Materials Expenditure and Hours Open Accommodation Policy
Municipalities and their libraries may use the MBLC's Accommodation Policy to meet the Hours Open and Materials Expenditure Requirement at a reduced or "accommodated" level. The accommodated level may be as low as 80% of the Materials Expenditure and Hours Open Requirement contained in regulation (605 CMR 4.01). Municipalities that use the Accommodation Policy will continue to remain certified and receive State Aid to Public Libraries as long as they meet these and all other requirements of the program. The MBLC considers renewal of the Accommodation policy on an annual basis.
State Aid awards for municipalities meeting accommodated requirements will be reduced in 12.5% increments, according to their level of compliance. Depending on the level of compliance, awards are made in amounts that are 87.5%, 75%, 62.5%, and 50% of the full award. The charts below demonstrate compliance levels and their corresponding award amounts.
Examples: Library A and Library B
Library A with a population of 11,000, is meeting its MAR. For State Aid compliance the library is required to be open 40 hours each week and spend 16% of its budget on library materials. The library was only open 34 hours a week and spent 14% on materials. This is minimum compliance for both standards. The State Aid award will be reduced to 50%.
Library B has a population of 17,000 and is meeting its MAR. It is required to be open 50 hours each week and spend 15% of its budget on materials. It was only open 45 hours and spent 14% on library materials. This is mid-level compliance for both standards. The State Aid award will be reduced to 75% of the Cherry Sheet total.
Adjusted Awards
| Award Amount | Level of Compliance with Materials Expenditure Requirement and Hours Open Standards |
|---|---|
| 100% | Full (100%) compliance with both standards |
| 87.5% | Full(100%) compliance with one standard and Mid-level (90%) compliance with the other standard. |
| 75% | Full (100%) compliance with one standard and Minimum (80%) compliance with the other standard OR Mid-Level (90%) compliance with both standards. |
| 62.5% | Mid-Level (90%) compliance with one standard and Minimum (80%) compliance with the other standard. |
| 50% | Minimum (80%) compliance with both standards. |
Materials Expenditure Requirement
| Population Group | Full Compliance(100%) | Mid-Level Compliance(90%) | Minimum Compliance(80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5,000 | 20.00% | 18.00% | 16.00% |
| 5-9,999 | 19.00% | 17.00% | 15.20% |
| 10-14,999 | 16.00% | 14.40% | 12.80% |
| 15-24,999 | 15.00% | 13.50% | 12.00% |
| 25-49,999 | 13.00% | 11.70% | 10.40% |
| over 50,000 | 12.00% | 10.80% | 9.60% |
Hours Open Requirement
| Population Group | Full Compliance(100%) | Mid-Level Compliance(90%) | Minimum Compliance(80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2,000 | 10.00 | 9.00 | 8.00 |
| 2-4,999 | 15.00 | 13.50 | 12.00 |
| 5-9,999 | 25.00 | 22.50 | 20.00 |
| 10-14,999 | 40.00 | 36.00 | 32.00 |
| 15-24,999 | 50.00 | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| over 25,000 | 63.00 | 56.70 | 50.40 |
Initial Approval of Policy: April 3, 2003
State Aid Policies are approved annually - Policies Page