Lynn Library sets limits on out-of-town privileges

LYNN – Starting today, patrons from communities with decertified libraries will not be allowed to take out books or other materials from the Lynn Public Library.On June 26, library trustees voted against serving any such patrons in an effort to encourage other communities to make a concerted effort to certify their libraries.Chief librarian Nadine Mitchell said the decision was made in the best interest of Lynn residents and other certified patrons.”It’s been a year, and Saugus has found themselves in more and more trouble, and that is a concern from a lot of different angles,” she said. “The city of Lynn, with all the various problems it has had, has shown the political will to prioritize the Lynn Public Library. I felt a little Scrooge-like with this, but it comes down to the point of fairness.”Last July, the Lynn library sympathetically welcomed Saugus patrons to use its facilities to accommodate the town’s de-certified customers.However, in 2004, Saugus snubbed Lynn when its library became decertified, but Revere, Everett, Salem and Swampscott voted yes to allow Lynn patrons to utilize their services.In 2003, the Lynn library was forced to lay off over half of its employees and closed branches following cutbacks in state funding.Although the city restored funding in 2005 and 2006, the three library branches remained closed and were sold to raise $1 million in funding for library renovations.”Some communities have not shown the same political will that Lynn has in the past,” Mitchell said. “We strongly encourage communities to support their libraries because they contribute to the quality of residents’ lives.”Because of those feelings, Mitchell said the grace period to allow Saugus patrons to utilize Lynn services had to come to an end.”Basically, we feel that we have given those communities a grace period to come to terms with their problems, and if we can do it, they can do it.”Saugus interim library director Ewa Jankowska said while she understands Lynn’s decision, it will ultimately hurt her patrons.”We are hanging on here and waiting for some changes in the situation,” she said. “But I don’t expect those changes to happen anytime soon because it takes years to become certified.”Mitchell said Saugus patrons can still come to the library and read a book and use the computers but cannot take out materials.”The benefits of being certified mean that a library can borrow materials from other libraries,” she said. “Lynn tax dollars support the Lynn library, so if these other libraries aren’t certified, it becomes a matter of equity if they aren’t paying into the pot or sharing the expense.”Jankowska said she recently received a letter from Mitchell detailing the new rules.”It sounds weird, but this decision is really supporting libraries like ours, because it will make the town government realize that we cannot live like this without the appropriated money,” she said. “This community pays taxes so why, for Gods sake, do we have to share books with someone else?”