Saugus Library recertified by state board

SAUGUS – The Saugus Library was re-certified after a recent vote by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, said director Diane Wallace.?I?m thrilled,” she said. “It?s one less thing I have to worry about. It?s huge. It?s a huge weight lifted, and the patrons are very happy that they don?t have to assume identities and sneak into neighboring towns.”Wallace said she can now focus on the “normal, little things” at the library, and is hoping to have the budget restored next year after being cut.?We file reports annually and make sure we?re in line with all the parameters,” she said, who made the case for re-certification at an MBLC meeting last month. “It?s so early in the budget process and I?m not the one to know what?s going on town-wide, but I?ve submitted a budget that would keep us certified.”Wallace said the minimum budget needed would be around $470,000. Last year, the library had its budget cut from $500,000 to $370,000 so the town could meet steep budget shortfalls. Because of the cut, the library?s certification was in jeopardy.According to Wallace, certification means the library can participate in the North of Boston Library Exchange network, which allows users to select books from other libraries in the state or have their library card honored at other libraries.It?s been a tumultuous couple of years for the library. Besides the budget cut, former administrative assistant Linda Duffy was recently sentenced to five years in prison for stealing more than $800,000 from the library.Duffy is due to report to prison on or before Feb. 22.In other library business, Wallace said the library union settled its contract with the town.Town Manager Scott Crabtree and Mary O?Connell, union steward and head of the reference department, could not be reached for comment.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].