Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library

Every year in January, the Friends of the Conshohocken Free Library host an “annual meeting” which serves as a review of the previous year.  Join us in the community room on Wednesday, January 22 for the highlights of 2024 and goals for 2025.  The Friends are always open to new members and fresh fundraising ideas.  Their goal is to provide funding for services and programs that will bring people to the library.  Most of that fundraising is done through a used book sale at the library.  The Friends will host two Saturday used book sales on January 4 and 18.  Books are 50 cents for paperback, $1 for hardback or fill a bag for $5!

Just in time for summer reading and road trips!  Conshohocken Free Library now has it’s own collection of Playaway audio books!  An entire book on one compact device.  One AAA battery plays up to 30 hours!  Playaways are loanable for up to 21 days like books and audio CDs.  Just ask staff at the circulation desk for instructions if you have never used on before.  Look for new titles every month.

Two Ways to Donate Online:

Square Donation Link

PayPal Donation Link

The building that today houses our library was built in 1857 by Lewis Lukens, who “contributed greatly to the commercial, cultural and civic life of Conshohocken.”  After his death, his grandchildren gave the house at 301 Fayette Street to the borough of Conshohocken to be used as a library.  As their grandfather before them, Lukens’ decedents paid it forward to the community, giving them a permanent location to provide opportunities for “lifelong learning for all ages.”

In 1973, Conshohocken Free Library became a part of the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library.  Today were receive wonderful support as one of five branches, supporting our collections and staff.  Last year we even received funding to offset programming cost thanks to Director Karen DeAngelo and MC-NPL board members.

The Friends of the Conshohocken Free Library help support programing and other learning resources as requested.  They raise funds through a monthly used book sale and donations.  In the spring, they canvas local businesses to support our Summer Reading program and in return, give back to the local business as well.

The building itself is the responsibility of the community.  We own it and we are responsible for its upkeep.  We owe it to the Lukens family to pay it forward by providing funding and support for maintenance, upkeep and improvements.  Many of those decisions are made by the library’s advisory board, a group of volunteers, listed below, who donate their time and energy monthly to guide decisions on maintaining the building and raising funds to support those efforts.

These are just a few examples of how members of the community pay it forward in the spirit of the Lukens family.  There is always room for more support in our efforts.  There are currently financial needs to support upgrading our fire alarm system, replacing the roof, security cameras to monitor the exterior of the building and everything else that happens in between.  It’s important everyone enjoying our library in Conshohocken and beyond know the story of the Lukens’ generous donation, and especially the condition that if the building ever stops being a library, it goes back to the decedents of the Lukens family.

The Conshohocken Free Library is a 501c3 organization and donations keep our building a library.  Donations can be made in person at the library or online by credit card.  Let’s keep the library standing for future generations to enjoy lifelong learning opportunities.

Holly Holst-Branch Manager

Library Board Members:

Brian Butch Coll- President

Ned Stern- Vice President

Mario D’Achille- Treasuer

Jennifer McCracken- Secretary

Binne Bianco

Bryan Collins

Eric Heal

Kathy McCarthy

Bob Moore

Kevin Olkowski

Johnny Pasquarello

Alice Marie Schwartz

Dr. Dennis Yankosky