Senate Increases Funding to Networks
May 31, 2016
Celeste Bruno
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us
The Massachusetts State Senate has adopted its version of the FY 2017 state spending bill and has sent its budget on to conference committee. Two of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) lines received increases. The Senate restored $300,000 of the $652,674 FY 2016 cut to Library Technology and Resource Sharing (9506). Library Technology and Resource Sharing supports the nine automated library networks and is integral to sharing library resources across the Commonwealth.
The Senate also increased funding to the Board of Library Commissioners' line (7000-9101). The MBLC's administrative line is currently running in deficit. The MBLC is responsible for heading up statewide programs and services that impact all residents. The Senate increased funding to $1,225,000, slightly under the FY 2001 level.
The Senate rejected an amendment to increase funding to State Aid to Regional Libraries (7000-9401), which funds the Massachusetts Library System and the Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library. State Aid to Public Libraries (7000-9501), the Talking Book Library (Worcester, 7000-9402), and Talking Book and Machine Lending (Perkins, 7000-9406) were level funded. Senators also rejected an amendment to fund the Center for the Book (7000-9508).
The House and Senate versions of the budget will be reconciled in a conference committee. Highlighted below in blue are the budget lines that are in conference committee. The final FY 2017 budget will be passed before July 1, 2016.
| Item No. | Item Name | FY 2016 Current Budget | FY 2017 Request (Legislative Agenda) | FY 2017 Governor's Budget | FY 2017 House Budget | FY 2017 Senate Budget |
| 7000-9101 | Board of Library Commissioners | $1,077,431 | $1,225,000 | $1,077,431 | $1,077,431 | $1,225,000 |
| 7000-9401 | State Aid to Regional Libraries | $9,888,482 +$55,000 (earmark) |
$10,940,475 | $9,883,482* | $10,133,482^ | $9,883,482 |
| 7000-9501 | State Aid to Public Libraries | $9,000,000 +$29,000 (earmark) |
$13,500,000 | $9,000,000 | $9,500,000 | $9,000,000 |
| 7000-9506 | Library Technology & Resource Sharing | $2,076,564 +$40,000 (earmark) |
$6,000,000 | $2,076,564 | $2,076,564 | $2,376,564 |
| 7000-9402 | Talking Book Library (Worcester) | $446,828 | $460,233 | $446,828 | $446,828 | $446,828 |
| 7000-9406 | Talking Book & Machine Lending (Perkins) | $2,516,693 | $2,592,194 | $2,516,693 | $2,516,693 | $2,516,693 |
| 7000-9508 | MA Center for the Book, Inc. | $200,000 | $206,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 | not funded |
| TOTAL: | $25,324,998 | $34,923,902 | $25,200,998 | $25,200,998 | $25,448,567 | |
* Library for the Commonwealth funded at 39.4 cents per capita
^ Library for the Commonwealth funded at 44.7 cents per capita
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.