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15 South Street, Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02324 Phone: 508-697-3331 bwpl@sailsinc.org
USEFUL LINKS: FOR
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In February of 2008, the Bridgewater Public Library was officially decertified by the Mass Board of Library Commissioners, the governing body for libraries in Massachusetts. Why were we decertified? Due to the decrease in the Town's budget the Library's budget was reduced by more than 75% in 2008. As of 2011 the Library's budget is only 50% of a fully operation budget making it impossible to meet state requirements. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Requires all towns to fund their public library at a rate of 2.5% above the average of the past three years budgets. The library must also be open to the public 59 hours a week and spend 13% of its budget on materials. What
does this mean for Bridgewater residents? The Trustees of most libraries
in the area voted to suspend reciprocal borrowing privileges to decertified
libraries, including the Bridgewater Public Library. Most libraries will no longer lend their materials to Bridgewater
residents through delivery or in person. At
this time, the following libraries have voted to allow Bridgewater
residents to borrow from their collections and will allow holds:
Assonet, East Freetown, Wareham, Norton, Swansea, as well as Bristol
Community College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and all K-12 schools in the
SAILS network. Patrons must pick up
their holds at the Bridgewater Public Library. The Bridgewater Public Library will not receive any state aid while we are decertified. In addition, we are no longer able to apply for state and federal grants administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Can
I go to another library and apply for a card there? No. You may only have one library card in the SAILS network and no matter where you get your card, reciprocal borrowing privileges are determined by your primary residence zip code. Therefore, if you live in Bridgewater you cannot borrow materials from any other library except those listed above until the library is recertified. What does this mean for our
patrons who are not residents of Bridgewater? Those who do not live in Bridgewater may continue to check out materials. How can we regain our
certification status? If we are funded adequately and we are open a minimum of 59 hours per week from Labor Day to Memorial Day, then we will be eligible to apply for certification in October and be certified the following year. . What services are still
available? The staff of the Bridgewater Public Library will continue to give you the best possible service within our means. We will still provide readers’ advisory, children’s and adult reference, access to the databases, downloadable titles and music through Overdrive, Internet service including WIFI, and all the resources contained within the library walls.
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