Great Turnout for Library Legislative Day

On Thursday, April 2, several hundred library supporters flocked in record numbers to the State House in Boston for Library Legislative Day. This event was jointly sponsored by the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts School Library Association. Western and Central Massachusetts libraries were very well represented, many taking the trouble-free and inexpensive bus chartered by the Friends of WMRLS. The bus was registered to capacity.

The day was scheduled advocate for State funding for libraries of all types, along with the regional library systems the automated networks, the Talking Book Libraries and the Board of Library Commissioners. The message was that libraries are essential, but especially now in these troubled economic times. The halls of the State House were filled with people sporting bright green lapel stickers emblazoned with the words “Libraries – Instruments of Recovery.”

If turnout and enthusiasm are any measure, this Legislative Day was a resounding success. With State funding for so many services jeopardized for FY10, it was critical that a massive effort be made to encourage legislators to support libraries.

Sincerely, John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, WMRLS