Young Men's Punishment Strikes The Right Balance

As Kids Grow, The Stars Begin Flickering Out

By MARK GUYDISH markg@leader.net
 Saturday, December 15, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





WILKES-BARRE - It's symbolic of a potential $850,000 problem: There will be
no anonymous gold-coin donation to the Osterhout Free Library this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With 17 days left in the year, the library is about $150,000 away from its
funding goals - $100,000 of that promised by the City of Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And - because of a new law - if the library doesn't get that money by Dec.
31, the state could withhold nearly $700,000 from the Luzerne County Library
System in the future, hurting all 10 public libraries in the system. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We're between a rock and a hard place,'' said Osterhout Executive
Director Diane Suffren. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The rough financial news was punctuated by a recent letter from someone
who, since 1997, has anonymously donated 10 gold coins to the Joan Costello
Endowment Fund, which is used to buy new materials. The letter said the donor
wants to continue the tradition, but ``regretfully I will be unable to.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The coins fetched between $4,000 and $5,000, Suffren said, but that money
was never included in spending plans, so the loss is largely symbolic in a
budget of roughly $1.6 million &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But the other cash shortfalls could be very damaging. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Suffren said the city has agreed to contribute to the library every year,
and promised $100,000 this year, but hasn't paid any of it. She said a library
board member was trying to contact Mayor Tom McGroarty to discuss the funding.
McGroarty did not return a call seeking comment Friday afternoon. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The library's annual campaign - aiming for $200,000 in donations - also
fell short by about $30,000. And the downturn in the economy meant library
investments earned about $20,000 less than expected. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The shortfall doesn't immediately threaten services, Suffren said, and
because of the way the state calculates funding, state money won't be at risk
until 2003. But that only masks the critical need of meeting local goals. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``When any library in the county system falls short on local contribution
efforts, the whole system can suffer,'' Suffren said. ``That's why funds from
the city are so critical.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Suffren stressed that library officials are very grateful the city
traditionally helps out - not all municipalities support their local
libraries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She said local money is essential for long-term survival, and that the
library recently ``issued appeals to the 31 communities we serve for
contributions.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Suffren said that last year, Wilkes-Barre paid about half of the promised
$100,000 on Dec. 29. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Residents may donate as well. Suffren had a list of how far donations can
go: $500 - Internet access for one month; $250 - one week of electricity; $100
- a reference book; $50 - a magazine subscription; $30 - a hardcover book; $25
- a video; $20 - a children's book; and $10 could pay for supplies for one
storytime session. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Those who wish to contribute may contact Joanna Springer, director of
development, 821-1958, extension 18; or mail directly to Springer at Osterhout
Free Library, 71 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1287. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mark Guydish, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7161. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

$850,000 Quandary Confronts Osterhout 
The Library Is About $150,000 Short In Its Fund Drive. The State Could
Withhold $700,000 From The System If Campaign Falters.

$850,000 Quandary Confronts Osterhout The Library Is About $150,000 Short In Its Fund Drive. The State Could Withhold $700,000 From The System If Campaign Falters.