NEWS RELEASE

On Wednesday, the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means released its FY2027 budget which maintains almost all of the Governor's 2% increases for library services and programs through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The only line that was not increased was budget line 7000-9101 which funds the MBLC agency. It received a slight reduction over the current fiscal year. The full MBLC budget chart has detailed information about the funding.

"Every dollar counts, especially in a tight and uncertain economic climate so these increases help us maintain the library services millions of residents rely on," said MBLC Director Maureen Amyot. "It is for that very reason that we can not afford any decrease to the agency's budget line that funds the staff who provide these services."

In its FY2027 Legislative Agenda, the MBLC highlights the ways libraries benefit the people who live in the Commonwealth, including affordability. Commissioners requested a 5% increase to State Aid for Public Libraries (budget line 7000-9501) and a 3% increase in all other budget lines. Legislative Breakfasts organized by the Massachusetts Library Association throughout the Commonwealth have been well attended by legislators and largely successful at helping legislators understand the vital role libraries serve, especially during a difficult economy.

House members will now debate the House Committee on Ways and Means budget and pass a final House version. The Senate will vote on their budget version in May. A conference committee will reconcile any differences between the two versions, and the FY2027 budget will be sent to the Governor to be put into place by July 1, 2026.