- Summer Reading with the Bruins
When you read, you score! Blades is visiting libraries across the Commonwealth this summer
- Support is Needed for Bond Bill
The Mass Leads Act includes $150 million for public library construction
- Summer Success
Share your library's summer reading success stories!
- FY2025 Legislative Agenda
Building a Stronger Commonwealth: one person at a time
NEWS RELEASES
Latest activities and updates from the MBLCJuly 12, 2024 - MBLC Elects FY2025 Officers
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) elected new officers to serve for FY2025 at its Board Meeting on July 11, 2024. “It has been a great pleasure to serve as Chair this year,” said Debby Conrad who served two terms as MBLC Chair. “I valued the opportunity to w...READ MORE
July 11, 2024 - MBLC Awards Federal Grants to Local Libraries
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) direct grants to public libraries at its July 11, 2024, board meeting. The grants help libraries address local community needs. The MBLC recently increased overall grant amounts so tha...READ MORE
June 28, 2024 - Bruins Prizes and Blades Visits at Libraries this Summer
Summer Library Programs play a significant role in keeping kids and teens connected to educational resources over the summer. Research shows that reading just four books over the summer helps kids avoid summer learning loss. To encourage kids and teens to keep reading during the summer months, the ...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