sports tickets and designer handbags to framed art, stained glass and ceramics - even a ride to school on a fire truck for students. The library staff and departments from Manheim Township's municipal government will also make available creative gift baskets that they pulled together.

"We try to offer things that hit a lot of different tastes," said Newman, a resident of East Lampeter Township. "We have a lot of miscellaneous items. We have to wait for items to arrive, and then we have to pair them with other items."

Organizers of MTPL's pop-up silent auction are hoping to raise $10,000 for the library from the event. In addition to purchasing supplies and books, the money will be used to fund programs like MTPL's popular summer reading program for kids, as well as adult programming.

"It's going to help support programming and supplies that go above and beyond what is budgeted for," said Newman. "It's not restricted. It's for things we need in the library."

MTPL is operated through municipal funding from Manheim Township and state funding from Pennsylvania. The library also receives grants for specific projects and conducts additional fundraisers like its summer reading celebration - which this year will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, in MTPL's parking lot - an annual appeal, three book events throughout the year and another silent auction in November.

"We see ourselves as a community hub," said Newman. "It's a gathering place. People are coming here for everything and anything. We have folks who are constantly using our study rooms. We have people with disabilities using our facilities. We see a lot of consistent faces.

"Fifteen years ago, this building was built because there was a need," concluded Newman. "That need has been supported by the community. It is not cheap to run this building, but it's heavily used. The library continues to strengthen the community."