April 1, 2010
STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE DON HUMASON, R-Westfield, TO THE MASS BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS
I write to add my voice to the thousands of librarians, staff, and patrons of libraries in Western Massachusetts who are the direct beneficiaries of the good works of the Western Mass Regional Library System.
I believe my credentials as a library enthusiast and supporter should be well known but let me fully disclose here that I am a member of the Westfield Athenaeum Board of Trustees as well as a Friend of the Westfield Athenaeum, a member of the Legislature’s Library Caucus, and a Friend of the Western Mass Regional Library System.
I have visited the WMRLS headquarters in South Deerfield personally and have seen the efficiency with which they provide their services firsthand. John Ramsay, the Regional Administrator of WMRLS, is my constituent, and I consider him a friend.
In my meeting with Chairman Charlie Murphy of the House Ways and Means Committee on March 11 to review my personal priorities for the Fiscal Year 2011 House budget, I also submitted my requests in writing and included the following statement:
· Reject the Governor’s draconian cuts to libraries which are already serving more of our constituents during this economic downturn with fewer resources. Specifically: 7000-9401 State Aid to Regional Libraries.
I believe libraries are a cornerstone of our cities and the most Democratic of all institutions. They serve everyone equally. The return on investment is high. For every dollar spent for Regional Library Services, Massachusetts library users get over $8 in services and savings.
You know all the statistics as well as I. A recent study concluded that 70% of our constituents use libraries. I remain hopeful that the House and Senate will restore the funds that Governor Patrick was unwise to cut from his budget.
Western Massachusetts should not have to bear the disproportionate pain that would result from the closing of WMRLS and the creation of one region headquartered in Eastern Massachusetts.
I urge your most favorable consideration on this matter and assure you of my continued commitment to fight for all library services in Massachusetts.
Thank you.
DONALD F. HUMASON, JR.
REPRESENTATIVE
WESTFIELD
District Office
64 NOBLE STREET
WESTFIELD, MA 01085
TEL. (413) 568-1366
Room 542, State House
TEL. (617) 722-2803
Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.Sate.ma.us
Showing posts with label FY10 Library Budget Reductions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FY10 Library Budget Reductions. Show all posts
Friday, April 2, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
URGENT! INPUT NEEDED!
What is happening to WMRLS?
What is this statewide merger all about?
How will it affect our libraries?
Come join your colleagues at one of 3 discussion sessions that have been scheduled across the WMRLS service area. No need to register, just show up and participate!
Learn more about the plans and what effect they will have on you , your library and your users. Those who are working on the merger need your ideas ASAP!
Roundtable discussions are scheduled at:
• Tuesday, March 23, Lee Library Association, 10 a.m.
• Wed., March 24, Agawam Public Library, 10 a.m.
• Thursday, March 25, WMRLS , Whately, 10 a.m.
For directions, please consult the WMRLS website at: http://www.wmrls.org/directions/index.html
~ John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, WMRLS
Monday, December 21, 2009
WAMC Broadcast: Bookmobile Service Falls Victim to Economy
"SHEFFIELD, MA (WAMC) - A 75-year tradition in Western Massachusetts comes to an end this month. The bookmobile service is being cut due to massive reductions in state funding. WAMC's Charlie Deitz reports... © Copyright 2009, WAMC" ~ Listen to the broadcast
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Governor Announces Budget Cuts To FY2010 State Budget
The following message was posted to the allregions email list at 1:38 pm today:
The Governor outlined today at a press conference in Worcester his list of 9C spending cuts to the FY2010 state budget. These are emergency cuts to the FY2010 state budget due to a projected $600 million revenue shortfall in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The Governor is required by law to reduce the state budget if revenues are not sufficient to the fund the state budget for FY2010. The Governor did not reduce funding in line item 7000-9506 ( Technology and Automated Resource-Sharing, line item 7000-9101( MBLC Administrative account), or in line items 7000-9402(Worcester Talking Book Library) or 7000-9406 (Perkins Talking Book Library).
However, the Governor has reduced funding for line item 7000-9401 (State Aid To Regional Libraries) by $514,000 in FY2010. The Governor has also reduced funding by $284,000 for line item 7000-9501 for State Aid To Public Libraries in FY2010.
Maureen Killoran, Head of the
Library Advisory and Development Unit
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
98 North Washington St., Suite 401
Boston, Mass. 02114
Tel: 617-725-1860 ext.220
1-800-952-7403 ext.220
email: maureen.killoran@state.ma.us
The Governor outlined today at a press conference in Worcester his list of 9C spending cuts to the FY2010 state budget. These are emergency cuts to the FY2010 state budget due to a projected $600 million revenue shortfall in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The Governor is required by law to reduce the state budget if revenues are not sufficient to the fund the state budget for FY2010. The Governor did not reduce funding in line item 7000-9506 ( Technology and Automated Resource-Sharing, line item 7000-9101( MBLC Administrative account), or in line items 7000-9402(Worcester Talking Book Library) or 7000-9406 (Perkins Talking Book Library).
However, the Governor has reduced funding for line item 7000-9401 (State Aid To Regional Libraries) by $514,000 in FY2010. The Governor has also reduced funding by $284,000 for line item 7000-9501 for State Aid To Public Libraries in FY2010.
Maureen Killoran, Head of the
Library Advisory and Development Unit
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
98 North Washington St., Suite 401
Boston, Mass. 02114
Tel: 617-725-1860 ext.220
1-800-952-7403 ext.220
email: maureen.killoran@state.ma.us
Monday, June 29, 2009
Forbes Library Budget Announcement
Press Release June 29, 2009
The Trustees and staff of Forbes Library are grateful to the voters of Northampton who passed the override. Director Janet Moulding said that the library will still have to make cuts in services for FY10 because of reductions in the library’s income, but because of funds from the override, those cuts will be much less severe.
Because of reduced income from the city appropriation and state aid, the library will spend less for books, DVDs and library supplies. The only reduction in hours will be that the library will close on Saturdays this summer from July 4th through September 5th. The library will resume its current hours after Labor Day. “We are sorry to inconvenience any of our patrons because we know how important library services are to Northampton, especially in tough economic times. Our usage has increased by 20% since July 2008! We are hoping the economy will improve in the next couple of years, so Forbes can resume summer Saturdays and ideally increase hours in the future,” said Moulding.
Funds from the override have also enabled Forbes to keep its state certification which entitles the library to state aid, grant eligibility and, most importantly, interlibrary loan privileges. Said Moulding, “Without certification, residents of Northampton could not request books and videos from other libraries through interlibrary loan. We couldn’t even go to another library and check out materials. Without certification, Northampton would become isolated from the whole library consortium.” Because of the override, Forbes will also be able to keep the Hampshire Room for Local History and the Calvin Coolidge Museum open for limited hours each week. “We are relieved that we won’t have to turn away historians and genealogists. Our collections are essential to many people’s research,” said Moulding.
Starting July 4th, Forbes will be open from 9:00 to 9:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 9:00 to 5:00 on Fridays. The library will be closed Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day.
Contact information:
Janet Moulding
Forbes Library
20 West Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1016
jmoulding@forbeslibrary.org
The Trustees and staff of Forbes Library are grateful to the voters of Northampton who passed the override. Director Janet Moulding said that the library will still have to make cuts in services for FY10 because of reductions in the library’s income, but because of funds from the override, those cuts will be much less severe.
Because of reduced income from the city appropriation and state aid, the library will spend less for books, DVDs and library supplies. The only reduction in hours will be that the library will close on Saturdays this summer from July 4th through September 5th. The library will resume its current hours after Labor Day. “We are sorry to inconvenience any of our patrons because we know how important library services are to Northampton, especially in tough economic times. Our usage has increased by 20% since July 2008! We are hoping the economy will improve in the next couple of years, so Forbes can resume summer Saturdays and ideally increase hours in the future,” said Moulding.
Funds from the override have also enabled Forbes to keep its state certification which entitles the library to state aid, grant eligibility and, most importantly, interlibrary loan privileges. Said Moulding, “Without certification, residents of Northampton could not request books and videos from other libraries through interlibrary loan. We couldn’t even go to another library and check out materials. Without certification, Northampton would become isolated from the whole library consortium.” Because of the override, Forbes will also be able to keep the Hampshire Room for Local History and the Calvin Coolidge Museum open for limited hours each week. “We are relieved that we won’t have to turn away historians and genealogists. Our collections are essential to many people’s research,” said Moulding.
Starting July 4th, Forbes will be open from 9:00 to 9:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 9:00 to 5:00 on Fridays. The library will be closed Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day.
Contact information:
Janet Moulding
Forbes Library
20 West Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1016
jmoulding@forbeslibrary.org
