Fundraising leads to more state money for local libraries
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Local fundraising helps the state deposit money into the local library coffers due to new public library funds.

Ashburnham Public Library has received $1,798 and Ashby Free Public Library received $336 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The new Public Libraries Fund was established in the state budget during FY2007. The $250,000 will be distributed to a 189 public libraries in the Commonwealth.

Cheryl Paul-Bradley, the director of the Ashburnham library, said while the Board of Trustees hasn't voted on what to do with the money she expects it will be used to buy additional materials for the library's collection. She said the goal is to increase all of the materials but right now there is a need for large-print books.

Paul-Bradley said she will be notifying the state of a significant amount of private money raised for the library.

"It was a combination of money from the Friends, the Ruth B. Whittemore Trust Fund, and the Frederick's rental money," she said.

Ashby Library Director Mary Murtland said she and the trustees also plan to use the money to add materials to the collection.

The goal of the state program is to provide money matching that which is raised by local library foundations, local trustees, and Library Friends groups. To be eligible the public library and the town had to raise between $2,000 and $100,000 during the last six months of 2006 to receive funding from the FY2007 Public Libraries Fund.

This money must be raised by private individuals or organizations and must be made available to improve and increase library services, according to state Sen. Stephen Brewer's office. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners wants to entice libraries to increase private library fundraising, his office said.

"Our local libraries are one of the most crucial resources we have in our communities," said Brewer in a press release. "It is important that we provide them with the funding necessary to keep their resources up to date so that they may continue to provide each member of the Commonwealth access to complete and accurate information."

This bill has been re-filed with the hopes funding can be increased for FY2008.

"Public libraries across the Commonwealth have seen drastic reductions in municipal and state funding for too many years, so it was the intent of the Legislature to provide an incentive for our libraries to raise monies from other than public sources and then match those funds up to 50 percent. This year it is my goal to team up with colleagues and the Board of Library Commissioners to advocate for additional monies for this program," stated Rice.

Rice was formerly director of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library in Gardner, as well as the Gardner High School librarian.

If money is appropriated in FY2008, the period for reporting privately raised funds would be the first six months of 2007, and application materials will be mailed out in August 2007. If funds are appropriated, the distribution of these funds will be approved by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners at their meeting in March 2008.