Who Needs Libraries, Anyways?

Seen as non-essential services, libraries across our state are suffering budget cuts in the form of slashed hours, or even closed doors.

Magnifying local budget cuts is the loss of state certification and its associated rights, such as inter-library loans, that can occur when towns cut funding to libraries disproportionately to the rest of town priorities.

So what?

Ruth Hathaway, manager of the Holbrook Library calls the library, "the ultimate community center for all ages.” Ruth, and countless Massachusetts citizens like her, are fighting to save these public structures that provide opportunities for education and community interaction.

Unless Holbrook voters support a Proposition 21/2 tax override on June 10, the doors of that community center will be locked.

...Brockton Public Library faces a... loss of eight jobs, six from layoffs in the fiscal 2009 budget currently before the City Council.

...Bridgewater Public Library awaits a June tax override vote to [fund] the restoration of the 63 hours it was open in 2005.

...Norton Public Library faces layoffs, reduced services and hours after town meeting cut the budget 35 percent.

...Rockland Public Library’s state certification is jeopardized.

...Randolph... recently regained state certification that was lost
when operating hours were reduced because of budget cuts last year.

...“At the moment, we’re at least holding our own,” said Charles
Michaud, director of the Turner Free Library in Randolph, which
recently regained state certification that was lost when operating
hours were reduced because of budget cuts last year....

“Twenty-six years into it, it’s Proposition 21/2 coming home to roost,” he said.

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