Univest Library Editorial
SOUDERTON, Pa, June 15,
2012 ---- Think you don't need a vibrant public library?
Think again.
The recessionary economy of the past few years has put
tremendous pressure on public resources that depend upon local
taxes. Budgets for public schools, public parks, a variety of
community events and other community institutions have been
threatened with underfunding or no funding at all.
Of particular concern to us at Univest Corporation is the
underfunding of our communities' local libraries. The Indian Valley
Public Library, the North Wales Area Library and the Upper
Perkiomen Valley Library are prime examples. Next year, each of
these important community institutions will be challenged to find
new funding as money from state and local governments is expected
to diminish. The Indian Valley Library faces the additional
challenge of making up a $440,000 budget shortfall due to the
Souderton Area School District's decision to end financial support
for the library. (The school district, by the way, is among the
last in Montgomery County to continue their funding of public
libraries, and they should be commended for their long-time support
of this vital community resource.)
At a time when the Internet and a variety of electronic devices
provide access to all kinds of information without visiting a
library, conventional wisdom holds that libraries are not as
important today as they used to be. However, that certainly isn't
the case with Montgomery County's public libraries. The Indian
Valley Library last year served 292,000 people - an average of 800
people every day. Since its move to a revitalized factory in
January 2010, the North Wales Library has seen circulation of
library materials more than double, and the number of registered
patrons has tripled. And the Upper Perkiomen Valley Library
welcomed more than 300 children to their summer reading program in
2011 and circulated nearly 27,500 children's books over the course
of the year.
Our libraries are serving the public in new ways, too, providing
much more than just books and periodicals. Today you'll find
services such as free computer use and wireless Internet access;
audiobooks and e-books; a variety of research databases including
health and wellness and career resources; discussion groups,
programs, lectures and classes for people of all ages; story times,
early literacy games and special programs for preschoolers; public
meeting rooms; and much more. Whether you are just learning to
read, a high school or college student seeking in-depth information
for a project or paper, an adult looking for guidance on the
purchase of a new car or on navigating the Medicare system, or an
unemployed worker seeking job opportunities or career advice, the
library remains an incredibly valuable public resource.
Without additional funding, the library's resources may not
continue to be available to us. Libraries throughout the region
have already cut staffing and curtailed book purchases. The next
step for many could be reduced hours, and that's something our
communities cannot afford.
At Univest, our "Committed to Local" initiative includes support
for youth education and wellness development - and we believe that
our libraries play an integral role in both areas. We encourage
members of our communities to take advantage of all the resources
our libraries offer and to support their missions of serving as
gateways to lifelong learning. You can do both by bringing
elementary school-aged children to a "Teaching Kids to Save" event
at the Indian Valley Library on June 16, the North Wales Library on
July 17 or the Upper Perkiomen Valley Library on August 8.
Further, we encourage the residents and businesses of Montgomery
County to support increased funding for these valuable community
resources. Our libraries need you. And, now - more than ever - our
communities need a strong, vibrant public library system.
Sincerely,
William S. Aichele
Chairman, President and CEO
Univest Corporation
About Univest
Corporation
Headquartered in Souderton, Pa., Univest Corporation of
Pennsylvania (www.univest.net) and its subsidiaries serve the
financial needs of residents, businesses, and nonprofit
organizations in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Lehigh counties.
For more information on Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania and its
subsidiaries, please visit www.univest.net.
This press release of Univest
Corporation and the reports Univest Corporation files with the
Securities and Exchange Commission often contain "forward-looking
statements" relating to present or future trends or factors
affecting the banking industry and, specifically, the financial
operations, markets and products of Univest Corporation. These
forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties.
There are a number of important factors that could cause Univest
Corporation's future results to differ materially from historical
performance or projected performance. These factors include, but
are not limited to: (1) a significant increase in competitive
pressures among financial institutions; (2) changes in the interest
rate environment that may reduce net interest margins; (3) changes
in prepayment speeds, loan sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss
provisions; (4) general economic conditions; (5) legislative or
regulatory changes that may adversely affect the businesses in
which Univest Corporation is engaged; (6) technological issues
which may adversely affect Univest Corporation's financial
operations or customers; (7) changes in the securities markets or
(8) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration
statements Univest Corporation files with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Univest Corporation undertakes no obligation
to revise these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of this press release.