History of State Aid to Public Libraries
1890
Establishment of the Act to Promote the Establishment and Efficiency of Public Libraries (c.347, Acts of 1890, codified as M.G.L. c.78, s.16-20). This establishes aid to public Libraries, and a Municipal Appropriation Requirement.
1956
The Report of State Aid to Public Libraries, commonly known as the Buck Report is presented to the legislature. One of the recommendations made by the Buck Report is that "a grant-in-aid be made to each public library meeting minimum standards of service."
1960
M.G.L. c.78, s.16-18 are repealed by c.429, s.5, Acts of 1960. Sections 16-18 relate to money awarded by the Board of Library Commissioners for the purchase of books in towns having no public library (16), the requirement that the town receiving the books have an elected board of trustees and that those trustees have made provisions for the care and distribution of the books (17), and a municipal appropriation requirement for towns (18).
1960
Governor Furculo signs a bill establishing State Aid to Public Libraries (c.760, Acts of 1960, codified as M.G.L. c.78, s.19A and 19B).
1961
The first State Aid to Public Libraries awards, totaling $974,443, were distributed to 237 municipalities that met minimum standards of public library service.
1964
Funding for State Aid to Public Libraries is changed from state income tax revenue to the general fund (c.672 Acts of 1963).
1970
An amended State Aid to Public Libraries bill provides for an increase in the size of State Aid awards, but funds are not appropriated for the bill (c.636, s.1, 2, 5 Acts of 1970).
1972
Funds are appropriated for the 1970 State Aid to Public Libraries bill.
1974
A regulation is adopted as part of the minimum standards of public library service that requires, by July 1, 1979, that a public library "must be willing to lend its books to any other free public library also accepting a state grant ... [and] that all public Libraries participating in the direct state aid grant program must be willing, on a reciprocal basis, to extend direct access and services to nonresidents who are card holders in other Libraries participating in the state aid grant program." (605 CMR 4.01(6)).
1981
An amended State Aid to Public Libraries bill increases the amount of State Aid to Public Libraries awards (c.99, Acts of 1980).
1986
Governor Dukakis signs the FY1987 state budget which establishes the Municipal Equalization Grant for one year (FY1987) with an appropriation of $3 million.
1987
Senate President Bulger files a bill titled An Act to Improve Public Libraries, and it is signed into law by Governor Dukakis. The bill authorizes the Municipal Equalization Grant, the Nonresident Circulation Offset, and establishes the Municipal Appropriation Requirement as a percentage increase. The Nonresident Circulation Offset portion is not funded (c.478, s.1, Acts of 1987, codified as M.G.L. c.78, s.19A (3-4)).
1992
Governor Weld signs a bill that waives the requirements of M.G.L., c.78, s.19A for any municipality that is under receivership for FY1993 - FY1995 (c.153, s.63, Acts of 1992).
1993
Governor Weld signs a FY1993 supplemental budget appropriating $1,239,025 for the Nonresident Circulation Offset portion of M.G.L., c.78, s.19A.
1993
Governor Weld signs a bill amending c.153, s.63, Acts of 1992, that waives the requirements of M.G.L. c.78, s.19A and s.19B for any town that is under receivership or under the guidance of a finance control board as of January 1, 1993. The bill is in effect for FY1993 - FY1995 (c.20, Acts of 1993).
1999
Governor Cellucci signs the FY2000 budget appropriating an additional $1.5 million to the municipal equalization grant program and $1.5 million for the library incentive grant program.
2000
"Application for flexibility," an amendment to 605 C.M.R. 4.01(5), went into effect on July 1, 2000. "A library that is open the required hours for a larger population group may, by request of the Library Director and Chair of the Board of Trustees, expend the required materials expenditure for that population group."
2006-2007
On June 1, 2006, the Board of Library Commissioners approved 30 appointments to the State Aid Review Committee. The Board asked the Committee to assess the role of a state aid program in improving library services through review of the current program and programs in other states, and to develop a next generation program. The Committee presented its final report to the Board on July 6, 2007.