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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Library Board sends appeal for donations



Dear Fellow Leonian,

We need your help. Now more than ever.

As I am sure you know, we are facing a significant reduction in our budget. The Mayor and Council are proposing a $103,000 cut from last year’s appropriation which, given the mandated increases (healthcare, BCCLS fee, etc.), is in reality an approximately $125,000 cut.

This means cutting staff, and therefore services, as well as purchases of books, CDs and DVDs.

The Board of Trustees has heard our fellow citizens speak in glowing terms about our library. You have praised our new director and the programs he has brought to the library. You refer to the library as being the heart and soul of the community. We are uplifted by your words while also saddened by the cuts. We want to find a way to lessen the impact on the services you have come to expect. For that we need your personal generosity.

Will YOU help us?

We are challenging you to dig deep and give. We are looking for the following:
10 donors of $1000 or more 10 donors of $750 - 999 15 donors of $500 - 749
50 donors of $250 - 499 100 donors of $100 – 249 250 donors under 100

This is the I Love Leonia Library campaign. We know that we cannot expect this level of giving every year but we are looking for something extra this year.

100% of the money raised in this campaign will fund items that otherwise would be cut. Our goal is to raise $100,000 and ask the Mayor and Council to find $.25 for every $1.00 contributed ($25,000 on our target). The Library Board controls funds from donations, fines, etc. We will contribute money from that fund (previously earmarked for technology upgrades) to supplement what we need up to $40,000. This would be a true public-private partnership with the borough, its citizens and the Library Board. Together we can keep your library functioning at the level you want.

We have made every effort to reduce costs and will continue discussions with the Mayor and the Borough Council to try to reinstate whatever we can in next year’s budget. We are optimistic in the Mayor’s efforts to increase borough revenue.

But we need you now. In honor of these special gifts, any donations of $100 or over will be placed on a commemorative plaque in the library. All donations will be recognized, as every dollar is important.

We thank you.

Sincerely,


Elizabeth A. Carillo
President, Board of Trustees

P.S. Please make your check payable to Leonia Public Library and mail it in the enclosed envelope. Or click here to Donate Online.  Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Elizabeth Carillo, President; Arnold Trachtenberg, Treasurer; Phyllis Dain, Secretary; John Kendrick, Susan Boyd, Brad Wilds, Mary Heveran; Judah Zeigler, Mayor; H. Philip Zeigler, Mayor’s Alternate; Joanne Megargee, Superintendent of Schools; Julie Diemer, Superintendent’s Alternate; Bernadette Flaim, Council Liaison
Matthew Latham, Library Director

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Leonia Library - reductions caused by budget cut

LEONIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NEW LIBRARY SERVICE POLICIES

Due to budget reductions in the library's 2016 municipal budget ($103,000 less than in 2015), the Board of Trustees has authorized the following changes in service.  Working closely with Library Director Matthew Latham, we have done our best to minimize the impact on quality of service while adjusting to fiscal realities.

     As of July 1, 2016, the library will close evenings at 8pm rather than 9pm.
     The library will be closed Saturdays in July as well as, in the past, in August.
     As of September 3, 2016, Saturday opening will be 10am - 2pm. The library will remain closed on Sundays.
     The Local History Room will not have public opening hours as of July 1, 2016.   Requests for access will be by appointment.
     There will be only one public service point for public assistance on the library's main (upper) level as of July 1, 2016.
     Library events and programs will also see reductions.

These new policies result from the necessity to eliminate staff, since labor costs represent the highest portion of a budget and the library cannot run as before without staff to do so. The library will lose one full-time staff member (reducing full-time staff from six to five); our part-time archivist; and more than 60% of part-time worker hours. The library has also reduced every operating expense, including books and AVs, to a minimum and is using non-municipal funds to supplement operating expenses wherever possible. Unfortunately, these non-municipal funds cannot be used for salaries.

Given new funding levels, the board believes that these changes reflect the best possible adaptation.  Sundays are the slowest usage day, incur the highest labor cost due to higher Sunday rates, and are the most difficult to staff. The slowest hour of weekday usage is between 8pm and 9pm.  The Local History Room is of great value to the community and the collection will remain.  But since usage is low, access must now be by appointment only.  And library programs will necessarily be curtailed: remaining staff members will need to spend more time covering other essential tasks and have less time to plan, create, promote, and host programs.

The library board and staff will work to provide the highest level of service possible to the community.  We will work to continue to offer innovative and diverse services.  We will restore whatever we can with additional funding and/or donations.  We deeply appreciate the support and care the Leonia community has provided the library.

Please feel free to address questions to the board in care of latham@leonia.bccls.org.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Support the Library at the Book Sale - sponsored by the Friends of the Leonia Library!


Leonia Lions Club Fundraiser cancelled

​Dear Leonia Reads,

We wanted to let you know that the Lions Club benefit trip has been cancelled. They were not able to get enough subscribers to the event. HOWEVER, we also wanted to let you know that they are giving a generous contribution to our beloved Leonia Library regardless, and we urge you to do the same this season.

Thanks for all that you do,
Leonia Reads

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Leonia Lions Club Fundraiser for the Library



Fundraiser for the Leonia Library

The Leonia Lions Club is sponsoring a bus trip
benefiting the Leonia Library
to the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA.

  • Saturday, June 11, Departure 9 AM, return 5 PM from / to the Recreation Center on Broad Avenue
  • Price $45, includes $20 slot free play and $5 meal voucher
  • Net proceeds will be donated to the Leonia Library
  • Must be 21 or older (ID required for bus)
  • Contact: Mike Minetti (201-370-2061 or mvmfilmman@gmail.com


The-sands-resort-and-casino-553992