Library Funding Response

Last week I contacted Jeff Corpora who was recently reappointed to serve on the Library Board for Nazareth Borough Council and he in turn forwarded my note to Tara Capecci, who is serving as President in 2007. Thanks to both for replying and providing some additional information in regard to the funding issue as it relates to non-participating municipalities. Below is a summary of their remarks.

• Library, not school disticts determine which library is for which municipality. Tatamy is assigned to Easton. The only way Tatamy can apply to another is if it borders a municipality participating in that district and it receives approval from Easton to pay Nazareth. Therefore, Stockertown must be a member in order for Tatamy to be one. Stockertown has opted not to participate.
• Twice within the past five to seven years offers have been made to Tatamy and Stockertown to join and both times the two boroughs have declined.
• The next meeting of the Library Board is Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

In my email I also made the following suggestion to help these municipalities "ease" into the funding amount required:

What if the library offered for those non-participating municipalities the opportunity to pay (for instance) 50% of the funding formula amount and then their
residents would be eligible to purchase a card. Each year thereafter the municipality would be required to play an additional 5% until they reached 100% at which point in time the residents wouldn't pay a fee.

If the the municipality stopped payment in a given year the offer would be null and void and we'd be back to where we are now.

I support the library's position on this (and it appears its more of a procedural issue based on state regulations than it is an active 'decision' by the Board), but also would like to see these municipalities come into the fold. It would benefit the library as well as the residents.

I also support their position not to sell a card to individuals whose municipalities don't participate. It is unfair to the rest of the taxpayers who support the library, and it is not the place of the NASD to pay for library services - our tax dollars are already supporting the library, this would be a "double" payment (not to mention they really aren't in a position to spend more right now).

What do you think? Would an offer of this type be an incentive for Stockertown and Tatamy to join? Should there be an incentive?