McCormick Riverfront Library Expansion and Haldeman Haly House Renovation
Join us in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to our community, creating a safe space for people of all walks of life, for generations to come.
The proposed transformation of the McCormick Riverfront Library and the adjacent Haldeman Haly House to public, institutional and educational use will be one of the most significant historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects to occur in Harrisburg in more than 25 years.
The proposed transformation of the McCormick Riverfront Library and the adjacent Haldeman Haly House to public, institutional and educational use will be one of the most significant historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects to occur in Harrisburg in more than 25 years.
About this project:
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Recover and restore approximately 2,150 square feet of library space to the community as a new children’s and family area.
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Replace outdated ADA access and make the Haldeman Haly House ADA accessible.
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Create additional first-floor library space for valued functions and expand capacity for community partnerships.
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Add additional programs and enhanced services by creating a thoughtful and welcoming place that will serve the community for the foreseeable future.
Who We Are
For more than 100 years, the Dauphin County Library System has served as a trusted space in the community where everyone is welcomed and has the opportunity to examine diverse perspectives, connect with others, and grow in understanding. As a bridge to the past and the future, The Library shapes lives, solidifies our community and forges new partnerships.
The McCormick Riverfront Library is significant for its presence in a high-need community. The Library stands in the heart of Pennsylvania’s capital, home to just under 50,000 residents and is steeped in government, history, culture, and academia.
What We Do
In 2019, The Library’s eight service locations had more than 150,000 cardholders who borrowed more than 1 million items. Additionally, we hosted more than 53,000 WiFi sessions, and visitors spent 4.8 million minutes on our public computers.
In addition to the downtown Harrisburg site, The Library’s locations include uptown and 29th Street libraries in Harrisburg, and libraries in Hummelstown, Colonial Park, Elizabethville, Lykens and Millersburg.
The need for our services continues to grow, especially in Harrisburg, where 44% of children live in households whose income falls below the federally designated poverty level, and 32% of those identifying as black or African American, 38% identifying as another race, and 43% as Hispanic or Latinx also live below the poverty level.
Why It Matters
Now, more than ever, we are called upon to be a safe and inclusive space. We provide support, fill service gaps, and serve as a catalyst for positive change.
Committed to serving our neighborhood, McCormick Riverfront Library has been intentional in responding to community needs by offering free information, resources, and programs and embracing a new vision of how these services are delivered.
This project marks an extraordinary moment in Harrisburg’s history as we work collectively to expand The Library’s physical space, with vision and purpose, along with its positive impact throughout the community.
Goal: $3.5 Million
Dauphin County Library System | 101 Walnut Street | Harrisburg, PA 17101 | 717.234.4961