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Write to your RepresentativeS & SenatorS

State Budget

Each spring the house, senate, and governor prepare the budget for the next fiscal year (July 2010-June 2011). Their job is to allocate money based on needs and estimate how much money they anticipate receiving in revenue. This year, there are several library funding line items that are slated for a large reduction.

If you are interested in all the details please visit the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for the full Legislative Agenda at http://mblc.state.ma.us. Librarians from around the state will be meeting Legislators on March 9th for Library Legislative Day.

Summary: There are 3 line items that will directly affect the Chicopee Public Library and all public libraries across the state if they are to be reduced by their anticipated amounts.

Board of Library Commissioners (Account 7000-9101): The Board of Library Commissioners budget is estimated to be reduced by 10%. This will be the lowest budget since 2005. The Board is responsible for library grants as well as other key functions to libraries.

State Aid to Regional Libraries (Account 7000-9401): Regional Libraries are responsible for the delivery service of requested books through the state. They also support our librarians with training and provide databases to patrons. At projected funding cut levels, the regional libraries across the state will have to close and consolidate in an attempt to salvage services for Massachusetts Library patrons. They are projected to be reduced by 49%. WMRLS (Western Massachusetts Regionl Library System) is our regions Regional Library System.

State Aid to Public Libraries (Account 7000-9501): The funding for State Aid for Public Library goes directly to each certified public library in Western Massachusetts. This past year, Massachusetts library patrons borrowed over 57 million items! A decrease in state aid would mean libraries would have to decrease the money they can spend on programming, new books & materials, and even staff. State Aid to Public Libaries is set to be reduced by 32%. This is the lowest in more than 10 years.

What can you do?

Write to your Representatives and Senators and ask them to support library and restore funding levels to at least be level funded from last years budget.

Who are your legislators? Look it up!