Expansion

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11/12/2020 Since closing in February 2020, renovations to the library have continued through the summer and fall seasons. The exterior walls were put up, and new windows were installed. Concrete has been poured for the new front porch. 

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On December 18, 2019, South Whitehall Township commissioners approved the expansion and renovation of Parkland Community Library. The footprint of 5,400 square feet expanded to 10,200 square feet. It included a new extension towards Walbert Avenue with a first and second floor. One feature of the enlarged first floor is a larger community room that can be divided into two smaller rooms. This new community room side of the building has additional restrooms, per the request of our patrons. Parkland Community Library staff will be relocated to the second floor.

The renovation features a new children’s wing! Our former staff offices will be opened to make space for the Children’s collection, a program space, window seating, and a play area.

Lastly, the library will also receive additional parking. This expansion will allow us to continue serving the Parkland community at our current location while providing much-needed parking and space.

2020 Groundbreaking Ceremony

On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, Parkland Community Library held a groundbreaking ceremony on the grounds of 4422 Walbert Avenue, Allentown, PA. The Library’s director, Debbie Jack, and Barry G. Cohen, PCL Board President, gave speeches and announced officially that the long-awaited library expansion is well underway. 

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PCL Partners with South Whitehall Township to Explore Library Expansion

As of 2019, Parkland Community Library’s (PCL) building capacity was 5,400 square feet. While the population of Parkland School District has grown to 55,000 community members, the library has remained the same size since 1981. PCL Executive Director Debbie Jack said, “It’s time to expand, so we can continue to serve the community at the high level it expects and deserves.”

On Wednesday, February 1, 2019, the Parkland Community Library Board of Directors went before the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners and received the go-ahead to explore expanding their current location. An additional 2,000 to 7,000 square feet, subject to space and budget constraints, was proposed. Expansion features may include more space for community events to serve more children at storytime while providing adult workshops and groups simultaneously. Potential expansion costs will be bolstered with $3M saved for a new larger building. Jack said, “The Parkland Community Library Board of Directors is excited to partner with South Whitehall Township to make this project a success.”

Questions? Contact: Debbie Jack, Executive Director 610.398.1361, jackd@parklandlibrary.org 

Make a donation to the project. Click here. 

Trees have been removed for the new extension. Interior construction began in June 2020.