Representative Mark Falzone lent his support to last Wednesday’s rally of public library workers and users called at the State House in Boston to protest budget cuts during a time of surging demand for library services as people cope with current economic conditions. State Funds for libraries suffered an additional cut of $800,000 last week ordered by Governor Deval Patrick.

Representative Falzone noted, “Libraries are important resources, especially in hard times, and in addition to assisting with education, they provide vital information regarding jobs, starting a business, occupational training, and understanding the latest economic conditions and how these relate to business and employment decisions. As the Chairman of the Legislative Library Caucus I know that this is the worst time to be cutting back on these needed library services, and I call upon everyone in state government to work toward restoring to our libraries the resources they need to do their job. Libraries in Massachusetts are a model of how well regionalization works to create efficiencies in government, and we should support their efforts and services as an example of the best work we do in our communities for those who live here.”

Speakers at the rally emphasized the consistent increase in library circulation and the demand for library services as the recession has intensified and people have cut back on back on personal expenses by, for example, canceling internet services.

Susan McAllister, president of the Massachusetts Library Association, said, “Libraries cannot live on love alone. On a typical day Massachusetts libraries provide 278 programs for adults and children, 148,000 items are circulated, and 13,900 reference questions are answered. In addition, our state libraries see 83,484 visitors each day, with 23,666 using public internet computers.”

Noting that the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ budget for the next fiscal year has been cut by 16 percent with more cuts scheduled in the future, Massachusetts Library Association legislative committee co-chair Jackie Rafferty said, “We keep getting cut at a time when we’re needed more than ever. Don’t close the book on libraries.”

Representative Falzone stated, in speaking to the crowd assembled from across the state, “Through the efforts of the Legislative Library Caucus, 113 House members signed letters to the House Speaker on July 16th, asking for increases in library funding. This push to restore funding for these crucial resources has received great bipartisan support.”

Other library users at the rally emphasized how their time spent in libraries utilizing the services available had furthered their careers and economic success.