Coyle library rewards construction workers with fastnachts – Chambersburg Public Opinion

It's that time of the year again for fastnachts. Wochit

On Fastnacht Day, Mark D. Story, director of development for the Franklin County Library System, and Bernice Crouse, director of Franklin County Library System, took doughnuts from Doh-nuh t, a downtown Chambersburg specialty doughnut shop, to workers at the Coyle Free Library construction site as a way of thanking them for their hard work this winter to renovate the original part of the building, which once housed the town's U.S. Post Office, and add an addition to the east side of the building. When completed next November, the expansion will more than double the amount of space available at the library. Because of the mild winter this year, construction crews have been able to work almost uninterrupted almost all winter.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)Buy Photo

CHAMBERSBURG -Coyle Free Library officials took donuts to construction workers Tuesday to say thanks for their progress this winter on an expansion project that will more than double the size of the downtown library.

"It's our way of thanking the construction crew for their hard work this winter," said Mark Story, director of development for Franklin County Library System, which operates Coyle and other public libraries in the county.

He and Bernice Crouse, FCLS director,took advantage of the Pennsylvania Dutch Fastnacht Day tradition of eating doughnuts on Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday, to celebrate the progress at the library's construction site

Story and Crouse brought the crew two dozen specialty donuts from Do-Nuh t, a downtown businessthat makes its sweet treatsfresh daily using a special-recipe cake dough.

Story ordered the doughnuts with a variety of toppings --including bacon, which proved to be a favorite among the construction workers.

"We thank you for what you are doing," he said as the crew gathered around inside the historic old Chambersburg Post Office building that has been Coyle's home for 53 years.

Doughnuts from Doh-nuh t, a downtown Chambersburg specialty donut shop, set ready to be picked up and eaten by workers at the construction site of Coyle Free Library on Tuesday, Fastnacht Day.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)

A tale of two libraries, expanding

Although a 1980saddition to the historic building was torn down to make way for a new addition on the East King Street sideof the post office building, the original 1911 structureis being renovated and restored, according to Story and Crouse.

Given the age of the building and the changes in technology and lifestyles since Coyle moved into the historic building in 1964, Story said the renovation and expansion was "long overdue."

"It will be a blending of the old and the new," he said. "The original post office building will be restored to its original splendor, and the new addition will provide much needed space for expanded programs."

Construction worker Chris Mills enjoys a doughnut break on Fastnacht Day, at the Coyle Free Library renovation site Tuesday in Chambersburg. Officials with Franklin County Library System provided the doughnuts to thank the construction workers for their work renovating and expanding the library.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)

The $5.5 million renovation and expansion project at Coyle began in May 2016 and is expected to be completed this fall. Story and Crouse estimate an early November move in date.

The renovation and new construction will more than double the current library 's 12,000 square feet (including the basement) to approximately 29,000 square feet.

Meanwhile, the library moved to temporary quarters in the old Jennings auto dealership building last year, a move Crouse said has worked out well.

Construction workers choose doughnuts on Tuesday at the Coyle Free Library construction site. Mark D. Story and Bernice Crouse of the Franklin County Library System provided the doughnuts to thank the workers for the progress made this winter on the renovation and expansion project at the library.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)

Coyle library celebrates new temporary location

Chambersburg Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill has said the library expansion, with its eco-friendly features and expanded facilities,promises to be a downtown "anchor," and will make the librarya town center, focal point and gathering space for the entire community.

Story and Crouse agree.

"From a community perspective, this (project) and the work these guys are doing has been so valuable," Story said. "The library is a very important asset to the community."

Vicky Taylor, 717-881-5373

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Coyle library rewards construction workers with fastnachts - Chambersburg Public Opinion