My home town of Clifton Heights has a rather
unusual library. It’s so unusual that
most residents are completely unaware that it exists. When asked where the closest library is, A
Clifton Heights resident will most likely direct you to the public libraries in
Lansdowne or Upper Darby . But one library exists, unheralded and mostly
ignored inside of the Clifton Heights Borough Hall.
The Informal Library
This library lacks many of the things a usual library
has. It does not have librarians, books
organized into categories or even steady hours.
But it also does have due dates.
The library is based entirely on the honor system. Residents can take as many books as they
want, although they are requested to bring other books they do not want in
compensation.
The library is the first room on the left as soon as you
walk into the Borough Hall doors. Often
the lights are out. Just open the door
and switch on the lights. Inside the
vast room, you’ll see a lot of empty tables and chairs. This is where Veteran’s Administration
meetings, council meetings and voting takes place.
But flanking the room are large, stately wooden bookshelves
crammed with books, old textbooks and tons of Reader’s Digest Condensed Book
tombs. You never know what you are going
to find at the informal library. I try
to only go a few times a year in order to ensure the largest turnover possible. I like to savor the occasion as it’s such a
treat.
Tips
The library is mostly open when the Borough Hall is
open. However, if there is a meeting going
on, then the doors will be locked. You
are allowed to look for books while voting is going on, as long as you do not
bother the volunteers helping out that day.
They usually park their desks in front of one wall of bookcases.
Bring a large tote bag or backpack and fill it up. Don’t expect to see a lot of books or authors
that you recognize. But this is a great
chance to expand your reading horizons and sample all kinds of authors and
genres for free. Bring a sense of
humor. Some volunteers do try and sort
out the shelves, but mostly they are a hodge-podge of categories.
Clifton Heights Borough Hall
610-623-1000
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