MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) -
Middletown's Borough Council voted 7-1 Monday night to restructure funding for the public library in an effort to help balance its $3 million deficit.
Dozens of concerned residents, including young children, showed up at the meeting to voice their opposition to the ordinance, which passed last month but was then vetoed by the mayor. Monday's vote overrode the veto.
The move means Middletown's library will become an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit, effective December 31. The restructure will save the borough $250,000 a year, plus an additional $100,000 in "in-kind" labor and services, according to borough officials.
Residents said they are disappointed by the vote, but will continue working to save the library.
"We've established a committee to work with the new library board," mother Kasey Sharp said. "We're also going to create a Facebook page and website to accept donations."
Borough spokesman Chris Courogen told abc27 News that the council has no plans to close the library, and the ordinance still allows them to make donations when needed.
After the vote, Council passed a separate resolution allotting $75,000 for capital improvements to the library building.
Courogen said the library has enough money in its reserve fund to remain "fully operational" through 2013.
Middletown is one of the only municipalities that is not part of the Dauphin County Library System. Courogen said years ago, the borough decided not to "opt in." He said at this point, it would be difficult to join the system without enacting a tax hike on residents.
