bosler memorial library

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Building a Bet-ter Bosler. Bos-

ler Memorial Library.

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Building a Better Bosler

Supporting the

Bosler Memorial LibraryDowntown Carlisle

The entryway was the idea of the Bosler family and was a hit even a century ago.

The Lila stained glass window was put in as a memorial to Lila McClel-lan Bosler, Bosler’s daughter. It, too, proved a hit with library visitors and others.

“It is lovely. It is what most people want to see when they come here,” Rice said.

It was important that the recon-structed building continue to fit in with the downtown’s historic dis-trict, Rice said.

When construction is done, visi-tors who appreciate the history of Bosler will have other surprises, Rice said.

The colors on the columns of the new building will be sage green, rus-tic red and gold, which are the same colors of the mosaic tile that sits at the entrance, Rice said.

“I hadn’t thought of it until (re-

cently) when I noticed all of the col-ors” she said. “It matches the mosaic tile from the original entrance. It is something else that makes the con-struction so exciting.”

The preserved architectural style of the building will include the Colonial and Ionic columns at the entrance and the quartered oak and Georgia pine floors.

“The pediment of the old post of-fice we had in the library will remain and will be used in the new children’s room. Also, we will use the old po-dium at the children’s room so as to keep that historic feel,” Rice said.

Even newly reconstructed roofs on the library and its adjacent buildings will reflect past glory as they will be adorned with cathedral ceilings and unique shapings on each sides, Rice said.

“I think we got everything we wanted,” she said. “We wanted ev-erything to fit by historical standards, and I think we accomplished that by preserving all of this history.”

• Continued from H11

History

Jason Malmont/The Sentinel

The Mulgrew Commons will be the first area patrons will see when they enter the expan-sion part of the library.

H12 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa., Sunday, June 17, 2012 Sunday, June 17, 2012, The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. — H1www.cumberlink.com www.cumberlink.com

by stacy brownsentinel [email protected]

The steps that lead up to what was once the grand entrance of the Bosler Memorial Library in Carlisle have had very little activ-ity since the entryway was closed 25 years ago.

The closure was, in part, a result of a need for a handicapped-ac-cessible entryway.

But, visitors still reported that they sorely missed the climb of the steps where Colonial and Ionic columns adorn each side.

The climb also slowly revealed

the sightly, if not legendary, Lila stained glass window, which made for the most welcome of greetings.

When the $6.5 million recon-

struction of the library is com-pleted in January, Bosler will again be greeting guests through that most grand of entrances.

“Anyone who wants a sense of the library’s history need only to go up those steps,” said director Linda Rice. To help augment the

scenery, skylights will be in-stalled inside the foyer of the entrance to provide one of the better entry ways at any library, Rice said.

Preserving the library’s rich history during construction has been a primary goal, according to staff members.

The library itself was a gift from the family of J. Herman Bosler, according to records at the county’s Historical Society. It first opened to the public on Jan. 19, 1900.

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Since Bosler Memorial Library opened in 1900, it has opened the doors to learn-ing and adventure for generations of people. It has sparked their imaginations, unleashed their creativity and taken them to places far around the world. Many of you were first brought to Bosler Library’s Story Time by your parents or grandpar-ents or made the library one of your first stops when you moved into town. That is the library’s mission and fulfillment.

As Bosler’s collection, programs and patron traffic grew over the years, so did the need for more space. The library has been expanded twice — in 1987 and 1993 — and renovated once in 2000. Today this space is filled to its limits, and our com-munity looks for more – more children’s programs, more multi-media and more computers.

Over 900 people walk in Bosler Library’s doors every day, and many more people use our online resources. To keep up with these ever growing needs and to provide for growth for decades to come, Bosler Library must expand significantly. We have almost completed the fund drive to achieve this goal.

Our Board of Trustees, Friends of Bosler and staff invite you to share our enthu-siasm and commitment to this important endeavor by joining the over 742 donors who have brought us to 88 percent of our goal of $6.5 million, an incredible ac-knowledgement of the library’s mission.

Together, we will create a legacy to honor the past, assure a vibrant present, and endow a future filled with promise.

Our sincere thanks for your thoughtful consideration,Nancy J. George, Chair Jeffrey S. Wood, President

Building a Better Bosler Campaign Bosler Board of Trustees

Dear Friend,

submitted photo

The picture above shows the Bosler Memorial Library as it will look after the multi-million dollar renovations are completed.

photos by Jason malmont/the sentinel

at left: The seldom seen hand-crafted ceiling of the rotunda of the Bosler Memorial Library. This part of the library has been closed off to the pub-lic since 1988. It will be reopened to the public after the renovations are complete.

above: A large stained-glass window, which was once part of the exterior wall of the original library, is covered with plywood to protect it dur-ing construction.

Carlisle

Library’s former grand entrance to be restoredPreserving the library’s rich history during construction has been a primary goal of staff

“I think we got everything we wanted. we wanted everything to fit by historical standards, and I think we

accomplished that by preserving all of this history.”

LIndA RIcebosler memorial library Director

• See History, H12


I remember when...Current and former Cumberland County residents share their memories of the Bosler Memorial Library.

As a kid I was always impressed by the ornate space of the library, the naturally stained wood and

the wrought iron work. Climbing the great stone steps and entering through great large doors signi-

fied that you were entering a special place. Until the age of nine years I lived at 148 W. High St., only a couple of doors from the library so I had ample opportunities to visit then and also later when I

could bike from home on S. Hanover St. The front desk was imposing to a small kid but more impos-ing was the librarian, Miss Small. She was as her name but she ran a tight ship and made sure you

weren’t checking out anything that she didn’t deem appropriate. Fortunately she approved of the Hardy Boys. Later in Junior and Senior High School, with

the help of the great wooden card catalog, informa-tion was made readily available using the Dewey

Decimal System. M. M. (Bud) Riddlesberger Jr.

Charlotte, N.C.

My Mother was a voracious reader. I can’t recall our home being without several novels checked out from the Bosler

with library due dates stamped neatly on the inside covers. As a young child, I recall accompanying her to the library

often. As she searched for her next read, I explored the biog-raphies and histories. To this day, both remain my favorite

reads. The temple like interior, the quiet, stacks of books and my first library card ... great memories.

Kurt GrabeyDayton, Ohio

During the summer months we would ride our bikes to the library with the guise that we were going there to borrow books. In reality we were there just to go to the children’s section that was located

in the cool confines of the basement. We did make use of the books available but we also made sure that we stayed long enough

to read a book or two depending on how hot it was outside.Steven M. Wolf

Bureau of Benefits Administration

When I was growing up back in the late 70s and 80s, my mom would take us to Bosler Library once a week for books to read during the summer. That library was magical to me. It wasn’t like a school library, it looked like a “real” library like I had seen on TV. It was old, but beautiful and it smelled of books. The books themselves

opened a whole new world to me. I went places and met people I had never dreamed about before. My imagina-tion was free to run wild. Summer reading was the best adventure ever! In time, when I had my own children, I introduced them to this wonderful, magical world of mine. They loved the summer reading programs. I don’t remember those as a kid, but am grateful for the encouragement my kids received from Bosler Library, too.

Libraries truly have an appeal to all generations and have a way of bridging those gaps. My kids can still find common ground with their grandparents through a book that they’ve both read. Bosler Library truly does hold

some of my fondest summer memories and I still love a good book!Janine Farson

Army War College Foundation, Carlisle


WE SEW SINGLES, WE SEW HUNDREDS

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Hours: Tues.-Wed. 12-5:30

www.questemb.com

RENTALSERVICE

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Contract or Equipment RentalCanopy Tent Rental

SERVING THECARLISLE AREA FOR

35 YEARS!

“The Best In Bikes”

www.colesbicycles.com

249-3833Store Hours:

Monday, Thursday, Friday 9-9 p.m. Saturday 9-5 p.m.

Closed Wednesday & Sunday

327 N. Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013

Financing Available

BICYCLES

29 W. High Street, Carlisle, PA 17013 PH/FAX: (717) 249-7313

DANCE APPAREL, SHOES

& ACCESSORIES

Ballroom, Swing,Ballet, Pointe,

Tap, Jazz

44 N. Bedford Street • Carlisle, PA 17013 • 241-5309www.bedfordstreetantiques.com

Monday-Saturday 10-7 • Sunday 10-5

WITH OVER 100 VENDORS

BEDFORD STREETANTIQUES LLC

Dedicated to findingaffordable insurance solutions

for families and businesses just like yours!

J. Rodney Fickel Insurance151 High Street, Carlisle | CALL TODAY! 249-2812

Glenda Stough, CSRLicensed Agent & Broker

Kathy Rickard CSR

Stephanie Bear, CSRLicensed Agent & Broker

William Fickel, Pres.Licensed Agent & Broker

or visit us on our website:TheRollingBead.com

Argosy

Your One Stop Shop for Beads

200 S. Spring Garden St.Carlisle, PA 17013(Castles Commons- Across from GIANT)

(717) 243-5300

Library director all abuzz about new digsCarlisle

“I also tell everyone this is not a shush, be quiet place. I know that’s how libraries are supposed to be or are known to be, but I want this to be like a home away from home for those

who come here. I want everyone to come here and have fun.”

LINDA RICEBOSLER MEMORIAL LIBRARY DIRECTOR

• See Renovations, H5

Linda Rice, Bosler Memorial Library

director, stands inthe fi cton section of

the libary. The seed to reno-

vating the 112-year-old library was

planted in 2002 when the staff

realized more space was required, Rice said. A long-range study of Cumber-

land County librar-ies completed over

a two-year period in 2003 and 2004 found that Bosler

was the library that most needed to

expand, Rice said.

Michael Bupp/The Sentinel

BY STACY BROWNSENTINEL [email protected]

The Bosler Memorial Library isn’t your traditional library, according to its director Linda Rice.

However, Rice doesn’t fancy herself as the tradi-tional librarian.

Born and raised in West Virginia and a Carlisle resident since 1985, Rice had a rather inauspicious start to her now 40 year career working in libraries.

“After I graduated from Marshall University, I sat


Building a Better Bosler, Designing a Better Community.

30 West King Street Chambersburg, PA (717) 263-8464

NOELKER AND HULL Architecture Master Planning Interior Design


Renovations

The new fiction area of the library under construc-tion at the begin-ning of June.



I like the library because...

Kids Speak Out

The reconstruction of the Bosler Memorial Library will provide daily children’s programs in the dedicated Story Time Room and double the current amount of space for young people.

So, The Sentinel recently asked the young people who often frequent the library with their parents, what they liked best about the library.

“I like that it doesn’t cost any money for books.” — Josh, 9, Newville

“The library has good books.” — Abby, 8, Boiling Springs

“I like the library because it’s fun to come here and it’s fun to listen to all the good stories.” — Sadie, 7, Carlisle

“The library has great books and I like when Ms. Barb reads at story time.” — Kate, 5, Carlisle

“I like the library because of all of the sports books it has.” — Andrew, 9, Carlisle

“I like how the library has informational books and how, if you want to do research, you can find the materials here.” — Bradley, 12, Carlisle

“I like the library because I can take books home.” — Matthew, 5, Carlisle

“I like the library because it’s quiet at story time and fun when it’s not story time.” — Alex, 5, Newville

“I like the library because I can learn things. It’s like school.” — Shelly, 5, Mechanicsburg

“The library has events, not just books. I like that” — Carly, 6, Boiling Springs

“The library is fun. I like to read here better than I like to read at home.” — Kennedy, 7, South

Middletown Township

home for the summer before fi-nally going to the employment office where they had a job at the public library,” Rice said.

The then wide-eyed and ad-mittedly confused 21-year-old reported to work at the local li-brary only to find that it was housed at a former Sunoco gas station.

Grease from automobiles still stained the place when she ar-rived and Rice’s initial tasks in-cluded painting walls, pouring concrete and laying carpet.

“That was my introduction into the library,” she said. “At that library, we had an event with live animals once and a monkey got loose and it was such a cramped space, we didn’t know what to do.”

Explore a new and exciting way to read and enjoy The Sentinel no matter where you are...take it on a business trip, or on vacation!

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ANYWHERE!

STATE/NATION

The Sentinel at www.cumberlink.com Fr January 13, 2012 – C1

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WORLD BRIEFLY

Conservatives rally aroundRomney after hits on Bain

GREER, S.C. — An array of Republicans and conserva-tives — including some of Mitt Romney’s sharpest critics— rushed to the GOP presidential front-runner’s defense

capitalist as a job-killer. Under fire, Romney rivals Newt-

ing Romney’s tenure at the helm of Bain Capital.“We’re disappointed” with the line of criticism, said

Thomas Donohue, the head of the U.S. Chamber ofCommerce. The business group doesn’t endorse in pres-idential campaigns, but Donohue said: “We think Rom-ney has had a pretty good track record. Perfect? Hell no, but damn good.”

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who ran againstRomney four years ago, wrote in an online letter: “It’ssurprising to see so many Republicans embrace that left-wing argument against capitalism.” And another 2008foe, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, told FoxNews Channel: “I’m shocked at what they are doing. I’m going to say it’s ignorant. Dumb. It’s building somethingwe should be fighting — ignorance of the American eco-nomic system.”

Romney’s new defenders — many of whom have longhistories of disagreeing with the former Massachusetts governor — argued that the attacks on his business re-cord undermined the GOP’s identity and weakened the party’s chief argument against Democratic President Barack Obama, that federal intrusion has stymied theeconomy’s recovery.

And while the latest comments were more a rejection of attacks on Romney’s record at Bain than an endorse-ment of Romney as a candidate they signaled a warm

A gas wellrecovering

methane gasat a landfill

in Ferris,Texas. An

internationalteam of

scientistssay they’vefigured out

how to slow

Nation

Solution?Scientists say they have easy, cheap

idea to curb global warming

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of the printed paper!

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Renovations• See Renovations, H7


Renovations

“We will get there – this community has always supported the library.”

Linda RiceOn reaching the library’s fundraising gOal

Jason Malmont/the sentinel

construction continues on the renovations of Bosler Memorial Libary.

a sign outside of the Bosler Memorial Library tells patrons about the ongoing renovations.

Jason Malmont/the sentinel

Photos by Jason Malmont/the sentinel

at left: construction of the new expansion and renovations at the library.Top: construction crews work on the Quiet Reading Room at the library.Bottom: Once completed, this will be a com-puter lab at the library.

While the Bosler library also once had its own infamous animal moment – an alliga-tor once urinated on its trainer during a live exhibit – it isn’t in the kind of disrepair the old Sunoco station was in.

An obvious buzz can be felt even before entering the library today, and Rice and other staffers have found it difficult to hide their enthusiasm for the ongoing $6.5 mil-lion renovation they said will be completed in January, about four months ahead of schedule.

“We will now have a huge meeting room, and the children’s department won’t have to share its space anymore,” Rice said. “The floor space will double and there will be a lot more needed shelf space.”

More than 23,000 people currently hold Bosler library cards and at least 500,000 books, DVDs, CDs and other items were checked out there in 2011, according to of-ficials.

“We’ve outgrown the (current space),” said Melissa Killinger, assistant director

and children’s librarian. “What I’m looking forward to most with the reno-vation is that we will have more room and we will be able to increase pro-grams.”

When finished, the new library will include a larger Children’s section that will provide regular programs in the Story Time room and will double the space for young visitors.

Internet access will improve greatly, and the library will have an expanded fiction, spoken books and DVD wing, a new community room and expanded parking, officials said.

The seed to renovating the 112-year-old library was planted in 2002 when the staff realized more space was re-quired, Rice said. A long-range study of Cumberland County libraries complet-ed over a two-year period in 2003 and 2004 found that Bosler was the library that most needed to expand, Rice said.

A $2.5 million state grant approved in 2010, along with money already saved by the library, is included in the $5.7

million on hand, which is $800,000 short of what the renovation cost.

“We will get there – this community has always supported the library,” Rice said.

The confidence Rice has is a by-prod-uct of her lifelong love of the library system, she said.

“My mother always made it a point to take me to the library when I was a little girl,” Rice said.

While library-goers will see obvious upgrades in space, equipment and in the amount of books and other prod-ucts, Rice said it still won’t be the typi-cal library where many simply go for quiet time.

“You never know what you have that can help people. You don’t have to know it all, you just have to know where to find it,” Rice said.

“I also tell everyone this is not a shush, be quiet place. I know that’s how libraries are supposed to be or are known to be, but I want this to be like a home away from home for those who come here. I want everyone to come here and have fun.”

• Continued from H�


Building a Better Bosler, Designing a Better Community.

30 West King Street Chambersburg, PA (717) 263-8464

NOELKER AND HULL Architecture Master Planning Interior Design


Renovations

The new fiction area of the library under construc-tion at the begin-ning of June.



I like the library because...

Kids Speak Out

The reconstruction of the Bosler Memorial Library will provide daily children’s programs in the dedicated Story Time Room and double the current amount of space for young people.

So, The Sentinel recently asked the young people who often frequent the library with their parents, what they liked best about the library.

“I like that it doesn’t cost any money for books.” — Josh, 9, Newville

“The library has good books.” — Abby, 8, Boiling Springs

“I like the library because it’s fun to come here and it’s fun to listen to all the good stories.” — Sadie, 7, Carlisle

“The library has great books and I like when Ms. Barb reads at story time.” — Kate, 5, Carlisle

“I like the library because of all of the sports books it has.” — Andrew, 9, Carlisle

“I like how the library has informational books and how, if you want to do research, you can find the materials here.” — Bradley, 12, Carlisle

“I like the library because I can take books home.” — Matthew, 5, Carlisle

“I like the library because it’s quiet at story time and fun when it’s not story time.” — Alex, 5, Newville

“I like the library because I can learn things. It’s like school.” — Shelly, 5, Mechanicsburg

“The library has events, not just books. I like that” — Carly, 6, Boiling Springs

“The library is fun. I like to read here better than I like to read at home.” — Kennedy, 7, South

Middletown Township

home for the summer before fi-nally going to the employment office where they had a job at the public library,” Rice said.

The then wide-eyed and ad-mittedly confused 21-year-old reported to work at the local li-brary only to find that it was housed at a former Sunoco gas station.

Grease from automobiles still stained the place when she ar-rived and Rice’s initial tasks in-cluded painting walls, pouring concrete and laying carpet.

“That was my introduction into the library,” she said. “At that library, we had an event with live animals once and a monkey got loose and it was such a cramped space, we didn’t know what to do.”

Explore a new and exciting way to read and enjoy The Sentinel no matter where you are...take it on a business trip, or on vacation!

Read The Sentinel E-Edition,ANY TIME, ANY PLACE,

ANYWHERE!

STATE/NATION

The Sentinel at www.cumberlink.com Fr January 13, 2012 – C1

Advice.................. C5Classifieds........... C6Comics ................ C4-5Puzzles................ C4Your Money ......... C3

INSIDE

SEE CLASSIFIEDS INSIDE

WORLD BRIEFLY

Conservatives rally aroundRomney after hits on Bain

GREER, S.C. — An array of Republicans and conserva-tives — including some of Mitt Romney’s sharpest critics— rushed to the GOP presidential front-runner’s defense

capitalist as a job-killer. Under fire, Romney rivals Newt-

ing Romney’s tenure at the helm of Bain Capital.“We’re disappointed” with the line of criticism, said

Thomas Donohue, the head of the U.S. Chamber ofCommerce. The business group doesn’t endorse in pres-idential campaigns, but Donohue said: “We think Rom-ney has had a pretty good track record. Perfect? Hell no, but damn good.”

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who ran againstRomney four years ago, wrote in an online letter: “It’ssurprising to see so many Republicans embrace that left-wing argument against capitalism.” And another 2008foe, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, told FoxNews Channel: “I’m shocked at what they are doing. I’m going to say it’s ignorant. Dumb. It’s building somethingwe should be fighting — ignorance of the American eco-nomic system.”

Romney’s new defenders — many of whom have longhistories of disagreeing with the former Massachusetts governor — argued that the attacks on his business re-cord undermined the GOP’s identity and weakened the party’s chief argument against Democratic President Barack Obama, that federal intrusion has stymied theeconomy’s recovery.

And while the latest comments were more a rejection of attacks on Romney’s record at Bain than an endorse-ment of Romney as a candidate they signaled a warm

A gas wellrecovering

methane gasat a landfill

in Ferris,Texas. An

internationalteam of

scientistssay they’vefigured out

how to slow

Nation

Solution?Scientists say they have easy, cheap

idea to curb global warming

The new Sentinel E-Edition, an exact replica

of the printed paper!

Sign Up Today, call 717-240-7135


WE SEW SINGLES, WE SEW HUNDREDS

19 W. South St., Carlisle240-0527

Hours: Tues.-Wed. 12-5:30

www.questemb.com

RENTALSERVICE

NEED IT?RENT IT& SAVE!

WE HAVE WHAT YOU NEED!Party Supply Rental

Contract or Equipment RentalCanopy Tent Rental

SERVING THECARLISLE AREA FOR

35 YEARS!

“The Best In Bikes”

www.colesbicycles.com

249-3833Store Hours:

Monday, Thursday, Friday 9-9 p.m. Saturday 9-5 p.m.

Closed Wednesday & Sunday

327 N. Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013

Financing Available

BICYCLES

29 W. High Street, Carlisle, PA 17013 PH/FAX: (717) 249-7313

DANCE APPAREL, SHOES

& ACCESSORIES

Ballroom, Swing,Ballet, Pointe,

Tap, Jazz

44 N. Bedford Street • Carlisle, PA 17013 • 241-5309www.bedfordstreetantiques.com

Monday-Saturday 10-7 • Sunday 10-5

WITH OVER 100 VENDORS

BEDFORD STREETANTIQUES LLC

Dedicated to findingaffordable insurance solutions

for families and businesses just like yours!

J. Rodney Fickel Insurance151 High Street, Carlisle | CALL TODAY! 249-2812

Glenda Stough, CSRLicensed Agent & Broker

Kathy Rickard CSR

Stephanie Bear, CSRLicensed Agent & Broker

William Fickel, Pres.Licensed Agent & Broker

or visit us on our website:TheRollingBead.com

Argosy

Your One Stop Shop for Beads

200 S. Spring Garden St.Carlisle, PA 17013(Castles Commons- Across from GIANT)

(717) 243-5300

Library director all abuzz about new digsCarlisle

“I also tell everyone this is not a shush, be quiet place. I know that’s how libraries are supposed to be or are known to be, but I want this to be like a home away from home for those

who come here. I want everyone to come here and have fun.”

LINDA RICEBOSLER MEMORIAL LIBRARY DIRECTOR


Linda Rice, Bosler Memorial Library

director, stands inthe fi cton section of

the libary. The seed to reno-

vating the 112-year-old library was

planted in 2002 when the staff

realized more space was required, Rice said. A long-range study of Cumber-

land County librar-ies completed over

a two-year period in 2003 and 2004 found that Bosler

was the library that most needed to

expand, Rice said.


BY STACY BROWNSENTINEL [email protected]

The Bosler Memorial Library isn’t your traditional library, according to its director Linda Rice.

However, Rice doesn’t fancy herself as the tradi-tional librarian.

Born and raised in West Virginia and a Carlisle resident since 1985, Rice had a rather inauspicious start to her now 40 year career working in libraries.

“After I graduated from Marshall University, I sat


I remember when...Current and former Cumberland County residents share their memories of the Bosler Memorial Library.

As a kid I was always impressed by the ornate space of the library, the naturally stained wood and

the wrought iron work. Climbing the great stone steps and entering through great large doors signi-

fied that you were entering a special place. Until the age of nine years I lived at 148 W. High St., only a couple of doors from the library so I had ample opportunities to visit then and also later when I

could bike from home on S. Hanover St. The front desk was imposing to a small kid but more impos-ing was the librarian, Miss Small. She was as her name but she ran a tight ship and made sure you

weren’t checking out anything that she didn’t deem appropriate. Fortunately she approved of the Hardy Boys. Later in Junior and Senior High School, with

the help of the great wooden card catalog, informa-tion was made readily available using the Dewey

Decimal System. M. M. (Bud) Riddlesberger Jr.

Charlotte, N.C.

My Mother was a voracious reader. I can’t recall our home being without several novels checked out from the Bosler

with library due dates stamped neatly on the inside covers. As a young child, I recall accompanying her to the library

often. As she searched for her next read, I explored the biog-raphies and histories. To this day, both remain my favorite

reads. The temple like interior, the quiet, stacks of books and my first library card ... great memories.

Kurt GrabeyDayton, Ohio

During the summer months we would ride our bikes to the library with the guise that we were going there to borrow books. In reality we were there just to go to the children’s section that was located

in the cool confines of the basement. We did make use of the books available but we also made sure that we stayed long enough

to read a book or two depending on how hot it was outside.Steven M. Wolf

Bureau of Benefits Administration

When I was growing up back in the late 70s and 80s, my mom would take us to Bosler Library once a week for books to read during the summer. That library was magical to me. It wasn’t like a school library, it looked like a “real” library like I had seen on TV. It was old, but beautiful and it smelled of books. The books themselves

opened a whole new world to me. I went places and met people I had never dreamed about before. My imagina-tion was free to run wild. Summer reading was the best adventure ever! In time, when I had my own children, I introduced them to this wonderful, magical world of mine. They loved the summer reading programs. I don’t remember those as a kid, but am grateful for the encouragement my kids received from Bosler Library, too.

Libraries truly have an appeal to all generations and have a way of bridging those gaps. My kids can still find common ground with their grandparents through a book that they’ve both read. Bosler Library truly does hold

some of my fondest summer memories and I still love a good book!Janine Farson

Army War College Foundation, Carlisle


by stacy brownsentinel [email protected]

The steps that lead up to what was once the grand entrance of the Bosler Memorial Library in Carlisle have had very little activ-ity since the entryway was closed 25 years ago.

The closure was, in part, a result of a need for a handicapped-ac-cessible entryway.

But, visitors still reported that they sorely missed the climb of the steps where Colonial and Ionic columns adorn each side.

The climb also slowly revealed

the sightly, if not legendary, Lila stained glass window, which made for the most welcome of greetings.

When the $6.5 million recon-

struction of the library is com-pleted in January, Bosler will again be greeting guests through that most grand of entrances.

“Anyone who wants a sense of the library’s history need only to go up those steps,” said director Linda Rice. To help augment the

scenery, skylights will be in-stalled inside the foyer of the entrance to provide one of the better entry ways at any library, Rice said.

Preserving the library’s rich history during construction has been a primary goal, according to staff members.

The library itself was a gift from the family of J. Herman Bosler, according to records at the county’s Historical Society. It first opened to the public on Jan. 19, 1900.

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Since Bosler Memorial Library opened in 1900, it has opened the doors to learn-ing and adventure for generations of people. It has sparked their imaginations, unleashed their creativity and taken them to places far around the world. Many of you were first brought to Bosler Library’s Story Time by your parents or grandpar-ents or made the library one of your first stops when you moved into town. That is the library’s mission and fulfillment.

As Bosler’s collection, programs and patron traffic grew over the years, so did the need for more space. The library has been expanded twice — in 1987 and 1993 — and renovated once in 2000. Today this space is filled to its limits, and our com-munity looks for more – more children’s programs, more multi-media and more computers.

Over 900 people walk in Bosler Library’s doors every day, and many more people use our online resources. To keep up with these ever growing needs and to provide for growth for decades to come, Bosler Library must expand significantly. We have almost completed the fund drive to achieve this goal.

Our Board of Trustees, Friends of Bosler and staff invite you to share our enthu-siasm and commitment to this important endeavor by joining the over 742 donors who have brought us to 88 percent of our goal of $6.5 million, an incredible ac-knowledgement of the library’s mission.

Together, we will create a legacy to honor the past, assure a vibrant present, and endow a future filled with promise.

Our sincere thanks for your thoughtful consideration,Nancy J. George, Chair Jeffrey S. Wood, President

Building a Better Bosler Campaign Bosler Board of Trustees

Dear Friend,

submitted photo

The picture above shows the Bosler Memorial Library as it will look after the multi-million dollar renovations are completed.

photos by Jason malmont/the sentinel

at left: The seldom seen hand-crafted ceiling of the rotunda of the Bosler Memorial Library. This part of the library has been closed off to the pub-lic since 1988. It will be reopened to the public after the renovations are complete.

above: A large stained-glass window, which was once part of the exterior wall of the original library, is covered with plywood to protect it dur-ing construction.

Carlisle

Library’s former grand entrance to be restoredPreserving the library’s rich history during construction has been a primary goal of staff

“I think we got everything we wanted. we wanted everything to fit by historical standards, and I think we

accomplished that by preserving all of this history.”

LIndA RIcebosler memorial library Director

• See History, H12


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The entryway was the idea of the Bosler family and was a hit even a century ago.

The Lila stained glass window was put in as a memorial to Lila McClel-lan Bosler, Bosler’s daughter. It, too, proved a hit with library visitors and others.

“It is lovely. It is what most people want to see when they come here,” Rice said.

It was important that the recon-structed building continue to fit in with the downtown’s historic dis-trict, Rice said.

When construction is done, visi-tors who appreciate the history of Bosler will have other surprises, Rice said.

The colors on the columns of the new building will be sage green, rus-tic red and gold, which are the same colors of the mosaic tile that sits at the entrance, Rice said.

“I hadn’t thought of it until (re-

cently) when I noticed all of the col-ors” she said. “It matches the mosaic tile from the original entrance. It is something else that makes the con-struction so exciting.”

The preserved architectural style of the building will include the Colonial and Ionic columns at the entrance and the quartered oak and Georgia pine floors.

“The pediment of the old post of-fice we had in the library will remain and will be used in the new children’s room. Also, we will use the old po-dium at the children’s room so as to keep that historic feel,” Rice said.

Even newly reconstructed roofs on the library and its adjacent buildings will reflect past glory as they will be adorned with cathedral ceilings and unique shapings on each sides, Rice said.

“I think we got everything we wanted,” she said. “We wanted ev-erything to fit by historical standards, and I think we accomplished that by preserving all of this history.”


History

Jason Malmont/The Sentinel

The Mulgrew Commons will be the first area patrons will see when they enter the expan-sion part of the library.


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