Task Force Discusses Potential Enhancements to Hellertown Library

On Dec. 8 the Saucon Valley Library Task Force reviewed several potential options for enhancement and expansion of the . The options will be of importance if Lower Saucon Township opts out of the Bethlehem Area Public Library system and becomes part of Hellertown's system, which it is currently considering doing.

The task force is expected to make a formal recommendation regarding the future of library services for township residents this summer.

“Just to be clear, nobody is designing anything. It’s just a placeholder to see what we’re discussing,” task force chairperson Kim LaBrake said of projected images displaying building and renovation options for the Hellertown library building. A blue area in one of the images showed zoning setback lines and a red area represented the only place where expansion could potentially occur.

The committee also came up with some additional requests for enhancements to the current library, based on what people from the community would like to see.

“The proposed needs--based on community wants--show about (a) 2400-(square)-foot increase to add that extra space,” LaBrake said. The improvements would include alterations to the basement, to allow for an enclosed kids' area that is not near the front door; filling in the upper level space with tables and larger stacks; and moving the reading area to the area nearest the building's entrance.

“The only other place to expand is the mezzanine, so we’ve in-filled that,” noted LaBrake, who is a professional architect.

Another expansion option is the addition of a dormer under the library's roof. This option would allow for the creation of a closed meeting space, a mezzanine infill, a larger reading area and more computer space.

Lower Saucon Township representative Lynn Koehler asked LaBrake about potential costs related to the options presented.

"When (HAPL director) Robin (Rotherham) and the Hellertown crew gave us the proposal, initially there was an estimate," she said. "How does this compare to the estimate initially given?"

LaBrake said the size of the expansion that was initially considered was 3,000 square feet, at a cost of $124 per square foot.

"What we're looking at is slightly smaller," she said.

"We wanted to come up with a basic and cheap option, which is option A, and then another option which includes all the things we'd like, which is option C," HAPL representative Mike Evangelista explained. "What we're likely to end up with is something in between, closer to option B."

Committee member and Lower Saucon Township Council representative Tom Maxfield asked if any of the options were close to what the HAPL had planned on their own for future additions.

"Option A--we've talked about moving some of the areas around, not so much on the second floor. We didn't realize that was possible," Evangelista replied. "But there are definitely things we've talked about as a library board, especially after the addition of the elevator."

HAPL representative Ali Finkbeiner clarified, "I think some of the key things we'd like are separate space for computers and moving the children’s space."

The committee was also presented with a mock budget for the different options, which was based on not getting any grants to assist with costs, although grants may ultimately help to reduce the financial burden.

The task force also set a tentative date of April 12 for a 7pm .

Lower Saucon resident Paul Pagoda said he was happy to hear that the meeting will have a later start time than the regular task force meetings, which typically begin at 5pm.

"I’m glad to hear the public meeting will be at 7," he said. "I find the 5pm time hard to make."

"I hope that when you present your information, that you give your annual assessment to Bethlehem," he added. "I think most people would like to see just what this will mean in relation to , or any other options in between.”

The next library task force meeting will be held on Jan. 12 at 5pm in Lower Saucon Town Hall.