- Federal Funding at Risk
Library funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services is at risk
- FY2026 Legislative Agenda
Libraries across the Commonwealth provide critical services to communities
- Federal Funding Impact
Federal funding empowers libraries and provides services across the Commonwealth
- Empowered by Libraries Campaign Toolkit
Help your patrons share how libraries directly impact your community
NEWS RELEASES
Latest activities and updates from the MBLCApril 16, 2025 - House Ways and Means Level Funds Libraries
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Massachusetts House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee released their proposal for the FY2026 budget. Except for slight differences in the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners' (MBLC) agency line (7000-9101) and Technology and Resource Sharing (700 ... READ MORE
April 15, 2025 - Melrose Celebrates its New Library
On April 15, 2025, Melrose residents were joined by state and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of the new Melrose Public Library. “The construction of any library, no matter the size, affirms the principles and freedoms we stand on," said Commissioner Jessica Vilas Nov ... READ MORE
April 03, 2025 - Federal Uncertainty Causes Cuts
In the wake of President Trump's Executive Order 14238 that targeted the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the notice that the entire IMLS staff was put on administrative leave on March 31, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) announced cuts to library services ... READ MORE
Library Directory
From the MBLC Blog
MBLC May 2 Update
Dear Colleagues, I’m glad to be able to start this update with some good news. Last night, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a temporary restraining order to block the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that resulted from President Trump’s Executive Order 14238. We’re working to determine … Continue reading MBLC May 2 Update
Policy: Meeting Room Use
If your library offers space that outside groups are permitted to use (either for free or as a rental), it’s extremely important that you have a solid, actionable meeting room policy and regularly communicate the requirements of that policy, even with the regular users. Though you are under no obligation to do so, welcoming the … Continue reading Policy: Meeting Room Use
Policy: Child Safety
you read the past blog entries on patron rights and responsibilities and the associated rights and responsibilities for employees, especially if you have experience as a children's or youth librarian, they may have left you wondering "but what about children in the library?"