Groundbreaking Ceremony Manheim Township Library
April 20, 2009
Susan L. Hauer, Administrator, Library System of Lancaster County
When I look at funding for libraries, I see a glass that is half full rather than half empty. I know that the potential for excellence in library services is a local issue based on the attitude of each community that agrees to support their local public library. Here today, in Manheim Township the glass is overflowing.
In 2005, the countywide referendum for a dedicated millage for library services passed handily in Manheim Township as it did in Lancaster City and Millersville Boro and a few other communities. A larger majority of those voting in a primary election than in other regions of the county realized the value that appropriately funded libraries could bring to the quality of life in a community and they willingly voted to tax themselves for that service.
Decision makers in some communities look at public libraries as nice but not essential. They quote the fact that the Internet, or schools or other institutions satisfy the needs of the taxpayer. Safety, health, education, food and shelter are all essential government services and our society would not be what it is without them. But without libraries, as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin believed in 1776, Democracy would not flourish without empowering and educating the electorate. But just as freedom is hard won and is not free, public library funding needs to be won and libraries are not free.
Recently, the 911 attacks and the mini depression we are currently experiencing demonstrate that public libraries serve as a virtual and real place for the community to gather strength and knowledge to continue to enrich their individual, family and community values and to transform lives and community for the better. Libraries are busier than ever. The demand for library services keeps increasing no matter what the political, social, environmental or economic climate.
In Lancaster County, thanks to the tax support of County Government for the Library System, and in addition to the 60 municipal appropriations from their general fund, as well as private fundraising and donations, LFE or Local Financial Effort has increased countywide considerably in the last year. Last year, in the County, 9 million dollars was expended for library services.. Of that 9 million dollars expended, almost 6.7 million or 75% of the total spent on library services was from local funding.
Of the one year gains in local spending countywide for library services, the top 4 communities supporting a public library are the Milanof- Schock Library at a 27% increase, Adamstown Area Library at 45% increase, Pequea Valley Library and Salisbury Township branch at a 47% increase and the leader in the County is Manheim Township Public Library at a whopping 53% increase of local financial effort for library services in just one year.
Manheim Township’s example is one of the reasons that the glass as half full. Seeing Manheim Township’s overflowing glass encourages all to continue to fight for appropriate funding for public libraries on every level of government. In setting the example for municipal support, a cutting edge library that is appropriately funded translates into better service for the entire county and the pride of a community.
The Library System and our 14 Federated member libraries makes it possible to share and amplify County resources to deliver excellence in centralized services throughout the county for all ½ million residents. Last year alone over 5 million real and virtual visits were made to a public library in the County.
So please vote with me and other library advocates to convince our federal, state, county and municipal elected officials and representatives to continue to support public libraries in each community at the level that all people need.
Making Lancaster County a better place to live, work, learn, and play is a goal which the thousands of library staff and volunteers countywide strive for every day.
Join me in recognizing Manheim Township Public Library’s contribution to that effort.
