Massachusetts Libraries Receive Increase in Final Senate Budget
June 05, 2018
Matthew Perry
Outreach Coordinator
1-800-952-7403 x208
matthew.s.perry@state.ma.us
The Massachusetts State Senate passed its final version of the FY2019 budget and included increases to six of the line items that go directly to funding library services and resources.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) administrative line (7000-9101), State Aid to Regional Libraries (7000-9401), the Worcester Talking Book Library (7000-9402), the Perkins Library (7000-9406), and State Aid to Public Libraries (7000-9501) were all funded to the amount requested in the FY2019 Legislative Agenda.
Technology and Resource Sharing (7000-9506) was increased by $718,598. Funding from this line supports the nine Automated Library Networks. The Networks play a vital role in critical library services such as interlibrary loan, and technology for libraries and their staffs. Lack of funding to this account passes costs of library networking back to cities and towns and denies residents access to essential electronic research materials to support education and economic development.
Funding for the Massachusetts Center for the Book (7000-9508) was not included in the budget. The House gave the Center for the book $200,000 in its final budget.
A Conference Committee has been formed to reconcile the differences between the House Budget and the Senate Budget. Included on the Committee are House Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sanchez, Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka, Representatives Stephen Kulik and Todd Smola, and Senators Joan Lovely and Vinny deMacedo. After the Conference Committee finalizes their budget, it will be sent to both the House and the Senate for approval, before being sent to the Governor for either vetoes or approval. Fiscal Year 2019 begins on July 1, 2018. A full chart detailing the budget can be found here.
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.