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NEWS RELEASES
Latest activities and updates from the MBLCJanuary 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
January 09, 2025 - $9.8 Million Awarded so far in State Aid
At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) certified the remaining libraries meeting all FY2025 requirements for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program. So far, 339 libraries have been awarded $9.8 million in state funding. The awards are roughly half o...READ MORE
December 12, 2024 - Second Round of FY2025 State Aid Awards Approved
At its December Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) approved 154 municipalities that met all the requirements for certification in the FY2025 State Aid to Public Libraries Program. These libraries join the 136 libraries that were approved in November. Approx...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