Delanco library board urges delay in shared‑services vote, citing lack of consultation and concerns over morning hours

The Delanco Public Library board asked the Township Committee on June 29 to delay a planned vote on a shared‑services agreement and related schedule changes so library leaders can meet with township and school officials to try to find alternatives to cutting morning hours.

Christine Holland, president of the Delanco Public Library Board, told the committee the library has not been given the clean agreement document that the school board moved forward and said the library — though not a named party to the contract — is the entity most affected. She asked the committee to postpone a July vote until August to allow “an open, productive conversation” and to avoid decisions made without full input from the library.

The main sticking point is the library’s morning hours. Committee members and staff said county and state education officials raised school‑security concerns about public access to library facilities that share school property; as a compromise the school and committee put forward a proposal to open the library at 1 p.m. on weekdays. Committee member Scott warned that continued delay or opposition could prompt the state department of education to impose a later opening (he cited 3–3:30 p.m. as a possible outcome).

Residents and library supporters pressed for alternatives that would preserve morning services — barrier doors, an on‑site attendant or resource officer, or relocation to another facility — and argued morning programs serve seniors, caregivers and young children. School security officials and the county recommended measures that would limit public presence on school property during times when children are outside for recess and transition periods.

Committee members agreed to a meeting between the library leadership and the township subcommittee that has been handling the shared‑services discussions; they also agreed to seek formal, written guidance from the school district and the state if the library board requests it. No formal action was taken June 29 and the committee indicated it could postpone votes pending additional meetings and documentation.

The library’s proposed new hours presented at the meeting were Monday–Friday 1 p.m.–8 p.m., with Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Wednesday to be opened (current Wednesday closed). Supporters said shifting hours would force the loss of morning programs for families and seniors; officials emphasized the issue is one of school‑property security rather than library desirability.

The committee invited library board leaders to schedule a meeting with the designated subcommittee members and to provide any additional material that could inform a balanced decision before the next governing‑body vote.