New Freedom Council OKs $1,000 while members press county over library branch notice

New Freedom Borough Council voted Aug. 2025 to release a $1,000 allocation to the Paul Smith Library while members and residents continued pressing York County and library-system representatives about a notice that could force local libraries to become branches or go independent.

The $1,000 payment — described in council materials as the August 2025 allocation to the Paul Smith Library — was authorized by motion during the meeting and carried after a voice vote.

The action came after extended public comment and discussion about a notice from the York County Library System (YCLS) that gives Paul Smith and Mason Dixon until Dec. 31 to either become branch libraries of YCLS or operate independently. Residents, library-board members and town officials warned that becoming a branch would reduce local control and slice hours. Carl, identified at the meeting as the chairman of the library board, and a resident who spoke as John, said branch status would cut Paul Smith’s weekly hours from 51 to 31.

John, a longtime library volunteer, told the council, "If Paul Smith and Mason Dixon become branches, the local control of what happens at the library disappears completely." He and other speakers urged the borough to press county commissioners for meetings and to keep local services intact.

Council members said they had asked Buck Buchanan, who has acted as a liaison among Mason Dixon Library, Paul Smith Library and the municipalities, to request an informational meeting with county commissioners. Council reported Buchanan had contacted commissioners seeking a meeting; the response so far was that the commissioners would hold an informational meeting only.

Robert Lambert, identified in meeting remarks as a YCLS representative, told council staff that to qualify as branch libraries YCLS would likely require a roughly 50% increase in municipal support funding for the branches. Council members and residents said that prospect — coupled with YCLS statements that local fundraising would be expected to help offset costs — raised concerns that locally raised funds would be pooled at county level rather than remaining in the local libraries.

Councilor discussion focused on two immediate steps: (1) authorizing the $1,000 allocation for August, which the council approved, and (2) seeking an informational meeting with county commissioners and YCLS representatives to press for clarity on funding, governance, and how locally raised funds would be used.

Council members and residents said they plan public outreach and possibly a campaign to try to preserve local control and ensure library services and hours remain locally accountable. Several speakers asked whether the school districts would be approached for support; council members said neither Paul Smith nor Mason Dixon had formally approached school boards so far, though they expected to do so.

The council did not take any formal vote to change Paul Smith’s relationship with YCLS beyond authorizing the monthly allocation. Officials emphasized the notice from YCLS does not take effect until the end of the year, giving the borough time to request further meetings and gather information.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting included that the written notice originally looked like a 45-day requirement but staff clarified it effectively extends to Dec. 31; and that YCLS’s stated condition for branch status would include a substantial increase in municipal funding requirements.

Council asked staff to distribute the YCLS notice and library-board materials to council members, pursue the informational meeting with county officials, and report back at the next council meeting. Residents said they would push for media attention and public engagement.

Outcome: Council authorized release of the August 2025 allocation of $1,000 to Paul Smith Library; broader questions about branch status, municipal funding levels and local control remain unresolved and under further review.