The Solebury supervisors conducted a survey in December on how residents felt about further funding of the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury.
The results were released at Tuesday’s public forum on the library’s finances.
It covered three groups: those who used the library (284), those who didn’t (162), and those who didn’t know (four - and who were assumed not to use the library). Twelve percent of households responded.
Overall, 61.1 percent supported a $50,000 township increase for the library; 69.3 percent supported a $20,000 increase.
As for paying for an increase, 47.6 percent favored a tax hike while 37.6 percent wanted a reallocation of current township funds.
Other questions were:
– How important is it for Solebury to have a library in the community? 82.1 percent extremely /very important.
– In the past 12 months, have you personally used the library? 63.1 percent
– How satisfied were you with the library experience? 59.5 percent extremely/very satisfied.
Of the 284 (63.1 percent) who used the library in the past 12 months, 78 percent would definitely support a $50,000 increase while 15.5% would consider supporting it. Likely support for a $20,000 hike was supported by 86.6 percent while 10.5 percent would consider support. Funding the hike by a tax hike was favored by 58.9 percent and reallocation of current funds by 29.2 percent.
Of the 166 (36.9 percent) who did not use the library in the past 12 months, 31.9 percent support a $50,000 increase while 16.9 percent would consider supporting it. Support for a $20,000 hike was 39.8 percent while 22.9 percent would consider it. Funding via a tax hike was supported by 28.3 percent while 51.8 percent would reallocate current funds.
Solebury Township’s contributions to the library have increased from $20,000 in 2006, to $60,000 in 2011, to $120,000 in 2019.
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