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Posted April 28, 2003.

Funding Cuts May Close One of Nation’s Oldest Libraries

Funding cuts may force the Franklin (Mass.) Public Library, one of the nation’s oldest public libraries, to shut its doors. Following a mid-year funding cut from $900,000 to $575,000, the library has already reduced its hours to 32 a week, board Chair Kenneth Wiedemann told the April 21 Boston Globe. A further reduction to $290,000 is threatened next year.

Over the past two years the town has laid off 46 full-time employees—23% of its total personnel. An expected $4–$6 million shortfall next year may force the town to eliminate four police positions, lay off five firefighters, and shut one of the town’s two fire stations.

If threatened state aid cuts are less than 10%, the library can remain open one day a week next year, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting told the Globe, or two days a week if it closes over the summer.

In 1790, Benjamin Franklin showed his pleasure at having the town named after him by donating 116 volumes to start a library. The town had hoped he would donate a bell for a new town meeting house, but Franklin offered the books instead, stating that “sense” was preferable to “sound.”

Posted April 28, 2003.