State Aid a Winner in Senate Budget
November 16, 2020
Matthew Perry
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x240
matthew.s.perry@state.ma.us
On November 12, 2020, the Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee released their budget proposal for FY2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor’s initial budget originally released in January has not yet been voted on, and the state has been operating on short-term budgets with level funding from FY2020. This budget proposal follows the revised budget Governor Baker released in October and the House Ways and Means budget released last week.
State Aid to Public Libraries (7000-9501) is the focus of the FY2021 MBLC Legislative Agenda. The Senate has proposed $12,000,000 for the line, our FY2021 budget request and more than the Governor and House proposed. State Aid to Public Libraries is an annual, voluntary program administered by the MBLC that distributes local aid to municipalities. The funds received through State Aid can be used for any purpose that supports the library.
Technology and Resource Sharing (7000-9506) also received an increase over the Governor and House budgets to $4,386,770, our FY2021 budget request. . The additional funds provided in FY2020 allowed the MBLC to increase support for libraries’ eBook collections, and to increase the number of databases available statewide.
State Aid to Regional Libraries (7000-9401), received $11,516,000, the same amount proposed by Governor Baker. This line funds two organizations, the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) and the Library for the Commonwealth (LFC) at Boston Public Library. Sustainable funding for this line helps to maintain delivery service levels for residents of the Commonwealth.
The Worcester Talking Book Library (7000-9402), and the Perkins Library (7000-9406) both received the same amount proposed by Governor Baker, $468,217 and $2,665,800 respectively.
The Massachusetts Center for the Book did not receive funding in the Senate budget. The House Ways and Means budget proposed the requested $225,000 for this budget line. The Center operates as an affiliate of the Library of Congress (LOC), and represents the Commonwealth in several high-profile national initiatives, providing links for Massachusetts libraries to the programs and resources of LOC. It has not received increased funding since FY2016.
The budget also includes a $257,746 increase for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners administrative line (7000-9101).
The House voted on their version of the budget with amendments on November 12. The Senate will now debate and then vote on their version of the budget with amendments, and then form a conference committee with the House to resolve any differences. The conference budget will be sent to Governor Baker who will either accept the budget as is or change it through vetoes.
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.