The Hamer Foundation Awards $750,000 Grant to Centre County Library for Centre Hall Area Branch Expansion
CENTRE HALL, PA — The Centre County Library & Historical Museum (CCLHM) is pleased to announce a major milestone in its ongoing effort to expand and revitalize the Centre Hall Area Branch Library. The Hamer Foundation has awarded a $750,000 grant, providing significant funding toward creating an accessible and vibrant community space for readers, learners, workers, and families in the Penns Valley region.
The expansion project will double the size of the existing facility, creating a modern, 5,000+ square-foot space. Key features of the project include:
Dedicated Community Meeting Space: Quiet study areas and a flexible meeting room to host library programming, public events, and community gatherings.
Expanded Collections: Increased shelving capacity to accommodate more books, digital resources, and physical materials.
Improved Accessibility & Amenities: Upgraded energy-efficient systems, an enlarged entrance vestibule, and enhanced family-friendly amenities such as a family restroom, a dedicated nursing room, and a baby-changing station.
“The expansion of the Centre Hall Area Branch has been a need for many years. We are so grateful to The Hamer Foundation for recognizing the importance of literacy, technology access, and lifelong learning,” said Denise Sticha, project manager. “With their support, the Centre County Library & Historical Museum can ensure that future generations of Penns Valley residents will find the enlarged space to be a welcoming community hub.”
Originally built in 1997, the Centre Hall Area Branch Library currently serves more than 12,500 residents across the Penns Valley region. The grant from The Hamer Foundation, alongside a $750,000 Keystone Grant, provides essential momentum to push the capital campaign toward completion.
Members of the public interested in learning more about the Centre Hall Expansion Project, viewing architectural renderings, or contributing to the capital campaign can visit: www.CentreCountyLibrary.org/expandingcentrehallareabranchlibrary.
About Centre County Library & Historical Museum
The Centre County Library & Historical Museum is a public library system providing free access to books, information, digital technologies, and educational resources. Operating four locations across Centre County, CCLHM is dedicated to promoting a lifetime of reading, preservation, and learning for all community members.
About The Hamer Foundation
The Hamer Foundation is a regional philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting local community infrastructure, conservation efforts, educational opportunities, and nonprofit development across Pennsylvania.
