Southern Lehigh Public Library Considers Credit/Debit Card Terminals

The Southern Lehigh Public Library is considering the installation of new credit- and debit-card payment terminals, an official said during the July 21 Lower Milford Board of Supervisors meeting. The machines would help raise funds for the library.

Paula Robinson, the library’s newly appointed Lower Milford representative, said the library’s board of directors approved reviewing the installation during its annual meeting. Robinson said library patrons could use the terminals to pay late book fines, buy new library cards and make purchases for merchandise such as used books and lawn bags.

“Instead of paying cash, which a lot of people do not have, they can just use their debit and credit card,” Robinson said.

Robinson also revealed the library will coordinate with First Data, a merchant processing services provider, and KNBT Bank to discuss the terminals’ installation. It is yet to be determined when the installation will be complete.

In addition, Robinson said two air conditioners were replaced last month, costing between $8,000 and $9,000. Two other air-conditioning units will need to be replaced in the near future. The library needed to dip into its savings for both replacements.

According to a budget report submitted by Robinson, the library’s 2010-2011 fiscal year was challenging but rewarding for both the staff and board of directors. The annual report said, “A continuing downside economy and another reduction in state funding allowed the library to remain open only 51 hours per week.”

Southern Lehigh Public Library's local funding totaled $256,200 for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, with the township increasing its funding by 5 percent to $25,413. Meanwhile, state aid dropped 5 percent for a total of $52,201.

The report credited several successful recent volunteer-based campaigns for significantly raising funds for the library. The annual “Helping Hands” campaign accumulated $26,000 in 2011, the highest amount reached in the library's volunteer efforts. Another program, the book sale room, made $11,646 through book donations and audio/visual materials, with online sales taking in $1,036.