MA Library Advocates Speak Out!

In response to Governor Deval Patrick’s administrative request that all state agencies hold public hearings to ensure a transparent budget process, the MBLC held its FY2009 budget hearing at the Worcester Public Library on October 4, 2007. The Patrick/Murray administration has imposed a 1.5% budget cap on the MBLC’s FY2009 budget.

More than 100 Massachusetts library advocates filled the Worcester Public Library’s meeting room, grateful for the chance to speak out about the economic crisis facing the Commonwealth’s public, school, and special libraries. Dozens of library supporters testified about the negative ramifications resulting from the sustained decline in funding for libraries dating back to 2000 when state funding was drastically slashed. Although the majority of MA state agencies’ budgets have rebounded from the severe cuts of 2000 and 2001, State Aid to Public Libraries and State Aid to Regional Libraries are two of only three Cherry Sheet Line Items that have never recovered.

The MBLC received 183 testimonies from library personnel and supporters regarding state funding for libraries. These have been compiled and presented, along with an Executive Summary, to Governor Patrick, Lt. Governor Murray, and to Leslie Kirwin, Secretary of Administration and Finance. The Executive Summary and ten highlighted testimonies have been published on the MBLC web site.

Consistent and aggressive legislative advocacy for the Commonwealth’s libraries will be essential in ensuring that funding is sufficient to meet the escalating demands of library patrons statewide. Please be an active participant in the legislative process this year by articulating to your state legislators and to Governor Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray why libraries are essential to the educational and economic health of Massachusetts.

Jackie Rafferty, Co-Chair MLA Legislative Committee
& Director, Paul Pratt Memorial Library
Cohasset, MA 02025
www.cohassetlibrary.org