Commonwealth Libraries Rep Addresses Task Force

Members of the Saucon Valley Library Task Force consolidation committee invited Jim Hollinger, Division Chief of Library Improvement from Pennsylvania’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries, to speak at their Oct. 13 meeting.

“We invited Jim to drop by to give an overview as to what the codes are and how it affects what we’re looking at right now,” task force chair Kim LaBrake explained at the meeting.

Hollinger started off by explaining that the state's library code was enacted in 1961.

"The codes have been around for quite a while and really established the state aid for libraries," he said. "The purpose of state aid is not to supplant, but to enhance funding."

Hollinger also explained some of the potential changes that would need to be made should Lower Saucon decide to switch from being part of the Bethlehem Area Public Library system to Hellertown’s library system.

The already meets many state aid standards, including being open more than the required minimum of 45 hours per week (Hellertown is currently open 47 hours per week), having a certified head librarian, and having a certain number of periodical subscriptions. The only significant change required of HAPL would be a slight staffing increase should Lower Saucon make the switch.

Hollinger also spoke on the issue of funding.

For Hellertown to receive an increase in state aid, Bethlehem Area Public Library would have to agree to release Lower Saucon, otherwise the aid would continue to go to Bethlehem regardless of which library system Lower Saucon Township opts to be a part of. If Lower Saucon chooses to pursue the change without release from Bethlehem, then the state would have to get involved as a mediator.

“State aid should follow (the township), but at this point there is no monetary decrease to Bethlehem (Area Public Library) because of the current way it's calculated,” Hollinger said.

The appeals process would only be for Lower Saucon to separate from the Bethlehem location--not to change funding. Should Lower Saucon make the switch, the primary difference in funding would be at the local tax level, rather than at the state aid level.

Another alternative option brought up by Hollinger was one that seems like a potential compromise between the libraries.

"If indeed there is a tendency of residents to use a different library, I would hope there would be a conversation with Bethlehem to find a way for both of these two (library systems) to continue to serve residents without one of them losing all the funding," he said. "I think there would be a way to split funding per capita. I think that would be worth looking at."

Hollinger concluded by describing his thoughts regarding the unique set of circumstances with which library task force members are faced.

"I just wanted to make an observation that, from what I've read, the interest of the community seems to be very important to the committee looking at this. ‘What services does the community want?’ and ‘How can they get those services?’ are the only questions here," he said.

Lower Saucon Township Manager Jack Cahalan seemed optimistic about the potential compromise brought up by Hollinger.

"I think what you've mentioned tonight has given us a couple of other options to consider--not the committee, but the township," he said. "I think we were thinking 'all or nothing' previously."

Committee member Lynn Koehler, Lower Saucon's representative to BAPL, was from the meeting, however Kathy Weil, Chairman of the Board for Bethlehem’s library, was present as a public attendee.

She expressed hope that the committee would keep lines of communication with the BAPL open.

"No one from the committee showed up at our last (library board) meeting, and if you don't show up you don't have a voice," Weil said. "On Tuesday night (Oct. 11), we had a meeting and as presented. I hope that you'll participate more in our meetings."

The next Saucon Valley Library Task Force meeting will be held Nov. 10 at 5pm at .