The Friends of the Northampton Area Public Library are deeply concerned that the School District Board is considering cutting the library's budget. Since 1966, the school district has been the fiscal sponsor of our library, while the Friends is the charitable fundraising partner. The calls to cut the library are coming from new board members. These cuts would be drastic and would immediately curtail key services. Over the next three to five years, the library may be forced to close. The Friends are inviting organizations, businesses, stakeholder groups, and other non-profits to add their name to a joint letter to the school board asking them to stop consideration of these unnecessary and harmful budget cuts. Please send us your organizational information using the form on this page by April 7 and we will present the letter to the school board at their April 8, 2024 meeting. 

To the Northampton School Board

April 8, 2024

We, the undersigned, join the Friends of the Northampton Area Public Library in expressing our profound concern and opposition to the proposed 81% budget cuts by the Northampton Area School District Board.

As stewards of our community's well-being, education, and development, we collectively recognize the invaluable role that the Northampton Area Public Library plays in our lives and the lives of our families, neighbors, and colleagues. For nearly sixty years, this institution has not only provided access to a vast wealth of knowledge and resources but has also fostered a sense of community and connection among the residents of Northampton.

The proposed budget cuts threaten to dismantle this cornerstone of our community, undermining the library's ability to offer crucial services such as:

- Early literacy and reading programs that prepare our youngest members for a successful educational journey.
- Summer reading initiatives designed to maintain reading levels and combat the educational backslide known as the "Summer Slide."
- Access to technology and the internet for families and individuals who would otherwise go without, bridging the digital divide.
- Support for seniors and homebound residents through outreach services that connect them with literature, information, and the broader community.
- A safe and welcoming space for after-school activities, adult education, and community gatherings.

The ripple effects of these cuts will be felt across all sectors of our society, from education to local businesses, and will mark a significant step backward in our collective mission to foster a well-informed, educated, and connected community.

In light of these considerations, we urge the Northampton Area School District to reconsider the proposed budget cuts to the Northampton Area Public Library. We believe in a collaborative approach to problem-solving that does not sacrifice essential community resources. We stand ready to engage in meaningful dialogue to explore alternative solutions that will support the fiscal needs of the school district without compromising the library's capacity to serve the public.

By signing this letter, we pledge our support to the Friends of the Northampton Area Public Library and commit to advocating for the preservation of the library's funding. Together, we affirm the importance of the library as a pillar of our community's strength, growth, and resilience.

We hope our collective voice underscores the broad impact of the proposed cuts and the widespread desire among Northampton residents and organizations to maintain a fully funded and functional public library.

**Sincerely,**

[The name of your local organizations, stakeholder group, or business will be included.]

Thank you for joining this effort to highlight the widespread support for the library and the collective commitment to preventing the proposed budget cuts.

Please contact Tabitha Lewis, Secretary, Friends of Northhampton Area Public Library, at [email protected] with questions or concerns.