The day was a huge success.  Fifty people attended the first legislative briefing with opening remarks from Representative Mathew Muratore, and sixty people attended the second briefing. Over 300 librarians, trustees, friends and other library advocates attended the day in all.

Once again, MLA's Legislative Committee offered a session for first-time attendees, with remarks from Representative Byron Rushing.  That session was attended by fifty people.  Ten libraries from the Commonwealth took over the Main Staircase area to show off innovative projects in their libraries.  They were also joined by the Massachusetts School Library Association's Bookmark Contest winners and honorable mentions. Winners received a citation from the Senate. You can see the winning bookmarks here.

State funding, which is so important for the infrastructure of Massachusetts libraries, is currently lower than it was in 1998.

Free, equal and open to all-Massachusetts Libraries were first in the world to offer residents this kind of access and our public libraries are still the only place that levels the playing field for all ages, backgrounds, education level or ability. Through our heavily used statewide resource sharing system, every resident has equal access to resources that can transform their lives.

If you would like to be updated on legislative issues of importance to libraries in the state, you can sign up for MLA's Engage mailing list to receive updates. 

 

Rest assured that as your library director, I make sure that I am up on and involved in anything that might impact library services here in Dracut. 

As always, I am available to meet and talk with you.  This is your library and we want to hear what you think!