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Eastn Area Public Library asks Easton Area SD to approve 2026–27 budget and modest millage increase
Summary
Library director Jennifer Long presented a $3.11 million library operating budget and asked the district to collect $2.348 million via the special library tax and raise the library millage from 1.12 to 1.30 mills (average property owner effect approx. $8.34).
Jennifer Long, director of the Eastn Area Public Library, presented the library’s 2026–27 operating budget to the school board on May 12 and asked the district to collect $2,347,745 for the library from the special library tax it administers.
Long said the library’s total operating budget request is $3,110,679 and that the library is also asking the board to approve an increase in the library millage from 1.12 mills (unchanged for six years) to 1.30 mills. She said the change would cost the average property owner about $8.34 per year.
Long described services supported by the tax revenue: free daily delivery with partner libraries across Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton counties (providing patrons access to roughly 1.4 million items), more than 200,000 annual circulations last year, 15,000 card holders, 90 mobile Wi‑Fi hotspots, and 20 museum passes that circulate to residents. She noted state recognition (PA Forward gold star), a $10,000 Carnegie grant as part of the nation’s 250th celebration, and the library’s role as a district taxing municipality.
Board members asked routine follow‑ups about staffing and volunteers; Long said the library employs 17 full‑time and 31 part‑time staff and works with roughly two dozen regular volunteers through the Friends of the Library. The library’s budget and the millage request will appear on the district’s May 26 voting agenda for formal consideration.
