Service Update – July 30, 2025


🕙 MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on August 7th (Hybrid) 
Contact: Rachel Masse

The regular monthly board meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, August 7th, 2025, at the Marlborough Public Library. 


📝NEW BLOG POST: Immigration Enforcement and Library Spaces 

Contact: Ally Dowds 

Libraries serve as vital community hubs and value their institutions as welcoming spaces that take proactive steps to protect patron rights and intellectual freedoms. MBLC’s blog post, Immigration Enforcement and Library Spaces, suggests pathways for how to support staff and sustain our place as trusted institutions for our most vulnerable patrons.  To read the full post, visit the MBLC Blog


📋 New Americans Resources for Immigrants 

Contact: Ally Dowds 

The MBLC’s resources page for New Americans provides a comprehensive collection of tools and information to assist immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts. It includes citizenship resources, legal aid, and ALA’s guide to Libraries and Immigration Enforcement


📜 Reach Out to NEDCC for Disaster Assistance 

Contact: Jess Colati 

With the onset of hurricane season, please remember that you can connect with the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) for telephone, on-site and online resources and assistance when handling collection-related disasters or for emergency planning.  Visit (and bookmark) the NEDCC’s Disaster Assistance page for more information


🖥️ Environmental Monitoring: Identifying and Monitoring for Mold (Online) 

Contact: Jess Colati  

Tuesday, August 12 at 2 PM – Registration 

Conserv, MBLC’s environmental monitoring program partner, offers a brief overview of mold risks and monitoring methods in library and archival collections. Open to all. Registration required. This webinar will be recorded.  


💻 Web Accessibility Office Hours 

Contact: Jaccavrie McNeely, Kate Butler 

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. 

Next First Friday Session: Friday, September 5 at 11AM – No registration needed 

Next Third Wednesday Session: Wednesday, September 17 at 3PM – No registration needed 

View all upcoming Web Accessibility programming under the Internet, Technology, and Access category on our calendar. 


📄Accessible Word Documents 

Contact: Jaccavrie McNeely, Kate Butler 

Thursday, September 11 at 2PM – Registration required 

Learn advanced Word skills to make your documents accessible!  MBLC staff will be discussing and working through hands-on exercises for accessible headers, document templates, alt text, and more. 


📰 FY2026 State Budget and Library Legislation 

Contact: Rob Favini 

Governor Maura Healey recently signed the $60 billion FY2026 state budget which includes $52,411,000 for libraries. The budget level funds all but two Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) budget lines: the Board of Library Commissioners Support and Outreach Services line (7000-9101) which was reduced by $21,341 and Technology and Resource Sharing line (7000-9506) which received a $3,210 increase. The full budget chart is available on the MBLC website. To read more about FY2026 state funding to libraries, visit the MBLC website. 


📰 2026 MBLC Officers Elected 

Contact: June Thammasnong 

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) elected new officers to serve for FY2026 at its Board Meeting on July 10, 2025. The elected positions of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary form the Executive Committee of the MBLC. The Executive Committee is elected every July by the board for a term of one year. Commissioners can serve for two successive one-year terms in any office and after one year off the committee are eligible for election again.  To read more about the newly elected Executive Committee, visit the MBLC Website. 


📰 MassArt at the Library Returns 

Contact: Celeste Bruno 

MassArt at the Library is returning for another summer of connecting people to art through workshops at public libraries. The program, sponsored by The Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), places MassArt faculty and student ambassadors in public libraries so that children and teens can experience the benefits of art creation, learn about the creative process, connect with MassArt faculty and students, and explore art as a possible career path. To read more about this summer’s MassArt Workshops, visit the MBLC website.  

🖼️ For photos from the recent MassArt Sustainable Fashion Workshop in Lowell, visit the MBLC’s Flickr album. 


🗓️ARIS Closes on Friday, August 15th 

Contact: Cate MerlinJen Inglis 

State Aid ARIS & Financial Report season continues! The FY26 ARIS survey will close on Friday, August 15th, and the FY26 Financial Report will open on Monday, August 4th and close on Friday, October 3rd. Financial Report workshops begin this month, and Waiver workshops will begin in September- view  all upcoming trainings hereSign up for the State Aid Listserv for updates and information. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the State Aid team if you have any questions or concerns. More information and dates can be found at at the MBLC website.   


💬 ARIS Drop-in Hours (Online) 

Contact: Jen Inglis 

Friday, August 1st at 10AM – Zoom Link 

Monday, August 4th at 2PM – Zoom Link 

Wednesday, August 6th at 10AM – Zoom Link 

Monday, August 11th at 2PM – Zoom Link 

Wednesday, August 13th at 10AM – Zoom Link 

Drop-in with any and all questions about the ARIS survey before it closes on Friday, August 15th at 5pm (with signed signature pages emailed to Uechi.Ng@mass.gov)! No registration needed; use the same Zoom link for all Open Hours. 


🖥️ Environmental Monitoring: Identifying and Monitoring for Mold (Online) 

Contact: Jess Colati  

Tuesday, August 12 at 2 PM – Registration 

Conserv, MBLC’s environmental monitoring program partner, offers a brief overview of mold risks and monitoring methods in library and archival collections. Open to all. Registration required. This webinar will be recorded.  


💻 Web Accessibility Office Hours 

Contact: Jaccavrie McNeelyKate Butler 

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. 

Next First Friday Session: Friday, September 5 at 11AM – No registration needed 

Next Third Wednesday Session: Wednesday, September 17 at 3PM – No registration needed 

View all upcoming Web Accessibility programming under the Internet, Technology, and Access category on our calendar. 


📄Accessible Word Documents 

Contact: Jaccavrie McNeelyKate Butler 

Thursday, September 11 at 2PM – Registration required 

Learn advanced Word skills to make your documents accessible!  MBLC staff will be discussing and working through hands-on exercises for accessible headers, document templates, alt text, and more. 


💬 State Aid + Financial Report Weekly Drop-in Hours (Online) 

Contact: Cate Merlin 

Wednesdays in August and September at 9AM – Zoom Link 

For August and September, Wednesday State Aid Office Hours are now also Financial Report Drop-in Hours- and they’re weekly at 9am! Make sure your budget, materials spending, and hours open fully meet State Aid requirements, and bring your Financial Report and/or Waiver questions, big and small. Registration is not required, and session and chats will not be recorded or saved. Use the same Zoom link each week. 


🗨️ Preservation Office Hours (Online)  

Contact: Jess Colati  

Tuesday, August 5 at 10 AM – Zoom Link  

Tuesday, August 19 at 10 AM – Zoom Link   

Open to all interested in ensuring safe and stable storage and improving collection management for your library or organization’s preservation projects.  Connect with the MBLC’s Preservation Specialist, Jess Colati and colleagues around the Commonwealth that work to advance the protection of cultural collections during monthly office hours.  Sessions and chats are not recorded or saved. 


🗓️August Financial Report Workshops (Online) 

Contact: Cate MerlinJen Inglis 

Tuesday, August 26th at 1pm – More Information & Registration 

Thursday, August 28th at 10am- More Information & Registration 

Review the FY26 Financial Report and questions. Workshop information (meeting ID, etc.) will be emailed to registered participants as the date of the session approaches. Financial Report Workshops (and Waiver Workshops) continue in September- see them all hereRegistration is required. 


📅 Get to Know Your Local Trial Court Law Libraries (Online) 

Contact: Ally Dowds 

Tuesday, August 19 at 11AM – Registration & More Information 

Join staff from the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries to learn about legal resources available to the general public and library staff. Services like Ask a Law Librarian and Document Delivery Service and informational access to Massachusetts and Federal legal forms, treatises, and case law research support legal research needs across the Commonwealth and may equip you with skills and tools to use during your next reference-based interaction.  Registration is required. 


🤝Library Advisory Office Hours (Online) 

Contact: Al Hayden 

Monday, August 11 at 9AM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Monday, August 25 at 2PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

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! 


🕙 MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on September 4th (Hybrid) 
Contact: Rachel Masse 

The regular monthly board meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, September 4th, 2025, at the Holyoke Public Library. 

Immigration Enforcement and Library Spaces

By Ally Dowds, MBLC Consultant, Services to Special Populations

Libraries serve as vital community hubs and value their institutions as welcoming spaces that take proactive steps to protect patron rights and intellectual freedoms. Current federal immigration enforcement activities throughout Massachusetts and the broader United States have left library staff and stakeholders grappling with how best to support vulnerable community members and remain committed to missions rooted in diverse and inclusive practices. Below are suggested pathways to support staff and sustain our place as trusted institutions for all patrons.

Clear policies and procedures

As both a community and very public space, libraries may develop institutional procedures to feel better prepared to respond to ICE inquiries. This could include designating points of contact, outlining clear communication channels, or facilitating regular staff workshops on bystander training, patron privacy or emergency response to reduce uncertainty and support effective response. One place to start is to review the MA Library System’s collection of policy samples.

Ultimately, librarians cannot dispense legal advice, but we can provide access to information, and this includes material related to an individual’s constitutional and statutory rights. Review the rights and legal framework for ICE stops, arrests, and inquiries found within Know Your Rights guidance from the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General or refer patrons to local resources on Boston Public Library’s expansive Legal Services Referral list.

Lastly, check to see if your city or town has developed its own laws around federal civil immigration enforcement. The Massachusetts Municipal Association has shared this official statement signed by leaders from 13 cities and one town on ICE activities in their communities.

Know Your Rights and Theirs

A good place to start is ALA’s How to Respond to Law Enforcement Requests for Library Records and User Information. This comprehensive guide on patron privacy may help you prepare for and respond to requests from law enforcement while upholding First and Fourth Amendment freedoms, professional ethics and state laws. If legal advice or expert opinion is needed, please do consult with the library’s local municipal attorney as they often have the final say on town legal matters.

A good place to start is ALA’s How to Respond to Law Enforcement Requests for Library Records and User Information. This comprehensive guide on patron privacy may help you prepare for and respond to requests from law enforcement while upholding First and Fourth Amendment freedoms, professional ethics and state laws. If legal advice or expert opinion is needed, please do consult with the library’s local municipal attorney as they often have the final say on town legal matters.

Sometimes all we can be in the moment is a good bystander. Someone to bear witness, relay information, or make a phone call. Page 3 of the Attorney General’s Know Your Rights guidance outlines these rights. Read it. Decide how and if this fits into your role, and remember, “Bystanders are not required to answer questions about their own immigration status or the status of another person.”

Post-event staff support

If your staff, your patrons, or your colleagues experience immigration enforcement in your library space, it is important to address and assess the impact this experience has on the individual or group. Review procedures, be an ally, provide staff training, host listening sessions, or connect employees and colleagues to Employee Assistance Program services.

Community engagement and education

Why should libraries concern themselves with immigration enforcement? Look to your library mission, which often encourages a library to be the mirrors and windows to the community it serves. Some of the basic ethical underpinnings of libraries is to offer free, nonjudgemental spaces for people to access lifelines to information. Libraries do this regardless of immigration status.

Collaborate with partners like the MIRA Coalition to support immigrant communities on topics like bystander training, Family Preparedness, or legal clinics. Engage with local resources to ensure you are providing safe and accurate information to your patrons and staff. Display informational flyers in multiple languages that highlight immigration hotlines, Know Your Rights basics, or Citizenship Assistance and empower patrons through informational access.

And finally, continue to build trust through collections that showcase diverse voices, programs that bridge the differences of our languages, and staff that welcome all through your doors.

MBLC Update – July 18

Dear Colleagues:

We’re taking every opportunity to keep the federal IMLS issue (especially databases) at the forefront for legislators—your help with that is making a difference and is greatly appreciated.

This week I testified at the State House at an invitation only hearing before the House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability. It was an opportunity for libraries and others from the cultural sector to talk about the effect of federal policy changes and funding cuts on our organizations. I was joined by Boston Public Library President David Leonard and American Library Association President-Elect and Cambridge Public Library Director Maria McCauley. We worked together to give legislators the full impact of the federal crisis on libraries and library users in Massachusetts. Thank you, Maria and David, for your support and for your leadership. You can view our testimonies here: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5276

The hearing continues to get some great media coverage. Our testimonies were the lead story in State House News and more coverage is below:
NBC Boston
MassCreative
22News WWLP

More on Funding
As I mentioned last week, the MBLC continues to submit reimbursements to IMLS to try to get the federal funding that was approved  (and then stopped) for FY2025—on the federal timeline, FY2025 ends on September 30th (unlike the state timeline in which FY2025 ended on July 30). We were able to use one small reimbursement to restore statewide membership to United for Libraries. Al Hayden just sent out notice that people can register for the upcoming virtual conference.

This is not an indicator that our FY2025 IMLS funding will be restored by September 30, nor does it mean that IMLS will be funded for FY2026. Like many state organizations that rely on federal funding (as we heard from many of our colleagues at this week’s hearing), we’re proceeding with extreme caution as we grapple with service cuts now and brace for potential further fallout from the recently passed federal budget and continued uncertainty about the future of IMLS.

Please continue to reach out with any questions you have. We appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

MBLC Update – July 11

Dear Colleagues:

It’s been a busy few weeks with both the state and federal budgets passed. I’ve included some key takeaways and actions needed below.

Now is the time for IMLS funding
Funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will be decided in the next few weeks. It is critical to contact legislators now.

In the federal budget framework that was just passed, IMLS is funded at $6 million to essentially close down the agency. BUT that is not a done deal. While IMLS is part of the federal budget, Congress, not the President, determines how much funding IMLS will get.

The House Appropriations Committee is currently reviewing and marking up the budget. The subcommittee overseeing funding for IMLS is scheduled for Monday, July 21.  Members of this committee can be contacted.
This article on BookRiot has valuable information about who to contact and what information to include.


The federal budget impacts the state budget.
Governor Healey signed the state budget last week. State legislators and officials are determining how federal budget cuts will impact the state. But the Governor has already been proactive. According to the Healey and Driscoll Administration, “Governor Healey is vetoing $130 million, resulting in a final budget that is more than $1 billion less than the H1 proposal and $130 million less than the final conference budget. The administration is also continuing an Executive Branch hiring freeze, halting a planned non-union manager pay raise scheduled for January, saving $17 million, and delaying payment on earmarked funds for local projects in the budget totaling approximately $125 million until later in the year when more is understood about their affordability.”

The state budget level funds all but two Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) budget lines—in this climate that is good news. However, it is tempered with a $21,341 cut to the Board of Library Commissioners Support and Outreach Services line (7000-9101). For FY2026, the MBLC requested an increase of $414,854 to this line. Given the federal uncertainty, this funding is even more critical for agency staff and operations and was funded below FY2025 levels at $2,052,927.

What is the status of IMLS?
In addition to funding hurdle, the reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 2018 needs to happen by September 30This is done by Congresson a six-year cycle. The 2018 MLSA authorizes spending levels through October 1, 2025. It is critical to contact legislators about reauthorization.

The MBLC has had very limited contact with IMLS since much of the agency’s workforce was placed on leave. Last week the Supreme Court’s ruling on mass firings at federal agencies seems to support the Trump Administration’s reduction in workforce efforts. It’s unclear whether IMLS staff will be brought back while Massachusetts and other states pursue legal avenues.

As I’ve mentioned in previous updates, the way the IMLS funding works in Massachusetts is that the MBLC expends money and is then reimbursed by IMLS for those expenses. The lack of IMLS staff and the uncertainty about IMLS funding mean the risk of not being reimbursed remains high.

However, the MBLC continues to submit for reimbursements and some small reimbursements have gone through. It’s too soon to tell what that means for future reimbursements, especially with the significant hurdles that still exist for IMLS funding.  For more background the Center for Budget Policy and Priorities sums up the current circumstances well. Read the full article.

Thank you for your advocacy and your support as we navigate these difficult times together. Please continue to reach out with questions anytime.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Service Update – June 25, 2025

🕙 MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on July 10th (Hybrid)
Contact: Rachel Masse

The regular monthly board meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, July 10th, 2025, at the MBLC Office.


📰 Governor Healey Appoints Kemarah Sika as MBLC Commissioner

Contact: June Thammasnong

Boston native Kemarah Sika has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve as a Commissioner for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).  The MBLC is a nine-member board responsible for organizing, developing and improving library services across the Commonwealth.  To read more about Commissioner Sika, visit the MBLC website.


📰 2025 Bruins Summer Reading Prizes to be Awarded to Libraries

Contact: June Thammasnong

Summer Library Programs play a significant role in keeping kids and teens connected to educational resources over the summer. Through the “When You Read, You Score!” Statewide Summer Library Program, the Boston Bruins encourage kids and teens to continue reading by awarding special prizes to participating public libraries across the Commonwealth.  To read more about this year’s prize winners, visit the MBLC Website.


📅 Supporting Library Patrons with Re-Employment Needs—An Overview by MassHire (Online)

Contact: Ally Dowds

Thursday, June 26 at 10AM – Registration & More Information

Join this informative session designed to equip library staff with tools, resources, and knowledge to support patrons navigating unemployment, layoffs, and re-employment opportunities. There are over 25 MassHire Career Centers across that state and a Rapid Response Team that provides early intervention re-employment services to employees affected by layoffs and closings.


🗓️ARIS Opens on Tuesday, July 1st!

Contact: Cate Merlin, Jen Inglis

State Aid ARIS & Financial Report season are upon us! The FY26 ARIS survey will open on July 1st and close on Friday, August 15th, and the FY26 Financial Report will open on August 4th and close on Friday, October 3rd. We are offering one more ARIS trainings this month, and Financial Report trainings will begin in August. Keep an eye out for information about ARIS-specific office hours and sign up for the  State Aid Listserv for updates and information. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the State Aid team if you have any questions or concerns. More information and dates can be found at at the MBLC website.  


🗓️ARIS Workshop (Online)

Contact: Cate Merlin, Jen Inglis

Wednesday, July 9 at 10AM – More Information & Zoom Link

‘Tis the season for ARIS (Annual Report Information & Statistics) trainings! Review the Annual Survey and learn about the new questions that will appear. Workshop information (meeting ID, etc.) will be emailed to registered participants as the date of the session approaches. Registration is required.


🗨️ Local History, Archives, and Preservation Office Hours (Online)

Contact: Jess Colati

Tuesday, July 1 at 10AM – More Info & Zoom Link

Tuesday, July 29 at 10AM – More Info & Zoom Link

Open to all interested in ensuring safe and stable storage and improving collection management for your library or organization’s preservation projects.  Connect with the MBLC’s Preservation Specialist, Jess Colati and colleagues around the Commonwealth that work to advance the protection of cultural collections during monthly office hours.  Sessions and chats are not recorded or saved.


💬 State Aid Office Hours (Online)

Contact: Cate Merlin

Wednesday, July 9 at 9AM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Wednesday, July 23 at 2PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Join Cate Merlin, Head of State Programs, and your fellow Library Directors, Trustees, and others seeking advice and answers as we embark upon the FY2026 budget season. Make sure your next budget, materials spending, and hours open fully meet State Aid requirements, and share ideas for budget strategies with others- registration is not required, and session and chats will not be recorded or saved.


🤝 Fortifying Your Library: Protecting Your Library and Staff Through Policy (Online)

Contact: Al Hayden

Wednesday, July 9 at 2PM – More Information & Registration

Libraries are in need of updated policies now more than ever. Strong policy is one of the best ways to protect library staff, prevent issues, and keep unpreventable issues from escalating too far. Join Al Hayden for this webinar, which will offer practical advice for revising your library’s policies with:

  • Essential policies every library should keep updated
  • Tools to evaluate the strength of the policies you have now
  • Guidelines to consider when revising your policies
  • Suggestions for training staff on your updates
  • Communicating policy to patrons

Attendees should leave with actionable ideas to strengthen, revise, and evaluate library policy manuals.

Signup link: http://nicheacademy.com/fortifying-your-library-protecting-your-library-and-staff-through-policy


💻 Introduction to Web Accessibility (Online)

Contact: Jaccavrie McNeely, Kate Butler

Thursday, July 10 at 2PM – More Information & Registration Registration is full, but a waiting list is available.  

Join us for the first webinar in a new series discussing digital accessibility topics and building tech skills to support your website’s accessibility. We’ll discuss the Department of Justice ADA Title II ruling and how it affects libraries as well as some accessibility basics to get you started.

Have specific questions?  Accessibility office hours will be starting this summer, schedule TBA!


🤝Library Advisory Office Hours (Online)

Contact: Al Hayden

Monday, July 14 at 9AM – More Information & Zoom Link

Monday, July 28 at 2PM – More Information & Zoom Link

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!


📊Census Data for Libraries: A Deeper Dive into Your Community ((Online)

Contact: Al Hayden

Tuesday, July 15 at 10AM – More Information & Registration

In this workshop you will learn how to find population and demographic data for various geographies, using data.census.gov, the Census Bureau’s premiere online data platform. Understanding community characteristics can help inform and prioritize the need for library services, funding, and programs. 


🚧 Refreshed Construction Webpages

Contact: Andrea Bono-Bunker

Check out the new content and organization of the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program’s (MPLCP) webpages. In addition to updated pages for grantees, stakeholders interested in the construction program and project information will find pages on technical assistance, space planning (including a new inquiry form), pre-planning, active and past projects, funding available from other entities, and MPLCP publications, LibGuides, and podcast episodes.


🏳️‍🌈 Welcome Poster for PRIDE and Beyond!

Contact: June Thammasnong

In celebration of PRIDE, we’re delighted to share a bright new poster for your library to welcome everyone into libraries—everyday.  The poster displays “Welcome to the Library” in 12 different languages (in order of appearance: Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, French, Greek, Italian, Russian, Korean and Czech).  

The poster is 11×17″ but may printed on 8.5×11″, and there are two versions available to download and print from the MBLC Awarehouse:

·           Welcome to the Library Poster with space in the center for your library’s logo

·           Welcome to the Library Poster (2025) MBLC logo only (pictured to the right)

The QR code takes visitors to libraries.state.ma.us, the statewide portal for Massachusetts libraries that features information how to get a library card, the statewide calendar of events, and a statewide search for library of things.


📝 Update on Bruins Summer Materials

Contact: June Thammasnong

There’s been an unexpected delay on this year’s Bruins Summer Reading Materials due to an issue with our printers that we’re working to fix.  We’ll share an update when materials are shipped.  Thank you for your patience! 


🕙 MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on August 7th (Hybrid)
Contact: Rachel Masse

The regular monthly board meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, August 7th, 2025, at the Marlborough Public Library.

MBLC Update June 13

Dear Colleagues,

It has been a quieter-than-usual week on the federal front but I did want to share one important item. Yesterday, I received an email from the Regional Director for Senator Elizabeth Warren that said, in part:

“Wanted to share this letter Senator Warren and Senator Markey sent last night to the Institute of Museum and Library Services Acting Director Keith E. Sonderling demanding answers on funding cuts to museums and libraries across the country. You can also read a full article with more context from this WBUR article … We appreciate the work MBLC and others like it do to make Massachusetts the special place that it is and will continue to support you and fight for you as best we can.”

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

MBLC June 6 Update

Dear Colleagues,

I’d like to start this week’s update with an urgent non-IMLS issue that we’re keeping an eye on.

This week, Senator Ed Markey held a listening session to hear how the Trump Administration’s termination of the Digital Equity Act and Republican efforts to block E-Rate (Education Rate) funding for Wi-Fi hotspots are impacting Massachusetts. This funding directly impacts libraries and their ability to connect their users with broadband connectivity, devices including Wi-Fi hotspots, and digital literacy training. Members of the MBLC staff and the greater library community attended with MBLC Commissioner Jessica Vilas Novas and MBLC Head of Library Advisory and Development Rob Favini making statements.

A word about E-Rate: E-rate helps public libraries and schools connect users to the internet, fast. E-rate is a federally funded program offering 20-90% discounts on high-speed broadband, and the equipment and support services that make that connectivity work. In FY2025, 269 Massachusetts public libraries are part of networks that get E-Rate funding in some amount. 

E-Rate is not an IMLS program. It is paid out of the Universal Service Fund overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The fund is supported by the universal service fee that is a small surcharge applied to some types of telecom bills. This funding mechanism frees E-Rate from being dependent on Congressional appropriations and the federal budget process.

E-rate is being challenged by some members of Congress and in the court systemThe Supreme Court heard arguments in March, but there is no ruling yet. You can track this on SCOTUSblog tracker.

The future of hotspots is also in question. The Senate voted last month to repeal an FCC rule that makes it possible to lend hotspots using E-rate funds.The House has not voted yet. EveryLibrary has detailed information on this issue. The School, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition also has more information and a state by state tracker that shows current hotspot usage, demonstrating the need for the program to continue.

Back to IMLS and the fallout from Executive Order 14238. Along with our partners at Boston Public Library and the Massachusetts Library System we held three zoom sessions over the last week to talk with hundreds of you about databases and other concerns. We’re working with our partners to get out more information that you can use with staff and patrons ahead of the July 1st change.

One of the most common questions we heard was, “What if funding is restored?” If it is restored, we would explore options with our partners and the library community to determine which databases and services should be reinstated.

There are significant hurdles to federal funding returning. As I’ve mentioned before, IMLS is eliminated in President Trump’s FY2026 budget. This article in BookRiot gives an excellent summary of the legal issues and the future of IMLS funding.

That doesn’t mean we stop going after the funding we need. It means that every one of us has an important role. To that end, if you have a story about how your library will be impacted by the loss of funding for digital equity initiatives, or any federal funding, Senator Markey wants to hear from you. You can tell your story at https://www.markey.senate.gov/trumpstories.  The MBLC’s Empowered by Libraries will remain active as well: https://www.lovemasslibraries.com/

Thank you again for your messages of support. Please continue to reach out anytime with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Public Comment Policy

If your Library Board is considered a public body, you are obligated to follow Open Meeting Laws (OML) to keep Board proceedings as transparent as possible. If your Library Board is running as the Board of a nonprofit or association library, you are not officially obligated to follow OML. However, to maintain your status as a certified public library in the Commonwealth, you will likely be funded at least in part by municipal funds (usually, though not exclusively in the form of staff salaries, benefits, etc.). Best practices suggest that even though you are not compelled by the state to follow Open Meeting Law, you still should consider doing so. Because you are using some tax dollars as part of your library budget and, as you’ve heard me mention, libraries should always show that they are good stewards of tax dollars and following open meeting laws keeps up transparency to demonstrate that.

Some boards, particularly those who are not obligated to follow OML, tend to be conflicted about allowing public commentary during their meetings. While many Board meetings are run without incident, even when public commentary is invited, contentious meetings often get a lot of publicity and have even been the subject of lawsuits. Understandably, this can make any board reluctant to keep public commentary as part of their meeting, but Boards can adopt a policy that, if followed precisely each meeting, can keep meetings running smoothly with minimal incidents.

Public Commentary

Public commentary is a period during an open meeting where the Board welcomes members of the audience (virtually or in person) to express their opinions about a matter that is relevant to the Board. There is no law that requires public meetings to have a public comment period. However, having a public comment period is generally considered best practice. Including one in your meeting agenda indicates to the public that your Board welcomes feedback from the community that your library serves. You create trust between the community and the Board when you demonstrate that you are open to hearing opinions that you may not have previously considered in your deliberations.

Setting Boundaries

If you decide that you want to welcome public participation in your meetings, you’ll need to set boundaries and stick to them. This lets the public have reasonable expectations when they come to participate and are clear about your expectations regarding their input. And, as we’ve discussed, setting expectations and boundaries are one of the ways in which policies can be most effective. I recommend looking at other policies in neighboring libraries and libraries of similar sizes and seeing what they are doing. This doesn’t mean that you need to mimic their policies, but having a sense of the “norms” around you can inform your decision so you can balance both the Board’s needs and what your community may be expecting. Here are some boundaries you may want to consider setting:

  • Time limit for total commentary – Public comments do not have to dominate your entire meeting, especially since inviting them is a courtesy and not a requirement. You are well within your rights to set a total amount of time in which people who would like to make comments are allowed to do so.
  • Time limit for individual commentary – Just like the comments do not need to be the focus of your meeting, one person’s perspective doesn’t need to be the focus of the public comments. If you are putting a limit on the total time during which the public can comment, you may want to also put a limit on the amount of time one person can speak as well. Balancing this can be tricky; you want to ensure that a person speaking has enough time to clearly state what they came to say while also discouraging rambling or repetition and ensuring that you can fit as many people into the allotted public comment time as possible.
  • Advance requests – Some Boards will not consider public commentary unless they have been notified in advance. Largely this is to enable the Board to acknowledge those who wish to comment by their name and so names may be entered into the record. How far in advance your Board requires notification that someone would like to speak is up to the Board. Some Boards require 24-hour notification in order to get on the list of Public Comment speakers. Others have a sign-up sheet at the meeting where community members can list their names when they arrive. If this is something you plan to require, you should take steps to ensure that you are not excluding any groups of people. For example, if you have a hybrid meeting, but are only allowing public commentary via an at-meeting signup sheet, this can exclude anyone participating remotely. Ensure that there are equitable means for someone to request to make a comment. Otherwise, you are not truly getting your community’s perspective.
  • Termination of time – You will also want to set an expectation of when the Board will consider someone Out of Order. Generally speaking, any true threat of violence, inciting imminent lawless conduct, or being physically disruptive or threatening are reasonably considered actions in which a person can be called Out of Order. If you wish to put additional limitations on your public comments, I strongly recommend consulting your municipal counsel or an attorney on the Board to ensure that any limitations you place can be upheld by law. How your Board wishes to handle someone becoming Out of Order is also up to you, but many Boards will terminate the remainder of that person’s speaking time and/or ask that person to leave. *

Not a dialogue

While your Board may be meeting in view of the public, your Board meeting is not a meeting of the public. The Board is there to discuss their business in an open forum, not create a back-and-forth on that business in the moment. Public comment is an opportunity for your library’s community to provide input on a library’s policy or other decision within the Board’s purview, and for the span of time that the commentary period runs, this input goes one-way. During the public comment period, the job of the Board Chair (or designee) is to ensure that any participants in public comment are following the rules, but otherwise the chair should remain silent. If you’ve established that you want public commentary as a part of your meetings and someone (or multiple people) have taken the effort to attend the meeting and prepare their statement, as a Board, you need to ensure that you are following through on your end of the bargain and listening to what they have to say.

You are also within your rights to state in your policy, if you so choose, that you will not engage in dialogue. Some examples of this may include:

  • Public comments shall be confined to subject matters within your library’s jurisdiction, an item on the current agenda and/or an item that has appeared on an agenda over the last 60 days
  • Board members will listen to remarks, but will not engage in discussion, answer questions, or debate with a speaker
  • Board members may decide to address the matter with a vote by adding the matter to a future agenda with expected public notice

Many library Board members became so because they care about the library and the issues affecting libraries. This motivation can make following the “not a dialogue” part of the procedure particularly difficult to follow. But remember, consistency is one of the key ways a body earns public trust, so it is as important to follow this section of your policy as it is any other portions of the policy that may come more naturally.

Maintaining your authority

To keep public commentary as orderly as possible, the Board should maintain that they are the primary conduits for the meeting. Many Boards reiterate their public comment policy at the beginning of their meeting or at the beginning of the public comment period. This can keep confusion and expressions of “but I didn’t know” at a minimum. You are also well within your rights to mention in your policy any of the following, deciding whether or not they apply to your situation:

  • Speakers may only speak if they are recognized by the Chair.
  • Audience members are not permitted to interrupt recognized speakers
  • Policy may be subject to exception at the discretion of the Board (and/or Library Director if applicable)
  • Speakers will be recognized/scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Speakers may not give their comment time to other speakers to extend an individual’s time to comment

By and large it is the Board Chair, or presiding officer in the Chair’s absence, that will make these determinations and follow through on most of this policy. However, all members of the Board should be fully up to date on the current public comment policy, so as not to subvert the authority of the Chair or the Board and maintain consistency with the public’s expectations.

While the Board’s authority should be made apparent whenever possible, it is neither productive nor trust-building to be abrupt, curt or visibly irritated during the public comment period. The Chair and other Board members should be dispassionate and polite. Thanking the commenter for their time and opinion can go a long way to establishing a good relationship, even if the board and that commenter happen to disagree. Remember that there is a level of vulnerability to making a public comment and commenters may be inexperienced with the forum. Treating everyone well increases the comfort level of those participating in their local government, which can, in turn, encourage more participation. Being understanding adds a layer of trust which can maintain civility in future interactions, even when the subject matter is something that is subject to strong opinions.

Other channels for public feedback

A public comment period does not need to be the only way in which the public can interact with or express their opinions to a Board. The Board should have other methods that give members of the public the option to communicate with them, especially if they are elected to the Board. Not everyone is comfortable speaking in public for a variety of reasons, so there should be at least ways for the public to contact the Trustees via mail and/or emails. Many libraries are the official mailing address for the Board with any mail coming in given to the chair (or presiding officer) by the Library Director (or designee in the Director’s absence). Trustees may choose to have email addresses that are made available to the public, but they may also choose to have a single email address that is regularly checked and that anyone in the public can send correspondence to (ex. LibraryTrustees@emailsource.com). These should also be acknowledged at a meeting, though they are not part of the public comment period and do not need to be read aloud during the meeting. This is another way the Board shows their community that they are responsive to their needs and can build trust not just in the Board, but in the library overall.

As I’ve stated before, policies are at their best when they set clear expectations and follow through with those expectations at every meeting. This level of consistency and clarity builds public trust and ensures that everyone is treated fairly. Public commentary in particular can be a touchy subject, but having this policy in place encourages people to be respectful and understand their limits before choosing to participate in a meeting.

*Before setting any of the particular boundaries, I strongly recommend reading a summary of Barron Vs Kolenda (this one from the Boston Bar Association is a helpful summary though other reliable ones are available) and, as always, conferring with your municipal counsel to ensure that any limitations you set, actions you choose to take, or boundaries you enforce can be upheld by the law.

MBLC Service Update – May 28, 2025

🕙 MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on June 5th (Remote)

Contact: Rachel Masse

The regular monthly board meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, June 5th, 2025.  This meeting is fully remote. 


📰 MBLC Maintains some Databases, Support for eBooks, and ComCat 

Contact: Celeste Bruno 

At the annual Massachusetts Library Association conference, MBLC Director Maureen Amyot addressed the impact of ongoing federal uncertainty caused by the executive order and spoke about the MBLC’s efforts to preserve as many federally funded statewide services as possible. Director Amyot announced the FY2026 plan for statewide research databases, the statewide eBook program, and the Commonwealth Catalog. To read more about FY2026 databases, visit the MBLC website. 

📰 Libraries Level Funded in Proposed Senate Budget 

Contact: Rob Favini 

The Senate Ways and Means released its proposed $61.3 billion state budget with $52,432,341 in funding to support libraries. As with both the Governor and House budgets, the Senate level funded across all budget lines for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The full Senate Ways and Means, House, and Governor’s budgets for libraries are available on the MBLC website. More information about funding priorities for public libraries in the proposed senate budget is available at the MBLC website as well. 


📰 Sharon Celebrates New Library with Ribbon Cutting 

Contact: June Thammasnong 

On Monday, May 19, enthusiastic Sharon residents and public officials gathered at Sharon Public Library to celebrate the opening of the new library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The construction project was partially funded with a $7.5 million grant through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).  To read more about Sharon’s new library, visit the MBLC website. 


🗓️ State Aid Season Begins 

Contact: Cate Merlin, Jen Inglis 

State Aid ARIS & Financial Report season are upon us! The FY26 ARIS survey will open on July 1st and close on Friday, August 15th, and the FY26 Financial Report will open on August 4th and close on Friday, October 3rd. We are offering six ARIS trainings this month and into early July, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to the State Aid team if you have any questions or concerns. More information and dates can be found at at the MBLC website. 


ℹ️ Database Library Community Information (Online) 

Contact: Maureen Amyot 

Thursday, May 29 at 2PM – Registration & Zoom Link 

Friday, May 30 at 9AM – Registration & Zoom Link 

On Tuesday, May 20, the “State of the State” presented by MBLC Director Maureen Amyot at the Massachusetts Library Association conference included announcement about statewide services that have been impacted by the uncertainty caused by Executive Order 14238. These services include statewide databases, the Commonwealth Catalog, and the statewide Library eBooks and Audiobooks (LEA) program powered by Libby. For those unable to attend MLA, please register for an information session. 


🗨️ Preservation Office Hours (Online)  

Contact: Jess Colati  

Tuesday, June 3 at 10AM – More Info & Zoom Link  

Tuesday, June 17 at 2PM – More Info & Zoom Link 

Open to all interested in ensuring safe and stable storage and improving collection management for your library or organization’s preservation projects.  Connect with the MBLC’s Preservation Specialist, Jess Colati and colleagues around the Commonwealth that work to advance the protection of cultural collections during monthly office hours.  Sessions and chats are not recorded or saved.  


📅 Unlocking MassHealth: What You Need to Know to Help Your Patrons (Online) 

Contact: Ally Dowds 

Tuesday, June 3 at 2PM – Registration & More Information 

Join Community Engagement and Education staff for an informative webinar designed to help Massachusetts residents, caregivers, and service providers better understand MassHealth—the state’s Medicaid and CHIP program. Whether you’re applying for the first time, assisting someone else, or just want to stay informed about recent updates, this session will give you the tools and resources you need to increase understanding and access for your library community. This session will be recorded and registration is required. 


🤝 Library Trustee Orientation (Online) 

Contact: Al Hayden 

Wednesday, June 4 at 7PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Wednesday, June 11 at 7PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Wednesday, June 18 at 7PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Wednesday, June 25 at 7PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

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. This is a 4-session course where you will learn more about your role and responsibilities as a Library Trustee. Registration is required. 

🤝 Library Advisory Office Hours (Online) 

Contact: Al Hayden 

Monday, June 9 at 9AM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Monday, June 23 at 2PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

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!  

🖥️ Librarianing for Social Flourishing (Online) 

Contact: Jack Martin (MLS) 

Friday, June 13 at 2PM – More Information & Registration 

Please join us on Friday, June 13th from 2-3:30pm for the interactive webinar “A Library is Not a Computer: Librarianing for Social Flourishing,” led by Dr. Margo Gustina. In this 90-minute interactive webinar, Dr. Gustina will introduce how librarians build neighborhood pathways toward wellbeing based in years of continuous community-based research. This event is co-sponsored by Simmons University School of Library and Information Science, the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). 


📈 Census Bureau Data 101: Resources and Services (Online) 

Contact: Al Hayden 

Tuesday, June 17 at 2PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

In this workshop you will learn about U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys and data resources available to help you understand, access, and use Census Bureau data, which can be helpful to libraries for community research and outreach, program planning, and resource allocation.  We will take a tour of the Census Bureau’s website and highlight areas that may be most useful to library staff and patrons and provide a demonstration on how to quickly pull up your community’s data profile. Registration is required. 


💻 Introduction to the Statewide Patron Portal (Online) 

Contact: Jaccavrie McNeely 

Wednesday, June 18 at 11AM – Registration & Zoom Link 

Wednesday, June 18 at 2PM – Registration & Zoom Link 

Join us on June 18th for an introduction to the Statewide Patron Portal at libraries.state.ma.us!  This walkthrough and information session will introduce our revamped site, including the Library of Things search and the statewide events calendar.  We’ll also discuss tagging events and updating your library’s information.  Register for the 11am morning session or the 2pm afternoon session


🖥️ ARIS Workshops (Online)  

Contact: Cate Merlin, Jen Inglis 

Wednesday, June 11at 1PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Friday, June 13 at 10AM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Monday, June 16 at 1PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Wednesday, June 18 at 10AM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Tuesday, June 24th at 10AM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Wednesday, July 9 at 10AM – More Information & Zoom Link 

‘Tis the season for ARIS (Annual Report Information & Statistics) trainings! Review the Annual Survey and learn about the new questions that will appear. Workshop information (meeting ID, etc.) will be emailed to registered participants as the date of the session approaches. Registration is required. 


💬 State Aid Office Hours (Online)  

Contact: Cate Merlin  

Wednesday, May 28 at 2PM – More Information & Zoom Link 

Wednesday, June 11 at 9AM – More Information & Zoom Link  

Wednesday, June 25 at 2PM – More Information & Zoom Link  

Join Cate Merlin, Head of State Programs, and your fellow Library Directors, Trustees, and others seeking advice and answers as we embark upon the FY2026 budget season. Make sure your next budget, materials spending, and hours open fully meet State Aid requirements, and share ideas for budget strategies with others- registration is not required, and session and chats will not be recorded or saved.  


📅 Supporting Library Patrons with Re-Employment Needs—An Overview by MassHire (Online) 

Contact: Ally Dowds 

Thursday, June 26 at 10AM – Registration & More Information 

Join this informative session designed to equip library staff with tools, resources, and knowledge to support patrons navigating unemployment, layoffs, and re-employment opportunities. There are over 25 MassHire Career Centers across that state and a Rapid Response Team that provides early intervention re-employment services to employees affected by layoffs and closings. 


💻 Introduction to Web Accessibility (Online) 

Contact: Jaccavrie McNeely, Kate Butler 

Thursday, July 10 at 2PM – More Information & Registration Registration is full, but a waiting list is available.  

Join us for the first webinar in a new series discussing digital accessibility topics and building tech skills to support your website’s accessibility. We’ll discuss the Department of Justice ADA Title II ruling and how it affects libraries as well as some accessibility basics to get you started. 

Have specific questions?  Accessibility office hours will be starting this summer, schedule TBA! 


🕙 MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on July 10th (Hybrid)

Contact: Rachel Masse 

The regular monthly board meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, July 10th, 2025.  Location: TBD. 


🏒 Bruins Summer Reading Materials coming your way 

Contact: June Thammasnong 

Thank you for submitting your orders for Bruins summer reading materials featuring Jeremy Swayman! Expected time for delivery to your library is about 2 weeks from now.  All materials are available to print and download at the MBLC Awarehouse as well, please be in touch with any questions! 

MBLC Update May 23

Dear Colleagues,

This week at the Massachusetts Library Association conference I announced what statewide services will look like for FY2026 as we move ahead with no federal funding. While we are able to maintain the Commonwealth Catalog, the Libby eBook platform, and some funding for eBook content, the ongoing federal funding instability has caused us to make significant reductions in database offerings. After the announcement, many people shared kind words with me and with our staff at the MBLC booth. Please know how much we all appreciate it.

I also had the opportunity to speak with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell at the conference. As I’ve mentioned previously, through AG Campbell’s office, Massachusetts is part of a 21 state lawsuit to protect IMLS in the aftermath of President Trump’s Executive Order.

In that conversation, AG Campbell told me she wants the library community to know that the actions outlined in the executive order are illegal, and her office is doing absolutely everything in their power to stop it. They will not stop fighting. It was encouraging to know that at the highest level of state government, we have a staunch advocate who truly has our backs.

Last week  Rhode Island district court judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued an injunction to stop the dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The order calls for IMLS employees to be recalled and for processing and disbursements of grants to be resumed. It also requires that reports be submitted to demonstrate compliance with the injunction.

The first report states that IMLS staff are being recalled and that some grants will resume.

While that is good news, and baby steps in the right direction,  we also learned this week that the Trump Administration is appealing the injunction.

We are watching the situation closely and reaching out to our colleagues in other states, but until or unless IMLS is fully restored and funds are flowing, the only fiscally responsible path for the MBLC is to continue to plan for FY26 without federal funding.

We’ve created some ways to track what’s happening with services and federal funding:
➡️MBLC Program Status
ℹ️Database Information Sheet
📋Federal Funding Impact Dashboard (for stakeholders, on the agency website)
🖥️Federal Funding Impact for the Public (on the consumer portal) updated with the most current information.

We’ve also set up zoom sessions so that your questions can be answered by me and by MBLC staff. Please join us:

May 29, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JxXK0CrKQz6OxdeAbE71yQ

May 30, 2025 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/veIYpCXdSXmM5EpD9_dYyg

On the state side, this week the Massachusetts Senate has been debating their FY26 budget. Senators Oliveira, Rausch, and Collins filed amendments across several MBLC budget lines. During Wednesday’s session the last of the amendments was taken up. Here are the results:

AmendmentTitleSponsorAction
66Public Libraries 7000-9401Collins, NickRausch, Rebecca LWithdrawn
615State Aid to Regional Public Libraries 7000-9401Oliveira, Jacob R., Rausch, Rebecca L.Adopted
741Board of Library Commissioners 7000-9101Oliveira, Jacob R., Rausch, Rebecca L.Rejected Bundle 3
742Library Technology and Resource Sharing 7000-9506Oliveira, Jacob R., Rausch, Rebecca L.Rejected Bundle 3

Amendment 615 will add $500,000 to State Aid to Regional Public Libraries 7000-9401. This extra funding to the Massachusetts Library System and Library for the Commonwealth will have a big impact securing resources during these times of unstable federal funding. Sincere thanks  go out to Senator Oliveira for his leadership in filing these amendments and his staff for being so responsive.

The Senate’s debate on the budget wrapped up yesterday, and their final budget is complete. The budget now goes to the House and Senate Ways and Means Conference Committee for debate on any line items that didn’t match each other in both budgets. Once that is complete, a final version will be presented to the Governor.

We will continue to share information as it develops from the state and federal levels, and please continue to reach out with questions anytime.

Sincerely,

Maureen Amyot

Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners