|
|
|
|
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? The Bridgewater Public Library’s budget was cut disproportionately to other departments in the town of Bridgewater. This lack of support made us ineligible to apply for a waiver, and we lost our certification. 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. They will no longer lend their materials to Bridgewater
residents through delivery or in person. At
this time (7/09), 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 only. The Bridgewater Public Library did not receive any state aid this year. This loss will continue until we regain certification. 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, which did not adequately fund its library, you cannot borrow materials from any other library except those listed above. What does this mean for our
patrons who are not residents of Bridgewater? Those who do not live in Bridgewater may come into the library and check out materials. How can we regain our
certification status? If we are funded adequately in FY 1011 and we are open a minimum of 63 hours per week from Labor Day 2010 to Memorial Day 2011, then we will be eligible to apply for certification in October of 2011 and be certified in FY2012. 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.
|
|
|
