The budget was approved at the full state-minimum level. We forced their hand and won. Stay tuned to ensure they commit to these levels long term.
January 9, 2016
Final supporters
Dear Municipal Leaders,
It wasn't so long ago that libraries throughout the state of Pennsylvania were primarily funded by the state. Those times have dramatically changed however, and libraries are now being expected to raise the majority of the funds required to simply meet minimum state requirements to keep their doors open.
The state then added an additional challenge for libraries. While a municipality can choose to contribute below the state's suggested minimum of $5 per capita, the library must SPEND $5 per capita, regardless of what their municipality contributes.
Here's how the provision reads: “(C) To qualify, a local library or library system must make a minimum financial effort of five dollars ($5) per capita for each person residing in the municipalities based on which it qualifies for aid.”
This is the reason there is such an emphasis on the request that our municipal leaders fund the library to the 'State Recommended Minimum'. Our library already privately raises over 50% of their operating budget. On top of this, the Library will have to make up the difference between whatever each municipality contributes to bring it up to the $5 per capita level.
There are distractions that have been used by municipalities as an excuse for not budgeting the amount required by the state:
- There are people who use the Ephrata Library who do not reside in the library’s service area.
- The municipalities where they live don’t contribute.
- One (or more) of the other municipalities isn't contributing $5 per capita so why should we?
- The Borough of Ephrata provides a number of “in-kind” contributions to the library in the form of the building lease and electricity that are not included in the state’s calculation.
While these issues exist, they are not relevant to the topic at hand. It's about funding our library at least to the minimum standard established by the state. That’s it.
Here are the current proposed budgets for the municipalities in the Ephrata Library's service area:
· Akron $12,500 (population – 3,876) - $3.22/capita
· Clay $19,999 (population – 6,308) - $3.17/capita
· Borough of Ephrata $44,000 (population – 13,394) - $3.29/capita
· Ephrata Township $32,900 (population-9,400) - $3.50/capita
As citizens in the Library’s service area, we expect our municipal leaders to contribute to the minimum standard dictated to the state so that the library doesn't have to personally make up the difference... unless there is an extraordinary budgetary reason municipalities are unable to do so. In a crisis we understand that tough decisions must be made, but in the absence of such a crisis, we expect our municipalities to provide the state-recommended minimum.
The Ephrata Public Library is an important part of our community, please consider funding the library to the minimum state standard to help keep it operating at the high level we’ve come to expect and enjoy.
Thank you,
Concerned Citizens
NOTE: When signing the petition please use your FULL name (first and last).
Updates
November 21, 2015
The feedback from local residents has been eye-opening. We are currently preparing to present these concerns directly to the municipal council.
Reached 100 supporters
November 21, 2015
44 Comments
I see lots of time and money being wasted on what the mayor should legally make in the borough, I see my taxes going up so people can walk on a nicey nice trail behind my house... But I don't see Akron paying their fair share for a program that actually benefits the community and children's education at the same time. Get it in gear Akron and do at least the bare minimum.
My family moved to this community two years ago. One of the amenities of Ephrata that caught our eye was your beautiful library. We are homeschoolers and small business owners and cannot contemplate a community that doesn't support its library. This is a basic service that communities should provide for its citizens. Please- fund the library!
The EPL has become a community center of sorts, serving many people with a wide variety of programs and facilities. To not fully fund this wonderful facility does a great disservice to all of the residents within the EPL service area. Please fund it fully!
This webpage apparently automatically generates locations based on Internet service provider--- I do not live in Lititz --- I am an Akron borough resident :-) EPL provides a tremendous service and is a great value to area residents. Do fund this project at the suggested $5 minimum level so all fundraising can be done to provide additional needed services.
As an Akron Borough resident, I want $5 of my annual tax money to be allocated to the Library. A donation of $12,500 from the Borough is not enough, and puts additional burden on the library to raise even more money just to meet minimum standards. Please fund my home library!!
One of the bright spots I've discovered since I retired is the library system. I visit it on a weekly basis and am amazed at the amount of services it provides at a minimal cost.
A well-funded library can be the hub of the community as it provides various educational opportunities and resources for the citizens. The municipality would receive dividends on their investment in the form of a stronger, more connected, community. I encourage our leaders to contribute the minimum requested state standard to enable the Ephrata library to continue to have a large, positive impact on its residents and the surrounding area.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The budget was approved at the full state-minimum level. We forced their hand and won. Stay tuned to ensure they commit to these levels long term.
January 9, 2016
Final supporters
Dear Municipal Leaders,
It wasn't so long ago that libraries throughout the state of Pennsylvania were primarily funded by the state. Those times have dramatically changed however, and libraries are now being expected to raise the majority of the funds required to simply meet minimum state requirements to keep their doors open.
The state then added an additional challenge for libraries. While a municipality can choose to contribute below the state's suggested minimum of $5 per capita, the library must SPEND $5 per capita, regardless of what their municipality contributes.
Here's how the provision reads: “(C) To qualify, a local library or library system must make a minimum financial effort of five dollars ($5) per capita for each person residing in the municipalities based on which it qualifies for aid.”
This is the reason there is such an emphasis on the request that our municipal leaders fund the library to the 'State Recommended Minimum'. Our library already privately raises over 50% of their operating budget. On top of this, the Library will have to make up the difference between whatever each municipality contributes to bring it up to the $5 per capita level.
There are distractions that have been used by municipalities as an excuse for not budgeting the amount required by the state:
- There are people who use the Ephrata Library who do not reside in the library’s service area.
- The municipalities where they live don’t contribute.
- One (or more) of the other municipalities isn't contributing $5 per capita so why should we?
- The Borough of Ephrata provides a number of “in-kind” contributions to the library in the form of the building lease and electricity that are not included in the state’s calculation.
While these issues exist, they are not relevant to the topic at hand. It's about funding our library at least to the minimum standard established by the state. That’s it.
Here are the current proposed budgets for the municipalities in the Ephrata Library's service area:
· Akron $12,500 (population – 3,876) - $3.22/capita
· Clay $19,999 (population – 6,308) - $3.17/capita
· Borough of Ephrata $44,000 (population – 13,394) - $3.29/capita
· Ephrata Township $32,900 (population-9,400) - $3.50/capita
As citizens in the Library’s service area, we expect our municipal leaders to contribute to the minimum standard dictated to the state so that the library doesn't have to personally make up the difference... unless there is an extraordinary budgetary reason municipalities are unable to do so. In a crisis we understand that tough decisions must be made, but in the absence of such a crisis, we expect our municipalities to provide the state-recommended minimum.
The Ephrata Public Library is an important part of our community, please consider funding the library to the minimum state standard to help keep it operating at the high level we’ve come to expect and enjoy.
Thank you,
Concerned Citizens
NOTE: When signing the petition please use your FULL name (first and last).
Updates
November 21, 2015
The feedback from local residents has been eye-opening. We are currently preparing to present these concerns directly to the municipal council.
Reached 100 supporters
November 21, 2015
44 Comments
We need to do better for the Ephrata Public Library. Clay Township supervisors, I encourage you to contribute as close to $5/capita as you can. A lot of Clay Township families heavily use the library. It's a good investment for our community.
I see lots of time and money being wasted on what the mayor should legally make in the borough, I see my taxes going up so people can walk on a nicey nice trail behind my house... But I don't see Akron paying their fair share for a program that actually benefits the community and children's education at the same time. Get it in gear Akron and do at least the bare minimum.
My family moved to this community two years ago. One of the amenities of Ephrata that caught our eye was your beautiful library. We are homeschoolers and small business owners and cannot contemplate a community that doesn't support its library. This is a basic service that communities should provide for its citizens. Please- fund the library!
The EPL has become a community center of sorts, serving many people with a wide variety of programs and facilities. To not fully fund this wonderful facility does a great disservice to all of the residents within the EPL service area. Please fund it fully!
This webpage apparently automatically generates locations based on Internet service provider--- I do not live in Lititz --- I am an Akron borough resident :-) EPL provides a tremendous service and is a great value to area residents. Do fund this project at the suggested $5 minimum level so all fundraising can be done to provide additional needed services.
As an Akron Borough resident, I want $5 of my annual tax money to be allocated to the Library. A donation of $12,500 from the Borough is not enough, and puts additional burden on the library to raise even more money just to meet minimum standards. Please fund my home library!!
One of the bright spots I've discovered since I retired is the library system. I visit it on a weekly basis and am amazed at the amount of services it provides at a minimal cost.
A well-funded library can be the hub of the community as it provides various educational opportunities and resources for the citizens. The municipality would receive dividends on their investment in the form of a stronger, more connected, community. I encourage our leaders to contribute the minimum requested state standard to enable the Ephrata library to continue to have a large, positive impact on its residents and the surrounding area.
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We need to do better for the Ephrata Public Library. Clay Township supervisors, I encourage you to contribute as close to $5/capita as you can. A lot of Clay Township families heavily use the library. It's a good investment for our community.