The MBLC Welcomes Les Ball
October 21, 2018
Matthew Perry
Outreach Coordinator
1-800-952-7403 x208
matthew.s.perry@state.ma.us
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is excited to welcome Leslie D. Ball of Scituate, who has been appointed by Governor Charles D. Baker to serve on the nine-member board. The MBLC is responsible for library services across the Commonwealth including the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program, federal Library Services and Technology Act grants, regional library services, and online statewide resources.
“For many years, I have been working to fund the Scituate Town Library’s building program” said Mr. Ball. “I had great experiences working with the MBLC and am very excited about being on the other side helping other libraries to build for the future.”
Mr. Ball worked for 10 years as a member, president, and chairman of the Scituate Library Foundation capital campaign. With his help, the Foundation was able to raise close to $2 million to support the town’s library building project. The project was funded in part by a $4,985,480 Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) grant from MBLC.
A graduate of Northeastern University, Boston College, and the University of Massachusetts, Mr. Ball has spent the past 40 years working in academia, working at colleges and universities around the country including Arizona State University, Babson College, Tufts University, and most recently at the Hult International Business School in Cambridge, MA.
He also has extensive experience working in business consulting, with clients that included British Airways, AT&T, Electrolux, Gillette, Nationwide Insurance, Nortel, Tokio Marine Management, and the Hartford.
“We are very excited that Les will be joining the board and bringing his wealth of knowledge to share with the libraries of the Commonwealth” said MBLC Chair Roland Ochsenbein. “His work with the Scituate Library is impressive, and his knowledge of fundraising will be useful to any library that is going through a construction project.”
Mr. Ball holds a Ph.D. in Management from the Isenberg School at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, as well as an MBA in Quantitative Financial Management from Boston College, and a BS in Management Information Systems from Northeastern University. He replaces Commissioner Carol B. Caro who was appointed to the Board in 2008 by Governor Deval Patrick.
About MBLC
The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.