Donate to Support 'Keep Our Library Public (KOLP)' on FundLibraries.org
The grassroots coalition Keep Our Library Public (KOLP) is close to winning a multi-year fight to defend the integrity of the Blasco Library in Erie, PA. We recognize the extraordinary commitment KOLP has shown since its first protest in November 2023, and we applaud its ongoing effort to uphold the public trust and protect a public library that was donated to serve the people of Erie.
The unresolved legal questions surrounding a lease by the county with Gannon University over a space that should be used by the public library for public purposes lease are significant. At the center of this dispute is whether a county government may divert dedicated public library space to a private, religiously affiliated institution, which appears to be in conflict with Pennsylvania’s Dedicated or Donated Property Act and the fiduciary obligations owed to taxpayers. The community has raised serious concerns about the project's legality, governance, transparency, and the long-term precedent it could set for public libraries across the country.
KOLP has responded to these concerns with purpose and courage. They rallied hundreds of residents on FightForTheFirst.org, secured a County Council vote to rescind the lease, and ultimately filed litigation to challenge the deal. Despite the ongoing lawsuit, construction proceeded and the facility opened. Because of these ongoing actions, the court’s eventual ruling will be consequential for the future of the Blasco Library and for every public library facing similar attempts to repurpose or privatize their space.
This is why the EveryLibrary Institute is happy to help KOLP build its litigation fund through FundLibraries.org.
Donors from across the country have contributed over $14,500 to stand with Erie residents and defend the principle that public libraries belong to the public. We urge everyone who believes in transparent governance, the integrity of dedicated library spaces, and the rights of communities to control their own public institutions to join them.
Donate today at: https://www.fundlibraries.org/erie
Your donation directly supports KOLP’s legal fight and helps ensure that decisions about public library property and services remain accountable to the people, not to private interests.
As the lawsuit proceeds toward a resolution, we will continue to stand with KOLP and with the people of Erie. This fight represents more than one lease agreement; it is about safeguarding the mission, purpose, and public stewardship of our nation’s libraries.