At present your town is not certified as a participant in the Massachusetts State Aid to Public Libraries program which is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Because your town is not certified by the MBLC, other libraries in Massachusetts are not required to provide free library services to you. In May 2005, the Springfield Library Commissioners voted not to provide library services to residents of decertified/uncertified towns. However, they did agree to provide service for payment of a $35 per person annual fee.

As of July 1, 2005, the only way you may borrow Springfield City Library materials directly or request them via system-wide holds will be to pay a $35 annual fee to Springfield City Library. Payment of this fee will also give you access to materials at the libraries in Amherst, Easthampton, Northampton, Greenfield, and Williamsburg. It will NOT give you access to materials at other libraries that block services to residents of decertified/uncertified towns.

You may pay this fee by check or cash at any Springfield City Library location.

If you do not pay the annual fee, you will still be able to use Springfield City Library materials in the library. You will also be able to use Springfield City Library as a pick up and check out location for materials from libraries that do not block service to you. However, the only way you will be able to borrow Springfield City Library materials will be to go to your town library or another library that will provide you service and ask the librarian to request them from Springfield by mail, email, or fax through traditional Interlibrary Loan.

Revision: Residents of all Massachusetts towns other than those listed above are eligible for all Springfield library services without the $35 fee.

Revised 2/09