Potential impact of FY08 municipal override failure on Library
April 11, 2007 - 2:51pm
Background
A LOCAL REDUCTION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DUNSTABLE LIBRARY WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF HOURS, STAFFING AND PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
The Dunstable Free Public Library, while funded by the Town, enjoys state certification as a library that meets or exceeds important criteria for quality of service to the community. State certification demands that the library meet ALL requirements below. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners will decertify the Library if found in default.
- There must be a certified Library Director. The current director, Mary Beth Pallis was certified in 2000.
- There is a minimum weekly hours requirement. The library exceeds this minimum requirement by 50%.
- 20% of appropriations must be used to purchase library materials ex. Books, audio material, movies, magazines. The library meets this requirement.
- Each year there is a required 2½ % increase in appropriations over the average of the previous 3 years. The library will not meet this requirement with the currently recommended budget.
The consequences of losing certification will have the following impact on library services for patrons:
- The library will discontinue obtaining books and videos from other area libraries through the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium. The library currently borrows 420 items a month through the consortium.
- The library will lose access to the state wide Virtual Catalog which allows the library to borrow from Massachusetts libraries outside of the Merrimack Valley. The library borrows 25 items a month through the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog.
- The library will no longer be able to apply for state aid grants. Dunstable currently receives approximately $3500 a year in state grants.
- The library will no longer be able to apply for any State Grants. Over the past ten years, the library received approximately $750,000 through this source including funding for the new library building.
- Library patrons will not be able to use the libraries of surrounding towns. Many libraries have a standing policy not to extend borrowing privileges to patrons from towns that have been decertified.
If decertified by a lack of funding this next fiscal year, the process to return to a certified status with the State Board of Library Commissioners will take several years. The library will first demonstrate funding that will satisfy meeting minimum standards for one fiscal year. After that year, and restored funding, the library will start the application process to regain certification. Certification will be in effect in the third fiscal year.
Please remember to vote at Town Meeting May 14 and the Town Election May 21st.
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The Municipal Appropriation Requirement
Submitted by Unregistered visitor (not verified) on April 20, 2007 - 9:18am.
The Municipal Appropriation Requirement for this year is approximately $135,327; that figure is the minimum amount we need from the town. This number includes library expenses, library salaries and our Merrimack Valley Library Consortium dues. If the budget is passed at Town Meeting without an override we will receive approximately $121,168; this is clearly less than our minimum requirement. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners will then de-certify the Dunstable Public Library.
Mary Beth Pallis, Library Director
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library
As fairness to the town, can someone from the Library put the item #4 in perspective with the yearly budget numbers so that we can all understand the comment about the appropriations.
Thanks,