Southern Lehigh library funding is in jeopardy

As president of the Southern Lehigh Public Library board of directors, I want to make our residents and patrons aware of a possible funding and service issue. We are funded by Lower Milford Township, Upper Saucon Township, Coopersburg and the Southern Lehigh School District.

Lower Milford supervisors have indicated they may withhold funding for the Southern Lehigh Public Library for next year.

Aloss of funding would result in reduction of library services, hours of operation, materials for the collection, and staffing, which will negatively affect all patrons and the community. During these uncertain times, the library provides critical support for families and individuals struggling with virtual or hybrid learning, job loss, lack of internet service, rapidly changing technology and isolation during the pandemic.

The library offers tech support, electronic books and reference materials, virtual programming, public computers, books that supplement school curricula and well-trained librarians.

We are asking residents of our funding municipalities and the school district to support continued library funding and make your feelings known to the Lower Milford Township board of supervisors.

Bruce P. Eames

The writer is president of the Southern Lehigh Public Library Board of Directors.