(Image: Kim Charlson (left) accepting the Anna Eliot Ticknor Commissioner Award at the MA State House with her guide dog Idabelle next to MBLC Commissioner Joyce Linehan on November 6, 2025.)
At the MBLC’s Commissioner Awards ceremony, Kim Charlson Executive Director of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library was awarded the Anna Eliot Ticknor award which recognizes a Massachusetts librarian whose work has increased residents’ access to the wealth of resources held at libraries across the Commonwealth.
Let’s take a look at Kim’s impressive career that spans over two decades and impacted countless individuals.This year alone Perkins Library will circulate more than 900,000 items to 20,000 patrons with print disabilities.
Kim has been on the forefront of new technology, piloting eBooks, adaptive devices such as Braille eReaders, tactile maps, 3D printers, and online services so that people with disabilities can participate equally in the digital revolution.
Her influence extends to policies and initiatives that have strengthened accessible library services across the Commonwealth. Kim’s wise guidance has equipped libraries of all sizes to welcome residents who might otherwise be left out. She serves on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Braille Literacy Council, advising on how students across the state can access the materials they need to learn.
Explore Grants Awarded as Part of Federal Rebuild – MBLC Press Release (1/23/2026)
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce that 12 libraries have received a combined $58,500 as the FY2026 recipients of Explore Grants.
$10 Million Awarded So Far in State Aid to Public Libraries – MBLC Press Release (1/8/2026)
At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) certified the remaining municipalities meeting all of the FY2026 requirements for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program.
‘Libraries are not luxuries’: Librarians advocate for $1M increase in public library aid – Greenfield Recorder (1/16/2026)
SUNDERLAND — In the wake of increasing demand and costs, librarians across western Massachusetts are calling for an additional $1 million in public library aid in the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
Librarians call for assertive approach to funding in Massachusetts – State House News Service (1/7/2026)
BOSTON — Facing spending cuts and political pressure, Massachusetts librarians are warning public officials that libraries are being treated as budget leverage — and saying that has to change.
Steel beam signing marks progress on J.V. Fletcher Library project – Westford Cat (1/26/2026)
WESTFORD — Town officials, library leaders and architects gathered Friday to celebrate a major milestone in the reconstruction of the J.V. Fletcher Library: the signing of a ceremonial steel beam that will become part of the building’s new structure.
‘A family destination’: Shutesbury readies for library opening– Daily Hampshire Gazette (1/8/2026)
SHUTESBURY — On Sunday morning, around 60 volunteers joined staff members to remove the 12,000 or so books, DVDs and audiobooks squeezed into the M.N. Spear Memorial Library, preparing them for their short journey to the new Shutesbury Public Library.
Library Opens to Joyous Community Celebration – The Belmont Voice (1/20/2026)
Clasping a book from the popular “Warriors” series by Erin Hunter, fourth-grader Katarina Pajovic smiled as she stood in the children’s room Jan. 17 during the grand opening of the new, $39.5 million Belmont Public Library.
State OKs Montague library design – Greenfield Recorder (1/21/2026)
MONTAGUE — A year after the Montague Public Libraries received funding to join the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program and begin planning for a new or renovated building in Turners Falls, designs for a new library were approved by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) earlier this month.
7+ Court Cases About Book Bans to Watch in 2026: Book Censorship News, January 16, 2026 – Book Riot (1/16/2026)
One of the biggest tools in the arsenal when it comes to book censorship in the United States is the judicial system. Whether that’s for better or for worse remains a big question mark, especially under the current federal administration. Lawsuits, however, are a crucial means by which the average citizen learns where and how the rights granted to them via the Constitution actually apply. That includes the First, Tenth, and Fourteenth Amendments, three of the most relevant when it comes to where and how the government can ban books in public and school libraries.
A Most Unlikely Year: Library Policy in 2025 – Library Journal (1/13/2026)
A look at federal library policy in 2025, and work to be done in the coming year. I knew that 2025 would be a bad year for federal public policy for libraries. However, I did not anticipate the Trump Administration’s widespread and blatant violations of federal law and the U.S. Constitution regarding library interests.
The digital library dilemma: Why e-book borrowing costs taxpayers more – Straight Arrow News (1/5/2026)
For a growing number of Americans, reading is more than leafing through a physical book. Between 2011 and 2021, the share of Americans who listened to an audiobook more than doubled, from 11% to 23%, according to the Pew Research Center. At the same time, the share who read an e-book rose from 17% to 30% – all while the number of Americans who read any format of book held relatively steady.
States Are Banning Book Bans. Will It Work? – Education Week (1/7/2026)
At least eight states are trying to crack down on attempts to remove books in school libraries, passing legislation that gives librarians more leeway in selecting materials, sets up formal processes for responding to challenges, and bars schools from pulling books from the shelves for ideological reasons.
A 200-year-old book distributor is closing. Here’s what that means for public libraries – NPR (1/7/2026)
It’s been a tough year for public libraries. In March, President Trump issued an executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the only federal agency devoted to funding public libraries (a decision reversed in November by a Rhode Island District Court judge). Then, in May, the president also delivered a blow to the nation’s leading library when he fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. At the same time, libraries across the country have continued to face challenges to what books should and should not be available on their shelves – and pressure to remove certain titles – culminating in lawsuits in states like Texas and Florida.
Now, the nation’s largest distributor of print books to public libraries – Baker & Taylor – is set for imminent closure.
Goddard Space Flight Center staff says library’s course degrades NASA’s mission – NPR (1/6/2026)
The library at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland is closing after a number of disruptions and reductions by the Trump administration. Staff members say it’s degrading NASA’s mission.
People do weird things at the library. This writer put her sightings in new book. – USA Today (1/15/2026)
The library is a place for learning and gathering. But like other public spaces, sometimes people do weird things there. Libraries “are great community spaces, but the truth of working in a library also is that there are people potentially filming OnlyFans in the bathroom or a lot of drug use,” says Emily Austin, a Canadian author and former librarian.
Library Names 25 Films to the National Film Registry for Preservation – Library of Congress Newsroom (1/29/2026)
The Library of Congress has selected 25 films for the National Film Registry due to their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage, the Library announced today. The selections for 2025 date back to the silent film era with six silent films dating from 1896 to 1926 – a significant number of films in this class. The newest film added to the registry is from 2014 with filmmaker Wes Anderson’s “TheGrandBudapestHotel,” which included meticulous historical research at the Library of Congress to create visually striking scenery.
*Links provided to external (non-MBLC) news stories are done so as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the MBLC. MBLC bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on February 5 (Hybrid) Contact: Rachel Masse
The regular monthly board meetingof the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the MBLC Office, 90 Canal Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA.
Library workers, users, partners, stakeholders, and community members are invited to share their thoughts, concerns, and questions about the future directions of Massachusetts Libraries broadly and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), the Commonwealth’s state agency that supports libraries through funding, guidance, partnerships, and the coordination of statewide services. Learn more about the MBLC, its mission, and its current programs and services by visiting the agency’s website.
We’re once again joining the Boston Bruins, Cradles to Crayons and DCF/Wonderfund to collect pajamas for kids in need from February 1 to March 15 (It’s OK if you don’t want to do the full 6 weeks!) The goal is to collect 10,000 pairs of new PJs!
Cradles to Crayons is state-wide, please contact them to arrange picks up for the pajamas your library collects. If you have a problem reaching someone, please contact Rachel Masse by email or cell phone, (857) 488-6953.
We are reaching out to the DCF/ Wonderfund for an updated list of gatekeepers and pajama drop-off locations.
Connect with fellow librarians providing library services to individuals currently and formerly experiencing incarceration in state, county and youth facilities in Massachusetts. Join this conversation to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and build a supportive community. Whether you work directly in a carceral facility, have experience collaborating with institutions to provide outreach, or you are a librarian interested in developing an outreach partnership, this meetup group provides a forum to come together for meaningful discussion and resource sharing.
Registration is not required. This is an existing group that meets monthly on the first Thursday at 1pm.
Join the MBLC State Aid team and your fellow Library Directors seeking advice and answers as we embark upon the FY27 budget season. Make sure your next budget, materials spending, and hours open fully meet State Aid requirements. FY27 is shaping up to be a rough budget year for many municipalities- ask your budget and certifications questions here.
State Aid Waiver & Certification Workshop (Online)
Is your library facing budget issues for FY27? Are you facing a municipal override vote this spring, and want to know how a failed override and reduced budget will affect your library’s State Aid and Certification?
In this workshop, we’ll review the FY27 MAR (Municipal Appropriation Requirement), the MAR Waiver Application process if your budget does not meet the MAR, and how you can make your case to your municipalities for a stable and funded library budget. We’ll go over what State Aid Certification means, what is lost if a library budget is drastically cut, and have time for individual questions at the end.
This session is geared towards new and/or acting directors to provide an introduction to and overview of the State Aid to Public Libraries program and the requirements that need to be met in order to qualify for State Aid to Public Libraries funds.
**Please note: This is not a workshop about how to fill out the surveys/forms. Those workshops will be held in June/July for the Annual Report Information Survey (ARIS) and in August/September for the Financial Report/Compliance Form for State Aid to Public Libraries.
Need help making your web content accessible? MBLC staff are here to help! Join our office hours every first Friday at 11AM or third Wednesday at 3PM. View all upcoming Web Accessibility programming under the Internet, Technology, and Access category on our calendar.
Open to all Directors, Trustees, Library Friends, and Foundation Members. They are designed to be an open-ended, safe space for questions and interaction among participants. Sessions will NOT be recorded, and chats will NOT be saved. Registration is not required; stop by anytime during the hour!
Introduction to Canva for Library Advocates (Online)
Library advocates are increasingly asked to communicate with library supporters across different platforms and in different ways. In this program, you will get an introduction to the basics of Canva with a focus on tools you can use to advocate for your library. Live demonstrations will get you started creating, editing, and adapting designs like infographics, flyers, newsletters, and more that can be used for fundraising, advocacy, and communications about your mission. This session will be recorded, and the recording will be sent out to all registrants, regardless of whether they are able to attend live.
Libraries are uniquely positioned to support aging adults with programs, spaces, and services that enhance lifelong learning, social connection, health, and independence. Participants will learn about statewide resources and gain practical strategies for developing age-friendly environments, strengthening digital literacy support, and cultivating partnerships with local aging-services organizations. Whether your library already has robust senior programming or is just beginning to plan, this session will offer tools and inspiration for serving older adults with purpose and creativity. Learn more about the topics to come at the MBLC’s Core Connections page.
Libraries need active and engaged trustees now more than ever. If you are a new trustee hoping to learn more about your role or a more seasoned trustee looking for a deeper understanding of the basics, you are invited to the MBLC’s Library Trustee Orientation.
Sessions will be recorded and sent to all registrants
Resources (including slides) will be sent to all registrants
MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on March 5 (Hybrid) Contact:Rachel Masse
The regular monthly board meetingof the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Massachusetts Library Systems Offices in Marlborough.
Justice Involved Library Services: A Roundtable Discussion (Online)
Connect with fellow librarians providing library services to individuals currently and formerly experiencing incarceration in state, county and youth facilities in Massachusetts. Join this conversation to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and build a supportive community. Whether you work directly in a carceral facility, have experience collaborating with institutions to provide outreach, or you are a librarian interested in developing an outreach partnership, this meetup group provides a forum to come together for meaningful discussion and resource sharing.
Registration is not required. This is an existing group that meets monthly on the first Thursday at 1pm.
MBLC Starts Federal Program Rebuild – MBLC Press Release (12/5/2025)
On December 3, 2025, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced it had reinstated all federal grants which were terminated due to Executive Order 14238 signed by President Trump on March 14, 2025. The goal of the executive order was to eliminate IMLS “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.”
Blandford receives $5.4M library grant – The Reminder (12/10/2025)
BLANDFORD — The Porter Memorial Library in Blandford received word earlier this month that the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has awarded a $5.4 million Small Population library construction grant to the town of Blandford.
New legislation aims to strengthen protections for school and public libraries – Athol Daily News (12/23/2025)
With book-banning attempts on the rise nationwide, Massachusetts legislators are working to strengthen protections for school and public libraries with “An Act Regarding Free Expression.” Link to full article at Athol Daily
Plans for new East Springfield Library Branch submitted to state – Mass Live (12/31/2025)
SPRINGFIELD – The city has moved one step closer to replacing the East Springfield Branch Library. Designs for a new building are complete.
Who on Cape Cod was recognized for human rights work? ‘We rise by lifting each other’ – Cape Cod Times (12/11/2025)
HYANNIS — Harriet Jerusha Korim’s voice radiated across the room as she led a chorus of “This Little Light of Mine” during the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission2025 Human Rights Day Celebration Breakfast. Osterville Librarian Cyndy Cotton, and Hyannis Librarian Antonia Stephens joined hands as they headed to the podium to accept the Rosenthal Award at the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission’s awards ceremony in Hyannis on December 10, 2025
On the Infinite Lives of the Library – Literary Hub (12/4/2025)
One might say that a library’s most abundant resource—what it lends most freely—is not books and information but time. Time to think, breathe, be, and become. Last spring, in exchange for my service as writer-in-residence, the historic Concord Free Public Library in Concord, Massachusetts lent me six months and the use of a private office upstairs in a refurbished 300-year-old house-turned-working wing just off the Children’s Room. The space had everything a writer could want: a desk, comfy chair for reading, privacy, and good light.
The Supreme Court Just Opened the Door to a New Era of Book Bans – Time Magazine (12/17/2025)
Imagine that you decided to go to your local library to check out a book, but you couldn’t find it on the shelf. You ask the librarian for help locating it, but they inform you it’s not available—not because someone else has checked it out, but because the government has physically removed it after deciding they don’t want you to read it.
This isn’t the plot of a dystopian novel, it’s the reality that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed in its recent decision to not hear arguments in the book ban case: Leila Green Little et al. v. LlanoCounty.
US librarians tackle ‘manufactured crisis’ of book bans to protect LGBTQ+ rights – The Guardian (12/15/2025)
In at least half a dozen states, librarians have joined forces with civil rights groups to oppose book bans, often facing personal and professional repercussions
Supreme Court declines to hear appeal on Texas book ban case that allows officials to remove objectionable books from libraries – PBS (12/9/2025)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal on a Texas free speech case that allowed local officials to remove books deemed objectionable from public libraries.
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts – The New York Times (12/31/2025)
Holdings from the library at the Goddard Space Flight Center, which includes unique documents from the early 20th century to the Soviet space race, will be warehoused or thrown out.
Book distributor shutting down deals logistical blow to libraries – NPR (12/29/2025)
Baker and Taylor is among a few companies that act as the distribution middle man between libraries and publishers. The company’s announcement that it is shutting down is a blow to librarians.
The cultural works becoming public domain in 2026, from Betty Boop to Nancy Drew– NPR (12/26/2025)
A new year means a new parade of classic characters and works entering the public domain.
Under U.S. law, the copyright on thousands of creations from 1930 — including films, books, musical compositions and more — will expire at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, meaning they will be free to use, share and adapt after nearly a century.
This Artist Put 2,500 of Her Favorite Books in a Massive Rotating Library on Miami Beach – Smithsonian Magazine (12/8/2025)
The 20-foot-tall installation, titled “Library of Us,” featured titles that hold personal meaning for British artist Es Devlin—who invited visitors to sit on nearby benches and read.
*Links provided to external (non-MBLC) news stories are done so as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the MBLC. MBLC bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
