Representatives of Parkland Community Library spoke to Parkland School Board members at their July 26 meeting to provide information on plans for a new 30,000-square-foot building and the proposed referendum seeking a tax increase to pay for it.

Library Board President Karl Siebert stated the library is seeking to increase the special tax levied on school district residents from 0.10 mill to 0.28 mills.

For a property valued at $200,000, the new annual library tax would be $56, a $36 increase over the present rate.

The increased revenue would be applied to the $24.6 million cost of the new library which includes permitting, construction and furnishings.

The endeavor was helped along by the recent donation of 10 acres of land from David and Jackie Jaindl at the intersection of Orefield and Coffeetown roads.

Library Director Debbie Jack reported the 5,400-square-foot library, which opened in 1981, is too small for the 56,000 people it serves.

Parking is limited, and the one small meeting room cannot accommodate all of the programs offered and requested by patrons.

In fact, building committee meetings are often held off-site at places such as Wegman’s because the meeting room at the library is in use for children’s programs, Siebert said.

“It’s time we have a library that can accommodate the community’s growing needs. We feel it’s important for a community to have appropriate library services,” said Siebert.

School board member Jef Reyburn commented on the proposed location for the new library.

Although the site may be the geographic center of the library’s service area, it is not the population center as most new growth is in Upper Macungie, noted Reyburn.

Siebert recalled after a previous referendum was turned down in 2013, library polling indicated people did not like the proposed Upper Macungie site and complained it was not a central location.

School board member Barry Long asked how taxpayers will be able to pay operational costs of a much larger building.

Jack stated the millage increase will allow for ongoing expenses to run the new building and possibly hire more staff.

Library board vice president Barry Cohen offered thoughts on the proposed new library.

“We’ve really outgrown the present library. The community has grown, but the library has not grown. This will open the opportunity to do things the public is asking for,” said Cohen.

Library representatives will bring petitions to the school board with at least 266 signatures in August to request approval for placement of the referendum on the ballot at the Nov. 8 general election.