New Parkland Community Library Hopes to Break Ground in Fall

Karl Siebert, president of the Parkland Community Library Board of Directors, announces a new timetable Friday for the long-awaited new library in Upper Macungie.

A tentative late fall groundbreaking date has been set for construction of the new Parkland Community Library at Grange and Ruppsville roads in Upper Macungie Township. Karl Siebert, president of the library's Board of Directors, announced the timetable while speaking at a library volunteer appreciation luncheon Friday afternoon at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute in Schnecksville. "It's the first time we've said that," Seibert told members of the library board, volunteers and assembled guests. Siebert said the library's capital campaign for the new building, which officially kicked off in June 2011, has netted close to $3.5 million, or about 25 percent of the goal. The contract with Upper Macungie Township states the library must raise…

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John

9:17 am on Sunday, May 12, 2013

Adam, I appreciate your insight, as you have a considerably greater knowledge of this project. Could you help us understand better than this article where the monies are coming to build, and what the percentage of budget is being covered by the taxpayer? Utilization of the present building, and need based upon those numbers would be justified and better understood. Thanks.   more ›

When Will Parkland Community Library Relocate to Upper Macungie?

Library Executive Director Debbie Jack said efforts are ongoing to raise money to build the new library at Grange and Ruppsville roads.

Parkland Community Library has no timetable for its long-planned move from South Whitehall to Upper Macungie, library Executive Director Debbie Jack said Monday. Library officials had hoped to construct a new 30,200-square-foot building and move in by December 2012, but there has not yet been a groundbreaking. Library officials are still pursuing funding and fund-raising. "We're at the end of our capital campaign, and we hope to finalize plans sometime within the next year," Jack said. "We're seeking additional funding from grants and foundations types. We'll also see where we're at concerning obtaining financing." Jack said the library has raised between $3.5 million and $4 million. The library's fund-raising goal is $11 million. The …

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Parkland Library Fundraiser to Feature Psychic Medium

A fundraiser for Parkland Community Library will be held Thursday at Lone Lane Park Pavilion.

New Library Expands on Grange Road

Upper Macungie officials agree to lease four more acres for the site of the new Parkland Community Library.

  Parkland Community Library has outgrown its location in South Whitehall and the library board is working toward building a new  $11.5 million, 30,000-square-foot facility in Upper Macungie. The township had agreed to provide eight acres in Grange Road Park, but Karl Siebert, president of the library board, asked for four more acres last week. Upper Macungie Supervisors said, “yes.” Siebert said the new library – now on 12 acres – will blend in with park and the larger plot will include rain gardens and other gardens with benches and places to read. The plan is to incorporate the park setting into the plans. “The larger site will allow for growth and flexibility,” said Dean Haas, Upper Macungie Township engineer. The project has actually …

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Parkland Community Library Seeks Donations for New Building

Having outgrown its space in South Whitehall, the library sent a letter to residents it serves for help in reaching its fund-raising goal for a new building.

Parkland Community Library is reaching out to residents of South Whitehall, Upper Macungie and North Whitehall to raise needed money for its new 30,200-square-foot library. In a letter sent to residents, library Executive Director Debbie Jack and library board President Karen Tamerler said the library won't break ground on its new building in Upper Macungie until it has, in hand, at least half of the new library's projected $11.5 million cost. The library saved $3.5 million for the project. It is asking residents to make a donation to the building project so that the new library can become a reality. "The Parkland Community Library has been actively, but quietly, fundraising for the past several years," Jack and Tamerler wrote. Donations …

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