The improvements are prompted by a good problem. Library membership has increased in recent years, a board member says.
A new air conditioning system and nine more parking spaces are on the wish list of the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity.
But funding those projects, estimated to cost upward of $150,000, could take years.
Barbara Fischl, vice president of the library board, said the air conditioning system is aging after having been installed about 25 years ago at 295 E. Center St.
Nazareth Borough Council replaced a part needed to keep one of two air conditioning systems running in summer 2015, but the $48,000 cost was only a partial fix, Fischl said.
A new system, with a price tag in excess of $100,000, will have to be paid with grants or other fundraising measures. Ideas are under discussion, Fischl said.
"We've known for awhile that it's fading," she said. "Council does not have the money to pay for the rest of the air conditioning."
Additional parking
The library has seen an uptick in both membership and programming -- and with that comes the need for additional parking, Fischl said.
"Every month, we continue to see more and more people take out memberships," she said. "It's a very heavily-used facility."
Mothers flock to the library for morning story hour, senior citizens take advantage of free services and students use the space for homework projects. Patrons of all ages use the computers regularly.
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Now there are about 11 spaces in the front of the building and a handful along the northeast side that employees mostly use. The board would like to add nine more spaces along the side.
Fischl said the board wants to avoid having families and senior citizens park along New and Center streets, noting, "It's a heavy traffic intersection."
"There's always a concern for the safety of our members," she said.
Project funding
The library serves Nazareth, Upper Nazareth Township, Lower Nazareth Township and Bushkill Township.
Under an agreement with the board in the early 1970s, Nazareth agreed to handle exterior maintenance required by the library. That includes mostly landscaping, snow removal and lawn care, in which the board later reimburses the borough's public works department.
Borough council on July 5 voted against any other financial help with the library's projects. In a unanimous 8-0 vote, council agreed to send a letter to the library board explaining the board would be on the hook for the cost of additional parking spaces.
Councilman Carl Fischl, Barbara's husband, agreed with the vote, saying taxpayers shouldn't be responsible for the library.
"The reason behind the vote is to tell John Q. Public the library will be responsible for the AC and parking lot," Carl Fischl said.
Council also on July 5 approved hiring Bethlehem-based Cut N' Vac Lawncare Systems for lawn-cutting services at the library at a cost of $65 per visit. Carl Fischl said public works crews worried that a hired contractor could lead to layoffs shouldn't fret.
"No jobs are being taken away," Carl Fischl said. "It's less for the library to pay this contractor than public works. It's a win-win for both groups."
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.