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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: July 16, 2008

CONTACT: Celeste Bruno
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us

Board Elects New Officers

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) elected new officers to serve for FY2009 at their Board Meeting on July 11, 2008.

Elected Chairman was George T. Comeau of Canton. Commissioner Comeau was first appointed to the MBLC in 2004 by Governor Mitt Romney and reappointed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2007. In Newly elected Chair, George Comeau, accepts the gavel from former Chair Em Claire Knowles addition to serving as the Commission’s Vice Chair, Comeau has been the Massachusetts Public Construction Program Liaison and recently presented testimony regarding the construction program before the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets.

Following his election, Chairman Comeau said, “I am honored to assist with the leadership of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. These are challenging times for municipal budgets and funding for all of our 370 public libraries is in the forefront of my concerns. With the strong support of our Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Legislature I look forward to raising the awareness of our nation's oldest, and in my opinion the best, public library system.”

Katherine K. Dibble of Roslindale was elected Vice Chairman. She was appointed to Board in 2005 by Governor Mitt Romney. Commissioner Dibble has served as MBLC Secretary and has a long history of working in libraries as well as serving as a library advocate. Francis (Frank) R. Murphy of Arlington was elected Secretary. Commissioner Murphy was appointed to the Board by Governor Patrick in 2007. Most recently, he has served on the MBLC’s State Aid Review Committee.

About MBLC

The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.

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