{"id":2087,"date":"2025-09-24T09:09:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T13:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/?p=2087"},"modified":"2025-09-24T09:12:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T13:12:58","slug":"sept25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/2025\/09\/24\/sept25\/","title":{"rendered":"Service Update – September 24, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
PDF MBLC Service Update – September 2025<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\ud83d\udd59 MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on October 9th <\/strong>(Hybrid)<\/em>
Contact: <\/strong>Rachel Masse<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regular monthly board meeting<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, October 9th, 2025, <\/em>at the Nevins Library in Methuen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u2728Nominate a Library Champion for the MBLC Commissioner Awards by October 1!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Celeste Bruno<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Rachel Masse,<\/strong><\/a> <\/u><\/strong>June Thammasnong<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, the MBLC is celebrating 135 years<\/a> by honoring the individuals whose work has carried forward the legacy of our founding Commissioners with the Commissioner Awards<\/a>. We invite you to nominate a librarian, public official, and\/or state legislator who has made outstanding contributions to libraries and residents in the Commonwealth. Please submit your nominations by October 1st at <\/strong>tinyurl.com\/2025-comm-awards<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcf0<\/strong> Big Turnout for Gloucester\u2019s New Library<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Celeste Bruno<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) members Joyce Linehan and Jessica Vilas Novas joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, and local and state officials to congratulate the Gloucester community on the opening of the new Sawyer Free Library<\/a>. To read more about Gloucester’s new library, visit the MBLC website.<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83e\udd1d<\/strong>So You Want to Be a Library Trustee? <\/strong>(Online)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Al Hayden<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, September 24 at 7PM – More Information & Registration<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to do more to advocate on behalf of your local public library? Are you considering running to be a Library Trustee? Join Rob Favini, Head of  Library Advisory & Development\/Government Liaison and Al Hayden, Library Advisory Specialist from the MBLC as they provide information about what your library does for your community, the role of a Library Trustee, what responsibilities you’ll encounter should you become a successful candidate, and what supports and resources the MBLC offers to the library community and its advocates. This program is a basic primer designed for people who are considering becoming a Library Trustee in their community, though new Trustees may find valuable information and are welcome to attend as well. This session will be recorded and slides will be shared<\/strong> with all who register, regardless of whether or not they are able to attend live. To encourage frank questions and open discourse, the Q&A session will NOT be recorded.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcdd-<\/strong>NEW BLO<\/strong>G POST-<\/strong> <\/strong>The History of the MBLC: Henry Nourse Stedman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Jessica Branco Colati<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’re delighted to announce the launch of a new blog series, The History of the MBLC<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, by MBLC Preservation Specialist Jessica Branco Colati<\/a>. This recurring series will highlight and explore key figures and events that have shaped the MBLC since 1890. The first group of posts will focus on our founding Commissioners in recognition of the agency\u2019s 135th Anniversary. The latest post profiles Henry Nourse Stedman, one of the founding Commissioners who was also a Civil War veteran, state legislator, author and historian.   To learn more about Commissioner Nourse, visit the MBLC Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<\/strong>Financial Report Closes on Friday, October 3rd<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Cate Merlin<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Jen Inglis<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

State Aid season continues! The FY26 Financial Report survey will close on Friday, October 3rd. Waiver applications are due on Friday, November 7th<\/strong>. Sign up for the<\/strong> State Aid Listserv<\/strong><\/a> for updates and information. <\/strong>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.<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcac State Aid + Financial Report Weekly Drop In Hours <\/strong>(Online)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Cate Merlin<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, September 30th at 3pm – Zoom Link<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, October 1st at 9am – Zoom Link<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday<\/u><\/strong>, October 2nd at 3pm – Zoom Link<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drop in to ask last minute Financial Report, State Aid, and Waiver questions. Make sure your budget, materials spending, and hours open fully meet State Aid requirements. Registration is not required, and session and chats will not be recorded or saved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcbb E-Rate: Form 470<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Jaccavrie McNeely<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Kate Butler<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, October 1 at 10AM \u2013 Registration & More Information<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this second of our series of funding year 26 (FY27 – July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) E-Rate webinars, Aleck Johnson from EdTech Strategies will cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n