Founded in 1729, Manheim Township is the 26th largest municipality in Pennsylvania and the only First Class Township in Lancaster County. At the 2020 census, Manheim Township had a population of 43,977. Until April 2007, Manheim Township was the only large municipality in Lancaster County without a substantial public library, but was served by Lancaster Public Library by way of a ‘branch,’ located in Manheim Township, which moved several times from one leased site to another.
In anticipation of establishing its own Library, the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners appointed an Advisory Board of Directors in March 2007. Directors oversee the affairs of the Library in accordance with established policies and procedures and in compliance with all pertinent laws.
Effective May 1, 2007, MANHEIM TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY (MTPL) became an independent public library affiliated with the Library System of Lancaster County. The original Directors played an active supportive role in the construction of a new 20,200 SF library which opened on September 13, 2010.
The design concept for the library is an inviting and inspiring collection of “book barns” that reflects the area’s rich agricultural heritage manifested through an exciting modern interpretation that the architects call “neo-agrarian.” While the building features elements reminiscent of a traditional bank barn and farmstead, the composition, structure and finishes are forward thinking. The exterior design features low maintenance stone, fibercement siding, metal roofing accented strategically with wood brackets and beams. Gable-end windows are narrow and elongated, resembling the vertical ventilation slats of tobacco barns.
Designed to meet LEED Silver standards, the Library was constructed with environmentally friendly building materials and energy-efficient systems. For the building’s Geothermal Heat Pump System, forty 450-foot-deep wells were drilled into the solid limestone bedrock. Energyefficient LED, fluorescent lighting and controls, as well as low-flow, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, conserve energy and water consumption. Solar Shades, Large Overhangs, High Efficiency Glazing and Solar Reflective “Cool” Roofing Material are reducing the building’s solar heat gain, which reduces HVAC size and demand and results in reduced energy consumption.
Each “book barn” contains sections of over-sized windows that enhance the connection to the outside world while flooding the reading areas with natural light. Low VOC materials were used for wood stains, paints, and carpeting. A number of recycled materials were used in the construction, including casework fabricated from a composite material made of wheat stalks. The ceiling tiles and carpeting also included recycled content. The building is framed using Structural Insulated Panels that provide increased insulation and larger spanning capabilities, resulting in reduced structural components and a more efficient thermal envelope.
MTPL is located in the Overlook Community Campus at 595 Granite Run Drive (coordinates 40.0783°N, 76.3209°W) and can be accessed from Delp Road, Lititz Pike, and Fruitville Pike.
2022 data: 21,572 cardholders, 142,688 annual visitors, collection size 77,950 items, annual circulation 609,176 items.