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Groundbreaking Event for New Library

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP — It was a star-spangled kickoff to a groundbreaking event after more than a decade of fundraising for a new library in Susquehanna C...
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BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP -- It was a star-spangled kickoff to a groundbreaking event after more than a decade of fundraising for a new library in Susquehanna County.

Thanks to a federal rural development loan, crews can start construction next year on a $5 million library near Montrose High School.

"A year and a half from now, we'll have a state of the art library and community room here close to our high school," Tom Kurosky, president of the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library said.

The current library in Montrose is in a century-old building on Monument Street in the borough. It shares space with the Susquehanna County Historical Society.

Over the years, the library has grown with new books, DVDs, and computers. The library is now running out of space.

"I use the computers and never have a place to put anything. I have to sit on my papers until I need them," Esther Welden said.

Susan Stone the administrator librarian has worked in the century-old building since the 1970s. Stone said she will miss the library, but she's ready for more space.

"Every time we add an item in this building we have to get rid of one. The books start lying on the top and you can't see them. You're crooking your neck to see what the titles are," Stone said.

The property for the new library was donated by Montrose Area School District.

The new building will be about two and a half times bigger than the old one.

"I never thought it would take this long and now that we're here I'm just excited beyond belief," Stone said.

The library still needs to raise another $2.5 million.

Construction is expected to start as early as next spring.

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