Representative Mark Falzone announced Thursday that the Town of Saugus will get early access to state funding for the Saugus Public Library through an important clause included in the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget passed on Thursday, June 24th by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate.

The Saugus Public Library currently does not receive assistance through the State Aid to Public Libraries program because it fails to meet state requirements for hours, staff, and materials acquisition. This will change once the funding approved by Town Meeting takes effect, but it usually takes over a year of steady funding for a library to be “certified” to access state funds. The delay makes it difficult for struggling libraries to meet state standards, because they need to do it without the usual assistance from the state.

Representative Falzone explained, “The language we put in the budget instructs the Board of Library Commissioners to grant the Library temporary certification for meeting a few basic requirements this coming fiscal year.” Falzone, who authored the budget amendment, noted, “This will give our town quick access to the state funds and help to get our library back on track.”

“I am very grateful to Representative Falzone for all of his efforts on behalf of the Saugus Public Library and all libraries across the state,” said Pamela Gill, Chairwoman of the Board of Library Trustees.

The provision also allows the Saugus Public Library to waive the requirement of employing a permanent library director until July 1st, 2011, giving the town additional time to decide upon a candidate.

Representative Falzone, the Founding Chairman of the Library Caucus in the Massachusetts Legislature, commented, “I personally know the tremendous value of our library in Saugus. This state budget provision will help our town support this crucial resource which provides assistance to job seekers and businesses, internet access, and help to our students. I applaud our Saugus Town Meeting Members for taking the important step of funding our library at the required level this year and also the Library’s Board of Trustees for their strong and successful advocacy on this issue.”