It was raining Coplay at a Whitehall-Coplay School Board committee meeting Monday night.

Representatives of the Coplay Public Library, Coplay Borough and a resident of Coplay attended the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting.

Last month, the committee eliminated $24,000 in funding to the Coplay library from the district's preliminary budget. Officials said they need to eliminate a budget shortfall which, by law, cannot be made up via a tax increase. District officials also said they had no further obligation to fund the library because of a letter sent a year ago by three members of Coplay Borough Council suggesting "one-time wind-down funding of $48,000" for the 2012-13 school year.

The district has also withdrawn funding from Whitehall Township Public Library which was successful in getting voters to pass a referendum approving a dedicated tax to pay for the library. A question on the May ballot will ask Coplay voters whether they approve a dedicated tax to fund their ibrary.

"I realize your job is difficult, dealing with a restricted budget is difficult, dealing with public opinion is difficult and always political areas are difficult as well," said Coplay Public Library Board President Natalie Reichl, addressing the committee. "At the end of the day we need to do what's right for the kids. Children in Coplay can walk to the library.

"I've come to renew your belief in what we're doing and asking for your help," she said.

In response to a question from Superintendent John Corby, Reichl said the referendum, if passed, would raise $72,000.

School board Treasurer Arthur Taschler asked about the library's operating budget.

Maryrose Farquhar, Coplay library interim director, said the annual budget is $125,000. However, because of funding cuts, the library currently is operating on $102,000.

"How did you make ends meet with the $48,000 last year?" asked Corby.

Farquhar explained the library's fiscal year is a calendar year where the district's budget runs July to June. For the first half of its fiscal year, the library continued to receive funding at the full amount. Reduced funding went into effect the second half of the library's fiscal year.

Coplay resident Mel Procanyn pointed out that Coplay residents also pay school taxes. The school district is no longer supporting the Coplay library but it owns the Whitehall library building. "You provide maintenance to the Whitehall library, correct?" he asked.

"No," said Corby. "We clean the faclities during bad weather, snow removal, ice, salt."

"All I'm asking is to reconsider the amount," said Procanyn, adding he was aware the library board said it didn't need the $24,000 the district earlier had budgeted.

"All I'm asking is that you would reconsider this amount," he said.

Taschler pointed out the importance of having extra funds for special needs students.

"We look at what kind of funds we need for special needs, it could cost the district $70,000 to $90,000 easily if a new student enrolls a month before the school year," he said. "We have the same issue with uncertainty as you do, but we have to do it. We live in your community too. I remember going to the library as a kid. It's very difficult when you see what we work with."

Farquhar said young library patrons need the library to complete school projects.

"The kids that come in to do projects use the Internet, because they don't have it at home. Even at $24,000 it's a small investment to reach a lot of children," she said.

Board member Robert Kolb wished the library luck with the passing of the referendum.

"I do too," said school Board President Eileen Abruzzi.

Coplay Mayor Joseph Bundra and Coplay Borough Councilman Joseph Groller attended the meeting, though neither spoke.

"As mayor of Coplay it's important to know what's going on so I can give the information back to the public," said Bundra when asked why he came to the meeting.

"I came as a member of Coplay Borough Council. I'm like their library liaison," said Groller.