$10 - some say that's the cost of three cups of Starbucks. Others might say, a ticket to the Reading Phillies. Others might say, a few lottery tickets.

            To the library, $10 is the average amount our residents pay in taxes each year for the library.   We say "average" because, depending on the assessment of your house, the average might be $7-12.    

           The school district's appropriation to the library will end this year - a loss of $440,000 per year to the library.   Without these funds, the library will receive $10 per resident per year (not $20).    

            Down 309, in Horsham, residents are taxed $42 per year for their library.    In Cheltenham, it's $40; in Abington, $35.   Upper and Lower Merion residents are taxed $63 per year.   In Lansdale, it's $23.50.   Residents of Wissahickon, Upper Moreland, and Whitemarsh all pay $26-27 library tax.

            IVPL has done a magnificent job of serving the community on appropriations of $20 per resident per year. But next year it will drop to $10.   We cannot remain open seven days a week, plan hundreds of programs and storyhours, have an excellent staff to serve you with up-to-date resources, and provide internet workstations for only $10 per resident per year.

            Now is the time to let your township or borough know how much you need the library.   There is a proposal before the Task Force Funding Committee that municipal contributions to the library be doubled, from .157 to .33 mills (in dollars, about $10 to $20 per resident, per year) beginning in 2014. Your voices mean a lot.   Thank you for supporting this wonderful community resource.

The fact is that the library faces huge budget issues because the school district will no longer fund library operations after 2012.

There is a proposal on the table for your township supervisors and borough council members to increase the millage for the library - from .165 to .33. The library tax would go from $10 to $20, on average, depending on your assessment.  

This proposal was made by Douglas Gifford, chair of the Lower Salford Supervisors, because, as it puts it, "it is the right thing to do," and this is a wise investment in our community.

What can YOU do?

Talk to your township or borough. Let your voice be heard. Tell them you support additional funding for library services. Tell them you want the library open 65 hours a week, not 15.  

Click on a link below for contact information, or attend a meeting. Meetings are held as follows:

Franconia Twp.                     3rd Monday, 7 pm

Lower Salford Twp.               1st Wednesday, 7 pm

Salford Twp.                         3rd Wednesday, 7:30 pm

Souderton Boro                     1st Monday, 7:30 pm

Telford Boro                          1st Monday, 7:30 pm

Upper Salford Twp.                2nd Tuesday, 7:30 pm

In addition to our selection of herbs we will be taking pre-orders for

Old Glory Hanging Basket

"Instant Gardens" and "Old Glory" hanging baskets to help decorate our community for Souderton's 125th Anniversary.

"Old Glory" Hanging Baskets - $25.00

"Instant Gardens" will consist of 7 - #4 pots of red geraniums, white wave petunias, and blue salvia along with a flag showing your support for our community and the Indian Valley Public Library. The gardens are available for $22.00.

Place your pre-orders at the Reference Desk or email bevholzer@hotmail.com. Orders may be picked up at the library on May 5th or other arrangements may be made.

Seeds for Sale

Last summer, many people inquired about the plants in the library's Butterfly Garden, and we promised that we would have seeds to sell this year from several of the plants. Seeds are on sale at the front desk.

• Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica; aka Mexican milkweed or blood flower) seeds will need to be started indoors; $1.00 per packet.
• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepia tuberosa; aka butterfly weed or orange milkweed). Limited quantities will be on sale.
• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Limited quantities will be on sale.  
• Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) 

Do you have questions about your Medicare plan?  Are you wondering whether you've made the right choices?  APPRISE volunteer Roy Jannenga will be at the library on the second Wednesday evening of each month,  starting at 7:00 pm, to answer your questions.    

APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help older Pennsylvanians with Medicare.  

Claire De Witt and the City of the Dead, by Sara Gran  

Sunday, May 6, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Tuesday, May 15, 10:00 - 11:30 am

These are one-and-a-half hour, informal conversations that anyone is welcome to join.  Discussion topics emerge from the interest of the participants.  

This summer's theme: Simple Machines 

Monday, June 25 - Thursday, June 28

Get Ready for Science in the Summer at IVPL! GlaxoSmithKline's Science in the Summer is a free science education program that helps elementary school children "grow into science."

For children entering grades 2 or 3:

Morning Session: 10:00 - 10:45 am

Afternoon Session: 1:00 - 1:45 pm

For children entering grades 4, 5, or 6:

Morning Session: 11:15 - 12:00 noon

Afternoon Session : 2:15 - 3:00 pm

Lottery began on April 1. Please come in to the library to fill out a registration form for the lottery. No phone or email registrations will be taken. Those selected to participate will be notified by mail the first week of May. 

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THERE IS SPACE FOR ONLY 64 STUDENTS.

IVPL Kids Happenings on Twitter 

Want to find out the latest happenings in the Children's Room? Can't remember when story time starts?  Want to participate in fun contests that can win your child free books? Then follow Indian Valley Public Library Kid's Room on twitter @IVPLKids.   

Join us to play our newest Wii games!

Bring some of your favorites and your controller!

Snacks provided! Email Ms Sara @ sfigueroa@ivpl.org for more info.

Suggestions for programs? Email Ms. Sara at  sfigueroa@ivpl.org.