While Plumb, Taber and Mattapoisett libraries are funded largely through their respective town budgets, falling state aid could jeopardize important programs and services. But library directors say there’s one simple way everyone can help.

Overall funding to libraries makes up .07 percent of the entire state budget. State aid to regional libraries has taken a major dip since fiscal year 2009 when it went from $17.2 million to $12.3 million in 2010. The following year it dropped to $8.8 million.

The upcoming budget is still in the works, but Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposed budget is reflects another reduction.

When divvied up among the Commonwealth’s libraries, state aid numbers are less than impressive. For 2015, Taber Library in Marion saw about $5,000, Rochester’s Plumb Library $6,500 and Mattapoisett Library $7,500.

And it doesn’t always arrive on time.

“Mine was late in coming and I really noticed it,” said Plumb Library Director Gail Roberts.

Roberts said she sometimes uses the funds to purchase extra copies of a bestselling book or popular DVD to keep up with demand. Pizzolato said the money can help with the purchase of items that don’t have a place in the regular budget, such as new furniture and equipment.

“It really plugs a hole,” she said.

Each director said her town has been supportive of budget needs. Rochester has an overall budget of $197,010, Mattapoisett $397,543 and Marion $154,253. Those numbers include the cost of membership to the SAILS Library Network, a consortium of more than 70 libraries and branches across the South Coast that has seen an almost $50,000 reduction in funding in the past year, according to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Falling funds to that network are a major area of concern for local libraries that rely on membership for access to thousands of e-books, for alerting patrons of when materials are available or due, and for their online catalogs. SAILS, a nonprofit organization, is supported by member libraries, private grants and state and federal grants.

Funding for the nine library networks in the state has fallen 52 percent from $4.4 million to $2.1 million over the past 15 years, even as the demand for library technologies and resource sharing has grown, particularly access to e-books.

If funds continue to fall, SAILS could be forced to cut e-book spending by 25 percent in coming years. Publishers generally require libraries to license e-books, giving them a limited number of downloads before a new license must be purchased. The cost is usually a few hundred percent more than market value as well, but “that’s where the big demand is, e-books,” said Roberts.

Said Taber Library Director Libby O’Neill: “To cut twenty-five percent would be a huge loss.”

Cuts to the library network funds will be passed on to member libraries, and could be as much as four percent in the coming budget. What each library will pay depends on the services it has opted into, but local libraries could take a hit if the state cuts grants to small library networks.

Grants from the state are also liable to take a hit. Grant-funded programs have allowed tri-town libraries to expand  educational offerings and services. For example, last year the libraries received a joint grant for the MOBY, My Own Back Yard, program that encouraged kids and their families to explore using science, technology, math and engineering. O’Neill said grants allowed Taber Library to improve its computer system, which has seen an uptick in use since Wareham Library branches were forced to cut hours due to a slashed budget.

At a recent legislative breakfast where library representatives and patrons spoke with state leaders, many talked about the importance of their local libraries.

“It’s very profound to hear somebody talk about the difference that can be made in a person’s life when they get their high school equivalency diploma or someone who doesn’t speak English learns to read to their child,” said Pizzolato. “Those are very important stories.”

Pizzolato, O’Neill and Roberts hope those stories make it to the state house.

In the governor’s budget, Baker proposed $9.88 million for library aid this year, $50,000 less than the current budget. The budget is still in discussion right now, so that number could still change.

Before the budget is set, many will travel to Boston to advocate for more funding. March 8 is Library Legislation Day at the State House where librarians, library trustees and patrons will converge to push for greater support of libraries. Members of the SAILS network will be among the crowd meeting with state representatives and senators.

While most probably can’t attend the March 8 event, patrons are encouraged to get involved by contacting their legislators. The website cqrcengage.com/alama provides a simple way for residents to express their concern through a form letter that can be signed virtually. Click on the “Take Action” link, which will take you to a place to fill in your name and address. The next page features a form letter that can be personalized and will then be sent to the appropriate state leaders.

The library directors said the more letters, calls and emails elected officials receive, the more likely they are to take notice.

“It does make a difference. It’s really the numbers that count,” said Pizzolato.

She added, “The message from the tri-town is we don’t take for granted the local support we have, but we’re very dependent on the state aid and state funding, either directly or indirectly through the automatic networks which we all depend on.”

For more information on the state’s library funding (in an easy to read infographic) visit mblclegislativeagenda.com.