By Barbara Buckley, Branch Manager of the Harbaugh-Thomas Library
The Harbaugh-Thomas Library in Biglerville has been serving Adams County since 2007. It is a lovely place to work. Bountiful windows let in the sunlight and provide a front row seat to the ever-changing panorama of weather. In my 8 years as the Branch Manager I’ve seen numerous beautiful rainbows arching beside the water tower in the distance, and it is not unusual to see teens in the courtyard around prom time having their pictures taken in formal attire in front of the rose bushes.
The Harbaugh-Thomas Library is the only library in the Adams County Library System (ACLS) that was built to be a stand-alone library. While I was not involved in the creation of this library, I benefit from the work of the ACLS, Marion Harbaugh and the Harbaugh-Thomas Foundation. Sisters Marion Harbaugh and Jean Thomas, Biglerville residents and owners of the Thomas Country Store in Biglerville, generously provided funding and worked with the Harbaugh-Thomas Foundation and ACLS to create a building that can accommodate all the roles that a modern library fills.
Like all the library branches in the county, the Harbaugh-Thomas Library offers storytimes, educational programs, books, movies, space for reflection and reading, excellent wi-fi, book clubs and more. There are also two meeting rooms available for scheduled use by the community. We’ve even had a few weddings here!
The Teen Center is our latest addition, which has been open for a total of one year. It is a place to unwind, check out the manga and graphic novels lining the wall, use the computers, or participate in an organized library program. Lately tabletop gaming, afternoon movies and ping-pong tournaments have been popular!
Our staff of four–myself, Zach, Alba and Danielle–rely on each other’s knowledge, experience, and talents to serve our patrons. While Bruce is not a direct member of the Harbaugh-Thomas staff, he is also an invaluable part of our team. If you’ve seen the ACLS van around town, you may have seen Bruce at the helm. When patrons request a book that is at one of the other 5 ACLS branches, or when Gettysburg Library staff unpack, catalog and process new books, Bruce brings these and other resources to us.
Among my duties, I supervise the day to day operations of the branch and provide service at the circulation desk. I schedule others to lead programs, and I facilitate programs including a book club for adults and storytimes for kids. I enjoy selecting young adult books for ACLS, and serving on the committee for Adams County Reads One Book. The variety of tasks keeps life interesting.
I remember my first visit to the ACLS in 1998 after I moved here from Tulsa, Oklahoma. My oldest son was 3 and we were adjusting to the move. We didn’t know anyone. I went from working a full time position away from home, to being a stay at home mom on a limited budget. The library seemed like a good place to go. The children’s librarian at the Gettysburg Library, Doris, introduced herself and made a point to learn my son’s name. I remember this simple connection 25 years later! Three years after meeting Doris, she hired me for a part-time position in the children’s room, where I worked for 12 years, until managing the Littlestown Library for a year and a half, and then moving to my current position at the Harbaugh-Thomas Library. I have a special place in my heart for the way libraries connect us to people, resources, ideas and the community at large.
Nice write-up. Makes me want to stop by for a visit on one my trips from Chambersburg to the York (Book) Emporium.
You are a great asset to the community!!! I brought my grandson to the children’s reading time for 3 years and wow how that had a great value to his listening and reading skills. A big shout out!!! Thx u!!