NEWS RELEASE

Being a part of one of the nine automated library networks has benefits for both the library and the residents it serves. For residents, it’s access to the eContent and print materials from all over the state. For the library, it includes critical library business functions, like patron registration, inventory control, circulation, and shared cataloging. Yet the average network membership cost of $13,363 for small libraries in municipalities under 10,000, can be prohibitive. That’s where the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ (MBLC) Small Libraries in Networks (SLIN) program steps in to help.

The SLIN program provides state funds from MBLC budget line 7000-9506 to offset the membership costs for small libraries by an average of 29.3%. With the program’s help, 11 small libraries have been able to join a network over the last six years. They are listed below. In total, 160 of Massachusetts’ 369 public libraries now receive support from the SLIN program.

“Some small libraries think network membership is unaffordable, but once a library realizes that our costs are based on size and usage, coupled with the amount of assistance through the SLIN grants, they are usually pleasantly surprised,” said Jeanette Lundgren, Executive Director at CW MARS.

Network membership opens up access. For example, Windsor, a community with a population of 899, has a collection of 6700 items. With network membership, Windsor’s collection will become available to the rest of the state and Windsor residents will have access to the more than 53 million items held by library networks across the Commonwealth.  Items are delivered through the Massachusetts Library System right to the Windsor Library for easy pick up. Residents will also have access to eBooks and audiobook collections with more than 956,000 items through the statewide program.  

“Joining a library network allows the library to offer more resources to their patrons in an affordable way to help improve equity and access for their residents.” said Lundgren. “Our mobile apps give residents remote access to searching, reserving titles, creating custom book lists, and saving reading history. The apps allow patrons to access C/W MARS eContent at any time via a mobile device. All of which became even more important during the pandemic.”

At its October board meeting, MBLC Commissioners approved SLIN funding totaling more than $370,000.  SLIN grants, though awarded to the network, directly offset the membership cost for eligible member libraries. CW MARS was awarded $257,488 for 99 member libraries. A full list of SLIN grants to networks is below.

The MBLC also supports networks through Network Infrastructure Grants, which can be used for telecommunications equipment, servers, network system upgrades, cloud based ILS, and platform fees.  See below for FY22 grant awards totaling $300,000.

Sharing materials across the state is supported by the MBLC’s Resource Sharing Program Grants. Grant awards are listed below.

Over 400 libraries are members of automated library networks. To learn more about the networks, the areas they serve, member libraries, or to access network catalogs, please visit the MBLC website.