Here’s how Hellertown, Lower Saucon and library conflict got to this point

The dispute between Lower Saucon Township and Hellertown Area Library and Hellertown has played out in strong words between the two sides.

It began when Lower Saucon Township Council in early December postponed voting on a five-year agreement worth more than $500,000. Six weeks later, Lower Saucon Council voted 4-1 on Jan. 19 not to sign the deal. Instead, council voted to donate $50,000, and to donate $50,000 to Southern Lehigh Public Library as a way to expand services to residents, some on council said.

Hellertown Area Library refused the offer and forged a new agreement with Hellertown, the other municipality that is part of the library. Southern Lehigh has not yet accepted the money.

Lower Saucon liaison: We’re working on it

Feb 3: Council member Jennifer Zavacky, who became Lower Saucon’s library liaison when she took office at the start of the year, issues a letter describing outreach efforts, and is hopeful about working toward a solution on providing library services to residents “with HAL in mind.”

“We continue to be optimistic in working toward a resolution to the issues at hand and provide clarity in how we can move forward in providing library services to [township] residents with HAL in mind,” she said.

It was Zavacky who on Jan. 19 introduced the motion, which council passed 4-1, to shift from a written agreement to an arrangement with the library, and a $50,000 donation for 2022, less than half of what the library board had sought.

Hellertown Area Library statement: Full library services to continue

Feb. 14: Solt sends a two-paragraph statement Feb. 14 saying services for township residents that are under the library’s control will continue through Feb. 28 (since amended to be uninterrupted beyond that date).

He notes the library’s 2022 agreement and funding is being provided solely by Hellertown. The borough approved a nearly $60,000 allocation last fall, then in January agreed to appropriate an additional $75,000 to help the library through the rest of the year.

Southern Lehigh Public Library: ‘This is not our fight’

Feb. 16: Bruce Eames, Southern Lehigh Public Library board president, releases a statement updating its patrons and the public on the library’s involvement. Basically, there is no involvement, at least for now, said Eames, who also stressed Southern Lehigh has no intention to shop around for additional communities.

Hellertown Library board president issues ‘truths’

Feb. 16: Solt issues a four-page letter, just before a Lower Saucon council meeting, during which the library and funding were discussed at length without a resolution. He wants to “clarify the record” on the library, entitling the letter “HAL Truths.”

Solt refutes Lower Saucon officials’ concerns about how the library handles its finances, noting its financial books are “fully audited” every three years and are subject to annual reviews by the two communities and the state. He said the library did not seek a conflict, and he said none of the allegations of the lack of accountability and transparency is true.

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries officials are reviewing information submitted by the library and township. Solt said a situation in which a participating municipality ceases regular funding of library services is unprecedented.

Lower Saucon’s questions

Later in February: Zavacky provides The Morning Call with a list of questions she said she had been trying to get answers to after several meetings regarding the hows and whys behind the library’s funding request without success. They include:

“Why is Hellertown Area Library (HAL) requesting/demanding $9.66 per person? How is this figure calculated? Who did the calculation? What’s inside of this rate and the increase of 15% in per capita since the initial five-year agreement? Why was Lower Saucon Township (LST) not involved to provide input and feedback?”

“Why was HAL demanding/requiring that the township sign a written agreement initially for a five-year term, and now is recommending a one-year term while removing LST appointment of board members? State Library Code does not require a written agreement. Many libraries in Pennsylvania operate without an agreement with a municipality.”

“Are single libraries going to be able to survive given the prevalence of internet research, internet accessibility, and Amazon deliveries? If only 30% of township residents use HAL, shouldn’t we at least be considering a different plan for the future? Wouldn’t a cooperation between libraries and municipalities create a better and more financially sustainable future for everyone?”

Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com.