Nov 13, 2018 3 min read

The Brownsville Free Public Library still has work to do in finding sustainable funding for the long term, but its doors won’t be closing next year.

Library Director Emma H. Beaver said in August that the 91-year-old library was in danger of shuttering amid funding concerns.

But the library recently received a $5,000 “bridge grant” from Community Foundation of Fayette County to help cover its anticipated fiscal year 2019 deficit, Beaver said, in addition to donations from other community organizations and individuals.

Those donations will provide enough of a financial lift to keep the library operating next year, Beaver noted.

“The community’s stepping up,” Beaver said.

Beaver said the library received $1,000 donations from Brownsville Rotary Club, Brownsville Area Ministerial Association and First United Methodist Church, as well as donations from two other local organizations that she said wished to be kept anonymous for now.

Beaver said receiving enough funding to get through fiscal year 2019 will help the library better focus on serving the community and seeking longer-term sustainable funding.

“Every year’s a crisis if we don’t have sustainable funding,” Beaver said. ” … Our efforts are better spent in service mode versus crisis mode.”

The library needs a minimum influx of $15,000 a year to meet its sustainable funding needs, Beaver said. The institution continues to encourage local citizens and municipalities to pitch in to help keep the library going.

Located at 100 Seneca St. in Brownsville borough, the library serves 15,055 people across seven municipalities: Brownsville Borough, Brownsville Township, Franklin Township, Jefferson Township, Luzerne Township, Newell borough and West Brownsville Borough. It provides access to 900,000 items within the WAGGIN network among all 20 state-aided libraries in Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties, offering resume software and more than 7,000 e-books and audio books.

A “Christmas house” fundraiser will also benefit the library. Those who applied to join will are build a small, nonkit model house with any theme. The houses will be displayed from Dec. 7 to 15, noon to 7 p.m. at the American Legion. Members of the public will view all the houses and vote by making a cash donation to the house of their choice with the winner determined by the amount of money collected. Judges will also decide winners for the best in three categories – individuals, groups and schools.

“It’s great to give back,” fundraiser co-organizer Renee Walmsley said.

Donations may be made to Brownsville Free Public Library at 100 Seneca St., Brownsville PA 15417, or via PayPal on the library’s website at www.bfpl.org/donations.html.