NEWS RELEASE

At its July 8, 2021, Board meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded $350,410 in 35 grants to public and special libraries across the Commonwealth under the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) which is funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

“This past year has shown us the importance of libraries to the communities they serve” said Robert Favini, Head of Library Advisory and Development at the MBLC. “These grants allow libraries to address specific local needs. They demonstrate libraries’ commitment to serve all members of their communities, to education at any age, and to make local history accessible to everyone.”

Grants are open to libraries of all types that meet the eligibility requirements.

Members of the MBLC’s State Advisory Council on Libraries review and evaluate grant applications and make funding recommendations to the MBLC.

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

Westfield has high rates of food insecurity and significant challenges with health and culinary literacy. This project will provide the Westfield community greater access to information about local resources as well as offer a variety of workshops and programs allowing residents to gain a better understanding of healthy eating and wellness. Through the Westfield Athenaeum's numerous community-wide partnerships, the Athenaeum and the City of Westfield will foster a more cohesive focus on healthy eating and culinary literacy as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Thirty percent of Brockton’s population is foreign-born. Many of these individuals are immigrants of color who aspire for citizenship. The traditional, written methods used in teaching English Language Learner (ELL) and Citizenship classes are not as effective for the learning styles of these immigrants, coming primarily from aural, visual, and musical cultures. This project will develop a new teaching approach, Cultural Way To Citizenship (CWTC,) that will use native and American cultural forms and technology to transition the immigrant to citizenship. Brockton Public Library’s CWTC project will create a culturally based Citizenship and ELL curriculum, offer citizenship classes and cultural workshops, train library staff and Mentor Study Group volunteers, create a resource and information pamphlet, and establish Citizenship Corners at all three library locations.

Hyannis Public Library (HPL) proposes a pilot family engagement project—HPL Family HelperHub—comprising separate literacy and nutrition components. The project will include collaborations with the Barnstable Public Schools, the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, and other local service organizations to develop a model for creating Library programming and services for families that invite them to participate as initiators, co-designers, receivers, providers, and evaluators. HPL Family ReaderHub will focus on family literacy for Hyannis’s immigrant community, and HPL Family NourishHub will focus on nutrition instruction for grandparents raising grandchildren. Along with instructional elements, both programs will provide participants with on-site opportunities to connect with social service providers.

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 statewide eBook program, the Commonwealth Catalog and mass.gov/libraries 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 the Board's website at www.mass.gov/mblc.

IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s approximately 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Their mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. IMLS’ 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.