Expansion
The Focus
In a changing information landscape, the library plays a vital role for residents and workers, underscoring the need to expand its current location. Usage has increased, with people seeking meeting and collaborative spaces as much as materials. This project aims to redefine expectations for public libraries. It renovates spaces and adapts areas with better seating, new carpeting and paint, and improved tech access.
The expansion project had five key elements.
- The first changed the space’s layout to better serve the library’s collections.
- It expanded and improved the program space, creating separate areas for children, teens, and adults.
- The project redesigned the layout to establish the Barclay Family Children’s Wing and enlarged the Karen Tamerler Children’s Meeting Room.
- The redesign featured additional parking and a welcoming exterior.
- Lastly, the library introduced Lehigh Valley’s first public self-checkout systems.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: The PCL is officially Re-opened
On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 4PM, South Whitehall Township and Parkland Community Library held a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony. Held on the grounds of the newly completed South Whitehall Township Campus in Allentown, PA, it marks the expansion project’s end. Parkland Community Library’s director, Debbie Jack, and PCL Board President Barry G. Cohen gave speeches that officially welcomed the community and thanked supporters for the long-awaited project completion.
We are open to the public. The expansion addressed spatial issues, including housing books in storage, additional parking, and enlarging and modernization of the library floor plan. In addition, the renovation added a new meeting room to accommodate our program attendees. Download the press release here.
Lehigh Valley Environmental Innovations Nonprofit Award
On April 28, Parkland Community Library was honored at the 2023 Lehigh Valley Sustainability Summit with the Environmental Innovations Nonprofit Award for its building expansion, renovation, and sustainability efforts.
The upgrades included higher energy efficiency, use of low emissions products and/or recycled content building materials when available, use of renewable energy and/or more efficient fuels, made use of prior building and/or Brownfield site, establishing a recycling, re-use program for waste and new products, kept supply chain for goods and services local or other measures.
The Lehigh Valley Environmental Innovations Awards honor impactful environmental achievements by local businesses and organizations exemplifying top green practices.
Click here to take a Virtual Tour!
11/12/2020 Since closing in February 2020, the library has been renovated throughout the summer and fall. The exterior walls have been put up, and new windows have been installed. The new front porch has been poured with concrete.
On December 18, 2019, South Whitehall Township commissioners approved the expansion and renovation of Parkland Community Library. The library’s footprint, which was 5,400 square feet, expanded to 10,200 square feet. This expansion included a new extension towards Walbert Avenue with a first and second floor. This latest meeting room addition can be divided into two rooms. As our patrons asked, we plan to add additional restrooms. Parkland Community Library staff will be relocated to the second floor.
The renovation features a new children’s wing! Former staff offices were moved and opened up 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.
PCL Partners with South Whitehall Township to Explore Library Expansion
The Parkland School District population grew to 55,000. However, as of 2019, the Parkland Community Library’s building capacity remained at 5,400 square feet since it opened in 1981.
Wednesday, February 1, 2019
PCL’s Board of Directors appeared before the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners, which ruled in favor of the expansion. PCL’s current location plans added 5,000 square feet to the existing floor plan.
Key features included additional event space to serve families during storytime while also providing adult workshops and groups. Potential expansion costs will be offset by $3M in savings from a new, larger building. Jack said, “Our Board of Directors is excited to partner with South Whitehall Township to make this project successful.”
Interior construction began in June 2020, with the clearing and leveling of the library grounds to lay the foundation for the new extension.
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