Library Business & Funding

Library Business & Funding

Funding Sources

The Library is supported locally by contributions from: Nazareth Borough, Lower Nazareth, Upper Nazareth and Bushkill Townships. The Library budget is determined by the Library’s operating needs, goals of the current strategic plan and anticipated state funding.

The Library budget is prepared and recommended by the Library Budget Committee, which is made of members of the Library Board and 1 elected official from each supporting municipality. The budget is then submitted to the Library Board for approval. The Board approved budget is then sent to each funding municipality.

Funding is also received in the form of state aid contributions from the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries. State funding amounts are calculated on local funding received, therefore any decreases in local funding adversely affect future state funding. This fact makes full funding from each local municipality vital.

Other funds are received from private fundraising, donations, grants and fines/fees collected.

The Library receives no funding from the Nazareth Area School District.

The Library receives no funding from Tatamy, Stockertown, or Plainfield Township.

A municipality wishing to become a supporting municipality would be obliged to agree to the current local funding formula.