The last time Bushrod Library closed, it was to completely renovate the 59-year-old branch. The overhaul, which took place a decade ago, essentially closed down the library for six months.
Fast forward 10 years, and the library once again found itself closed to patrons. But this shutdown — caused by the installation of a new central air conditioning system — lasted only about a month and a half.
In honor of the branch’s reopening late last month, the volunteer group Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia hosted a special celebration July 10, filled with food, refreshments and activities for children.
The sentiment by those interviewed at the library seemed to be one of relief, since the branch is thought of as somewhat of a gem to those who frequent it often. No doubt about it, both library staff and book-lovers were glad to see Bushrod up and running again.
"It’s great to be back," said Catherine Krystopowicz, the branch manager and one of Bushrod’s two adult/teen librarians. "The staff was spread all throughout the Northeast. It’s good to be back and get back to our routines."
The event, held in the library’s basement, offered youngsters a chance to mingle with others their own age, many of whom relished the opportunity to get their faces painted, and all of whom chowed down on cookies and soft pretzels provided by the Friends group.
Krystopowicz, who started at Bushrod a year and a half ago, and who has been branch manager for eight months, said the event was geared toward children because the library has a large contingent of youngsters who utilize the branch.
While many parents brought just their own children, Nicole Bamba, who runs her own summer day-care program, lugged along a whole group of kids, ages 4 to 10.
Bamba, who lives near the branch, at Castor Avenue and Stirling Street in Oxford Circle, said she learned about the celebration through an advertisement in the Northeast Times. "It’s great, really great. It’s fun, lots of fun," Bamba said of the reopening event, which gave the youngsters a chance to socialize with others from the community.
Bamba said there was a slight void left when the library was shut down for upgrades, even during that short six weeks or so.
"It was missed," she said.
Like many other Bushrod patrons, Bamba visited the Northeast Regional Library while Bushrod was out of commission. And while that branch may have more selection, the overcrowded factor takes away from its appeal.
"This is a good alternative," she said of Bushrod. "(It’s) quieter and a small setting. More personal."
It wasn’t just the extremely young ones who got to enjoy the reopening festivities. Mehran Chughtai was one of four teenagers who volunteered their time to hand out food and refreshments to the children.’
"We used to always just come here and hang out," Chughtai, an incoming freshman at George Washington Carver Engineering and Science High School, said of his closeness to Bushrod. "The people here are just good people. Over the years we built good relationships."
Fellow teen Rosanna Yuen, who will enter ninth grade this fall at Central High School, agreed that the library was missed during its brief closure. Yuen, who grew up in Oxford Circle, has been coming to Bushrod since she was 8 years old.
Children’s librarian Joanne Hayden, who has been at Bushrod for 18 years, said having an event like this is important because it’s a way of giving back to a community that has been so good to the library over the years.
"As you can see, it’s a very vital community," Hayden said, noting the turnout of an estimated hundred or so youngsters, as well as a few adults.
But the purpose of the event was twofold. Library staff also wanted to let the users know that the temporary closure was just that — temporary. This, after community members called downtown to the main branch seeking to know when their local library would reopen.
Hayden said she was also pleased to see some adults in attendance, since Bushrod is working on starting its own volunteer Friends chapter.
There are currently a number of Friends organizations at libraries citywide, but the ultimate goal is to have one representing every single branch, according to Karen Lash, president of the Friends of Holmesburg Library and a community organizer for the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Lash was pleased to hear that Bushrod patrons have taken the initiative to start their own Friends group. She was especially thrilled to hear that one member in particular has taken it upon herself to take the reins, even though elections for the group won’t take place until the fall.
"Rossana’s kind of taken a leadership role already," Lash said, referring to Rossana Jaffe, who may head up the forthcoming Friends of Bushrod Library.
During last week’s celebration, Jaffe talked about her history with Bushrod, while periodically gazing up to make sure her three daughters, ages 3, 6 and 7, were behaving.
"This is the (branch) I started to use on a very consistent basis," Jaffe said.
She previously visited other libraries while living in Bridesburg, but Jaffe said she has really found a home at Bushrod. And the attendance at the celebration was a testament to the type of library it is.
"The turnout here is great," she said.
Melissa Hope couldn’t agree more. Hope, who also aims to get involved with the Friends group, said her desire to get involved was in part sparked by her affinity for the library. Hope already heads up a book discussion group, which will reconvene in September. While many seniors and children are involved with the library, Hope said she would like to see more teenagers and middle-aged folks represented.
"We’re trying to pull in the middle-of-the-road," she said.
Hope doesn’t know why there is a lack of library participation among certain demographics, but she said it may be due to apathy or time constraints caused by hectic schedules.
The goal, she said, is to make the library appealing to everyone, something Bushrod is striving for with its variety of programming, much of which, like those at other branches, is funded by the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia. These include book discussions, computer literacy, lectures and children’s activities.
Krystopowicz, the branch manager, said the library recently even began a teen book review program, which falls under the summer reading program, the winner of which will receive a brand new MP3 player donated by the Friends.
"They’re a good source of funding for the library," Hayden, the children’s librarian, said of the benefits of the Friends group.
With seemingly constantly changing demographics in the neighborhood, Bushrod has also become a place where new residents who recently emigrated from other countries can perfect their English and learn about their adopted home.
Whether it’s reading, learning, having fun or simply offering a reprieve from the scorching hot or frigid cold, Bushrod’s manager said her branch is a wonderful place to be.
"I love it," Krystopowicz said. "I love this library." ••
Reporter Jon Campisi can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jcampisi@phillynews.com