State money destined to support public libraries cannot be cut to help ease state budget woes, Director Martha M. Makosky told the Carroll County Public Library Board of Trustees Wednesday night.

The state attorney general said it is illegal for Gov. William Donald Schaefer to reduce "mandatory funding" for libraries since they are considered an integral part of the public school system, Makosky said.

However, Makosky said the board should not return the $50,000 they removed from the budget in anticipation of the state cut, adding that the government may find a way around the clause.

In other library news:

* Delores Maminski, Westminster branch librarian, reported that the library has begun many "merchandising" efforts, includingnew displays and reorganizing the sections.

* Board members were given a demonstration of the Local Area Network data base. Ryan Miller, LAN administrator, reported that two of the four work stations hadbeen used almost continuously since they were opened Feb. 14.