Kathleen Lynch, director of the Bangor Public Library, told the Northampton County Economic Development Committee on Oct. 2 that the small, historic library serves the Bangor Area School District and the greater Slate Belt and is expanding resource sharing while operating on a narrow budget.

Lynch said the library, founded in 1921 and now housed in a building dating to about 1890, reports service to roughly 22,000 people based on the 2010 census figure used in state funding formulas. "We were founded in 1921 by the Bangers Women's Club," Lynch said.

The library relies heavily on volunteers to run programs and keep operating. Lynch said the library participates in interlibrary loan through PA Access and, since about two years ago, has begun resource sharing with Monroe County and Lehigh Valley/Carbon libraries, increasing the pool of available items to about 1.4 million. The library also offers public computer and internet access, faxing, microfilm digitization and a range of programs: weekly story time, summer reading, adult book clubs, chair yoga and occasional author visits. Lynch said a $9,000 grant from the Mary Post Foundation funded a new microfilm machine that allows on-site digitization.

Lynch described the library's programming as largely volunteer-run and said the institution depends on the Friends of the Bangor Public Library for fundraising support and for underwriting projects that don't fit the operating budget. "Our programming budget is very tight, so volunteers do it," Lynch said. She noted the library is working to close a roughly $28,000 deficit and that most staff, including the director, are part time.

Lynch invited committee members to the library's annual Farm Jubilee fundraiser, which she said is scheduled for June 11 in Upper Mount Bethel and typically carries a small admission fee; the event raises funds and brings families into the library's orbit.

The library's expanded resource-sharing relationships and digital services effectively increase patrons' access to materials and to services the local building cannot house. Lynch said that access is particularly valuable for seniors and for patrons who need printing or help with online forms. "Audiobooks, ebooks, digital magazines, we use Libby," she said.

The presentation made clear the library's immediate needs: modest capital for accessibility and programming, and operating funds to reduce reliance on unpaid labor. Committee members asked about the interlibrary loan and resource-sharing systems; Lynch said PA Access and the district-run Easton interlibrary systems remain key conduits.

The committee thanked Lynch for the presentation and for the library's community role.

The Bangor Public Library presentation occurred during the committee's regular agenda; no formal county action or vote was taken during the presentation.