Marple and Newtown townships pooled resources in 1914 to establish a joint high school. In 1961, the Newtown Women’s Club suggested a joint Marple-Newtown Public Library. Marple objected; they had started a drive for a separate Marple library, held a referendum in 1962, calling for a 5-year tax to build their library, and Marple voters approved. The following year, a similar referendum in Newtown was defeated. The Newtown book lovers tried again in 1971, and were defeated again. But they would not be denied. As reported in the “History of Newtown Township”:
“Finally, the library committee, headed by its most diligent worker, Mrs. Madaleen Ellis, announced that “after 10 years of work by two committees,” the library would open in a small house at 3129 West Chester Pike, across from Marple-Newtown Junior High School, on July 15, 1974. Many volunteers helped set up the books and the Villagers of Newtown Square served refreshments on Grand Opening Day. The Library started with 300 books on shelves in three rooms. Within 6 months it had taken over the entire first two floors of the building.”
In August of 1973, the first Library Board of Directors was appointed by the supervisors, and included Madaleen Ellis, Chairman; Doris Hoppmann, Richard Suplee, Grace Smith, Charlotte Roede, Frank Altrichter and Joan Barnhart.
Madaleen Ellis served as the Library Director from 1973-1991, and the library continued to grow under her
leadership, moving in 1976 to a basement space in the Mullray building in the Newtown Square Shopping Center. By 2000 they were out of space, and so began planning the next move. Newtown residents raised nearly $1 million in donations, and a $400,000 state grant was obtained to build a dedicated library building on Bishop Hollow Rd. that opened in March 2003.
Arlene Caruso was appointed Director in 2015, and has led the Library into the 21st century. New programs include digital signage and a self-check station; eliminating fines to embrace inclusivity; and the addition of a new meeting space. Arlene notes that “The unwavering support from the Friends of the Library has been instrumental; they have generously sponsored initiatives like museum passes, a patio renewal, a new book return, Wi-Fi and telephony upgrades, the Hoopla streaming service, a state-of-the-art people counter, early literacy computer stations, and much more.”
In July 2024 the Library broke its all-time circulation record, demonstrating the community’s embrace of this 50-year-old treasure.
For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit our website at: https://nshistory.org/