Coplay Public Library employees will not be getting holiday bonuses this year.

At the library board meeting Dec. 12, the board voted 3-1 to discontinue giving Christmas thank-you gifts to library employees.

Bookkeeper Teri Holderman explained $475 was budgeted for holiday gifts, as it had been for the past several years.

"Every year I put it in the budget and every December then we go and ask the board for approval and distribution," she said.

The amount included $75 each for Holderman and codirectors Maryrose Farquhar and Sharon Dougherty and $50 each for the other four employees.

Because two employees resigned this year and have not been replaced, the amount for gifts this year would total only $375, Holderman said.

"We're giving $400 and some dollars away. I just think it's wrong to take taxpayer money and just give it as a Christmas gift," said board member Charles Sodl. "I can't agree with that."

He made a motion to discontinue the practice, starting now.

The motion passed 3-1. In addition to Sodl, board President Janet Eisenhauer and board member Faye Schreiner voted in favor of discontinuing the practice.

Board member Joan Witco opposed.

Board members Neil Mumma, Jane Gillespie and Karen Shields did not attend the meeting.

Near the end of the approximately one-hour meeting, Sodl said both the borough and the library board appreciate the work of library staff.

"I don't want you to think not voting for the gift means we don't appreciate you," Sodl said. "It may appear that way but it isn't that way. It's a dollar and cents decision."

"I know it's been a challenging year for us," said Eisenhauer, adding that some of the changes the board has made have "stung" a little bit.

"It was just difficult for some people to understand ... why we did what we did," she said.

The board must continue to look at the library's finances and make difficult decisions, Eisenhauer and Sodl said.