The Lititz Public Library is known as a space that's both traditional and evolutionary. That's a direct result of the library consistently adapting to the needs of the residents it serves.

In that same vein, the Lititz Public Library is a great many things to a great many people. A gathering place, a safe haven, a community hub, the local library has also quenched the local citizens' avid thirst for knowledge.

Yet perhaps the best thing about the Lititz Public Library is that almost everything that goes on there is free.

"Yes, we do have quiet spaces," said Diane Guscott, the Lititz Public Library's community relations and development coordinator. "At the library of old it was like, 'Shhhh!' But that's not the library of today. It's not a quiet place anymore, and we don't want it to be. There's something going on in our community room every day."

Located at 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz, the 16,200-square-foot public library is home to 70,501 books, audiobooks, films and music CDs. The Lititz Public Library also offers newspapers, magazines, puzzles, games, databases, a telescope, a ukulele, memory kits and even printing services.

In 2021, 111,594 local residents visited the library, a total of 300,232 physical items were checked out and 10,720 people attended 507 programs. The Lititz Public Library employs a staff of 13.

"Libraries aren't just a repository for books," said Guscott. "It's gone beyond that. Our goal is to serve the community through access to information, books and materials, but also programming. It's just a community place. We try to have something for everyone."

Lititz is one of 14 libraries that make up the Library System of Lancaster County. The Lititz Public Library is funded through contributions from 10 sources, the largest of which - private donations - accounts for about 53% of its operating funds.

"In my opinion, the best thing about the library is watching all the types of people, of all age groups, coming here and enjoying themselves," said Guscott. "Our doors are open. We're welcoming to everyone. If you haven't been here in a while, you really need to check us out. We're also doing outreach to the community as well."

The Lititz Public Library first opened in 1936 with 541 books on its shelves. From 1965 to 1999, the library occupied five different sites in the borough. It moved to its current location on 4.3 acres of land in 1999.

"Libraries really began to change in the early 2000s," said Guscott. "The '90s was about the internet, and then libraries began keeping pace with technology. We're still evolving and keeping up with the technology that people expect a library to have."

Ryan McCrory is the current executive director of the Lititz Public Library.

For additional information, go to http://www.lititzlibrary.org.