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June 23, 2010

Fundraising, surprise donation from township helping keep Pennsville Public Library open

June 22, 2010
nj.com
PENNSVILLE TWP. — The past week has shown the Pennsville Public Library some temporary relief in its struggle to stay open.

On Thursday came $40,000 in funding and on Friday it was $5,000.

It’s two steps in the right direction since Pennsville Township Committee announced its was considering cutting funding to the library by 100 percent.

Since then, library officials have been frenzied with trying to regain operating funds if the committee decided to cut their annual funding.

And since then, library officials have been anticipating how much they’d be cut by the township — and with the 100 percent cut a looming possibility, they prepared for the worst.

“The Friends of Pennsville Public Library is a group that has always supported and fundraised for the library,” said Pennsville Public Library Director Nancy Whitesell. “But since the news, they’ve managed to raise $5,000 for us.”

That $5,000, said Whitesell, will mean the difference between having to close doors in this month and being able to operate at least through August.

Whitesell said operating costs alone — including utilities, salaries, and electric, among other expenses — carry a price tag of $14,000 per month.

But technically, Pennsville Mayor Barnhart said the township committee isn’t responsible for the library’s operation.

“The library is a separate entity from the township,” said Barnhart. “And we are not required to provide them with annual funding. Our funding has always been a donation.”

But Anne Buechler, treasurer and former president of the Friends group, said those yearly donations are what the library depended on. Last year, the library received approximately $125,000 from the township.

“I’ve been a ‘Friend’ for 20 years, and I’m one of the only original members left,” said Buechler of the group’s creation in 1991. “I couldn’t believe the funding could just go away so we raised all the money we could to keep our library here.”

The same reactions could be found from Board of Trustee Member Bob Seagraves, also a Friends member.

“The Friends have always given money, but a strong need is there now,” said Seagraves.

And that’s exactly what drove them to collect $5,000.

The Friends took their staple fundraisers like flea markets and book sales, a quilt raffle, Book Lover’s Tea, a hoagie Sub Sale, and Christmas Bazaar and added more.

Though some are currently being planned, new fundraisers, including raffling-off bus fare and tickets to see Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas show.

And the $5,000 is only part the efforts. Pennsville Public Library Board of Trustees President Chris Hooks said since May’s news, the Friends and other individuals and groups raised about $16,000.

“We just want to thank everyone whose contributed,” said Hooks.

“And this check from the Friends — well, they are truly our staunchest supporter, and we wouldn’t have made it without them.”
Other ways the library will stay alive? Hooks said in about two weeks, a township appeal letter will be sent to every household and business in Pennsville, requesting donations.

And the library will hold a Luau at the Riverview Inn July 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and proceeds will help save the library.

On Aug. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., Basket Bingo will be held for individuals aged 18 and older. Those who win bingo also win treats from winners’ baskets. Presale tickets will be $20 and same-day tickets $25. Contact the library for more details.

Mary Jane Cruice, who was elected president of the Friends group directly following the news of a possible 100 percent cut, said she was initially in shock.

“It happened right after I was elected, and I thought, that’s a big responsibility, but it’s one I’m willing to take-on,” said Cruice.

And while the new fundraising tactics may take more responsibility, hard work is paying off, and an unexpected reward showed up at Thursday night’s township committee meeting.

Mayor Richard Barnhart said after the township received state aid cuts, it filed a waiver with the state requesting $1.3 million.

And although Barnhart has said that Pennsville’s public safety operations have been the number one priority since making cuts, he said there could be money for the library. But only after the township’s public safety was fully-funded.

“We gave the library $125,000 last year, and this year we reduced it to $90,000,” said Barnhart of allotting library money.

But the $90,000 determination was made before state aid cuts.

“Then, after we were cut, we contemplated not giving them anything,” he said.”

But once the state approved Pennsville’s waiver request, the committee reconsidered.

“So then we upped it to $40,000,” he said of 2010 library funding. “I don’t know when the money’s coming, but the $40,000 is a line item in our budget, designated for Pennsville Public Library.”

Posted by tumulty at June 23, 2010 7:00 AM

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