Saugus, MA Library Closes, Possibly for Good

Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 05/25/2007

The Saugus Public Library, MA, closed in late May through the end of the June 30 fiscal year, and will remain closed through the summer unless officials in June pass a trash fee that would nonetheless halve the library’s budget. Because of a projected zero budget for 2008, one full-time staffer (of eight) and one part-time staffer have already left to take other jobs, while others have taken the vacation due them, necessitating closure, Mary Rose Quinn, the library director, told LJ.

"It’s an enormous task," Quinn said of the plans to close, since it requires recalling materials due other libraries and getting the building prepared. Whether or not the trash fee passes, the library won’t have enough money to buy books, so officials have already canceled standing orders, database purchases, and journal subscriptions that would continue on July 1. If the library stays open, "we’ll fundraise" for new books, Quinn said. The trash fee vote could come as early as June 4; the vote would be up to the 50 Town Meeting members

The library now has a $566,000 budget, but about four years ago had a $637,000 budget. (The town population is 26,500, which translates to per capita funding over $21.) Because of state Proposition 2 ½, which caps property taxes, municipalities face limits in raising revenues. As operational costs have escalated over past few years, other agencies in Saugus, including recreation, senior services, and schools, have suffered. In April, a tax override vote failed; it would have raised $5.2 million for the town and left the library level-funded.

The library web site offers a library value calculator, asking residents to assess the value to them of library services such as borrowing books and attending meetings. The calculator worksheet has been adapted from a spreadsheet originally provided by the Massachusetts Library Association.

The web site also warns that, if the library closes, it will lost three "much-needed grants for services and equipment upgrades" and will have violated the terms of the Pace Genealogy Trust and lose the annual income (approximately $30,000) for library books. Also, even if local residents hold library cards from other communities, they will not be able to maintain borrowing privileges if their home library closes or does not meet minimum state standards. As of May 29, because the library was closed, it was decertified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.