NEWS RELEASE

On Wednesday, April 14, the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means released its proposal for the FY2022 budget. The budget includes the increased funding for library lines that was requested in the FY22 Legislative Agenda, and an increase of more than $600,000 to the amount requested for the regional library budget line which funds the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) and the Library for the Commonwealth (LFC) at Boston Public Library.

State Aid for Public Libraries (7000-9501) was the focus of the Agenda this year and received the requested $13,000,000. 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. This year, a record number of libraries were certified in the State Aid program.

Library Technology and Resource Sharing (7000-9506) received the $4,518,373 in funding that was requested. This line helps fund the nine automated resource sharing networks across the state as well as statewide databases. The networks have worked to provide important services for libraries in response to the pandemic. Read the stories about these efforts on the FY22 Affiliate Sheets.

State Aid to Regional Libraries (7000-9401), received $13,516,000 which is $624,520 more than the amount requested. This line funds the Mass Library System (MLS) and the Library for the Commonwealth (LFC) which have both seen an increase in usage during the pandemic. LFC has had an 80% increase in eCard sign ups from Massachusetts residents, and MLS has had a 326% increase in attendance at their live learning opportunities for librarians, including trainings and support.

The Massachusetts Center for the Book received $300,000. 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. FY21 marked the Center’s first increase in funding since FY2016.

The Worcester Talking Book Library (7000-9402), and the Perkins Library (7000-9406) both received $496,732 and $2,828,147 respectively. Both Perkins and Worcester have been able to continue providing important resources for those who are visually impaired during the pandemic.

The budget also includes $1,627,272 for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners administrative line (7000-9101).

The House will debate and amend the budget before voting on it. Following passage of the House version of the budget, the Senate will vote on their version in May. A conference committee will reconcile any differences between the two versions, and the FY2022 budget will be sent to the Governor to be signed by July 1, 2021.