News Release

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: January 26, 2010
CONTACT: Celeste Bruno
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us


Construction Funding Deadline Extended

On December 3, 2009, The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners voted to extend the local funding deadline for libraries with provisional Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) awards from December 31, 2009 to June 15, 2010. Communities use MPLCP funding for planning, designing, and building library additions or renovation projects.

In August 2008, thirty-one libraries were awarded provisional construction awards. Falmouth, Boston-Mattapan, Buckland, Dudley, Mashpee, Walpole, and Westhampton have received local funding and accepted their grant awards. Bourne, Dartmouth, Norwell, and Winchendon have formally withdrawn from the process: The seventeen communities listed below received extensions to secure local funding:

  1. Auburn - Auburn Public Library
  2. Belchertown - Clapp Memorial Library
  3. Belmont - Belmont Public Library
  4. Boxford - Boxford Town Library
  5. Dighton - Dighton Public Library
  6. Edgartown - Edgartown Free Public Library
  7. Everett - Shute Memorial Library
  8. Foxborough - Boyden Library
  9. Granby - Granby Free Public Library
  10. Holbrook - Holbrook Public Library
  11. Holyoke - Holyoke Public Library
  12. Hull - Hull Public Library
  13. Millis - Millis Public Library
  14. Shrewsbury - Shrewsbury Public Library
  15. Ware - Young Men's Library Association
  16. Westwood - Westwood Public Library
  17. Woburn - Woburn Public Library

Funding for the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program was authorized by Governor Deval Patrick and the Legislature in the General Governmental Bonds Bill in 2008. The program was first funded by a state bond authorization in 1987. As of January 2010, 290 grants totaling over $304 million, have been awarded. Of these 81, have been for planning and design and 209 have been for construction, addition/renovation or special projects. For more information please visit: http://www.mass.gov/mblc/grants/construction/index.php

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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Page last updated on 01/28/2010