Library struggles to make ends meet
By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — “Pike County Library gets good use,” says director Rose Chiocchi, who is wrestling with a shortfall as the state sorts out its budget. “It’s a big service. Many people come here not just for the books, but to use the internet, printing, and for the many programs for kids, even to read the Brooklyn newspaper. People depend on it. Even in winter, sometimes it’s a warm place to go. We welcome everybody.”
Last year, 62,487 people visited the library between the two branches, one in Milford, and one in Dingman Township, and in the summer there’s often a waiting list for computer use. “It really gets good use,” Chiocchi added.
The library continues to serve the community despite the sizeable cost, and cuts in funding.
“We’ve been told state funding was approved, the line for public libraries, but we do not have the money yet, so we have to wait," Chiocchi said. "We are forced to take out a loan, and we’re hoping it will come through in February. Nobody can give us a direct answer.”
The library gets $178,000 per year from the state, but it only covers about 30 percent of the running cost. Another $200,000 comes from the County Commissioners, but it hasn’t been raised for 12 years, and the two make about 50 to 70 percent of the library budget.
“Another source of finance from the Delaware Valley School District was cut a few years back,” Chiocchi said. "It used to be $35,000, then went to $17,000, and now nothing.”
So, in order to continue, the library depends on spending cuts, and devising new ways of raising funds to fill the gap. This weekend, Jan. 16 and 17, the Friends of the Library are having their annual book sale, which raises about $2,000 to $3,000 each year over separate sales.
“Friends are a group that continually fundraises all through the year,” Chiocchi said. "A few times, they do a big sale. We get a lot of donations. This time it’s a dollar for a bag of books."
What the library doesn’t sell, it recycles. Many books are outdated quickly nowadays, so encyclopedias and travel books aren’t taken for sale. The library also donates to Better World Books that sends books to 3rd world countries.
The Friends of the Library group have 200 members, but only a small group of volunteers are active, and the group is always looking for more.
President Marci Livingston organizes the sales, volunteers, and schedules the book sale room
“Someone’s there most of the time,” Chiocchi said. "It's open all the time, but if not, we also accept the money."
The books cost $1 for hardbacks, and 50 cents for paperbacks. The big sale takes place in the spacious community room downstairs.
“Seventy-five different community organizations, individuals, and groups use that community room, many regularly," she said. "Some just come once a year for a class, but most groups have monthly board and committee meetings. Pike County Area Agency on Aging comes twice a week almost all day, and Greater Pike Community Foundation also hold meetings there. We haven’t charged for these, but from January 1, 2017, we’re going start charging. We still have a smaller conference room that’s free,” Chiocchi explained.
The new charges are $20 pre hour for a non-profit, and $50 per hour for-profit organizations. The room can accommodate 75 people.
“We cut things, do more fundraising, and have to charge for more things,” Chiocchi explained. “We’re always thinking of fundraising ideas. This year we have a big ticket raffle again.”
Last year’s prize was a bike. The event brings in about $2,500.
Smaller raffles take place throughout the year. Presently, you can buy tickets from the library for a dollar for a chance to win $100 worth scratch off lottery tickets. Last year, a woman won $80 after buying $5 in tickets.
The biggest fundraiser of the year takes place in the fall, Sept. 24, at the Best Western in Matamoras.
“We did a theme party and honored two members of the community last year, raising over $10,000," Chiocchi said.
The library runs many children’s programs, including "block parties" with toy blocks, and the weekly Lego club.
The library hosts two kids' clubs and two adult book clubs, and is looking to start one for teens. It also hosts a writers' group, the Writer’s Cooperative.
“We’d love to reach more of the county," said Chiocchi. "But it’s always a challenge for us. Last year, we partnered with Wayne County libraries by sharing a catalog, and cards are interchangeable. I think it’s a big help for that end of county.”
In the meantime, residents who would like to help the library should come out to this weekend's sale and find some good books to take home.
“We’re excited about the book sale," Chiocchi said. "It’s much needed."