The Dauphin County Library’s new Print Shop
Materials that used to take the Dauphin County Library System over a week to print can now be done in less than half the time, thanks to new technology.
On Wednesday, library officials showed off their new Print Shop, which will allow them to print paper products and offer affordable services to local nonprofits.
“It allows us to provide better service to our community,” said Christina Lauver, marketing and public relations manager for the library. “We want to be an integral part of the community and this is one way to do that.”
The shop is located in the Penn National Insurance (PNI) building on N. 2nd Street. The first-floor space was donated by PNI for a three-year lease.
Previously, the Dauphin County’s McCormick Riverfront Library held printing technology in the lower level of the building. However, moving the operation to the new building will help free up space in the library, Lauver said. Currently, the library is undergoing a construction and expansion project, set to be completed by mid-September. The lower level will then be open to the public.
The print shop will not only offer the library a space to print, cut, fold, staple and package materials, but it will serve as a resource to other organizations. According to Lauver, they plan to partner with area nonprofits to provide lower-cost printing services. It will also offer services to the Capital Area Library District in Cumberland, Perry and Dauphin counties.
The arrangement will also give the library a source of income and save them money that otherwise would’ve been spent on outsourcing for printing needs.
The shop features a large new digital press, purchased with money raised from the library’s capital campaign, which allows faster printing than the library’s previous printer. Using its technology, the Print Shop can offer posters, flyers, notecards, program booklets and business cards, among many other products.
While Lauver said that the library does utilize many online and digital resources, paper products are still important, especially for accessibility reasons. However, she noted that the Print Shop uses sustainably forested products.
“There are still plenty of reasons to keep printing,” she said.
The Print Shop is located in the Penn National Insurance building located at 2 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Dauphin County Library System’s website.
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