MLA sponsored its annual Library Legislative Day on April 2nd at the State House. Many NMRLS members were there for this well-attended annual event. Krista McLeod (MLA President and Director of the Nevins Memorial Library in Methuen) welcomed attendees to the Legislative Briefing and informed members about the new Massachusetts Library Association legislative alert service at: http://capwiz.com/masslib.

Rob Maier (MBLC Director) provided the briefing. His message was clear:

"Make no more cuts to library funding,
fund the Board of Library Commissioners and keep it strong and independent,
fund the legislative agenda, and
keep the talking book programs under the MBLC."

Prior to Legislative Day, the NMRLS Legislative Education Committee polled members informally about their legislators' stance on keeping the MBLC independent. Many members responded that legislators were supportive while some legislators felt that these hard financial times may make this difficult. However, some legislators did not see it in these terms because autonomy will not cost more. Rather it would be an adjustment to the existing budget amount in the Governor's budget.