Grundy Library Celebrates $16,000 Renovation Of Children’s Space

Young readers in Bristol Borough have a fresh space to play, explore, and learn after a $16,000 makeover of the Children’s Area at the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library.

The library showed off the redesigned space after completing the project, which was funded through community donations and support from the Grundy Foundation.

Designed with the borough’s youngest residents in mind, the renovation was to create an interactive, bright, and welcoming setup to help children build early literacy skills while giving local families a dedicated hub to connect and learn together.

As a way to make room for play, staff rearranged the layout and introduced mobile furniture. Twelve new book bins were installed at various heights to make browsing easier for young readers and help them develop essential reading habits.

The open floor plan incorporates designated stroller parking placed out of the main walkway, improving sight lines across the play space for parents. Nearby, a newly installed slat wall showcases library events, programs, and community resources.

Along with new toys that promote imaginative play and skill development, the library added a Playaway QuestPad, which is among the first available in the region, to offer children educational games in a digital format.

A fresh coat of paint, new directional signage, and brightly colored furniture transformed the look of the room, which features large windows looking out over the Delaware River.

At the center of the room sits a new Story Time rug featuring a rainbow palette with numbers and cloud-shaped alphabet designs.

“When children walked in on Saturday, their eyes lit up. They were so excited to explore, play, and discover something new,” said Megan Marks, library director. “One dad jumped right in, using the rug to work on letters with his child. It was incredibly gratifying to see over 80 family members celebrate with us.”

Funding for the renovation relied heavily on local support, backed by more than 50 community donors alongside the Grundy Foundation.

“We are extremely grateful to the over 50 donors who contributed to this project,” said Jameson Gilpatrick, executive director of the Grundy Foundation. “With their support, we now have an improved space, tailored to the needs of our community, where young minds can be nourished and learning and fun go hand in hand.”

The project comes as the Grundy Library marks its 60th anniversary. The library opened its doors on June 24, 1966, operating under the Grundy Foundation, which was established through the last will and testament of businessman and former U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Grundy.

The foundation oversees both the library and the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Museum.

The library is named honor of Grundy’s sister, Margaret R. Grundy.

As the library celebrates its anniversary, it plans to open an exhibit in September detailing its 60-year history and premiere a short documentary tracing the history of Bristol Borough’s libraries from 1850 through the early 1960s.