- FY2026 Legislative Agenda
Libraries across the Commonwealth provide critical services to communities
- Federal Funding Impact
Federal funding empowers libraries and provides services across the Commonwealth
- 2025 PJ Drive
Join the Boston Bruins, Cradles to Crayons®, and Wonderfund to collect new pajamas for kids in need
- Empowered by Libraries Campaign Toolkit
Help your patrons share how libraries directly impact your community
NEWS RELEASES
Latest activities and updates from the MBLCFebruary 10, 2025 - 347 Libraries Certified to Receive Local Aid
Libraries certified in the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners' (MBLC) State Aid to Public Libraries Program receive local aid funding to directly support public library services. For FY2025, 347 municipalities and their libraries are certified in the program and will share $20 million in ...READ MORE
February 07, 2025 - eBook Funding Increases but Access Constrained
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) recently awarded $1 million in grants to Automated Networks for purchase of eContent for the Library eBook and Audiobook program (LEA). LEA gives Massachusetts residents access to eBooks, audiobooks, and more from 389 participating libraries a...READ MORE
January 09, 2025 - $1.3 Million Awarded in Planning and Design Grants
At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded $1.3 million in planning and design grants to thirteen libraries through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP), a state-funded program that works with local communities to build, re...READ MORE
Library Directory
From the MBLC Blog
Survey Results: Library Services for Justice-Impacted Individuals
To better understand library services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, Ally Dowds, Consultant to Special Populations at the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, recently conducted a survey of public, school, academic, and special libraries. Of the 48 respondents, 9 currently provide outreach services to incarcerated individuals and 4 support reentry efforts in their communities. … Continue reading Survey Results: Library Services for Justice-Impacted Individuals
Libraries in the News
Prime Focus: US libraries on the frontlines of homelessness
ABC News’ Jaclyn Lee reports on libraries being on the frontlines of the increasing homelessness crisis across the U.S. and how librarians are learning techniques to help.Watch this amazing news story
Art to reflect the community: Forbes Library uses anonymous donation to purchase a range of BIPOC art
A couple years ago, Forbes Library received a $10,000 donation from a donor who wanted to remain anonymous but also wanted the money used for a very specific purpose: to broaden the Northampton library’s permanent art collection.The library donor — the person lives in the area, according to Downing — told Forbes officials that the … Continue reading Art to reflect the community: Forbes Library uses anonymous donation to purchase a range of BIPOC art
You can now check out an all-terrain wheelchair at the Bushnell-Sage Library in Sheffield
SHEFFIELD — For those who can’t go into the woods without help, Sheffield has a solution.With a state grant, the town bought a “GRIT Freedom Chair” that can be borrowed from the Bushnell-Sage Library’s “Library of Things” by those from any city or town with a CW Mars system library card. Read more from Berkshire Eagle