Massachusetts has nearly 1,800 public, academic, school, and special libraries throughout the Commonwealth, serving over 31 million people each year. That amounts to over 52 million books, magazines, and cd’s Specifically, there are 370 public libraries, 106 branch libraries, 4 book mobiles, and 9 library branches within the state. Each branch is covered by a specific geographic area, with some school and academic libraries included as network members. Separate from these networks, there are also institutions and museums that are labeled as special libraries.

Through the course of the year Massachusetts public libraries offer 43.8 million books, magazines, cds, etc. More than 31 million people have visited the libraries over the course of one year, averaging 4.8 visits per person per year and borrow approximately 52 million items every year, 8.1 items per person per year. In addition, Massachusetts public libraries also provide interlibrary loan, reference and referral, continuing education, technical assistance, database access, Braille books, the Summer Reading Program, and books on tape. These services were allocated 24 million in the FY09 budget with the average expenditure totaling $37.11 per person per year.

With the budget cuts and Governor’s vetoes, state funding to keep the lights on in the libraries across the Commonwealth is crucial. We know that libraries provide residents with information that increases literacy, community involvement, cultural awareness, and civic participation. In these difficult economic times, libraries also experience a dramatic increase in demand from patrons seeking access to computers and online job listings, programs geared toward career advancement, and librarians who can help write a resume – all available free of charge. Advocacy groups, legislators, and residents will have to put forth effort to keep and improve our public libraries equity of access and quality of services.

In particular, to advance the use and quality of public libraries, The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. Established in 1890, the Board strives to provide every resident of the Commonwealth with full and equal access to library information resources and works to increase the public awareness of the value of libraries. The goals of the Board are to maintain and strengthen the existing free public libraries throughout the Commonwealth and provide statewide and regional programs for the improvement of the library services. They provide support for resource sharing and the utilization of electronic information technology by libraries, as well as specialized services to blind and physically handicapped residents.

If residents would like to find out more information about their local library they can go to mblc.state.ma.us. The website provides a statewide listing of more than 1,700 libraries that are members of the regional library system. The vast majority of libraries, including all of the 370 public libraries, most college and university libraries, and about 1,000 school libraries are included in this listing. The library’s address, phone, hours, and a link to the library’s homepage are provided in the directory.

There are measures that can be taken to ensure that libraries throughout the Commonwealth stay fully funded. On the state and local level, resident can keep state certification through town funding for minimum requirements and call their legislators in support of library line items. Residents can also contact the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association (MLTA) can allow residents to send letters asking for funding to their legislators. Anyone can get involved and you do not have to become an MLTA member. The Massachusetts Friends of Libraries (MFOL) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to creating a network of shared library information. MFOL members can help raise money for their local library and help support libraries all over the state.