News Releases
November 13, 2024 - Lawrence Among 136 Libraries State Aid Certified
At its November Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) approved 136 municipalities that met all requirements for the FY2025 State Aid to Public Libraries Program. State Aid program grants for FY2025 total $20 million, nearly double what libraries received in FY2020. Municipalities rely o...
READ MORENovember 12, 2024 - Grant Round Opens for New LSTA Grants
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce the FY2026 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant round. The MBLC uses federal LSTA funding to provide grants to libraries that allow them to offer innovative services in their local communities. For this year, the MBLC is piloting...
READ MOREOctober 09, 2024 - Fitchburg Celebrates Long-Awaited Library Renovation with Groundbreaking
Fitchburg residents, state representatives, and local officials gathered on October 8 to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fitchburg Public Library’s construction project. The project includes the renovation of the Wallace Building and the creation of an entirely new youth library wing. The new library will g...
READ MOREOctober 03, 2024 - Construction Planning and Design Grants Awarded to Blandford and Otis
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) began the process of awarding planning and design grants through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP), a state-funded program that works with local communities to build, renovate, and expand public libraries. This grant round features ...
READ MOREAugust 12, 2024 - State Aid, MLS, BPL big winners in State Budget
Governor Maura Healey recently signed the $57.78 billion state budget with increases of more than 13% for State Aid to Public Libraries (line 7000-9501) and State Aid to Regional Libraries (line 7000-9401) which funds the Massachusetts Library System and the Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library. Both i...
READ MOREJuly 31, 2024 - Colrain Library Wins Nation's Highest Museum and Library Honor
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1994, the award has honored ...
READ MOREJuly 24, 2024 - MassArt at the Library
The Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) are piloting an exciting new summer program, the Summer Art Workshop series, to increase access to art education during the summer months. The program places MassArt faculty and student ambassadors in publi...
READ MOREJuly 12, 2024 - MBLC Elects FY2025 Officers
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) elected new officers to serve for FY2025 at its Board Meeting on July 11, 2024. “It has been a great pleasure to serve as Chair this year,” said Debby Conrad who served two terms as MBLC Chair. “I valued the opportunity to work with such a commi...
READ MOREJuly 11, 2024 - MBLC Awards Federal Grants to Local Libraries
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) direct grants to public libraries at its July 11, 2024, board meeting. The grants help libraries address local community needs. The MBLC recently increased overall grant amounts so that libraries can devel...
READ MOREJune 28, 2024 - Bruins Prizes and Blades Visits at Libraries this Summer
Summer Library Programs play a significant role in keeping kids and teens connected to educational resources over the summer. Research shows that reading just four books over the summer helps kids avoid summer learning loss. To encourage kids and teens to keep reading during the summer months, the Boston Bruins, in par...
READ MOREJune 01, 2024 - Swansea Breaks Ground on New Library
On June 1, 2024 the residents of Swansea joined with local and state officials to break ground on the new Swansea Free Library. Designed to welcome the entire community, the project will renovate the original library, which was built in 1900 for a population of 1600, demolish the 1964 addition and add a new addition to...
READ MOREMay 24, 2024 - Deerfield Celebrates Groundbreaking
Local and state officials recently joined Deerfield residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Tilton Library. Commissioner Karen Traub from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), Senator Jo Comerford, Representative Natalie Blais, and Koby Gardner-Levine from Congressman Jim McGovern’s of...
READ MOREApril 24, 2024 - Maureen Amyot Named MBLC Director
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce Maureen Amyot as its new Director. "It is with great pleasure that we welcome Maureen to the MBLC," said MBLC Chair Debby Conrad. "With challenges to intellectual freedom, gaps in equitable service, unfair eBook practices, and library staff ...
READ MOREApril 19, 2024 - MBLC Grants Preserve Historical Collections
Massachusetts libraries are home to historic and unique items that are important to a community's history and form a part of the Commonwealth's rich cultural heritage. Many libraries protect and share irreplaceable local records, in mixed formats of books, photographs, archives, digital files, and even memorabilia. Pre...
READ MOREApril 19, 2024 - House Ways and Means Budget Proposal Released
The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently released their proposal for the FY2025 budget. This includes funding increases in the amounts requested in the FY2025 Legislative Agenda for the Talking Book Libraries at Perkins (7000-9406) and Worcester (7000-9402) and for Library Technology and Resource Sharing (70...
READ MOREMarch 15, 2024 - Bruins All-Star David Pastrnak is 2024 Summer Library Player
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce that Boston Bruins right-winger David Pastrnak is the featured player for the 2024 Statewide Summer Library Program, “When You Read, You Score!” This summer Pastrnak will be featured on the annual READ poster available at p...
READ MOREMarch 12, 2024 - Timothy Cherubini Appointed Library Commissioner by Governor Healey
Timothy Cherubini of Williamstown has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve on the nine-member Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). Mr. Cherubini brings over 3 decades of experience in libraries and non-profits to the MBLC, including work in academic libraries, regional and national library n...
READ MOREFebruary 28, 2024 - Governor Maura Healey Appoints Kate Chang as Library Commissioner
Kate Chang of Somerville has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve as Commissioner on the nine-member board of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). Ms. Chang is the Vice President of Community and Government Relations at Pine Street Inn in Boston. ...
READ MOREMarch 12, 2024 - Governor Healey includes Library Construction in Bond Bill
On March 1, Governor Maura Healey filed the Mass Leads Act, which provides $3.5 billion in critical investments, including the Commonwealth's public libraries. The bill supports the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners' (MBLC) Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) with a proposed $150 millio...
READ MOREFebruary 06, 2024 - 347 Libraries Certified for State Aid Awards
At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) certified 65 additional municipalities meeting all FY2024 requirements for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program. In total, 343 libraries have met all state aid requirements, 4 libraries requested waivers, and toge...
READ MOREJanuary 29, 2024 - Libraries Level Funded
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Governor Maura Healey released her $56 billion proposal for the FY2025 budget with investments in education, childcare, housing and climate resiliency. Except for a slight increase to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ (MBLC) agency line the proposed budget level fun...
READ MOREJanuary 23, 2024 - Debby Conrad Reappointed MBLC Commissioner
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is delighted to announce that Commissioner Debby Conrad has been reappointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve on the nine-member board. Commissioner Conrad was first appointed to the MBLC in 2020 by Governor Charles Baker and has served as chair of the board sinc...
READ MOREJanuary 23, 2024 - MBLC Names Members of the Director’s Search Committee
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) recently announced the members of the Director’s Search Committee which will assist with the hiring of the next MBLC director. The committee of experienced library professionals from across the Commonwealth is chaired by MBLC Commissioner Vicky Biancolo. The...
READ MOREJanuary 08, 2024 - MBLC Welcomes New Staff
Several key staff members at the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) retired at the end of 2023 after decades of service and dedication to the Massachusetts library community. The MBLC is delighted to introduce 5 new staff members that will bring their energy and expertise to our team....
READ MOREDecember 14, 2023 - Second Round of FY2024 State Aid Awards Approved by Board
At its December Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) approved 147 municipalities that met all requirements for certification in the FY2024 State Aid to Public Libraries Program. These libraries join the 131 libraries that were approved in November. State Aid program grants for th...
READ MOREDecember 13, 2023 - 85% of Massachusetts Public Libraries Are Fine Free
Many of the Commonwealth’s public libraries have joined the growing national trend to eliminate fines on overdue materials. Of the 367 public libraries in Massachusetts, 313, or 85%, are fine free (View map). “The mission of libraries is to provide equitable access to services,” said James Lonergan, D...
READ MORENovember 21, 2023 - Board Approves First Round of FY2024 State Aid Grants
At its November Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) approved 131 municipalities that met all requirements for certification in the FY2024 State Aid to Public Libraries Program. State Aid program grants for this initial round total $2.8 million. Libraries use state aid funding to...
READ MORENovember 14, 2023 - George Comeau Reappointed MBLC Commissioner
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce that Commissioner George T. Comeau, Esq. of Canton has been reappointed to the nine-member board by Governor Maura Healey. Commissioner Comeau was previously reappointed to the MBLC by Governor Charles D. Baker in 2021, after being...
READ MOREOctober 23, 2023 - MBLC Doubles eBook Funding
At its October board meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) doubled its funding to support Library eBook and Audiobook program (LEA) by approving $1 million in grants to Automated Networks for purchase of eContent for LEA. LEA gives Massachusetts residents access to eBooks, audiobooks, and mor...
READ MOREOctober 17, 2023 - Key MBLC Staff Retire
Several staff members at the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) are set to retire in October and November. They form part of the fabric of the library community and have established programs and services that libraries rely on and that residents benefit from and enjoy....
READ MOREOctober 05, 2023 - Gloucester Celebrates Library Groundbreaking
Local and state officials recently joined Gloucester residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Sawyer Free Library. Commissioner Mary Ann Cluggish from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) congratulated the community on this major accomplishment, “I personally believe that the buildi...
READ MOREOctober 02, 2023 - Marlborough Public Library Re-Opens
After two years of construction, Marlborough Public Library celebrated its grand re-opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 2. Excited community members, state representatives and local officials gathered to be among the first to see the new addition and renovation of the historic Carnegie library building, w...
READ MORESeptember 22, 2023 - Sharon Celebrates New Library Construction with Groundbreaking
On September 22, Sharon residents were joined by state and local officials at 1 School Street to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Sharon Public Library’s construction project. The newly constructed library will be located about a quarter mile from the current library, and more than double the square ...
READ MORESeptember 21, 2023 - Massachusetts Libraries Celebrate the Freedom to Read with Statewide Read-Ins
Since 1982, Banned Books Week has been an annual fall event that highlights the value of free and open access to information by bringing together librarians, educators, authors, readers and the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to read. Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms ...
READ MORESeptember 11, 2023 - Barbara Barros Appointed MBLC Commissioner by Governor Maura Healey
Boston native Barbara Barros has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The nine-member board of the MBLC was established in 1890 and is responsible for developing, coordinating, and improving library services across the Commonwealth ...
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For More Information & Press Inquiries
Celeste Bruno, Communications Director
617-725-1860 x208
857-488-6206 (Mobile)
celeste.bruno@mass.gov
June Thammasnong, Communications Specialist
617-725-1860 x240
857-488-7004 (Mobile)
june.thammasnong@mass.gov