The collective is stronger and better resourced when we join forces, which also extends to our purchasing power.
State Certification Provides
State certification provides significant funding, access to resources, and support.
State Grants and Discounts: In 2026, the Edwards Library was awarded $9,600 in state aid and received a $2,500 discount from its obligation to the CWMARS network ($11,799).
Reciprocal Borrowing: Southampton patrons have access to 150 additional library collections through interlibrary loan and 6,731 items from the Edwards Public Library were borrowed by patrons of other libraries. This also also enables Southampton patrons to access 65,000 digital items (e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines).
Federal Grant Funding: Federal grant funding is directed to local libraries through the state agency (Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners – MBLC), this includes the MBLC’s Public Library Construction Program and the Library Services and Technology Act.
Losing State Certification
In addition to losing out on the item above, the process to become re-certified will take an estimated 3 years as it requires meeting state aid standards for a full fiscal year.
What are the State Certification Standards
There are 3 key standards libraries have to meet, all of which are outlined in Massachusetts General Law.
The Materials Expenditure Requirement (MER): This is a percentage of
the municipal appropriation to the library, based on the population of the municipality served by the library.
For the Edwards Public Library, the MER is 19% of the total budget.
The Municipal Appropriation Requirement (MAR): This standard focuses on the library’s budget funding from the municipality. The municipality MUST
appropriate a figure of at least the average of the last 3 years’ municipal appropriations to the library for operations, increased by 2.5%, in order to be certified for State Aid to Public Libraries.
For the Edwards Public Library, the MAR in FY27 must be no less than $210,563.
The Minimum Hours Open: Libraries must be open for (at least) the minimum required hours, days, and evening hours according to its population tier. Southampton is in the 5,000-9,999 tier.
For the Edwards Public Library, open hours must be (at least) 25 per week and must include some evening hours.
Friends of the Edwards Public Library | Southampton, MA 