Audit of the State Library of Massachusetts - George Fingold Library

This is a state performance audit of the State Library of Massachusetts, covering January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020.

“I am pleased to provide this performance audit of the State Library of Massachusetts.”

Auditors checked whether the library collected and reported its revenue according to its own rules and state law.

“In this performance audit, we reviewed the activities of SLM’s Expendable Trust Fund to determine whether SLM collected and reported library revenue in accordance with library policies and procedures and the General Laws.”

The library receives public money and other income, so the audit checked whether those funds were being handled correctly.

“SLM has established the Expendable Trust Fund in the state’s accounting system, the Massachusetts Management Accounting and Reporting System, to account for the revenue it receives (e.g., service and membership fees).”

As a member of the public, you can use the library’s services and collections, and this audit says the revenue from those services was properly handled.

“The State Library supports the research and information needs of government, libraries, and the public through innovative services and access to a comprehensive repository of state documents and other historical items.”

The auditor concluded that the library did collect and report revenue as required.

“Did SLM ensure that it collected and reported revenue in accordance with its policies and procedures, Section 37A of Chapter 6 of the General Laws, and Section 50 of Title 801 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations?”

The report does not list corrective actions, because it did not identify reportable significant noncompliance.

“Our audit revealed no significant instances of noncompliance that must be reported under generally accepted government auditing standards.”

The audit gives the public confidence that, for the period reviewed, the library’s revenue controls and records were sufficient for the auditor’s objective.

“We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives.”

The Expendable Trust Fund is the account the library uses in the state accounting system to track money it receives, such as service fees and membership fees.

“SLM has established the Expendable Trust Fund in the state’s accounting system, the Massachusetts Management Accounting and Reporting System, to account for the revenue it receives (e.g., service and membership fees).”