Media-Upper Providence Free Library

Basic Information

Established: 1901

Schedule: Monday - Thursday 10 am - 8 pm; Friday 10 am - 6 pm; Saturday 12 pm - 4 pm; Sunday 1 pm - 4 pm; Closed on Sundays during July and August.

Address: 1 E. Front Street Media, Pa 19063

Phone Number: 610-566-1918

Fax Number: 610-566-9056

Email: medirector@delcolibraries.org

Website - Click Here!

Director: Brandi Grosso

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Additional Information

Computer Capabilities:

10 internet computers for public use, free Wi-Fi

Education Programs: Contact our Youth Services Librarian at mecsd@delcolibraries.org for details on programs or to register for events. PAWS for Reading is an ongoing program at Media-Upper Providence Free Library (MUPFL). The program allows children to read aloud to a therapy dog in order to improve reading and communication skills. Children read individually to trained therapy pets (and their handlers) in settings where they can feel comfortable and confident — and have fun! Registration is required. We offer a wide variety of educational programs during the year for kids of all ages. Some of the programs we offered this year were presented by Winterthur Museum, Makin' Music, Delaware Art Museum, and the Swedish American Historical Museum.

Summer Programs: Summer reading programs for children, young adults and adults run from the last week in June to mid-August. We participate in the Science in the Summer program for children entering grades 2 through 6. The dates and registration information can be found on our website.

Membership Details:

Membership is free to all Pennsylvania residents. Patrons may register for a library card by presenting proof of address and filling out a registration form. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Library Information:

Our major fundraising events each year are the book sales. MUPFL's spring book sale is held Saturday through Monday on the 3rd weekend in April and the fall book sale is held Saturday through Monday on the 3rd weekend in October, from 10 am to 5 pm. Please check our website for information on donating to the sale.

After years of planning MUPFL has embarked upon an ambitious building project which will increase the overall space of the library by 40% but, more importantly, it will also make the space more effective and accessible in keeping with the library of the 21st century. Renovations are projected to cost the library $2.5 million. The board is working with Media Borough and Upper Providence Township to help fund the project as well as pursuing grants and a capital campaign. Further details on the project and donation opportunities are available at the library or on our website.

Library History:

The Women's Club of Media organized the Media Free Library in 1901 and supported its work for over 50 years with dedicated volunteers and private gifts. The first room was located on the 2nd floor of the Borough Hall and Fire House at the corner of State and Jackson Streets in the Borough.

In 1908, funds were raised by public subscription to construct a small building behind the fire house on Jackson St. Having outgrown this space, the library moved to its present site at Front and Jackson Streets in 1954. This property and a trust fund were bequeathed to the Media Library by two sisters, Miss Matilda B. and Miss Elizabeth L. Sprogell, who conducted a private school in the building from 1894 until the 1930s. Their conviction that education through reading was a necessity of life led them to make this donation to benefit the community and future generations. In addition to the donation of the building, these forward-thinking women established a trust fund for the library which still exists.

In 1959, a comprehensive study produced an agreement between Media Borough and Upper Providence Township whereby the library would serve both communities. Over the years, adjacent properties were purchased and joined to the original building. Subsequent expansion and remodeling resulted in the library building as it exists today. While the library receives funding from both Media Borough and Upper Providence Township, it continues to be independently owned and operated by the Media-Upper Providence Free Library Association.

The library joined the newly formed Delaware County Library System in 1981 which provided improved technology, increased availability of materials through inter-county library sharing, and many other benefits to the library community. The library received 501(c)3 (tax-exempt, non-profit) status in 2007.

Events:

Please check our website for schedules and registration for story times, playgroups and special programs offered at MUPFL.