In the 2007/2008 fiscal year, SAILS provided more than 5 million dollars in services to its members. This means that for every dollar a library spent on membership it received $6.04 in services. Funding the networks makes good fiscal sense.
See how much your family saved at your library with our online calculator.
Read the recent articles about our local, MA libraries:
- Out of work? Head to the library (Boston Globe) March 29, 2009
Unemployment is on the increase, and to help those looking for work, the Lakeville Public Library is offering free job-counseling sessions.
"This is not a placement service, but an opportunity to expand your thinking in dealing with employment issues," library director Olivia Melo said.
- VIDEO EXTRA: Some local libraries thriving as others are in trouble (Brockton Enterprise) March 15, 2009
But other local libraries are thriving - or at least holding on to adequate budgets for the time being - such as Easton, Raynham, East Bridgewater and West Bridgewater.
- Volume of use at library way up (Lakeville Call) Tue Feb 17, 2009
Read about huge increases of library services at the Lakeville Public Library
- Libraries Bracing For More Cutbacks As Demand Grows (NPR)
January 26, 2009
Listen to this NPR interview with our own, Bridgewater Public Library Director Betty Gregg.
- Libraries Can't Escape Sour Economy (Channel 5, Boston) January 27, 2009
With the unemployment rate the highest it's been in more than 15 years, many people are putting down the credit cards and picking up library cards.
- Check it Out (Boston Globe) January 4, 2009
- The library - a recession sanctuary (Boston Globe) January 3, 2009
- Rediscovering the library in down economy (NECN) December 31, 2008
(view below)
Some of the responses to the question, "How / why are the SAILS Network services important to you?" (View all responses)
- The SAILS Network is very important to me because I can access libraries that I wouldn't be able to get to. I feel it also decreases my "carbon footprint" as I can research what I would like online and then just make one trip to my local library. In this economy there isn't any extra money for book purchases at the large chain bookstores. The library is a great resource that I feel more people are taking advantage of as our economy descends into a recession.
- Because it dramatically increases the amount of information available to Children, Adults and students. It also reduces the amount of greenhouse gases due to automobiles because the sails network vans are delivering the books to the patrons local libraries rather than a patron driving all over the state trying to locate a book!
- I am an avid reader and can't imagine not being able to reserve books on line. I can usually only get to the actual library once a week, so being able to reserve books on line from work or home allows me to be able to receive the books I look forward to in a timely manner.
- I can reserve books/DVDs from a whole network of libraries rather than just my local library. I take advantage of this often.
- Critically important for a middle school librarian... you supply me with all the bibliographic information I need to keep my middle school library up and running... The audiobooks are invaluable for keeping me aware of what is happening in young adult literature... Keep up the good work.
- Sails has been a life-saver for me this past year. I have been going though some very stressful life situations where I needed both advise and something to take my mind off of my situation. Sails was what got me by during this time. I was able to borrow books from other libraries that covered what I needed to know for my problems as well as find DVDs and books not available at my library (a very small one) that could make me forget, at least temporarily, what I was going through. I am still going through crisis in my life. I hope that I will still be able to have this complete access, to help me keep going.
- I use the SAILS network almost everyday. I am able to put hold on books on tape. My husband who would never read is now hook on listening to books on tape. Without the use of the SAIL network it would hurt the library system. In this computer age why would anyone limit funds to this network?
- Reading has been a very important part of my life for well over 60 years. I was an early reader and have never lost my love for the written word. The library has always been my best friend and I introduced my three daughters to it's wonders as pre-schoolers. Now with Sails I search for my favorite authors and subjects from the comfort of my home computer and have the benefit of 40 communities collections to choose from.
- I have not utilized the public library since I was a teenager, I'm 35, and now I have a 14 year old visually impaired son. I began using the library within the past few months for my son, previously I just bought whatever stories, mostly audio cds, for him. We decided to check out the library for descriptive videos, disappointing, but we've ended up utilizing the library more than expected now for him, the playbacks are FANTASTIC, and also for my own reading needs. Overall the Public library is wonderful, I was naive of it's value for too long, I truly appreciate it's value now that I'm a user and recommend it to all. Great expenditure of tax $$$. Librarians are WONDERFUL
- The library is my support system to help me teach my grandchildren through all the books as well as DVD's that are available. I love to read to my grandchildren, but I do not enjoy reading the same books over and over again even if the younger kids do not mind. I could never afford to buy all the books that I read to them and besides where would I put them all. They enjoy the variety that I can select by going on line and having access to other libraries.
- The SAILS Network is my regular source of eAudio books that I load into my little MP3 player to take on my walks. For health reasons, I have to continue daily exercise. The eAudio books are a wonderful incentive. They keep me walking for longer periods of time as I listen to one hour segments of these narrated books each time. I have lost approximately 25 lbs. in the past 1 1/2 years through this daily walking and my health has improved considerably as a result. I could not purchase as many eAudio books to keep me going as I have downloaded free from the Sails Network site. I hope you will retain the funding to continue providing this wonderful service. I would be lost without it.
Read the SAILS 2007/2008 Annual Report
Show your support for all MA libraries with the library license plate! Read how to get yours.
