About Us

WELCOME TO THE WILLIAM JEANES MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Our Mission

The mission of the William Jeanes Memorial Library is to be a resource center that serves the diverse and changing needs of the community by providing materials, programs and services for education, enrichment and enjoyment.

The William Jeanes Memorial Library and Nicholas and Athena Karabots Center for Learning is the official library of Whitemarsh Township, though everyone is welcome to use the library’s services and resources and attend library programs. We do not close the doors to anyone nor do we discriminate on any basis.

Governance and Staff

The library is governed by a seven-member board of directors. Four are appointed by the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors and three are appointed by the board of directors. All appointments are for a term of three years, unless a new member is completing the unexpired term of a former board member. The size of the board is defined by Pennsylvania’s public library code. The current list of board members is available here.

The library director is appointed by the governing board and guides a staff of full- and part-time employees. You can view the staff list here.

Supplementing the staff are dozens of dedicated volunteers, including local teens, retirees, and gardening enthusiasts. Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.

General Information

WJML is one of 16 independent public libraries that make up the Montgomery County Library and Information Network Consortium (MCLINC). While each library has its own board of directors and staff, we share numerous services and resources in order keep costs down and provide the public with choice.

The William Jeanes Memorial Library (WJML) has been serving the community since 1926. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) which means that YOU can support us and receive a tax deduction.

Your support as an individual donor or business or corporate sponsor has a direct impact on the quality of services and programs that we provide to all of our patrons. With your support, we are able to enhance our CEP programs, our services to students, and our outreach to the under-served. We encourage you to find out more by contacting Lisa Clancy, the Director of the library.

WJML is conveniently located near 476, the PA Turnpike, Germantown Road, and Butler Pike. The library’s 3 acres connect to the walking trail that leads to the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and Miles park. Please take a stroll around and enjoy the library’s native plant gardens. They include the Leventhal Garden funded by the Friends of the William Jeanes Memorial Library in honor of long time Friend’s past president and member Irv Leventhal, and the native Woodland Garden funded in part by the PECO Green Region Open Space Grant and the Friends of the William Jeanes Memorial Library.

We encourage you to enjoy the library both inside and outside. Let us know if you have any interest in helping with the grounds.

Partner with Us

Over the years, WJML has developed and continues to develop ongoing partnerships. One of our strongest and natural partners is Whitemarsh Township’s Parks and Recreation. Their staff and the library’s staff work hard together, but have a lot of fun, to develop and implement programs for children and teens especially.

Our CEP programs benefit from partnerships with Whitemarsh Parks and Recreation,  Palooza Activity Center, Inc., and the Autism Cares Foundation. We each bring our unique services to the table and combine them to create programs and resources, in a safe and welcoming environment, for disabled young adults. We are especially proud of CEP.

Other partners we have worked with over the years and look forward to building stronger roots with include: Morris Arboretum, Conshohocken Business and Professional Women’s Club, and the Colonial School District.

Do you have have a partnership idea you’d like to explore with us? Please contact WJML Director Lisa Clancy to explore the possibility.

Community Connection

William Jeanes Memorial Library is committed to serving Whitemarsh Township to the fullest. We are and want to continue to be the center of the community. For this reason, you will see us in the library  and in the community too.

The library staff visits the schools in the Colonial School District, takes programs to community organizations, day cares, and preschools. We participate in township events, those sponsored by our local legislatures, and business association events.

The library regularly shows the work of local artists as well as the art work of children who live in the community. We invite local authors to present programs. We encourage others in the community who have particular interests to share them with others through presentations and talks.

Library staff is often invited to speak at civic and business associations. We also host civic meetings on a regular basis. Examples of this include the Conshohocken Plymouth Whitemarsh Rotary Club which meets at the library every Thursday morning at 7:30 AM and the Career Networking Group in Philadelphia Meetup meets here weekly.

We want to engage with you and you with us. Please contact Lisa Clancy if you are interested in having a staff member speak at your event or make a presentation to your group.

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