Statement from the Friends of the Edwards Public Library
The Friends of the Edwards Public Library (FEPL) support the Town of Southampton’s FY27 budget override. If this measure fails, we risk the end of our local library as we know it today – no more programs and events, no more individual help or home delivery, significant reduction in staff and hours. We also risk isolating our local library from the larger regional and state systems, which would mean no more interlibrary loans, no more digital resources (Libby app, e-books, etc.), and much more.
While the library today relies on supplemental funding from the Friends of the library and volunteers to help staff library hours and programs, neither can make up for the losses that could result if the override vote fails.
Lawn Signs Available – Starting April 4
If you’d like to show your support for the library specifically, we’ll have some available. Pickup will be April 4 (9-11am) near the Pavilion at Conant Park.
FAQs
Why does the library need saving?
Without the FY27 budget override, the library risks having its budget cut by almost 50%. Simply put, if the override fails, we risk the library ceasing to be what it is today.
What does the FY27 budget override mean for the library?
If it fails, we risk
- All library programming being eliminated. This includes the cancellation of all youth programming, summer reading (both youth and adults) and Story Time Play Group.
- 75% of staff positions being eliminated. This would mean significantly reduced library hours, increased restriction on community room access, significant reduction of tech help and other personalized assistance, end of home delivery services, and much more.
- Library decertification and exclusion from the state library system. This would mean no more access to e-books or the Libby app, your library card may not work at other libraries in the area, no more interlibrary loan, and much much more.
Read more about state certification
What does library decertification mean?
There are several criteria that libraries must meet to be certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which grants the library access to special funding, state-wide digital resources, shared regional collections, and much more.
For us, if the override doesn’t pass, we risk the library be decertified in 3 different ways:
- Not meeting the minimum required level of operational budget from the Town of Southampton (the Municipal Appropriations Requirement, $210,563 for FY27, almost double what is proposed without the override)
- Not meeting the minimum required level of spending on books and materials (the Materials Expenditure Requirement, $44,000 for FY27)
- Not meeting the minimum required open hours (25 hours/week for our population level)
Read more about state certification
What Can I Do?
SHARE INFORMATION – Spread the word to friends and neighbors in Southampton.
VOTE – Show up to vote at the town meeting on May 2 (10am at Norris School) in order to get the override onto the ballot. Vote for the override on the ballot on May 19.
SHOW SUPPORT – Contact the Select Board, the Town Administrator, and the Finance Committee to express your desire to fund the library. Contact the Library Trustees to share your support. Request a lawn sign if you live in Southampton.
Updates on the FY27 Budget Override
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What Is Library Certification and Why It Matters
The collective is stronger and better resourced when we join forces, which also extends to our purchasing power. State Certification Provides State Grants and Discounts: In 2026, the Edwards Library was awarded $9,600 in state aid and received a $2,500…
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Open Letter to Members of the Friends of Edwards Public Library
We are writing to you with a plea to stand up for the library and to vote yes on the FY27 budget override, both in person at the town meeting (May 2, 10am, Norris School) and on the ballot (May…
Friends of the Edwards Public Library | Southampton, MA 