NEWS RELEASE

At its July 13, 2017 Board meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded $468,102 in 42 grants to public, school, special, and academic libraries across the Commonwealth under the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) which is funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

“These grants are competitive and require serious planning, great idea development, and a strong commitment to meeting well-defined local needs,” said Ruth Urell, Head of Library Advisory and Development at the MBLC. “The librarians are to be congratulated for their dedication to improving library services in their communities. The federal grants go a long way to opening new avenues for innovation and targeted services in Massachusetts libraries and the results are impressive and manifold.”

The MBLC developed this direct grant program using federal funding to help libraries meet local community needs including financial and health literacy programs, STEM and STEAM projects, programs that help New Americans learn English and become citizens, programs that serve teen needs and projects that preserve valuable historical documents. The MBLC also offers grants to increase access to library services for people with disabilities.

The complete list of grant recipients is below along with highlights from some of this year’s projects.

Using a Framework for Health Literacy grant, the Keefe Library at Boston Latin School will create a wellness area within the library that will be a place to find information about health topics relevant to high school students, particularly mental health issues, and serve as a place for students to decompress from the stresses of school and a rigorous course load. Students will be offered communication and mindfulness workshops through a partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission. Through book groups, speakers and workshops, families will be welcomed into the library, crossing language barriers, racial divisions and socioeconomic differences to encourage friendships and coping strategies.

Several communities are using the Innovative grant to meet local residents’ needs. Chicopee Public Library, in collaboration with other agencies in the community, is addressing food insecurity and poor nutrition. At Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, the Innovative grant will be used to better serve the growing Asian Indian population and to increase cultural programming that celebrates diversity. In Northborough and Sutton, the grants are being used to give homebound residents improved access to library services.

Six libraries will use their Mind in the Making grants to create new collections and play spaces for preschoolers.  They will collaborate with local educators and organizations to engage caregivers and parents in talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing with preschoolers. Such early literacy activities build essential life skills that are key to young children’s development and make a crucial difference in their kindergarten readiness and long-term school success.

Last year, Beverly Public Library used an LSTA grant from the MBLC to lead a town-wide project to identify important local collections.  Using a Preservation/Conservation of Library & Archival Materials grant, the library will now implement its plan to reframe artists’ proofs, catalog and store unique manuscripts, and broaden access to vital records and church archives that are invaluable sources for genealogical research.

In addition to the direct library grant program, the MBLC uses LSTA funds to support statewide programs and services including summer reading programs, research databases, the Commonwealth eBook program, the Commonwealth Catalog and libraries.state.ma.us which has information and resources for residents. LSTA is administered on the federal level by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in the Commonwealth by the MBLC. More information about LSTA can be found on Board's website at www.mass.gov/mblc.

About IMLS: The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s approximately 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook, Twitter  and Instagram.