Adams Library to Apply For State Waiver on Funding
ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Free Library will have to apply for a waiver in order to keep its state certification because the town has not funded it to the municipal minimum.
Library Director Holli Jayko told the trustees Thursday that the town is $43,000 short of the minimum the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, or MBLC, expects the town to provide.
"What this means is that we have fallen short of meeting the fiscal 2017 municipal appropriation requirement," Jayko said. "We are open enough hours to be certified, we are spending enough money on materials, the staff has the correct degrees and certifications but the town's budget is decreasing."
She said if the library loses its certification it will also lose state aid, will not be able to borrow from other libraries, patrons would not be able to borrow outside of the Adams library and the library would lose access to software that connects it to other libraries.
"It is not just a loss of funds but you become a standalone library all by yourself," Jayko said. "They do this to ensure that towns properly fund their libraries."
Jayko said the MBLC looks at the last three fiscal years and asks communities to increase the amount a small percentage every year.
Adams was asked to fund $283,000 for fiscal 2017 but Jayko said the projected budget is $259,000.
Jayko said the largest chunk of the decrease comes from staff cuts. Because the previous director retired at the highest pay grade and Jayko came in at the bottom pay grade, there is a decrease but Jayko said MBLC should not have any issue with this.
But, the town also laid off a full-time librarian and, over the past few years, has asked that the operations budget be cut. Jayko said this budget it was knocked down 10.12 percent from last fiscal year.
She is confident that the library will get the waiver because other than the funding, the library is meeting all other criteria, even surpassing some. She said they have received waivers in the past.
The town must send the MBLC a letter explaining that all town budgets are being decreased not just the library's.
Jayko said she will make sure all the proper paperwork is submitted.
"We are getting the waiver, and I am on top of the town employees who have to help fill out letters and stuff," she said. "So we will have our paperwork filed early if I have anything to say about it."
Jayko said the Historical Society printed brochures for self-guided tours of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall on the library's top floor.
"I don't have the staff to staff it ... but the staff at the desk will be attentive to the cameras," she said. "This is a start and I will provide the Historical Society's number to people who want to schedule a tour."
She said visitors will sign a guest book so the library can keep track of who is up there and keep a log of how many visits.
She said the Memorial Hall seems to be gaining an interest among visitors.
"I think we are going to get more visitors this fall," she said. "This summer we got a lot of tourists. They were here visiting for the day and wanted to see as much possible."
Chairman James Loughman asked if the Historical Society has enough "enthusiastic retirees" who would be willing to staff the hall and provide tours.
Trustee and Historical Society member Eugene Michalenko said there seems to be a group of baby boomers preparing to retire in town as well as artists moving to the community who may be interested.
The trustees also approved small changes to the library's internet policy to clean it up with current terminology, definitions and procedure as well as make it more consistent.
"Part of the original one is typed on a computer, part of it is handwritten and part of it is a sticky note," Jayko said. "We are not changing wording or anything of substance. We are just cleaning it up."
Jayko said Sept. 27 and Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. there will be an adult coloring social at the library.
"The first two went well. They were pretty well attended and we hope that through the winter months it provides something for the community to do," she said.
She said families have expressed interest in having family coloring nights and the library may host one if interest continues to grow.
"We have been offering it as a calming soothing event and if I brought my 5-year-old, it would not be a calming soothing event," she said. "But if I get more interest we can look into it because it is an easy program to offer."
There will also be an Intro to Windows 10 workshop on Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and 13 from 10:45 to 11:45.
Space is limited and people must register.
The library will be closed Nov. 26 and Dec. 24.
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