About Us
The mission of the Lansdale Public Library is to enrich our community through the encouragement of early literacy, the fostering of life-long learning, and the inclusion and celebration of the cultural diversity in our area.
Founded in 1928, The Lansdale Public Library was a single room in the borough building and had a $1 membership fee. In 1958, a new building was built at Vine Street and Montgomery Avenue. In 1972, The LPL moved into its present location, 301 Vine Street, a former supermarket building that was renovated. The library was renovated again in 1997 to add space for a children's and teens' section.
View a timeline of our history on timetoast.
Lansdale Public Library serves the residents of the Borough of Lansdale and now the surrounding area! No more paid memberships as of 1-1-2025! Please bring your government issued ID or proof of address when signing up for a library card so we can assist you in getting a library card to your home library if needed. You will have a separate Lansdale Public Library Card in addition to your home library card if you do not Live in Lansdale Borough. Proof of residency includes valid photo ID with current address or photo ID and a current utility bill.
For more information, click on the title above.
Lansdale Public Library is a nonprofit, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, or any other applicable legally protected status, in any employment practice, including without limitation, recruitment and hiring.
Dear Lansdale Community,
As we move through 2026, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Director of Lansdale Public Library and to work alongside such a vibrant, engaged community. Since beginning this role in June 2024, I have been continually inspired by the people who make our library a welcoming, creative, and essential part of Lansdale.
Whether you visit us every week, use our digital resources from home, attend a program, or have not stopped by in a while, I warmly invite you to explore—or rediscover—everything your library has to offer.
Lansdale Public Library is more than a place to borrow books. It is a community hub where people of all ages can learn, connect, create, and explore. From early literacy and school-age enrichment to technology access, lifelong learning, cultural programming, and opportunities to gather with neighbors, we strive to provide an inclusive space that supports curiosity and creativity at every stage of life.
Over the past year, we have continued building on the library’s strong tradition of service while expanding programs, resources, and partnerships in response to our community’s evolving needs. Guided by our dedicated staff, committed volunteers, supportive partners, and invaluable community feedback, we remain focused on making the library a place where everyone feels seen, welcomed, and inspired.
Looking ahead, I am excited about what the rest of 2026 will bring. We will continue to grow, adapt, and innovate while keeping our central purpose in focus: serving the people of Lansdale. Whether you come for a favorite book, a new digital resource, an educational program, a quiet place to work, or a chance to connect with others, there is something here for you.
Please stop in, explore, and say hello. We also welcome your ideas, feedback, and suggestions—your voice is an important part of shaping the library’s future.
Thank you for being part of this wonderful community. I look forward to seeing you at the library soon.
Warmly,
Mindy Lee M. Lipsky
Library Director
Lansdale Public Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6-17-2025
Lansdale Public Library Celebrates Library Director’s 1-Year Anniversary Marked by Innovation and Community Growth
Lansdale, PA – Lansdale Public Library is proud to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Library Director Mindy Lipsky, whose leadership has brought remarkable progress, fresh energy, and new vision to the library in just twelve short months.
Since joining the library on 6-17-2024, Director Lipsky has guided the organization through a year of growth, transformation, and deeper community engagement. Under their direction, Lansdale Public Library has achieved a wide range of accomplishments, including:
Elimination of Membership Fees: By not charging a membership fee for patrons outside of Lansdale Borough, we have improved accessibility for everyone in the surrounding area. This has been appreciated by many, as library card registration has increased.
New Inter Library System (ILS): We successfully migrated to SPARK by PaILS to host our data and collection. This is a more secure choice that enhances patron privacy and data collection to improve services.
Website Makeover: We launched a new modern website with hundreds of resources for all ages! Be sure to check it out LansdaleLibrary.org
Switch from CloudLibrary to Libby by OverDrive: This successful switch comes with increased access to eBooks, Audiobooks, and more by joining the Montgomery County Consortium in OverDrive and is much more cost-effective for the library.
New Public Computer and Print Release system: This new system allows for wireless/mobile printing, as well as increased cybersecurity and compliance for our public computers. Patrons can now safely access the internet and easily send print jobs from anywhere, then print and pick up at the library.
New and renewed accolades and certifications: Lansdale Library has been added to the Library of Congress, the national Literacy Registry, Charity Navigator and GuideStar, and has renewed our status as a PA Forward™ Gold Star Library!
Joined State Level programs for better access: We are now a part of the Access PA program which links our library to state-wide databases provided by the state library as well as integrated into the Access PA Share-It© Program to increase access to Inter Library Loans (ILL).
New Programs and Events – Launched dozens of innovative programs, including Makin’ Music with Mr. Mike, Tabletop Roleplaying Games, enhanced summer reading for all ages, cultural events, and youth reading initiatives. We will be launching one thousand books before kindergarten tracking system, a one hundred books before graduation challenge, with more to come!
Increased Library Usage: Library visits, program attendance, and digital resource use have all seen significant growth, with an increase in total library engagement.
Facility Improvements: We moved around resources for a better flow of the library, creating more welcoming, functional spaces.
Technology Upgrades – With the help of Lansdale Borough, we increased IT security, upgraded outdated equipment, enhanced Wi-Fi, and added new public computers and Hotspots to support digital equity.
Community Partnerships – Built new partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and civic organizations to expand outreach and collaborative programming.
Diversity and Inclusion Efforts – Prioritized inclusive programming and curated more diverse collections that reflect the voices and stories of all community members.
Improved Operations: We updated numerous policies, created a new employee handbook, changed our bookkeeping practices for more transparency and accuracy, updated the staff room, and increased the minimum pay to $15 per hour. Our staff management system, Homebase, named us as the 2025 Best Local Workplace based on the data!
Integrated with local partners: Over the past 12 months we have improved our relationships at the borough level and at the library district level, allowing us to have a seat at the table where decisions are being made, allowing us to advocate for our library and our community!
“It’s been an incredible first year,” said Director Lipsky, “I am deeply grateful to our dedicated staff, supportive board, borough Manager and Department Heads, and the wonderful community we serve. This library belongs to everyone, and I am honored to help shape its future.”
As the library looks ahead, Director Lipsky is already planning the next wave of improvements, including identifying building needs, enhancing our development programs, creating a Student Card Program, increasing Book Club Offerings, developing “Life Skills” programs, and more.
For more information about library programs and services, visit LansdaleLibrary.org or follow Lansdale Library on social media.
Media Contact:
Mindy Lee M. Lipsky
Library Director
director@lansdalelibrary.org
LansdaleLibrary.org
Main: 215-855-3228
Lansdale Public Library serves the residents of the Borough of Lansdale and is now a part of the PA Access Program! This transition will bring you many more resources and services in the coming months. Please be patient with us as we transition to our new Library System and learn how to ensure the best service for ALL patrons.
To get a NEW FREE Library card please bring proof of residency so we can assist you in getting a card to your home library. We will then attach a Lansdale Library card at no cost to you to your home library card! Proof of residency includes valid photo ID with current address or photo ID and a current utility bill.
Lansdale Library is working to receive state funding and currently is not funded by our local school district. We are supported by dedicated funding from Lansdale Borough and through grants, donations, and fundraising activities.
The Lansdale Public Library opened on August 25, 1928, with 1,000 books available to the public for circulation. It was located in one room of the borough building on Courtland and Montgomery Streets. Members of the Lansdale Women’s Club and others donated their time, books, and money to start the library. The library was supported by a $1 membership fee and donations. Volunteers staffed the circulation desk, and a schoolteacher was employed part-time to classify books. On April 6, 1946, the library expanded into a second room. Lansdale voters approved a one-mil tax support in 1955 for the library’s annual budget.
Due to large increases in materials and usage, a new building was erected at Vine Street and Montgomery Avenue in 1958. The cost of $68,759 was completely paid through donations, mostly from a bequest by Walter L. Sanborn. The library opened on September 2, 1958, with 11,000 volumes and 46 magazine subscriptions.
As the library collection and circulation continued to grow, the library board once again considered expanding. A decision was made to give Lansdale Borough the old library building ($85,000) in exchange for a former Acme Supermarket Building ($105,000) that could be renovated to house the library. The former library was converted into the Lansdale Police Department. The $150,000 cost to renovate the building, which tripled the library’s former size, was paid for by memorials. Lansdale Public Library moved into its present location, at 301 Vine Street, on April 20, 1972, with 27,000 materials.
The library was again renovated in 1997 to add more space for a larger children’s and teen section. Nearly half of the million-dollar cost for renovation was paid for through donations; the other half was paid through a bank loan. The library is now being supported by Lansdale Borough appropriations and through borough taxes. The Lansdale Public Library’s collection now contains 62,761 materials, of which 5,962 are videos, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs. The library also subscribes to 166 magazines and 6 newspapers as well as 23 databases. The library automated the circulation system and created an interactive web page in 2002. A section was created for three children’s computers in 2004, and in 2005 a wi-fi network was added. There are currently 14 employees and 15 computers for patron use.
Carol Weinert
1952
1st paid librarian
Elva May Smith
1952–1960
1st full-time librarian
Mrs. Richard C. Mallery
1960–1967
Successor librarian
Peter Manakos
1968–1997
1st librarian to serve as director
Debbie Ahrens
1998–2000
2nd library director
Anne M. Frank
2000–2008
3rd library director
Tom Meyer
2008–2023
4th library director
Shira Pilarski
2023–2024
5th library director
Mindy Lee M. Lipsky
2024–present
6th library director