Increased FY 2015 Funding Benefits Small Libraries
February 04, 2015
Celeste Bruno
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us
Small public libraries that have struggled to be part of automated library networks will receive funding to support network membership through the newly created Small Libraries in Networks - New Participants program approved by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) at its January board meeting.
The program is made possible by increased FY 2015 state funding to the MBLC's Technology and Resource Sharing budget line (account 7000-9506).
"Network membership saves local libraries money and improves library services," Cindy Roach, the MBLC's head of library advisory and development, said. "It is important for all libraries, but particularly so for small libraries because it enables them to become the portal for rural and isolated residents to have access to holdings in libraries throughout the Commonwealth."
The Small Libraries in Networks grant program has existed since 2002. Through the program, libraries receive state funding to offset the annual cost of belonging to a network.
However, budget reductions to the MBLC's Technology and Resource Sharing budget line (account 7000-9506) totaling 30% since 2002 had frozen the program. With $102,500 in new funding available, many libraries will benefit.
They fall into two categories:
1) Network members that have received partial funding. The offset for network membership is typically $2,500 for annual membership per full member. However, due to funding limitations, six libraries have been funded at $1,800 or less. The following libraries will now receive the full offset amount:
Network |
Municipality |
Library |
Population |
C/WMARS |
Brookfield |
Merrick Public Library |
3,403 |
C/WMARS |
East Brookfield |
East Brookfield Public Library |
2,186 |
C/WMARS |
Florida |
Florida Public Library |
749 |
C/WMARS |
Stockbridge |
Stockbridge Library Association |
1,961 |
C/WMARS |
Wales |
Wales Public Library |
1,864 |
C/WMARS |
West Stockbridge |
West Stockbridge Public Library |
1,295 |
2) Network members that have never received the funding offset (represented in blue on the Small Libraries in Networks Map). Many libraries serving populations of fewer than 10,000 had never received an offset for their membership because they were either already a member of a network before the program was created, or they joined a network while the program was frozen.
Network |
Municipality |
Library |
Population |
C/WMARS |
Ashfield |
Belding Memorial Library (Inc.) |
1,737 |
C/WMARS |
Ayer |
Ayer Library |
7,427 |
C/WMARS |
Hadley |
Goodwin Memorial Library |
5,250 |
C/WMARS |
Harvard |
Harvard Public Library |
6,520 |
C/WMARS |
Hatfield |
Hatfield Public Library |
3,279 |
C/WMARS |
Heath |
Heath Free Public Library |
706 |
C/WMARS |
Lancaster |
Thayer Memorial Library |
8,055 |
C/WMARS |
Millville |
Millville Free Public Library |
3,190 |
C/WMARS |
Monson |
Monson Free Library and Reading Room Association |
8,560 |
C/WMARS |
Monterey |
Monterey Library |
961 |
C/WMARS |
New Marlborough |
New Marlborough Town Library |
1,509 |
C/WMARS |
Otis |
Otis Library and Museum |
1,612 |
C/WMARS |
Paxton |
Richards Memorial Library |
4,806 |
C/WMARS |
Rowe |
Rowe Town Library |
393 |
C/WMARS |
Rutland |
Rutland Free Public Library |
7,973 |
C/WMARS |
Southwick |
Southwick Public Library |
9,502 |
C/WMARS |
Templeton |
Boynton Public Library |
8,013 |
C/WMARS |
West Brookfield |
Merriam-Gilbert Public Library |
3,701 |
C/WMARS |
Williamstown |
David and Joyce Milne Public Library |
7,754 |
CLAMS |
Brewster |
Brewster Ladies Library |
9,820 |
CLAMS |
Chatham |
Eldredge Public Library |
6,125 |
CLAMS |
Eastham |
Eastham Public Library |
4,956 |
CLAMS |
Edgartown |
Edgartown Free Public Library |
4,067 |
CLAMS |
Oak Bluffs |
Oak Bluffs Public Library |
4,527 |
CLAMS |
Orleans |
Snow Library |
5,890 |
CLAMS |
Provincetown |
Provincetown Public Library |
2,942 |
CLAMS |
Tisbury |
Vineyard Haven Public Library |
3,949 |
CLAMS |
Truro |
Truro Public Library |
2,003 |
CLAMS |
Wellfleet |
Wellfleet Public Library |
2,750 |
MassCat |
Ashburnham |
Stevens Memorial Library |
6,081 |
MassCat |
Nahant |
Nahant Public Library |
3,410 |
MassCat |
Oakham |
Fobes Memorial Library |
1,902 |
MassCat |
Pelham |
Pelham Library |
1,321 |
MVLC |
Boxford |
Boxford Town Library |
7,965 |
MVLC |
Carlisle |
Gleason Public Library |
4,852 |
MVLC |
Essex |
T.O.H.P. Burnham Free Library |
3,504 |
MVLC |
Hamilton-Wenham |
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library |
7,764 |
MVLC |
Littleton |
Reuben Hoar Library |
8,924 |
MVLC |
Manchester-by-the-Sea |
Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library |
5,136 |
MVLC |
Merrimac |
Merrimac Public Library |
6,338 |
MVLC |
Newbury |
Newbury Town Library |
6,666 |
MVLC |
Rockport |
Rockport Public Library |
6,952 |
MVLC |
Rowley |
Rowley Public Library |
5,856 |
MVLC |
Salisbury |
Salisbury Public Library |
8,283 |
MVLC |
Topsfield |
Topsfield Town Library |
6,085 |
MVLC |
West Newbury |
G. A. R. Memorial Library |
4,235 |
OCLN |
Avon |
Avon Public Library |
4,356 |
OCLN |
Cohasset |
Paul Pratt Memorial Library |
7,542 |
SAILS |
Berkley |
Berkley Public Library |
6,411 |
SAILS |
Dighton |
Dighton Public Library |
7,086 |
SAILS |
Freetown |
James White Memorial Library |
8,870 |
SAILS |
Halifax |
Holmes Public Library |
7,518 |
SAILS |
Marion |
Elizabeth Taber Library |
4,907 |
SAILS |
Mattapoisett |
Mattapoisett Free Public Library |
6,045 |
SAILS |
Plainville |
Plainville Public Library |
8,264 |
SAILS |
Plympton |
Plympton Public Library |
2,820 |
SAILS |
Rochester |
Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library |
5,232 |
SAILS |
West Bridgewater |
West Bridgewater Public Library |
6,916 |
Automated library networks provide libraries with Internet connections that make efficient cost effective automated library operation possible and they facilitate sharing materials between libraries. They also provide centralized and automated library services that save local libraries time and money including Wi-Fi, cataloging materials, mobile and multilingual interfaces that improve patron access, and online reservation of materials.
Based on input from librarians from across the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has made increased funding to Technology and Resource Sharing a priority in its FY 2016 Legislative Agenda.
Established in 1890, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners was the first state library commission in the United States. The nine-member volunteer commission is appointed by the governor. The MBLC supports statewide programming and innovation in libraries to ensure equal access to library services for every resident in the Commonwealth.
MBLC services include public library construction, preservation and disaster prevention, electronic resources, statewide resource sharing, and state and federal grants. The MBLC funds the Massachusetts Library System, the Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library, Perkins Talking Book Library, the Talking Book Library at Worcester Public Library, and the Massachusetts Center for the Book. It also partially supports the nine automated library networks.
About MBLC
The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.