BEVERLY — The state Legislature has passed a measure to restore the Beverly Public Library's certification by Aug. 31, lifting restrictions imposed last winter.

Ending the restrictions means Beverly library cardholders will again be able to borrow books from other libraries. It will also let the library apply for state grants.

Without the legislation, Beverly's library would have been forced to wait until next winter to get back its certification.

The measure instructs the state Board of Library Commissioners, which oversees public libraries, to restore certification to Beverly and Lynn by Aug. 31, if they can show they now meet state standards.

The move is timed to coincide with the start of the school year, said two of the measure's sponsors, state Senate Majority Leader Frederick Berry, D-Peabody, and state Rep. Mary Grant, D-Beverly.

"We felt this was for the greater good of the community," Berry said.

Both libraries lost their certification in January because of budget cuts. The cuts forced Beverly's library to slash its budget for books and other materials and Lynn's library to reduce its hours. In both cases, the libraries dropped far below state minimums.

The cuts were restored last summer, but by then the decertification process had begun. State regulators stripped them of their accreditation and told them to reapply in November.

Losing certification meant the Beverly Public Library did not receive state aid this year, which usually adds about $50,000 to its budget. The library was also barred from applying for state grants.

But the most immediate impact on readers has been the end of interlibrary lending. Since decertification, Beverly residents have been told they cannot check out books from libraries in more than 40 communities including Peabody, Danvers and Hamilton-Wenham. Many residents were outraged by the move.

"We know not to mess around with the library budget again," City Council President Paul Guanci said.

The measure passed Thursday will cut short the libraries' punishments. The temporary certification will remain in effect until next winter, when the Board of Library Commissioners completes an annual review of library systems.

Martha Holden, director of the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers, praised the legislation because it means her system no longer has to turn away Beverly patrons.

"Nobody wanted to do this in the first place," she said. "It's such a terrible position to be in, and it goes against what we went into this profession for."

But Lorraine Jackson, director of the Salem Public Library, said the Legislature may be setting a bad precedent. Restoring accreditation to Beverly and Lynn early could undercut the message that if officials don't adequately fund their libraries, they could face decertification.

"This was a real wake-up call for all communities," Jackson said.