NEWS RELEASE

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 with Federal Library Services and Technology grants, State Aid to Public Libraries, the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program as well as regional library services and online statewide resources.

"I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work on the Governor's Library Commission to make a difference in the lives of not only our children of the Commonwealth but adults as well. In addition, I pray that the work being done through the Commission can stand as an example of how important literacy is across the country, " said Commissioner Barros.

Ms. Barros joins the board with 39 years of vast experience in education and teaching in Massachusetts.  Ms. Barros worked in the Boston Public Schools (BPS) for over 25 years and 10 years in Sharon Public Schools.  She started her career as an early childhood teacher with elementary students, became a reading specialist and then literacy coach for BPS teachers.  After decades of dedicated work as an educator with BPS, she served as Education Coordinator for elementary schools in the Sharon Public School system.

Commissioner Barros published her first novel in 2016 and has also written and published two children’s books. Her children’s books focus on teaching the history of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre of which she is a descendent through her grandparents, aunt, and uncle.

Ms. Barros earned her Master’s in Education from Cambridge College and is a graduate of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa with a B.S. in Education.