Salisbury Residents' Reaction to Library Tax Question is Mixed

Salisbury Township residents' reaction to the news that they'll have to vote in a referendum to keep a library tax in place that will afford access to the Allentown Public Library, and other libraries, seems split. 

Last Thursday, the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners, in a 3-2 vote, passed a resolution placing a referendum question on the Nov. 5 general election ballot that will ask township voters if they want to continue paying a 6-cent levy on every $1,000 of assessed value for services at the Allentown Public Library or any other local library.

If voters do not pass the referendum, they must pay $40 per year per household to join the Allentown Public Library, as Salisbury Township does not have its own library. The average homeowner in Salisbury Township pays $15 per year in library taxes.

Initial reaction from Salisbury Patch readers appears mixed:

Lisa Miller said: "The majority of people use the internet for accessing information. Those who choose to use the library can pay for it themselves."
              
Shannon Hall Minnick said: "Keep the library!! This is ridiculous! We're complaining about $15 per year to have open access to the library for all residents? Reading is part of being an educated, well-rounded society! Can we please not devolve as a society any further?!"             

Teri Macauley said: "This is a very sad thing, my daughter just finished her 7th year in the (Allentown Public Library) summer reading club. I have been going to the APL since I was 5 years old. I am sick to death of being penalized and overcharged for things every time I turn around because I live in Salisbury Township. When I relocated down here from the Poconos 5 years ago, I was told this was a "great" area to live in! Sorry, I disagree..will look into moving, Salisbury charges a lot  and provides little compared to other areas."

Joe McDermott said: "(Commissioner) Brown said that he's had a library card for between 18 and 20 years and has never utilized the library." And you are proud of that, Mr. Brown? Really? I think it's way past time Salisbury Township residents took a close look at who is allegedly running the township. We're talking about $14 per year, per household. You can't even buy a decent e-book for that price, let alone access to the Internet research resources available through APL. What a sad day for Salisbury Township.                            

What do you think about the library referendum and the possibility of Salisbury Township residents losing nearby library services? How will you vote? Tell us in the comments.