Easton Area Public Library director discusses funding and community impact

The Economic Development Committee meeting held on May 1, 2025, in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, focused on the vital role of public libraries in the community, particularly highlighting the Easton Area Public Library's history and current operations.

The meeting began with a presentation by the library director, who shared her extensive background in library services, including her 36 years at the Easton Area Public Library and her 20 years as director. She emphasized the library's significance to the Easton community, noting that library services in Pennsylvania are not state-mandated, leading to varied funding sources across the state.

The director detailed the library's founding in 1811 and its evolution over the years, including its partnership with the Easton Area School District, which began in the late 1890s. This partnership was formalized through a special library tax approved by the school board, allowing the library to serve the educational needs of the community effectively.

The library's current funding structure was explained, highlighting that public libraries in Pennsylvania cannot collect taxes directly. Instead, the Easton Area School District collects taxes on behalf of the library, which benefits both entities by streamlining funding and service delivery to approximately 70,000 residents within the district's footprint.

The director also discussed the library's role as a district center for regional libraries since 1968, providing support and resources to smaller libraries in the area. The Easton Area Public Library's annual budget is currently $2.5 million, with a staff of 50 employees and a branch located in Palmer Township.

In addition to local services, the library participates in the Access Pennsylvania program, allowing cardholders to utilize services at other state-aided public libraries. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the library's collaborative efforts with neighboring libraries in the Lehigh Valley, enhancing resource sharing and community engagement.

Overall, the meeting underscored the library's historical significance and its ongoing commitment to serving the educational and informational needs of the Northampton County community.