Library funding: you get what you pay for

Apr 23, 2014

If the override budget is passed by town voters, the Wareham Free Library would be able to be open five days a week including evening and weekend hours, according to Library Director Denise Medeiros.

"The [override] budget isn't bringing us back to glory days, but it's making us sustainable at least, which is our goal," Medeiros said.

At Tuesday's Selectmen meeting, Medeiros said with the proposed $4.5 million override, the library would receive the $432,835 necessary to maintain state certification, which allows residents the opportunity to utilize other local libraries, as well as providing grant opportunities.

The library would have hours from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The library is currently open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If the override budget doesn't pass, the library would be left with the balanced budget funding, which stands at $125,000.

Medeiros said, "we're still working on it," as far as determining what services could be offered if the library would have to run on that amount, which is $170,000 less than the previous fiscal year's funding and $300,000 less than funding from two years ago.

She also said the Spinney Library would continue to be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and would be able to operate for at least another year on the private funds it receives.