- Summer Challenge
1.7 million minutes read this summer
- State Aid
State Aid applications now open
- Mass Video Library
Submit to and enjoy material from the video library
- Virtual Events Calendar
Library programming from your home
NEWS RELEASES
Latest activities and updates from the MBLCSeptember 02, 2020 - Massachusetts Reads for 1.7 million Minutes This Summer
From July 1 to August 14, libraries from across Massachusetts challenged their residents to read as part of the first ever First Lady of the Commonwealth and Blades Summer Reading Challenge. Twenty participating libraries met their goals and were awarded prizes from the Boston Bruins including in g...READ MORE
August 11, 2020 - Governor Baker Approves $115 million for Library Construction
On August 7, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker signed An Act Financing the General Governmental Infrastructure of the Commonwealth which includes $115 million for the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) overseen by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). “We ...READ MORE
August 07, 2020 - The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners urges local officials to maintain library funding and staffing during the pandemic
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) has been made aware that some cities and towns are laying off library staff and disproportionately cutting library budgets in comparison to other municipal departments. During the pandemic, library workers have stepped up to meet the needs of ...READ MORE
Library Directory
From the MBLC Blog
Project REALM Findings and Their Impact
By Evan Knight and Rob Favini Last week IMLS, OCLC, and their research partner Battelle Labs released updated findings on their library-related research on SARS-CoV-2 through Project REALM. Obviously, these findings can help us to make more informed decisions as many of us ramp up various levels of in-person library services. I’d like to take … Continue reading Project REALM Findings and Their Impact
Libraries in the News
Disinfectant, Gloves And Quarantined Books: How Massachusetts Libraries Are Coping As They Slowly Reopen
The public library in Franklin has been loaning books for 230 years — the town boasts the first continuous public-lending library in the nation. It was founded in 1790 with a donation of books from Benjamin Franklin. But when the pandemic hit, like all other libraries in the state, the Franklin library closed its doors … Continue reading Disinfectant, Gloves And Quarantined Books: How Massachusetts Libraries Are Coping As They Slowly Reopen
Libraries are needed more than ever. But many aren’t sure how to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic
Jazmine Adams-McNeal tried time and time again to explain to her young daughter why their weekly trips to the library stopped suddenly in March. It didn’t go over well. “It was a lot of meltdowns,” said Adams-McNeal, 31, of Ferguson, Missouri. She, her wife and their children – a 4-year-old girl and twin 2-year-old boys … Continue reading Libraries are needed more than ever. But many aren’t sure how to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic
In It Together 6/3/2020
For the rest of the week, we are exploring businesses that are set to re-open under the second phase of Governor Charlie Baker’s re-opening plan. Today, we looked at day cares and libraries. First, we spoke with the owner and president of Magical Beginnings, which has six child care locations on the North Shore. Linda … Continue reading In It Together 6/3/2020