LSTA Long Range Plan : Public Libraries  

There are presently 370 public libraries in the 351 cities and towns of Massachusetts, not including the branches frequently found in larger municipalities. Some communities have more than one library, each independent of the others and each with its own board of trustees. The type, quality, and kinds of programs and services local public libraries are able to offer their communities vary due to the mix of population size, as well as financial and geographic factors. Municipalities are the primary source of funding for their libraries, and most also receive state aid, dependent upon their meeting certain minimum standards. As shown in the charts below, public libraries have made significant gains in funding over the last 10 years as measured by the percent of municipal general fund expended by the library.

Figure 1.1. FY 2000 Massachusetts Municipal Pie

Figure 1.2. Library Expenditures as Percentage of General Fund

Local libraries' efforts to serve their patrons well are coupled with supplemental services provided by regional library systems, the Library of Last Recourse, and automated resource sharing networks as described below. These supplemental services are further enhanced by state funded programs that provide licensed reference databases for use in libraries and by residents from homes and offices via the Internet.