North Adams City Council Supports Library System

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
10:22PM / Tuesday, April 13, 2010Print Story | Email Story

North Adams Library Director Rick Moon said the cuts to the regional system will be devastating.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams is joining library supporters around the area in urging lawmakers not to close the book on the regional library system.

The City Council on Tuesday night wholeheartedly endorsed a resolution introduced by Councilor Gailanne Cariddi to urge lawmakers to restore funding by any extent possible.

"Libraries are so crucial these days because people have limited resources," said Cariddi. "This is one service that we can't do without."

Gov. Deval Patrick is looking to cut the state's regional library systems and consolidate all six into one. That has library advocates up in arms over what they say is a short-term fix that will devastate systems that took decades to develop. The governor was met by more than two dozen protesters in Great Barrington on Sunday.

The cooperative systems allow academic, school and public libraries to purchase and share materials through a bookmobile. The systems are a lifeline to small libraries that don't have the space or funding for reams of books, movies and magazines.

"We really don't understand how a cut like this can happen," said Library Director Rick Moon, addressing the council. "Everything runs so smoothly and a major cut like this will basically devastate Western Mass. more than eastern Mass."

Fast Facts
for North Adams Library

In the last year:

• Circulation up 16 percent
•18,000 logged on to the computer
•The regional system saved an estimated $45,000 in purchasing
•18,000 items were circulated from the regional system

Find out more at the WMRLS blog

The Western district consists of 311 member libraries based out of Whately and delivered more than 1.8 million books and other materials to its members in the last year. The current setup was established in 1997 from what was then three districts. Its fiscal 2010 budget was about $1.5 million; that's expected to be cut the coming year by 29 percent.

"We have six regions. It will make it one region over the state, which it's going to be tough for anybody to get a book from Boston or Worcestor or Springfield," said Moon. "It's the blue and tan trucks that will stop running and that's the major soruce of where we get our items."

Since July 1, the library has handled more than 200,000 items and provides services to nearly 100,000 patrons of all ages.

Councilor Keith Bona noted that the closing of the local Movie Gallery in the L-Shaped Mall will likely increase the number of film lovers utilizing the library's limited collection, a listing supplemented by the regional system.

The council unanimously endorsed the resolution stating "these cuts will severely curtail the system's effectiveness and will adversely affect the patrons of the North Adams Public Library.

The resolution will be forwarded to the governor, the city's representatives and the House Ways and Means Committee chairman. Mayor Richard Alcombright said he would personally deliver a copy to the governor when he meets with him next week.

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Your Comments

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It is unfortunate that so much misinformation is eroding this issue. In fact, the delivery system is one of the services that is being saved through the consolidation. The budget cuts have been severe, the article cites the present 29% cut, but does not address the fact that the budget was cut 25% last year as well. The cut to the regions is enormous, from $17M in 2009 now down to $8.7M for 2011. Books and materials will still be delivered next year by the same drivers and trucks that deliver the materials now - they will work for a single entity. So, as opposed to paying six administrators (around 90K each) that money will go into service through the single entity that will be based in Whately (like it is now) and Waltham. Bottom line: materials delivered the same way they are today, training and development in the west for western librarians, increased database licensing for western Massachusetts. The article sites the statistics for the western region, but also note that in FY2009 Massachusetts residents borrowed over 57 million books, DVDs, and other materials from across the system. If the average cost of each item was $10, public libraries saved residents an astounding $570 Million. And, let's not forget statewide databases, services for the blind and visually impaired, plus the library construction funds. This issue is not a regional issue, it is a statewide issue. The state is continuing to support libraries throughout this crisis. More than 68 libraries in western Massachusetts have received funding for new or renovated libraries under the MBLC Construction Program. That accounts for 25% of all grants distributed since 1990. More than $26 Million has been dedicated to these libraries. Continued advocacy for library programs is critical towards providing long-term support. Massachusetts is facing a $3 Billion budget gap... and if libraries are to remain unscathed, then people must make them priorities now. Get the whole story and help advocate effectively for your public library system
from: Books	on: 04-14-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

By making a statement to the Governor condemning his cut to the line item that funds regional service, City Council is advocating on behalf of all libraries--not just in the west, and not just public. What is the problem with that? Editor: I agree, but I understand what the previous poster said so well. The fear here is that any "merge" will inevitably negatively affect the west end of the state. It's a matter of size and proportion - and past history, unfortunately.
from: Reader	on: 04-14-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Agreed with the editor ... when the Commonwealth "consolidates," they forget all about western Massachusetts.
from: left out	on: 04-14-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Fear should not drive the debate. Instead advocacy and hard work for all libraries - regardless of geography needs to be the order of the day. Did the west feel left out when the MBLC worked with the Gates Foundation to create a plan for broadband access? Did western Massachusetts feel left out when more than $26M was dedicated for library construction? Does western Massachusetts feel left out when over $1M is available through the USDA rural library grants for future projects? Does the western part of the State feel left out when n fact the facility in Whately is still being used to provides services next year? I fail to see how any part of the Commonwealth is left out in the consolidation efforts that preserve core services and respects the needs of all across the system. For all the most recent advocacy, note that the House Budget released today did not add one single dollar to the line item that is affecting the regional library system. Y2011 Ã¯Â¿Â½ GovernorÃ¯Â¿Â½s $8,781,475 FY2011 - House Ways & Means $8,781,475. Not a single penny for advocacy efforts. So, left with little choice and dwindling funds the consolidation means that services are maintained through a single entity in Whately & Waltham. With a $3 Billion shortfall it is important to get as much information in order to fairly assess the problem and potential solutions. This is not an east/west or north/south issue... it is a library issue.
from: Reader	on: 04-14-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Letter: CDBG Funding for Housing Fix-Up, Purchase Assistance, and Affordable Housing Trust

Letter to the Editor04:00PM / Monday, March 30, 2026

To the Editor:

At the public hearing (03/25/26) on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application submitted by North Adams, the presentation indicated that no funding was allocated to assisting residents with housing fix-up and housing purchase.

North Adams remains the only jurisdiction in Berkshire County that does not include these types of programs in their CDBG application. The grant application also misses an opportunity to fund the newly created Affordable Housing Trust which receives CDBG funds in other jurisdictions.

North Adams funded housing fix-up and housing purchase assistance in the past and these programs helped many residents with home upkeep and purchases. The need for these programs has only increased since they were abandoned by North Adams.

For the median income resident of North Adams the median home price is $40,000 more than they can afford. Over 27 percent of homeowners spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing and 12.5 percent of homeowners spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing. Over 20 percent of properties in North Adams are rated as below average condition by the North Adams assessor.

There should be no doubt that North Adams needs both fix-up and home purchase assistance programs and a well supported Affordable Housing Trust. I urge North Adams residents to advocate for funding for these programs during the upcoming budget review meetings.

Virginia Riehl
North Adams, Mass.

Riehl is co-founder of the North Adams Community Housing Organization (NACHO)

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