NEWS RELEASE

Libraries Awarded Grants for Remote and Virtual Programming

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded $54,900 in 20 grants to libraries across the Commonwealth through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding that was distributed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). These grants are designed to help the recipients with remote and virtual programming during the Coronavirus Pandemic. This is the second round of grants supporting remote and virtual programming, following the 27 grants totaling $72,461 awarded in July, 2020.

“Libraries have done an incredible job adapting to virtual and remote programming for residents throughout the pandemic,” said MBLC Director James Lonergan. “These grants continue to support this great work and bring vital programming for everyone in Massachusetts.”

The complete list of grant recipients is below along with highlights of different projects.

Barnstable – Whelden Memorial Library
In collaboration with Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Whelden Memorial Library in Barnstable will offer a series of programming that will highlight Citizen Scientist programs and provide the basic minimal training that might be required to be a successful contributor.

Longmeadow – Richard Salter Storrs Library
Richard Salter Storrs Library in Longmeadow will partner with Longmeadow Historical Society to offer the Hidden Voices of History program series, which will feature stories that dominant historical narratives have neglected. The project is especially interested in hosting scholars and stories from the Western Massachusetts and Connecticut Valley regions, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the broader New England area.

Norwood – Morrill Memorial Library
Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood will offer circulating educational kits aimed at young children. The Alive Sensory Kits will contain materials and objects along with guided activities to encourage toddlers and preschoolers to develop both fine and gross motor skills. Reading Adventure Literacy Kits will include fiction and nonfiction picture book and easy reader titles that focus on a single topic and craft activities that support emergent readers in kindergarten through 2nd grade.

The CARES Act was passed on March 27, 2020 in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. The $2 trillion dollar spending bill passed by Congress included $50 million for museums and libraries through IMLS. In addition to these grants, the MBLC also awarded grants for libraries to purchase the reading tracking software Beanstack to be used for summer reading and for school library eBook funding as part of the Commonwealth eBook Collections.