Newtown Library Requests #NewtownPA Township Support

At the 28 January 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, representative of the Newtown Library Company (NLC) - Meg Griffin (Library Board Secretary) and Johanna Hager (Library Board President) - made a formal request for financial assistance from the Township. View their comments in the video clip below:

The Hidden Anchor of Newtown: An Introduction

Every community has its "hidden gems"—those quiet, steadfast institutions that have stood for so long they almost blend into the landscape. In our community, that gem is the Newtown Library. More than just a building, the NLC is a living survivor of American history, a cultural anchor that has weathered centuries of change.

However, it has reached a critical juncture. In her comments before the BOS, which you can view in the above video clip, Ms. Griffin laid bare a harsh reality: this historic institution is at a financial crossroads. While it remains a vital resource for modern families, the library is currently struggling against an unsustainable funding model that threatens its very existence.

Takeaway 1: It Is Older Than the United States

The Newtown Library Company is not merely "old"; it is foundational. Founded around 1760, the library was established more than a decade before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It has served the residents of Newtown for over 250 years, surviving the birth of the nation, the Civil War, and the dawn of the digital age. It is exceptionally rare for any institution to maintain continuous operation for over two and a half centuries—a feat that speaks to the library's resilience and its deep-seated importance to our local identity.

"In some of our charter documents, they talk about the commotion that was going on in the streets at the time," noted Ms. Griffin, reflecting on the institution’s witness to the American Revolution.

Takeaway 2: The Surprising Math of Community Support

Despite its deep roots, the library currently faces a stark disparity in municipal support. While the NLC serves as a resource for the entire Newtown area, the financial contributions from the two primary municipalities reveal an untenable gap:

• Newtown Borough: With a population of approximately 2,000 residents, the Borough contributes $2,000 annually to the library.
• Newtown Township: With a population of over 20,000 residents, the Township currently provides $0 in annual funding. NOTE: According to its 2026 budget, the Borough will donate $3,000 to the NLC.

This uneven funding picture is even more perplexing when you look at the data. Approximately 50% of the library’s membership resides in the Township. Furthermore, this isn't a case of a community lacking the resources to help; both the Borough and the Township boast robust median household incomes of $147,000 and $146,000, respectively. The Township is essentially receiving a "free ride" on a cultural asset that is funded by the Borough and private citizens, despite the fact that Township families are some of the library's most frequent users.

Takeaway 3: A Subscription Model in a "Free Library" World

In an era of tax-funded county systems, the NLC remains a "non-public," membership-based library. It receives no funding from the state or the Bucks County Free Library System. To survive, it operates on a shoestring budget that would make most public institutions blush. The library is almost entirely volunteer-run, kept alive by the dedication of its board and a single part-time paid librarian.

Membership fees are kept intentionally low to ensure accessibility for all:

• Family Membership: $25
• Individual Membership: $20
• Senior or Student Membership: $10

While these modest fees are admirable, they don't begin to cover the mounting costs of maintaining a historic 1911 building, paying for insurance and utilities, or purchasing modern books and materials. Relying on twenty-dollar checks to preserve a century-old landmark is no longer a sustainable strategy for the 21st century.

Takeaway 4: It’s Not Just About the Books

Don't let the "private" status fool you; the NLC functions as a public-facing asset for all of Newtown. Many of its most vital services are open to the entire community, regardless of whether they hold a membership card. These include:

• Weekly Toddler Storytime: A foundational literacy program for local families.
• The 5th Grade Walking Tour: An annual rite of passage for local students to learn their heritage.
• Public Access: Use of the reading room and free Wi-Fi for students and remote workers.
• Cultural Events: Monthly poetry readings and participation in the Historic Association’s Holiday House Tour.

The library acts as a bridge between Newtown’s history and its daily life, offering a welcoming space for learning and connection that benefits families across both the Borough and the Township.

Takeaway 5: A Vision for Shared Responsibility

During their recent appeal to the Township, the library’s board made it clear they are not asking for "parity overnight." Instead, they are seeking a "modest investment" to begin a meaningful partnership. The goal is to establish a sense of shared responsibility for an institution that has faithfully served all of Newtown—long before the legal lines between the Borough and Township were even drawn.

By contributing, the Township would finally acknowledge the library’s role as a vital cultural asset. Supporting the NLC isn't just a line item in a budget; it is a commitment to education, community life, and the preservation of Newtown’s shared history.

Looking Forward

The Newtown Library Company belongs to all of us—Borough and Township residents alike. It is a remarkable institution that has outlasted generations, yet its future now depends on the community it has served for over 250 years.

As we look forward, we must ask ourselves what we owe to the institutions that have stood by us since the founding of our nation. Will we be the generation that lets a 250-year-old legacy fade through simple neglect, or will we step up to ensure this landmark survives for the next 250 years?

Meanwhile, the library is planning a fundraiser for February 28, 2026, at the American Legion, Morell Smith Post. It is its largest yearly fundraiser. Tickets are available on the library website​. 

Posted on 31 Jan 2026, 01:25 - Category: Newtown