The document discusses the benefits and return on investment of public libraries in Pennsylvania. It notes that PA's 630 library outlets serving 12 million citizens provide $5.50 in benefits for every $1 of tax support. It then focuses specifically on the needs and limitations of the Parkland Community Library, the smallest library relative to population in Lehigh County. It is undersized and lacks adequate space, materials, parking, and accessibility compared to growth in the local population and needs of residents. The only option presented is to build a new, larger library facility.

2. A SMART INVESTMENT
PA Public Libraries

3. PA’s 630 library outlets, serving
12 million citizens, provide a return on
investment of $5.50 in benefits
for every $1 of tax support.

4. If we didn’t have public libraries,
the economic loss would
amount to $1.34 billion annually.

5. Of 9.1 million adults in PA,
51.6% visited a public library in person
during a year's time; 13.2% connected
with one online.

6. PA Public libraries reported
40.8 million in-person visits in the
year prior to the study.

7. Libraries can save the average resident
hundreds of dollars every year
as a place where resources are shared.

8. PCL COMPARISON NOW

9. SMALLEST
The Parkland region has the 2nd largest school
district in Lehigh County with the smallest library
(9 of 9) in both space and materials per capita.

10. PCL COMPARISON OVER TIME
Year
Library Square Population
Footage
Growth
1981
2013
2040
5,500 sq. ft.
5,500 sq. ft.
TBD
*Source - Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
32,000
56,000
89,000* (est.)

11. WHO USES LIBRARIES?
EVERYONE!
> Senior citizens
> Teenagers
> Mothers & children
> College students
> Unemployed residents
> Disadvantaged residents
> English as a Second
Language residents

12. PCL TODAY
Current Size
The Walbert Avenue
library is 1/5 the size for
aptly serving the Parkland
population today.

13. LIMITED ACCESS
> The library cannot
accommodate wheelchairs.
> Bathrooms are not ADA
compliant.
> Narrow aisles are difficult
to navigate.
> No community meeting
space.
> Not enough computers.

14. LACK OF STORAGE & SHELVING
> More than 7,000 items
in storage.
> More space for shelving
offers patrons greater
choice.

15. LONG
WAITING
TIME
4-6 weeks for best sellers

16. UNDER-RESOURCED
Library
Population
Total Items
Items per
capita
Emmaus
21,777
99,375
4.6
Whitehall
26,768
103,933
3.88
Parkland
54,946
82,508
1.50

17. LACK OF MEETING SPACE
> Restricts programming.
> No meeting space for
community meetings.

18. POOR PARKING
> 22 spaces total
> One space per
1,000 members
> No room for expansion

19. RESTRICTED COMMUNITY SERVICES
NO space for:
> Networking
> Training
> Tech research
> Unemployed groups
> Small businesses
> Specialized information
programs

20. OUR ONLY OPTION
Build a new, larger library.