State Aid Receives Increase in House Ways and Means Budget
April 10, 2017
Celeste Bruno
Communications Director
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us
Earlier today, the House Committee on Ways and Means announced its FY2018 budget recommendation. State Aid to Public Libraries (Account 7000-9501) received an increase of 4.5% above what the Governor proposed in his budget, taking the funding from $9,090,000 to $9,500,000. In the FY2018 Legislative Agenda, the MBLC requested $10,127,412 to support the State Aid to Public Libraries Program. In its FY2018 Legislative Agenda the MBLC requested increases in all of its lines to prevent reductions in library services.
All other MBLC budget lines were funded to the levels proposed in the Governor’s budget which increased funding to all lines by 1%. Funding to Massachusetts Center for the Book was eliminated.
“We’re pleased with the much needed increase to State Aid, especially that it comes during a tight budget year” said MBLC Director Dianne Carty. “However, state funding to support libraries is still just .06% of the state budget which is $3.57 per capita for the vital services libraries provide to all residents.”
Members of the House have until Thursday, April 13 at 5 p.m. to file amendments to the budget. Library leaders are currently working with legislators to file several amendments that will bring funding closer to the levels requested in the Legislative Agenda. The budget will be debated on the House floor during the week of April 24. Following its passage, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means will release its budget recommendations.
Below is the House Ways and Means budget recommendation. More information on the budget process and funding history can be found here.
| Item No. | Item Name | FY 2017 Budget | FY 2018 Legislative Agenda Request |
FY 2018 Governor's Budget | FY 2018 House Ways and Means Budget Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7000-9101 | Board of Library Commissioners | $1,077,431 | $1,225,000 | $1,088,205 | $1,088,205 |
| 7000-9401 | State Aid to Regional Libraries | $9,883,482 | $10,948,670 | $9,982,317† | $9,982,317† |
| 7000-9402 | Talking Book Library (Worcester) | $441,715 | $450,115 | $446,132 | $446,131 |
| 7000-9406 | Talking Book & Machine Lending (Perkins) | $2,487,893 | $2,562,528 | $2,512,772 | $2,512,772 |
| 7000-9501 | State Aid to Public Libraries | $9,000,000 | $10,127,412 | $9,090,000† | $9,500,000 |
| 7000-9506 | Library Technology & Resource Sharing | $2,076,564 | $3,259,000 | $2,097,330 | $2,097,330 |
| 7000-9508 | Center for the Book | $200,000 | $210,000 | $202,000 | $0 |
| TOTAL: | $25,167,085 | $28,782,725 | $25,418,756 | $25,626,755 | |
† Library for the Commonwealth funded at 40.7 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.