McCormick Riverfront Library

Since 1914, the McCormick Riverfront Library has been a staple of Downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The historic library has served Harrisburg families and residents for over 100 years, thanks to the generosity of Sara Haldeman Haly, daughter of Jacob Haldeman, founder of New Cumberland Borough.

After three years of planning, the $3.5 million library renovation and expansion finally triumphed over the challenges of the pandemic, labor and material shortages, and rising inflation costs. In October 2022, the library celebrated their grand reopening ribbon cutting event. Combining the existing McCormick Library and the historic Haldeman Haly House, the 5,400 square-foot expanded library features over 3,400 square-feet of family and STEM learning spaces, a children’s wing, 950 square-feet of public meeting space, and public computer resources. The library also features a welcome center dedicated to T. Morris Chester, a Harrisburg 19th century journalist and abolitionist, honoring his advocacy for civil rights.

The team at Barry Isett & Associates provided geotechnical engineering, structural design, and MEP engineering services including the MEP design of the infamous coffee bar, Good Brotha’s Book Café. Isett’s MEP department prepared permit and construction documents as well as design, drawings, and specifications to detail the HVAC systems; electrical systems; plumbing systems; and fire protection systems while the Structural department provided design, drawings, and specifications for the new elevator, new stair tower, interconnected walkways and ramps between the Library and Haldeman Haly House, modifications to the main entrance, and a revised roof line on the Haldeman Haly House. The team also provided review documents and final submissions for each submission phase and responded to contractor’s requests for information.