About

The Library is located just off the square in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. There is limited parking available at the back of our building and metered parking available on the street in front of the Library and in the municipal lot behind the Library. At this time meters take coins only.  

In just a few years Elizabethtown Public Library will achieve 100 years of continuous operations. From a small band of volunteers and a single room in the Oddfellows building to a renovated church building the Library has outgrown every location it occupied. With a growing demand from the community, technological advances, and expanded services the Library has filled every square inch of opportunity in each location it has known. 

Elizabethtown Public Library is Making Dreams Come True: educating, empowering, and enriching the Greater Elizabethtown Area by stimulating learning, literacy, and the acquisition of knowledge through the provision of books, resources, and programs.

We believe that every person can reach their highest potential, achieve big goals, and make their dreams come true. It doesn’t matter where you started, how old you are, or what level of education you completed – you can move forward on a path toward your dreams. Every day we help people just like you take steps forward in life. We are here as your life-long learning partner and resource provider to help you on your way. Check out some highlights from last year’s programs and activities.

Many people didn’t get a strong start in education, reading or in their community. We are here for them too. Every day people visit the Library who don’t have the resources they need to pursue their dreams. For some, they need access to online job applications and a fingerprint background check to get the job. Some need help finding materials that will help them read better so they can better understand written instructions and get a promotion at work. Others are new to the area and meet new people in Elizabethtown Coffee Company or by volunteering with the Friends of the Library crew. The list goes on and on: entrepreneurs find legal forms, families engage together in stimulating programming, people who dream of travel have their passport applications accepted, and on and on. And, yes indeed, for the lovers of history and good stories and need to escape for a few minutes each day – we have books, movies & so much more.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Library is governed by a 7 – 9 member Board of Trustees. The CEO serves the board and has no vote. Board members volunteer their time, are tied to Library interests by living or working in the Greater Elizabethtown Area, and serve for the benefit of the Library. Individuals interested in more information about board service may complete the letter of interest and submit their interest.

The Library Board of Trustees:

David Kruft, Chair (Mount Joy Township)
Susan Zeager, Vice-Chair (Conoy Township)
Catherine Hecker, Secretary/Treasurer (West Donegal Township)
Michael Hench (Elizabethtown Borough)
Christin Shenk (Mount Joy Township)
Brett Thackara (Mount Joy Township)
Jeffrey Winterborne (Elizabethtown Borough)
Jordan Ziegler (Mount Joy Township)
Deborah Drury, CEO serves without voting privileges

Governance

The National Center for Nonprofits succinctly states, “Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.” Board members govern, or oversee the organization, without self-dealing in a culture of accountability.

To provide adequate oversight, the Library board meets on the 3rd Thursday at 3:30 PM in January, February, April, June, August, October and November. There are times, due to scheduling conflicts, that the board meeting is rescheduled. Any such change will be reflected on the Library’s room use calendar.

Each board member receives an introduction to the 10 Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards developed by Board Source and an overview of the Standards for Excellence: an Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector as well as locally developed information about the Library’s policies and other relevant information when they join the board. Board members serve in terms of three years.

Elizabethtown Public Library is primarily funded by donations and revenue generating activities. Unlike most public Libraries across the United States, we are not a department of government nor were we established by a large endowment of funds. The Library continues to work diligently to strengthen our organization’s sustainability and has come a very long way in the past 20 years.

At this time, the Library receives about 17% of it’s revenue from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Lancaster County, about another 22% comes from the local municipalities we serve (Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy, West Doneal and Conoy Townships). The remaining revenue comes from our annual appeal donations and other contributions received throughout the year, event proceeds, and net income from our revenue generating activities like Elizabethtown Coffee Company, passport acceptance services, and more.

The Library strives to be excellent stewards of all funds received. Each year we submit to an independent audit. You can access 990s, Library information, and other documents at guidestar.org; you may have to create a free user profile to access information. The Library is also required to complete periodic reviews to remain accredited by the Standards for Excellence Institute. This requirement helps ensure the Library is complying with regulations and ensures the highest levels of ethics & accountability of Library finances.

The Library provides passport acceptance services. Find more information about passport application services and passport photos.

The Library is an IdentoGo fingerprinting location. We do this to help people seeking employment complete their background check requirements. We also do this to help people seeking volunteer positions qualify as volunteers.

Friends of the Library Book Store & Sales

Located front and center of the Library is the Friends of the Library Bookstore. In addition to gently used books, the bookstore features works from regional artisans on a rotating basis. From oil paintings to pottery to doll clothes for American-Girl sized dolls the bookstore is a revolving collection of interesting items. Check out the Friends page for more information.