State Librarian Kendall F. Wiggin announced on May 20 that starting this summer the State Library will begin reimbursing public libraries throughout the state for books they loan above the number that they borrow (net loans). The reimbursement rate will be $1.00 per book. First year payments totaling $14,561 will be based on 1995 statistics as reported to the State Library. Libraries that are net lenders will receive a minimum of $25.00. Funds for this program will come from state monies allocated for the New Hampshire Automated Information System. Efforts by the Network Services Section of the State Library have resulted in savings which can now be passed on to libraries.

Mr. Wiggin said that although this does not fully compensate libraries that are net lenders, it is a way to acknowledge the efforts these libraries are making to support resource sharing in our state.

A study of the 1995 statistics revealed that there was at least one major net lender in each of the population categories the State Library uses to track and report library statistics.

The Interlibrary Loan Protocol Committee, chaired by Mary Ann List, Director of the Amherst Town Library, will work to develop policies for future year payments. The committee is also being asked by the State Librarian to develop a new reporting mechanism for interlibrary loan transactions which will be used beginning in January of 1998.

The following libraries will be receiving Interlibrary Loan Reimbursements

Mr. Wiggin said he will seek Governor and Council approval of the awards in July and expects that libraries will receive their payments by the end of August.