Spring Township Library and West Lawn-Wyomissing Hills Library, as part of Library Legislative Day, are asking you to support flat funding for the Public Library Subsidy to allow libraries to keep doing the amazing work we do. We have continued to serve throughout the COVID-19 closures and need your support to be part of the recovery process.
We are asking you to call your representatives in support of full funding for public libraries based on last year’s budget. We have received 5/12, and need the remaining budgeted amount for the year. The pandemic has forced us to cancel many fundraisers such as our annual pig roast, ice cream sales, and book sales. In addition as a service to our community, library fines and fees were temporarily waived.
A major loss in funding for 2021 includes the arbitrary reduction of approximately $23,000.00 funding imposed by the Berks County Public Library Board. This reduction is unrelated to Covid-19 and singularly affects the West Lawn-Wyomissing Hills Library. No other library in the county has a reduction of this magnitude. Libraries can do amazing things but have real needs. Libraries have been left behind for so long that many have used up any reserves.
While our library buildings were closed, we continue to serve through virtual programming, reference and referral, extended wifi, eCard and eResources. Libraries will be key in the recovery process – workforce development, broadband/internet, school age student assistance, early literacy, lifelong learning, STEM education, Power Library and more. Community members are now more than ever before reliant on technology and the internet for communication, commerce including groceries and medicines, and banking needs. Libraries are uniquely qualified to assist and train our community on the use and navigation of these devices and sites. Parents are utilizing library resources in the education of their children during the pandemic.
Within the Department of Education, schools have already received full funding, but public libraries have only been promised 5/12th funding. Schools are asking for partnerships with public libraries in order to supplement the electronic resources available to their students. Libraries need funding in order to maintain and supplement the resources available to all community members.
Please contact your representatives. Support full funding for your public library. Follow this link to find out the name and contact information of your representative.
Thank you,
Barb Kline
Director
Spring Township Library
West Lawn-Wyomissing Hills Library
