Library Advocates Host Legislative Breakfast

NORTON – Library advocates and state legislators, including Representative Steven Howitt and Representative F. Jay Barrows met to discuss issues affecting libraries at the third annual Southeastern Massachusetts Libraries Legislative Breakfast on Friday, February 6, at the Norton Public Library. Keynote speaker Sen. James Timilty (D-Walpole) spoke about the importance of libraries, addressing over 80 legislators and library supporters from towns and institutions in the SAILS Library Network, including Norton Public Library patrons and trustees.
(see attached photo of Rep. Howitt with staff, trustees and advocates from Norton Public Library)
Twelve-year-old Aidan Ryan, a homeschooler and ardent library user, spoke of his love for the Norton Public Library, which recently regained its state certification: “When you take a library away from a kid, it’s like taking a block away from a Jenga game. You can get away with it for a while, but eventually it’s going to crash.”
Funded by donations from area library supporters, the Legislative Breakfast -- one of several held around the state -- familiarized state legislators with essential programs and services provided to residents by school, public, and academic libraries.
Themes for the day included the need to improve library funding, particularly state aid to public libraries and automated networks/library technology and resource sharing. Almost every one of the over 300 public libraries in Massachusetts receive some funding each year through State Aid to Public Libraries, another program administered by the MBLC. “Opportunities for all” offered by libraries to the residents of the Commonwealth including materials, summer library program, resource sharing, eBooks, and community center were mentioned by several speakers.
Library advocates were urged to visit with legislators again at the State House on Library Legislative Day, April 1, to show public support for libraries across the Commonwealth.