Norton Public Library decertified today

The Norton Public Library was "decertified" by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners today, and we've had lots of questions about it. The MBLC requires a certain level of taxpayer support for Massachusetts libraries, and the Norton P.L. was over $200,000 short of the required support this year. This lack of support made them ineligible for "certification." Because of this, our library's Trustees voted to suspend "reciprocal borrowing to Norton and other decertified libraries, which means we will no longer lend our materials to Norton residents. We feel very bad about this situation, and hope Norton gets back on its feet soon. If we lend materials to Norton, Mansfield taxpayers are subsidizing Norton. A comparison to this might be phrased like this: If Norton cuts back its snow plowing budget, Mansfield plows would not be used to plow Norton roads. As I write this on February 12, Norton residents may still borrow our materials. This privilege will probably be suspended early next week. Norton residents are certainly welcome to come to our library and use our resources within the building. Norton residents may want to contact their Board of Selectmen about this issue, as well.
Please call me if you have any questions! Janet Campbell, Library Director 508-261-7380.