Library Task Force Discusses Technology Standards

The recently-formed Saucon Valley Library Task Force met March 10 to discuss progress on a wide variety of issues.

Member and Lower Saucon Township Manager Jack Cahalan announced that the task force's 2011 meeting schedule, January and February monthly minutes, a mission statement and the names of members are now posted on the township's website.

During committee reports, a number of issues related to the study of a possible library services merger between Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township were discussed.

Committee member Alison Finkbeiner, who is a representative for the Hellertown Area Public Library and a member of the task force's demographics committee, said the committee is awaiting the upcoming release of more detailed U.S. Census information about Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township. 

"We'd kind of like to hold off until we get some current numbers," she said.

Cahalan, who is a member of the task force's technology committee, reported that Pennsylvania has no technology standards in place for public libraries.

The lack of standards "is kind of surprising," he said, particularly in light of the fact that a Google search indicated that at least 40 states have minimum technology standards in place for public libraries.

Hellertown Area Library Director Robin Rotherham said that until funding became more of an issue about 5 years ago, she would draft a technology plan for the library every three years.

After funding dried up in 2006, Rotherham said she needed to plan based on the grants the library was able to receive.

Task force member and Bethlehem Area Public Library Board of Trustees Vice President Lynn Koehler advised reviewing the technology plans in place for the Saucon Valley School District library, the Allentown Public Library, the Easton Area Public Library and the Bethlehem library.

Gail Nolf, a task force and Hellertown Borough Council member, wanted to know what type of Internet access the Hellertown library currently has, whether or not it offers Wi-Fi access, and whether or not its technology interfaces with the school district's.

Kim LaBrake, the task force's chair and member of its building committee, reported that she and fellow committee member Joe Pampanin visited the Hellertown library to get a feel for the space.

LaBrake, who is an architect by profession, explained that "the first thing we are looking to do, obviously, is document the existing building."

After reviewing the plans for the library, which was constructed in 1993, LaBrake said the building committee plans to interview its staff to find out if they have any concerns about the existing structure.

"Then we will be documenting the wants of the task force," and balancing those wants with the existing library's physical qualities, she said.

"Libraries are not just libraries anymore. They are community spaces," LaBrake emphasized.

The library task force's next meeting will be held Thursday, April 14 at 5pm in Lower Saucon Town Hall.