Since ground was first broken in 1950, The Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity has worked hard to provide quality service for its members.  Today, with a growing membership and another round of state budget cuts ahead, staffers are working harder than ever to meet the needs of its loyal customers.

Last year, Harrisburg approved a 27 percent cut, and an additional 11 percent cut has already been approved for 2011.  However, due to tough decision-making in years past when cuts were first implemented, the library, which serves Upper Nazareth Township, Lower Nazareth Township, the Borough of Nazareth and Bushkill Township, has not had to cut any hours or positions in 2010.

According to Lynn Snodgrass-Pilla, the library's director, the Nazareth Memorial Library decided to draw back service hours three years ago from 58 hours a week to 51 hours by closing its doors on Monday nights. Librarian positions were also removed in 2008.

Snodgrass-Pilla explained that the library does its best to keep an open line of communication with elected officials, and every year holds at least one legislative breakfast with area representatives.

"This upcoming year we will have two new officials in Joe Emrick and Marcia Hahn that we look forward to building a relationship with, and we hope they can bring some stability to our funding," said Snodgrass-Pilla.

Donations, fundraisers, and volunteers remain integral to the success of the library, added Snodgrass-Pilla. Volunteers provided nearly 800 hours of service, contributing approximately $15,000 worth of work, according to the library's 2009 annual report.

On December 8, 9 and 10, the library will host its "Balance the Budget" book sale, which Snodgrass-Pilla hopes will lessen the blow of cuts that have decreased the annual book budget by 10 percent, and forced the library to slash youth story hours.

Like most libraries across the country, the Nazareth library has seen an increase in computer and general service use during the recession. Last year alone, the library issued over 1,100 new memberships that drove up the total number to over 18,600 card-carrying members.

Last year's cuts also included a 73 percent decrease in support for the Access Pennsylvania project, which was started in 1985 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.  The project is "a coordinated effort to facilitate resource sharing among libraries throughout the Commonwealth via the World Wide Web," according to the Access Pennsylvania website.  Originally, the Nazareth Memorial Library would have been reimbursed by the state for materials lent through the program, but this is no longer the case.

Although the library is going through rough times, staff members recognize that its patrons are as well. A considerable amount of job-seeking, career-help materials have been purchased, including guides on resume writing and network building.  Additionally, members can brush up on their computer office skills and utilize Learning Express, an electronic service that provides tutorials on essential job-landing skills.

"Use is up across the board, whether it be computers or rentals, and we're busier than ever," said Snodgrass-Pilla.  "But we have done an exceptional job providing these services to the public, and will continue to do so."