Martin Library, a living vision for York County
As we boldly enter a new year and decade, it’s appropriate to remember the remarkable life and legacy of Milton D. Martin, who died New Year’s Eve, 1912.
When his namesake Martin Library comes to mind, two themes emerge: the belief in literacy as a life-altering force and perseverance toward achieving a vision.
Milton believed that reading was a key to success. But the journey from this belief to realization of one of York County’s greatest legacies was fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
Co-owned by his father Hiram, the original family carriage and wagon works company foundered in 1888. Martin, then in his late 20s, could have given up or sought another career. Instead, he reinvented the business as Martin Carriage Works.
By 1899, the Martin Carriage Works had grown to become the third largest factory employer in all of York County. By 1908, the company evolved to also create horseless carriages, what the company called “Motor Wagons,” some of our nation’s first trucks.
Upon his death in 1912, Martin provided a life estate for his wife Martha with the remainder going to establish a public library. After Martha died in 1915, Milton’s bequest of $125,000 for the building of a public library was released. Martha’s death released $60,000 more for the library.
Unfortunately, these funds were not enough to immediately build and stock a library, so the money was invested. In typical York push-forward, don’t-give-up style, patient equity ultimately paid off.
In 1935, 23 years after Martin’s and 20 years after Martha’s death, Martin Library first opened its doors. Today, York City’s library, nestled in the heart of our county seat, still proudly builds community and transforms lives. And the Martins could scarcely envision that their largesse, combined with many other visionary deeds, would lead to 13 total libraries as part of our dedicated county network.
The 68,528 square foot facility brims with literacy programs and learning opportunities that engage all ages -- from babies to school children, teens, adults and seniors. Martin is a hub for learning, entertainment and connectivity. Customers of all walks of life visit the library 312,000 times per year. During their visits, they log into more than 1.2 million wi-fi uses and 105,000 public computer uses and borrow over 230,000 items per year.
From after-school programs to bridging the digital divide by bringing new technology to those who need learning and lifelines for survival, self-improvement and jobs, Martin impacts lives every hour its doors are open.
Like Mr. and Mrs. Martin, we’re not content to rest on our laurels as the world keeps spinning and our country, county and economy keep changing.
Therefore, we launched an ambitious, innovative capital campaign to ensure that Martin Library, along with Red Lion’s Kaltreider-Benfer Library and Hellam’s Kreutz Creek Library, serve and thrive well into the 21st century.
As a result of our capital campaign, Martin renovations will transform 18,000 square feet of underutilized space into an inviting community gathering space, an expanded teen learning lab with digital media nooks, and places for hands-on learning.
We are forever grateful that Governor Wolf and wife Frances have been awesome, lifelong champions of Martin and public libraries throughout the county and commonwealth.
Special thanks to State Representative Stan Saylor, a loyal leader in this effort, Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, whose jurisdiction includes York City, and all members of our York County delegation for working with Governor Tom Wolf to secure $5 million in state capital improvement grants for all three libraries.
To draw down these state capital dollars, we must raise $5 million in local matching donations.
We are well on our way, but we respectfully ask for your help. Will you join our campaign to transform lives and build better communities?
Please log onto yorklibraries.org to learn more and make your tax-deductible contribution. No contribution is too small; every dollar counts and makes sense for a brighter “Our York” and York County for all. Please help us reach our vision today!
Together, we will make Milton and Martha proud. Together, we will honor their belief in literacy as a life-altering force.
Together, into the roaring 20s, we will exemplify perseverance toward achieving a vision that transcends us by enlightening and empowering all of us.
Happy New Year York County!
Robert F. Lambert is president of York County Libraries.