Contact Person: Meghan Freed, (413) 599-4785 or (617) 722-2386

Date: February 29, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE……..

CANDARAS FILES BILL TO AID LIBRARIES

Representative Gale D. Candaras, 13th Hampden District and Senator Richard T. Moore, Worchester and Norfolk District, are lead sponsors on a piece of legislation that will be introduced as a late filed bill on March 1.

The proposed legislation gives the Board of Library Commissioners authority to develop and establish a grants program. This program would address the most crucial areas to bring the Commonwealth’s libraries up to the level that they should be.

First, the grants would be given to libraries to encourage and assist in the expansion of library hours. They would also allow public libraries to purchase books, library technology, and adaptive technology for the blind, hearing impaired and physically handicapped.

Thirdly, the grants would assist with the local start-up costs for small libraries to join automated networks already in place.

Finally, the grants program would support community collaborations to work with other community organizations and agencies to strengthen services to students and the elderly

Representative Candaras serves on the committees on Public Service, Judiciary, Government Regulations, and Personnel and Administration.