After 60 Years, Middletown Library Closes Pennell Site to Move to Roosevelt Center

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Final goodbye. Middletown Free Library Board members (from left) Betsy Podrebarac, Dave Irving (emeritus), Bob Fyfe and director Mary Gazdik.
Image via Middletown Free Library.
Final goodbye. Middletown Free Library Board members (from left) Betsy Podrebarac, Dave Irving (emeritus), Bob Fyfe and director Mary Gazdik.

Ed Hunter was the final patron to check out a book from Middletown Free Library’s N. Pennell Road location. He borrowed his first book from the Library more than 30 years ago.

The Library closed its N. Pennell Road location a week ago on Friday, June 18, at 6 p.m.

Board members Betsy Podrebarac, Dave Irving (emeritus) and Bob Fyfe joined director Mary Gazdik to lock the doors for the final time after six decades at the Pennell Road address.

A new, improved and larger version of the library is being reborn at its new location at the Roosevelt Community Center, 464 Old Middletown Road (across from the Wayside Market).  

While the new library will be a bit farther for Ed Hunter, he said it will be “a wonderful new asset for the community.”

Others agree.

“One thing that Middletown has not had is a focal point where people can gather. The library and the Roosevelt Community Center will be a fantastic focal point for the Township,” said Betsy Podrebarac, planning chairman of the $1 million Campaign for Middletown Free Library.

“I have been involved with the library since the 1960’s and my family is very excited about the opportunities to serve our community into the 21st Century,” added Dave Irving, who chaired the campaign to build the last addition to the library in 1971.

The move to the new facility means the Middletown Free Library will be closed through early August.

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