Politics & Government

L. Saucon Council to Hear Library Recommendation Wednesday

Do you want Lower Saucon Township to remain part of the Bethlehem Area Public Library system or consolidate library services with the Hellertown Area Library?

According to the Wednesday night meeting agenda posted online, Lower Saucon Township Council will hear a recommendation on the proposed library consolidation that would affect library services for township residents.

The township's library consolidation committee is expected to recommend that a proposal to consolidate library services with Hellertown be voted upon by township council, Hellertown Borough Council and the Hellertown Area Library (HAL) Board of Trustees in the near future.

Lower Saucon Township is currently part of the Bethlehem Area Public Library (BAPL) system, contributing more than $180,000 per year to support services that includes regular Bookmobile visits to some neighborhoods.

However, for the past several years the possibility of consolidation with the Hellertown Area Library has been discussed.

A task force was formed to study the issue, and last year issued a final report that concluded it is possible for the township to consolidate its library services with Hellertown.

Approximately 50 percent of HAL patrons are township residents, according to a finding presented in the report. However, HAL receives no financial support from Lower Saucon Township.

A proposal that would have allowed the township to split its library funds between the BAPL and the HAL was rejected by the BAPL board of trustees earlier this year, after concerns were raised by other member municipalities.

If council votes to consolidate library services with Hellertown Area Library, the change would likely take effect on Jan. 1, 2014 and would mark the first time since 1968 that Lower Saucon Township is not part of the Bethlehem library system.

Wednesday's township council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in Lower Saucon Town Hall, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike.

Photo: Bethlehem Area Public Library (file photo)


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