State funding through the Governor and Legislature supports statewide lending, eBooks and audiobooks, delivery, library technology, online learning and research, programming and much more.
State funding to libraries is <1% of the total state budget.
Libraries are busy*:
- 58 million items borrowed
- 26 million visits
- 3 million reference questions answered
- 2 million people used library computers
- 1 million people attended library programs and classes
*Data from 2023 ARIS Report
| Line Item Number and Name | FY2024 | FY2025 | Proposed Increase | FY2026 Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9101 Board of Library Commissioners | $1,904,745 | $2,074,268 | $414,854 | $2,489,122 |
| 9401 Regional Libraries Local Aid | $16,717,600 | $19,000,000 | $950,000 | $19,950,000 |
| 9402 Talking Book Program Worcester | $678,040 | $711,942 | $35,597 | $747,539 |
| 9406 Talking Book Program (Perkins) Watertown | $3,860,420 | $4,053,441 | $202,672 | $4,256,113 |
| 9501 Public Libraries Local Aid | $17,600,000 | $20,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $22,000,000 |
| 9506 Technology & Resource Sharing | $6,167,581 | $6,169,480 | $308,474 | $6,477,954 |
| 9508 Center for the Book | $420,000 | $420,000 | $130,000 | $550,000 |
| Totals | $47,348,386 | $52,429,131 | $4,041,597 | $56,470,728 |