Some 875 voters approved $138,342 for the library as part of a $39.6 million town budget for fiscal 2007; along with $68,000 in interest on a trust fund, that will give the library $206,342 for the year, the Milford Daily News reported June 13. “Nobody’s necessarily thrilled with it, but I think it works out for the benefit of all,” said James Galligan, the chairman of the board of selectmen.
The reduced funding is expected to result in the elimination of three of the library’s six employees and loss of state certification. Last year the library cut its staff by one-third and reduced operating hours, requiring it to get a waiver from the state to maintain certification.
The Boston Globe reported June 15 that new books and other materials will have to be purchased with donations, and director Patrick Marshall, who recently accepted a new job as director of the Bourne (Mass.) Public Library, will not be replaced. Marshall told the Globe that the loss of certification will prevent the library from obtaining state funding or participating in an interlibrary loan network. “I think the town’s going to be very surprised at the lack of services,” he said, adding that story hours and other children’s activities would also be dropped.
Posted June 16, 2006.