Oct 27, 2017 3 min read

Libraries have transformed dramatically over time, from staid repositories for books, encyclopedias and magazines encased in plastic to facilities that offer – in addition to books – WiFi, computers, youth and adult programs and other initiatives that may have widespread public appeal. Adapting to change is as necessary to their existence as receiving adequate funding.

Citizens Library in Washington has been proactive with its upgrades and updates, even adding an Italian heritage collection acknowledging a population that was integral to the city’s development. Its exterior appearance isn’t the only attractive feature about the library.

Now Citizens is initiating another change, one that is largely financial. Its nine-member board in September approved bylaws establishing a new formula that, it hopes, will increase donations to the library from the entities they represent. The panel is made up of one representative from the city of Washington; East Washington Borough; Amwell, Canton, North Franklin and South Strabane townships; the Washington and McGuffey school districts; and Washington County’s Orphans Court.

The Observer-Reporter’s Katie Anderson reported Monday that the board voted 8-0 to require municipalities to pay the library $2 per capita, or a minimum of $5,000, and school districts to pay $5 per student – or lose the respective representative to the board. Towns would have to pay by July and school districts by the end of their fiscal year.

“We never had hard numbers to go on because the number changed every year,” board president David Franz said. “With this new formula, we can figure out what we need to put in our budget for next year.”

To maintain board representation, municipalities previously had to donate 3 percent of their total contributions to the library. However, Franz and Diane Ambrose, director of the library, said funding became uneven after Trinity Area School District decided to no longer donate in 2014 and some municipalities reduced the amounts they would give.

Some towns, under the new system, would have to increase their library outlays tremendously if they want to retain a board seat. Canton, for example, would be committed to donating $16,750 based on a population of 8,375. It gave about $3,500 last year. South Strabane, with 9,346 residents, would have to contribute $18,692 after providing $7,500.

That could mean higher taxes.

Washington, with 13,663 residents, would have to pony up $27,326 – up from $25,000 last year. But Mayor Scott Putnam said the city would pay, telling Anderson, “. . . the library is very important to us, and it’s the least we can do.”

Increasing payments to Citizens, however, may be more of a challenge for officials from the school districts and other municipalities that are represented on the library board. These are not easy times financially for governmental and educational bodies, or for a number of local residents. Some towns, lamentably, may opt to leave the board.

Citizens Library, on the other hand, wants to remain viable. It could use the funds. “The object is not to lower any municipal participation,” Ambrose said. “It’s to make sure that the residents are served to the best of our ability. We see it as a quality-of-life issue for the municipality.”