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Council weighs conditional support as Paul Smith Library faces possible cuts from York County
Summary
New Freedom Borough council and residents discussed whether to continue annual donations to Paul Smith Library while York County Library System considers changes that could reduce branch hours and oversight.
New Freedom Borough councilors and residents discussed possible changes to Paul Smith Library’s relationship with the York County Library System and whether the borough should continue annual donations.
Supporters said Paul Smith provides substantial service to New Freedom residents and that losing member status could mean lost county funding and services. Council members said they will not finalize any additional payments until the library’s membership and hours are resolved with York County Library System.
The discussion grew from a letter the council received reporting that the county system plans to reduce hours at some member libraries and that the county’s budget showed large increases in professional services in 2022–23. Council members and residents said the county’s operating deficits and the library system’s decision-making timeline prompted urgency. One council speaker said Paul Smith currently receives roughly $80,000 annually from the county system and that becoming a branch would forfeit county funding and shared services such as the catalog and interlibrary loans.
Speakers urged the borough to coordinate with neighboring municipalities; a council member recommended discussing a joint municipal donation and asked staff to add a library funding item to next month’s agenda so the council can set a proposed 2026 donation amount with two caveats: that Paul Smith retain its membership status and not reduce operating hours.
Councilors and residents described options the library board might consider, including retaining volunteer governance and negotiating with the county commissioners. The council’s manager said municipal funds already covered some parade and recreation expenses in the past and that any future donation would be discussed formally before being disbursed.
The council did not vote on funding at the meeting; members directed staff to place the topic on the next meeting agenda and to attempt to confirm whether municipal representatives will be allowed to attend the February 13 York County Library meeting referenced by the library board.
Ending: The council left the funding question open pending the county-library meeting and a follow-up agenda item next month that will include proposed donation amounts and conditions for disbursement.
