SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - South Hadley voters rejected a budget override last week, and now the town’s public library is facing a financial crisis without enough funding.

The South Hadley Public Library could be forced to cut staff hours and lose its state certification, putting critical community services at risk.

Residents like Laurie Russo said voting against the override was easy given the current cost of living.

“I know it’s going to affect that. I know it’s going to affect some of the athletic programs as well,” said Russo. “But, I also feel that a lot of these people who are voting for it just don’t get the whole picture of, ya know, groceries are up, electricity is up, gas is up, I mean everything is up.”

The vote now leaves the library with some tough decisions as they face potentially cutting the hours of ten to sixteen positions. In addition, if funding falls short, the library could be decertified.

“Not being certified means that the library loses out on interlibrary loans, as well as we would lose our state funding, which would be a double cut for the library,” said Jennifer Couturier, a member of the South Hadley Library Board of Trustees.

The public library of any town is not just a place for community, but especially education. Residents come to use computers and children gather to learn in groups or on their own.

Among its vital features to the public, the library is focused on young readers, offering programs and services to children up to age five, that will get them ready to read and write when they start school.

The library plans to apply for a waiver if they are funded below the amount they need for certification, which in 2027, is projected to be about $856,000.