To kick off National Library Week on Monday, the three directors of the local book depositories and catalogers of information joined together to present the Carbon County Commissioners with a proclamation highlighting the importance of the service in the area.

"The Pennsylvania Library Association wanted all the county commissioners to sign one," said Dimmick Memorial Library Director Rachel Huff."The proclamations will be taken to the state legislature to prove libraries are still needed and supported in the area."TheJim Thorpe, Palmerton and Lehighton libraries house multiple databases, thousands of books and modern technology in the form of computers and Wi-Fi, allowing library card holders the ability to access the electronic information for free from the comfort of their own homes."You have to come in to the library to get a card, but you can use it from your kitchen table," Huff said.Huff said about 50 people per day come through the doors to use the equipment, internet connection, story time and check out one of more than 30,000books."And that's just in-house. Our databases are heavily used by people at home."One database is Chilton, where every car manual ever made can be accessed."We get them because we are a state library. They're very expensive databases," she said.The libraries can also conduct interlibrary loans throughout the state."Maybe a book is in Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, but we can get it for someone," Huff said.Palmerton Area Library Director Diane Danielson said residents stop by not just for reading but to gather together. "Last year we had over 40,000 visits to our library."We like to think of our library as the cultural center of town. We have an annual art show and photo show, quilt show and various concerts," Danielson said. "We offer a book club, knitting club, yoga, kids music classes, art classes, computer classes, quilt guild, fiber guild, family history help, homework help after school, tax forms, printing and faxing services and many other programs."Even with all the services and family friendly programs, state-run libraries operate by straddling a fine line of underfunding and strict state regulations to keep the lights on and doors open."State libraries are operating on the same amount of funding since 2001," Huff said."That's why the association is trying to prove how important libraries are and why states should increase funding since it hasn't happened in 16 years," she said.A few of the conditions to receive government funding state thatall libraries must be open at least 45 hours a week, seven of those must be weekend hours; must provide free library services to all the residents of all municipalities that contribute to its support; cannot charge for rental of books or movies; must provide free internet service; and must maintain a collection size of books and movies of at least 18,500.The catch to receiving the state allocated money is that the library must also collect donations from its home area as the handbook clearly states: No state funds for a library will be approved if it projects a decrease in local government support for normal, recurring, operating costs from a previous level.Meaning if the local school districts or municipalities choose to cut the voluntary donations, the libraries could also face a cut in state funding.Huff said, only an estimated $30,000 is allocated from the state for the historic building, while Palmerton receives just $37,000. Lehighton receives a little more than $24,000, which only accounts for 26 percent of its annual budget, Director Valerie Sellix said."We need to spend roughly $25,000 a year on books and media, databases and internet, but that doesn't include the computer equipment," Huff said."About 40 percent of our funds come from the four municipalities we serve, the Palmerton School District and state," Danielson said. "About 60 percent comes from donations and fundraisers.""Their standards cost more than the funding they give us," Huff said.To help raise funds, the Dimmick Library is hosting a monthlong basket raffle where items donated by local merchants can be won by purchasing $2 tickets or three for $5.Donations can be made at any time in person or for online shoppers through AmazonSmile, a program that will donate 0.5 percent of a purchase to the charity of your choice.The three Carbon County area libraries have planned various activities to honor National Library Week, extending family friendly fun throughout the month."We are having a scavenger hunt next Thursday at 5 p.m. On Wednesday the 19th we are showing 'The Breakfast Club,' and on Earth Day (April 22,) we will have live music and 'The Lorax' will be here," Huff said.Palmerton's organized activities for April include a Basement Book Sale where residents can fill a bag with any item from the sale for only $2 until the end of April. The annual Photo Show is scheduled forApril 23, from 1 to 3 p.m.Lehighton will offer a fine-free week, where all of fines accrued during that week will be forgiven.For more information on hours and locations visit: lehightonlibrary.com,

www.palmertonarealibrary.com and

www.dimmicklibrary.org.