Elizabethtown Public Library

Who We Are

Elizabethtown Public Library is celebrating 100 years of service starting this November 2025!

We are thrilled to take this opportunity to reflect on past services and programs, consider the volumes of change to our community and the ways we serve, and look forward to the adventure that awaits over the next 100 years.

The Library seeks to help everyone who visits to make their dreams come true and reach their highest potential. We do not set the agenda for anyone's dreams. Sometimes a dream is about a new career and sometimes it is about traveling to a far-away place. Sometimes a new resident wants to grow their English literacy skills or develop a new skill. Sometimes a parent's dream is for a few minutes of grown-up conversation in a safe space. Sometimes a person wants to meet new people or learn about people from the past. The Library is here for every dreamer at any and every stage of their journey. 

It is a little surreal that we have been traveling this path of dreams and potential for one hundred years. The Library has grown from one room that lent books to a small group of people. Today, the Library is a multi-story building that offers traditional services like book lending and programs like the energy filled Summer Reading Program for all ages and story times for children and their families. We continue our traditional services with growing technologies like providing audio books on CD and ones that can be downloaded through the Libby app. Movies are also available to borrow on DVD and through Kanopy, a collection of movies that can be browsed and watched on a personal device through a browser or by using the Kanopy app. All this, and more, can be found on our website www.etownpubliclibrary.org.

We have also expanded the ways in which we fund Library services. We are thrilled to be supported by Elizabethtown Borough, and the townships of Mount Joy, West Donegal, and Conoy. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also contributes to funding the Library. Together these sources account for about 45% of the Library's funding. The rest of the funding comes from contributions and earned revenue.

We are thrilled that you are visiting our site and considering an investment in Library services. Your support and that of many other people makes up about 25% of our annual operating budget. In addition, some folks have chosen to include Elizabethtown Public Library in their estate planning or have given alternative gifts like highly appreciated stocks. By donating a highly appreciated asset directly to the Library donors often receive additional tax benefits. There are many ways donors can give to the Library during special events like Taste of Western Lancaster County and the ExtraGive, where all donations are stretched during one special day of giving.

The Friends of the Library also host special days where the community has the opportunity to browse large book sales filled with treasures for all ages. Book sale dates are listed on the Library's website. However, you do not have to wait for a book sale to find something special. The Friends of the Library have a book store located inside the Library. The store has a vast assortment of books, videos, and other items like puzzles and sometimes games. There is a rotating display of artwork and American Girl doll clothing available for purchase as well. Their year-round efforts make a big difference in providing Library services to the Greater Elizabethtown Area. 

The Library also works diligently to generate revenue throughout the year. The Library is a passport application acceptance location and provides fingerprinting services to help individuals fulfill requirements for volunteering, new jobs, and travel. The Library also has a full-service coffee shop known as Elizabethtown Coffee Company. This space raises revenue and provides a welcoming environment for people to energize their day, gather together, or read magazines and newspapers from the Library. 

You are an important part of the Library's journey. More importantly, your donations and purchases help advance Elizabethtown Public Library's mission across the Greater Elizabethtown Area and beyond!

Thank you for taking some time today to learn more about the Library and consider how you might support the effort of helping make people's dreams come true by investing in learning, literacy, and the acquisition of knowledge. If you have any questions, want more information, or want to discuss Library services, please contact us. We'd love to chat.