I’ve been in “all hands on deck” mode for the past month, since learning of the pronouncement that West Boylston has no money for our public library. I’ve attended meetings and been in daily contact with library staff, Friends and a newly formed Advocates Group.
One of the many things I’ve learned is that this crisis has been brewing for a while. Our library has taken cuts in the last 4 out of 5 years. We’ve also applied to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for a waiver during that same period because we did not meet the municipal funding requirement.
How could I not have known?
There are probably a few reasons, but one is that I took my public library for granted. Beaman Library and the Central Mass Regional Library System have consistently delivered outstanding service and so I assumed things were okay. And while I frequently inquired about the well-being of the library staff and supporters (are you taking a vacation this year, how are your family members)—it never occurred to me to ask about the well-being of the institution that had brought us all together.
Lesson learned.
