Benefits of State Aid

"I use this as the primary funding of my materials budget - I ALWAYS need more." - Nora Blake Director, Emily Williston Memorial Library and Museum, Easthampton
"State Aid to Public Libraries is a great equalizer among communities, allowing us to expand beyond our local budget appropriations." - Joe Rodio Director, South Hadley Public Library
"We have used it for many things that the town will not fund - such as replacing all of our computers this past year. This is the most important line item to my library." - Nanci Milone Hill Director, Moses Greeley Parker Library, Dracut

Better Health Care Starts with You

State Aid to Public Libraries = Local Aid to Libraries

Massachusetts Libraries Board of Library Commissioners

Guarantees access to 59 million items from across the state for residents whose library is certified in the program (reciprocal borrowing). Resident borrowing from libraries outside their local community has increased 30% in the last decade.

Saves money; for example, Pittsfield residents were able to borrow more than 27,000 items from other libraries because the library is State Aid certified^*. If the library had to purchase these items it would cost an estimated $270,000.

Can be used in any way that supports library services.^**

Reciprocal Borrowing by Municipality

Over the past year, over 7 million items have been shared between libraries in the Commonwealth. With an average item cost of $10, this equates to over $70 million in savings.

7,000,000 Items Borrowed^*

$70,000,000 Saved

over 7 million items shared in 2018^*

^*Does not include eBooks, audiobooks or other digital downloads.

Why Staying Certified Matters
State Aid Certified?	Yes	No
Residents have access to:	59 million items from libraries across the state. Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library. Statewide research databases.	Their library's own collection. Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library. Statewide research databases.
Municipalities have access to:	Millions of dollars in library construction grants through the MBLC's Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Federal grant money for local needs through the MBLC's Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program. The MBLC's Small Libraries in Networks program which provides libraries that serve small communities (population under 10,000) with funding to support their network memberships.	-

Why Staying Certified Matters

If Libraries Are State Aid Certified

Residents have access to:

59 million items from libraries across the state.
Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library.
Statewide research databases.

Municipalities have access to:

Millions of dollars in library construction grants through the MBLC's Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program.
Federal grant money for local needs through the MBLC's Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program.
The MBLC's Small Libraries in Networks program which provides libraries that serve small communities (population under 10,000) with funding to support their network memberships.

If Libraries Are NOT State Aid Certified

Residents have access to:

Their library's own collection.
Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library.
Statewide research databases.

Municipalities have access to:

Nothing

Download the Full
"State Aid to Public Libraries Guide"