Parkland Library Postpones Financing Plan

Parkland Community Library's Board of Directors postponed a proposed financing plan last week that will likely shelve the groundbreaking of a new library building in Upper Macungie.

Earlier this month, a Lehigh County judge ruled in favor of the Parkland School District's decision to lower the library tax from 0.3 mills to 0.1 mill.

Directors voted Thursday night to support a new referendum for the public to determine the future direction of the library. 

The referendum will be held on Nov. 5, which is Election Day. 

"While the reduction of the millage will not affect the current operation of Parkland Community Library, we recognize that the community’s support of our effort to build a new library will require a new referendum. I am confident that voters will once again recognize the value of the library when they vote in November," said Karl Siebert, President of the Board of Parkland Community Library. 

"The new referendum will become an independent effort, separate from the library operation, after the ballot question has been submitted," said Debbie Jack, the library's executive director. "This is an exciting time for our patrons and residents who know that public libraries provide an important service to the community."

The Parkland Community Library, currently at 4422 Walbert Ave. in South Whitehall, serves Upper Macungie, South Whitehall and North Whitehall townships and a section of Allentown that is part of the Parkland School District.