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Pottstown library cites passport-service loss risk, launches $150,000 endowment campaign
Summary
Joseph Vasoli, treasurer of the Pottstown Regional Public Library, told Lower Pottsgrove commissioners the library posted its first budget surplus in years, has launched a $150,000 endowment drive and warned that state changes may end local passport services in 2026, a revenue source he said accounts for roughly 18–20% of the library’s budget.
Joseph Vasoli, treasurer of the Pottstown Regional Public Library, told the Lower Pottsgrove Township Board of Commissioners on Dec. 1 that the library is working to stabilize finances after several difficult years.
Vasoli said the library suffered a flood in the children’s basement in October 2024 and lacked funds to repair the damage at the time. With fundraising, help from Representative Joe Ciresi and individual donors — including contributions from Lower Pottsgrove residents — the library finished 2025 with what Vasoli described as its first budget surplus in at least four years. He announced a capital campaign to establish an endowment with a $150,000 goal to support longer-term stability.
The library treasurer also warned that the State Department recently informed several Montgomery County libraries, including Pottstown, that they may soon be unable to offer passport services. Vasoli said passport revenue represents about 18–20% of the library’s budget; he and township officials said the library expects to pass a balanced budget for 2026 but will need to make “unfortunate but necessary sacrifices” if passport revenue ends.
Why it matters: Passport processing has been an important local revenue stream and a public convenience. Losing that service would both reduce library income and require residents who use passport services to travel elsewhere.
What the board heard: Vasoli thanked Lower Pottsgrove for meeting — and in his words, ‘‘exceeding’’ — its financial commitments to the library. He apologized for not communicating earlier about the library’s situation and said staff will work to improve outreach.
Next steps: The library will continue its capital campaign and monitor the state decision on passport services. The board did not take any formal action on library funding during the Dec. 1 meeting, and Vasoli answered no questions from commissioners during the presentation.
