Lehighton again accepts bids for library addition

Lehighton hopes the second time around proves fruitful for a building addition proposed for its library.

The borough will accept bids for the building addition proposed for the Lehighton Area Memorial Library until 2 p.m. Dec. 30.

This marks the second time the project has been put out to bid after borough council last month rejected the bids for the proposed project at 124 North St.

Borough manager Nicole Beckett said at that time the bids that were received came in between $100,000 to $200,000 over the library’s budget.

The borough received three bids at that time, including CMG Easton, $496,215; Bracy Construction, $548,500; and Multiscape Inc. $576,821.

Beckett said that the borough, in conjunction with the library, requested a 12-month extension from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Proposed work will include the construction of a proposed 29-by-50-foot addition.

The proposed improvements will also include all the required site improvements; the construction of a new ADA access ramp; and all necessary utility service connections.

Library Director Melissa Hawk said the library plans to use a Keystone Grant it received in the amount of $169,699 toward a building addition.

That grant will be used for the construction project, which includes the 1,433-square-foot addition for youth services, community room and two ADA restrooms.

Hawk said the addition will give the library many more options as far as programs are concerned, more space for the programs, and make it easier for people to come and spend time at the library.

She said it will also allow the library to move all of the children’s items into another area, give the library more room in the current area for adults to stay and be able to read, and the community room will give them a private place to meet.

Hawk said the library will also be open to community groups so that they also have another option of where to meet in the community.

She said it’s a matching grant, the library will have to contribute about $170,000 to help meet the $340,000 project cost.

Hawk said the library has money that people have given over the years, and added the library planned to launch a capital campaign to cover extra costs, such as furnishings.

Twenty-seven public libraries in 18 counties were awarded $6.8 million in Keystone Grants to use toward improving physical facilities.

The Lehighton Area Memorial Library is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays, 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, visit www.lehightonlibrary.com.