Springfield celebrates National Library Week despite budget challenges
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – On Wednesday inside the Sixteen Acres Library Branch, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno issued a proclamation to mark National Library Week.
The theme for National Library Week 2025 is 'Drawn to the Library!' But it's getting hard to observe locally as libraries throughout Massachusetts are facing a budget challenge this year.
Hundreds of students attend Skilled Trades Fair in Springfield
Massachusetts gets $3.6 million in federal funding for library services, then the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners gives that money to local libraries. That funding was disrupted this week when President Trump ordered the entire staff of the Institute of Museums and Library Services to be placed on paid leave for 90 days, which stopped the processing of grant dollars.
Now, libraries across the state are waiting on updates from the library board about potential funding cuts or delays. But staff at the Sixteen Acres Library Branch encourages the public to use their voices to make a difference.
'Think about what's important to you and reach out to your elected officials to let them know that funding that comes to the state has an impact on you,' said Jean Canosa Albano, Assistant Director for Public Services at Springfield City Library.
Despite the uncertainty, Springfield libraries will continue celebrating National Library Week with special events. For a list of events, visit springfieldlibrary.org.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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