Memorial Library of Nazareth seeks funds for HVAC and workforce space after reporting program growth

The executive director of the Memorial Library of Nazareth told the Northampton County Economic Development Committee that the library has grown into a busy community hub and is seeking funding to replace aging mechanical systems and to build a new workforce-development and technology space.

Holly, the library's executive director, described services and usage statistics and outlined near-term capital projects at the March committee meeting. The library serves a roughly 30,000-person service area across Nazareth Borough, Upper Nazareth, Lower Nazareth and Bushkill Township and reports heavy year-round program usage, Holly said.

Holly said the library was open 51 hours per week and hosted more than 59,000 visitors in 2024, circulating more than 116,000 items and offering more than 560 programs attended by roughly 11,000 patrons. The collection, she said, exceeds 64,000 items and the library circulates nontraditional resources such as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots and museum passes.

On capital needs, Holly said the library secured a Commonwealth public libraries matching grant of $250,000 for HVAC replacement, a $75,000 appropriations grant secured with assistance from a county official, and a $20,000 matching grant from Northampton County (NorCo). She said the library will use capital reserves and additional grants to reach the project budget and that work was scheduled to begin in about two weeks.

Holly also described plans to demolish and rebuild the library's basement while running new venting and heating, creating a dedicated space for technology, small business and workforce-development programming. She said the workforce space project cost is about $700,000 and that fundraising and grant applications are underway.

On funding structure, Holly said the library's operating budget is supported by four municipalities, the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and local fundraising. She provided a breakdown: roughly 68% municipal funding, 17% from fundraising and grants, and 15% from the state Office of Commonwealth Libraries. Holly said the library earned the highest subsidy level from the state and that the organization wrote 42 grant applications last year and secured 23 awards.

Holly described the library's community programming, including free tax-preparation clinics, a summer reading program that registered more than 600 children last year, a ukulele orchestra that circulates instruments, sensory-friendly story time and one-on-one technology help for patrons. She also noted partnerships with Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke's University Health Network, Martin Guitar and other local organizations.

Committee members praised the library's role as a cross-generational community resource and asked how the county can help promote the planned workforce-development center once it opens. Holly said the library already provides programming across its four supporting municipalities and that it will continue outreach as the workforce space is developed.

Holly closed by thanking county staff and elected officials for prior support and invited continued collaboration on funding and outreach.