Cuts in MA Library Aid, Possible Closing of State Library Generate Protests

Funding for state aid to regional libraries, public libraries below 1997 levels

Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 11/17/2009

• Petition protests State Library closure
• Cuts in state aid around 30%
• More cuts coming
• Library use is up

Nearly 3500 people have signed a petition protesting the possible closure of the Massachusetts State Library, part of Governor Deval Patrick’s plan to save $600 million in the face of huge deficits. The library, open since 1826, houses government documents, legal materials, and state historical materials, among other things. It already experienced a 26% budget cut for FY '10.

Other library services have already been hit. On November 4, some 250 library supporters rallied outside the State House in Boston to protest major budget cuts to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). State Aid to Regional Libraries, $17,166,071 in FY 09, is now $12,327,160, a 28% reduction. State Aid to Public Libraries, $9,989,844 in FY 09, is now $6,823,657, a 32% reduction.

The rally, "Don't Close the Books on Libraries," was organized by the  Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Legislative Committee. Library use, noted the MLA, has skyrocketed with the worsening economic recession, and resource sharing of the collections of libraries in the state is at an all time high.

(Photo from MLA Facebook page.)

Funding below 1997 levels
Governor Patrick has been forced to make several cuts in FY '10, which ends June 30, because of declining revenues. On October 29, Patrick announced the final element of the cumulative cuts noted above; the loss of an additional $500,000 in State Aid to Regional Libraries and nearly $300,000 in State Aid to Public Libraries brought funding for both programs below 1997 levels. While usage has increased by 23% since 1997, MBLC funding has been cut 25%.

Robert C. Maier, Director of the MBLC, commented, “Demand for services is up for the ninth year in a row and access to the free information and resources that libraries provide has never been more important. We've been working to find solutions that will help libraries maintain core services, but there is a limit to what we can do when funding is reduced to a level that we haven't seen for over a decade."

More cuts coming
Moreover, FY '11 already looks gloomy, as the MBLC and other state agencies are preparing budgets to meet a requested 17% reduction. One possibility is a consolidation of the six regional library systems.