Director: More Than 30,000 Visited Hellertown Library in 2011

Editor's Note: An earlier published version of this story indicated that the library task force's public meeting will be held on April 23. This was incorrect, and the public meeting is scheduled for April 12, 2012 at 7pm. We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused.

director Robin Rotherham provided Borough Council members with insight into recent improvements the library has made to its website and other areas related to customer service.

In a presentation before council, Rotherham said that last year , a new server was installed, library software upgrades were made, and two computer workstations were purchased.

The upgrades were made possible thanks to $30,000 in grant funding, she explained.

Although there was a slight decrease in overall circulation of materials in 2011, Rotherham said more than 86,000 materials were checked out, and 30,000 visits were recorded at the library.

Councilman Tom Rieger asked Rotherham if she had any theories about why the library's circulation decreased.

Rotherham attributed it to a decrease in her budget for materials, and also to the increasing availability of many print resources online, as well as in eBook form.

She said the library is faced with a further five percent decrease in state aid in 2012.

Councilman Mike McKenna asked Rotherham about several emergency calls made from the library elevator, which she explained were made by children playing with the call button inside the cab.

The problem's since been solved by taping a styrofoam cup over the call button, which is within easy reach of small hands.

In other library news, Rotherham reported that the library last year purchased access to an eBook database, which is available via its website, www.hellertownlibrary.org.

The library added 422 new patrons to its database in 2011, and 69 percent of borough residents currently have a HAPL library card, she said.

Staff from the library are currently members of the Saucon Valley Library Task Force, which has been studying the feasibility of a joint Hellertown-Lower Saucon Township public library .

A recommendation from the task force is expected this summer, and .