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10/01/2024 02:23 PMThe Scranton Memorial Library has been an institution in Madison for almost 125 years, with its many pieces of literature and extensive amenities making it a staple for people of all ages in the town.
Unfortunately, these amenities may be the reason that the status of the library is up in the air. Recently, Scranton Memorial Library Director Allison Murphy reached out to many of the library’s patrons and donors to request donations to meet the library’s budget.
“While we are extremely grateful for the support we receive from the Town of Madison, the Leadership Alliance, and the Scranton Library Friends, we still must raise $462,000 this year to continue operating,”
Murphy wrote in an email to patrons.
The Scranton Library receives funding from the Town budget, approved earlier this year, but according to Murphy, those funds only cover 60 to 65% of the library’s annual budget. Voters approved $1,543,828 for library operating expenses in the 2024-’25 budget at a May 14 referendum.
“This budget pays for purchasing materials such as books, DVDs, magazines, and newspapers,” Murphy said. “It also allows us to be a part of the LION consortium so that we can borrow and loan materials to and from all of the libraries in the state. Our budget pays for staff salaries and benefits, as well as for performers and programs.”
A combination of the town of Madison, the Leadership Alliance, The Scranton Library Friends, and other independent donors have done their part to assist the library with the deficit but are still short of the $2 million that they need.
“We must raise the rest,” Murphy said. “It’s not an easy task, but one that’s vitally important to the library staff and our patrons.”
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.scrantonlibrary.org/support-the-library.