The borough normally contributes $20,000 a year to the library. Council members site fiscal concerns as the reason for the budget cut.
EPHRATA, Pa. — Neighbors are outraged and angered over the latest budget proposal from Akron Borough. In 2023, the Borough Council is planning to cut the $20,000 of funding it usually gives to the Ephrata Library.
It would be the first time in borough history.
“It completely blew my mind,” said Rebecca Beres, an Akron resident. “There is no reason why any of the municipalities within the Ephrata school system should be pulling funding. If anything, they should be giving more money.”
Beres runs a local women’s health program that meets at the Ephrata Public Library.
In a September meeting, Councilman Paul Swangren questioned sending money to the library. He claimed the library’s agenda did not match up with the “conservative values” of the area.
Beres says Councilman Swangren had a problem with the women’s health program.
“The individual members …