SEND AN EMAIL: Save Northampton Area Public Library - Stop the Budget Cuts
Since March 1966, the Northampton Area School District (PA) has been the financial sponsor and supporter of the Northampton Area Public Library. For almost 60 years, this arrangement has benefitted generations of Northampton school district residents and families. In fact, the NHS class of 1966 is now old enough to be grandparents of kids learning to read during story time at the public library. However, after 58 years, several new members of the school board have been questioning why the school should continue to participate in the library and partner with our families. They have proposed an 81% cut in the library budget.
We are very concerned that these new school board members don’t understand the powerful partnership between the school district and the public library. The Northampton Area Public Library serves families and their children during pre-K school readiness and during before school, afterschool, and out of school time. An 81% cut to the library budget would end pre-K Story Times that teach kids how to read so they can read to learn. Summer reading programs are proven to hold kids at their reading grade level. The Summer Slide - especially for COVID-impacted students - is already hard on the schools every fall. It will only be worse if these new school board members succeed in eliminating summer reading at the library. Home school and cyber school families will lose educational resources and their gathering space.
The Northampton Library services extend beyond the K-12 partnerships. An 81% cut by the new school board members would negatively impact senior services dramatically. Homebound book drops and visits to senior centers would likely end. The library will stop lending Wi-Fi Hot Spots to homes and businesses. Computer access, faxing, resume review, and adult English classes are all under threat. With an 81% cut, the library cannot afford the upkeep, and the 50-year-old building will deteriorate. If the library is forced to cut hours, there will be a lot more people - especially kids after school - without a safe place to go.
Every part of the Northampton area would suffer significant loss. Right away, the library will be limited to 35 hours a week. Staff will be reduced from 14 down to 6. Within three years, there will be cuts to services in the Borough of Bath, Moore Township, & Lehigh Township due to lack of funding. It is not alarmist to say that within five years, the Northampton Area Public Library could cease operation, close its doors to the public, and devolve all its assets to other non-profits as required by law.
Since 1966, the library has never broken faith with the original five covenants agreed to with the school district. The library budget has been prepared and delivered in an open and transparent manner, and the school has been involved in library governance. The Friends of the Library have raised money to supplement that budget and expand the library’s impact. The library has always served everyone in each of the towns and boroughs that make up NASD. The library is well-used and well-liked. If these budget cuts were motivated by a legitimate need to fix the library, that would be one thing. However, without a substantive problem between the school district and the library, which would be a noticeable problem in the community, the motivation to cut the library budget appears to be suspect.
Mandating these drastic cuts to the library will violate a multi-generational compact that isn’t broken. In the end, if the library budget is cut so dramatically, it will be impossible for the library to do the basics and have a book collection that people want to read. If this is troubling to you - either as a library patron or as someone who wants to see our community thrive and not backslide - please take an important step and let the full school board know that these cuts are unwelcome and unwise.
You Can Help
- Speak Out: Send an email using the form on this page to the school board before the April 8, 2024, meeting. Express your concerns about the budget cuts and their impact on our community.
- Spread the Word: Share this message with neighbors, family, and friends. Use social media, community forums, and personal conversations to raise awareness.
- Show Up: Attend the school board meeting on April 8 to voice your support for the library in person. Your presence can make a powerful statement.
Besides the new school board members, no one in Northampton is asking for these cuts. Our library is more than just a building; it is a cornerstone of our community's identity, growth, and well-being. Please stand together with the Northampton Area Public Library Friends organization and EveryLibrary to ensure that this invaluable resource remains strong and vibrant for generations to come.
SEND AN EMAIL: Save Northampton Area Public Library - Stop the Budget Cuts
Since March 1966, the Northampton Area School District (PA) has been the financial sponsor and supporter of the Northampton Area Public Library. For almost 60 years, this arrangement has benefitted generations of Northampton school district residents and families. In fact, the NHS class of 1966 is now old enough to be grandparents of kids learning to read during story time at the public library. However, after 58 years, several new members of the school board have been questioning why the school should continue to participate in the library and partner with our families. They have proposed an 81% cut in the library budget.
We are very concerned that these new school board members don’t understand the powerful partnership between the school district and the public library. The Northampton Area Public Library serves families and their children during pre-K school readiness and during before school, afterschool, and out of school time. An 81% cut to the library budget would end pre-K Story Times that teach kids how to read so they can read to learn. Summer reading programs are proven to hold kids at their reading grade level. The Summer Slide - especially for COVID-impacted students - is already hard on the schools every fall. It will only be worse if these new school board members succeed in eliminating summer reading at the library. Home school and cyber school families will lose educational resources and their gathering space.
The Northampton Library services extend beyond the K-12 partnerships. An 81% cut by the new school board members would negatively impact senior services dramatically. Homebound book drops and visits to senior centers would likely end. The library will stop lending Wi-Fi Hot Spots to homes and businesses. Computer access, faxing, resume review, and adult English classes are all under threat. With an 81% cut, the library cannot afford the upkeep, and the 50-year-old building will deteriorate. If the library is forced to cut hours, there will be a lot more people - especially kids after school - without a safe place to go.
Every part of the Northampton area would suffer significant loss. Right away, the library will be limited to 35 hours a week. Staff will be reduced from 14 down to 6. Within three years, there will be cuts to services in the Borough of Bath, Moore Township, & Lehigh Township due to lack of funding. It is not alarmist to say that within five years, the Northampton Area Public Library could cease operation, close its doors to the public, and devolve all its assets to other non-profits as required by law.
Since 1966, the library has never broken faith with the original five covenants agreed to with the school district. The library budget has been prepared and delivered in an open and transparent manner, and the school has been involved in library governance. The Friends of the Library have raised money to supplement that budget and expand the library’s impact. The library has always served everyone in each of the towns and boroughs that make up NASD. The library is well-used and well-liked. If these budget cuts were motivated by a legitimate need to fix the library, that would be one thing. However, without a substantive problem between the school district and the library, which would be a noticeable problem in the community, the motivation to cut the library budget appears to be suspect.
Mandating these drastic cuts to the library will violate a multi-generational compact that isn’t broken. In the end, if the library budget is cut so dramatically, it will be impossible for the library to do the basics and have a book collection that people want to read. If this is troubling to you - either as a library patron or as someone who wants to see our community thrive and not backslide - please take an important step and let the full school board know that these cuts are unwelcome and unwise.
You Can Help
- Speak Out: Send an email using the form on this page to the school board before the April 8, 2024, meeting. Express your concerns about the budget cuts and their impact on our community.
- Spread the Word: Share this message with neighbors, family, and friends. Use social media, community forums, and personal conversations to raise awareness.
- Show Up: Attend the school board meeting on April 8 to voice your support for the library in person. Your presence can make a powerful statement.
Besides the new school board members, no one in Northampton is asking for these cuts. Our library is more than just a building; it is a cornerstone of our community's identity, growth, and well-being. Please stand together with the Northampton Area Public Library Friends organization and EveryLibrary to ensure that this invaluable resource remains strong and vibrant for generations to come.