By the end of 2013, without any additional funding from the borough, Coplay Public Library will be $31,700 in the hole.

"Obviously, after that, it would only get worse," Natalie Reichl, president of the Coplay Library Board, told Coplay Borough Council Monday night. "We would be the only library in Pennsylvania to close for lack of funding."

At a special meeting Dec, 17, called by council to consider the 2013 budget, Reichl asked for help.

The Whitehall-Coplay School District's preliminary 2012-13 budget included funding for Coplay's library in the amount of $71,000, which represents more than half of the library's total annual budget. However, in an undated, handwritten memo to school Superintendent John W. Corby, Councilmen Joseph Groller, Council President Lou Bodish and former Councilman Marvin Mann requested "one-time wind-down funding" of $48,000. As a result, the school district reduced the amount budgeted for the library to $48,000 with no plans for future library funding.

In July, council voted to make up the $23,000 shortfall but has not taken any action on library funding since.

During her short presentation, Reichl said the library unsuccessfully sought alternative sources of funding. Even successful fundraising has limits.

"We really can't raise money for the general operating costs," said Reichl. "It is in violation of commonwealth code."

Money earned through fundraising can be used only for special projects and programs, she said after the meeting.

"Responsibly and realistically we as a board cannot depend on anything," Reichl told council. "We have no more sources of funding unless we come back to you.

"If I thought there was one more thing the board could do, we would do it."

The library board is planning to place a question on the ballot in the May primary election asking voters whether they would support a dedicated tax to pay for the library. The lower the amount requested of voters, the more likely the referendum is to pass, Reichl said – which is why the library hopes the borough will help.

Reichl estimates the tax would amount to less than a half mill, or about $35 a year for the average homeowner.

"I think it's incumbent upon council to figure something out," said Councilman Charles Sodl, adding he does not want to see the library close. "I don't think we have to do it tonight."

Before council takes action, Sodl said, he wants to see what the voters say.

Reichl said she had concerns about waiting.

"I don't think that a referendum vote of 'no' is necessarily going to mean, 'I don't think the library is important,'" Reichl said.

Lehigh County's recent reassessment has resulted in large tax increases for many Coplay residents. Reichl fears residents may be feeling too much of a pinch to pay for the library now, too.

"There are going to be folks in Coplay who say, 'You know what? The library is good for the community yet here's my new real estate bill that's gone up, like mine, $680 ... and now they're asking me for this. And even though I think the library is important, maybe I can't pay this,'" she said.

Reichl said she wants the voters to understand the library board has done everything it can to find alternate sources of funding and that its budget is a tight and responsible spending plan.

"I hope we can count on you to help pass the word around," said Reichl.

Council thanked Reichl for her presentation and then approved the budget as previously proposed, with no changes.

Maryrose Farquhar, interim library director, expressed frustration with council's inaction.

"Does everything in the borough's budget go to referendum?" Farquhar said after the meeting. "Since council says it supports the library, they could just choose to fund it, the same way they fund the pool. A pool is a positive investment for the community in the same way that the library is."

In addition to making up the shortfall for the 2012-13 school district budget, the borough gives the library $16,500 annually. This is about half of the expense for the municipal swimming pool, which is open for less than three months, she said.

Councilman Matthew Recker reported at the Oct. 2 workshop the pool lost $30,023 for the 2012 season.

Copay benefits from investing in its library's future, Farquhar said. Having a library in a town adds to property values and provides valuable community resources which are otherwise unavailable.

"It would be a shame if the people of Coplay were to be denied these services," she said.