Palmerton has taken the next step to ensure its library can continue to move forward with its renovation project.

Borough council last week approved a partnership with the Palmerton Area Library for a required environmental assessment.

Library director Christine DeSousa explained after the meeting that the partnership is a requirement for one of the grants the library applied for.

“It’s an environmental review that needs to be done on our property to make sure that we are sticking with the authenticity of our building,” DeSousa said.

“It has to be done through a local entity.”

The library is currently in the midst of a large restoration project.

Phase 1 of the project, the portion of the west wall, has been completed and cost about $75,700.

Marian Hoffner, vice president of the library’s board of trustees, said last year the renovation project would likely cost about $1 million.

Hoffner said the library had applied for two Local Share Assessment grants, one through the Monroe County Local Share Gaming grant, and the other a Statewide LSA grant.

In addition, Hoffner said the library was also looking to raise money locally, as it isn’t just the building program it has to deal with, but also funding for the library in general.

Hoffner added that along with looking to finance the building project, the library also wants to not only be able to maintain the services that it offers, but also increase them.

Dr. Debbie Miller, library board member, said a visionary committee of about 15 to 20 members, would help to generate ideas to raise funds.

DeSousa said that committee has been put on hold because of scheduling issues, but added they still hope for about 15 members.

In October, Palmerton Borough Council approved a resolution for a $1 million Statewide Local Share Assessment grant to be used for repairs to the library.

Jack Wogenrich, treasurer for the library, told Palmerton Borough Council that the library has been putting a “band-aid” on building damage for the last 8 to 10 years, spending about $100,000.

The parapet top stone was slated for removal and a water diversion system installed that will channel the rain water from dripping down the parapet wall, to the roof membrane and then to the drain.

Also, the stones on the outside of the building would be cleaned and restored, plus the silicone joint compound would be removed and replaced with a sand based grout that will breathe and release water instead of sealing it in.

Wogenrich said the overall cost for the entire work is around $1 million.

DeSousa said the library will get the same work done across the whole building, then it will get the windows replaced on the addition; specifically the window on the south side of the building. From there, she said there will be painting, plaster and carpeting done.