NORTON - The Norton Public Library's fundraising arm is collecting signatures - from kids, too - to fight proposed budget cuts.

The Friends of the Norton Public Library was circulating petitions Thursday at the library and outside Roche Bros. supermarket on Route 140, President Joanne Porter said.

The petition outlines the library budget cuts proposed by Town Manager James Purcell. The form states that the cuts "must be proportionate with cuts to other municipal departments" to preserve the library's state certification.

The Friends intend to present the signatures to the board of selectmen before the May 12 annual town meeting, when voters will set the budget, Porter said.

"We don't know if it'll do any good," she said. Kids are being asked to sign, too, even though they cannot vote. "We were just trying to show that the kids care," Porter said.

Purcell has proposed cutting next year's library budget by about one-third, or $150,000, library officials say.

However, a cut of that magnitude would cost the library its certification by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, library officials say.

As a result, Norton patrons would lose their inter-library loan privileges through the SAILS library network, library officials say. State law does not require libraries to lend materials to residents with decertified libraries.

Head Librarian Elaine Jackson says the library also would reduce its hours, and either lay off staff or reduce their hours.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.