The Massachusetts House of Representatives has issued their version of the state budget for FY2006, and it includes $1.4million in increases in library line items over the current year's budget. This is an important step in the budget process, and signals progress in restoring state funding for Massachusetts libraries.

The House budget includes increases for the Regional Library Systems, State Aid to Public Libraries, the MBLC administrative account, and talking book libraries. Line Item 7000-9506 was increased by $300,000. This line item funds shared automated networks, e.g., MVLC and NOBLE and resource sharing programs for all types of libraries statewide. The Massachusetts Library Association supported a proposal made by Senators Creem and Menard, which would fund this line item at $2.7million. This line item was funded at $4million before state budget cuts in 2001 and 2002.

Here are the House Proposed Budget figures, in comparison with the current year's:

Line Item 7000-9101 Board of Library Commissioners Budget
FY 06 House Budget Proposed: $985,720
Current Year: $891,182

Line Item 7000-9401 State Aid to Regional Public Libraries (Regional Budgets)
FY06 House Budget Proposed: $15,230,361
Current Year: $14,980, 361

Line Item 7000-9402 Worcester Talking Book Library
FY06 House Budget Proposed: $325,000
Current Year: $318,777

Line Item 7000-9406 Perkins Talking Book & Machine Lending Library
FY06 House Budget Proposed: $1,978,550
Current Year: $1,678,550

Line Item 7000-9501 State Aid to Public Libraries
FY06 House Budget Proposed: $9,039,844 (including a total of 44 waivers)
Current Year: $8,539, 844

Line Item 7000-9506 Library Technology & Resource Sharing
FY06 House Budget Proposed: $841,881
Current Year: $541,811

For more legislative updates, please visit the Massachusetts Library Association site: http://www.masslib.org/