Governor Maura Healey Appoints Kate Chang as Library Commissioner
February 28, 2024
June Thammasnong
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x208
june.thammasnong@mass.gov
Kate Chang of Somerville has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve as Commissioner on the nine-member board of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). Ms. Chang is the Vice President of Community and Government Relations at Pine Street Inn in Boston.
"As the granddaughter, daughter, niece and best friend of librarians and library champions I can think of few greater honors than to be a Commissioner and to be a library champion, too," said Commissioner Chang.
Previously, Ms. Chang worked as a District Representative for former Congressman Michael Capuano and as a Policy Analyst at the U.S. Department of Transportation focused on federal policies and programs on regional transportation. She also has extensive experience working on political campaigns and as an independent consultant advising on legislative and advocacy strategies. Her advocacy extends beyond libraries as she also serves on the boards of Reproductive Equity Now and the Grinnell College Museum and is a Trustee at the Charles River Alliance of Boaters.
Ms. Chang’s experience is an asset to the MBLC which is responsible for maintaining and strengthening the Commonwealth’s free public libraries 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. The MBLC was established in 1890 and is one of the oldest state library agencies in the United States.
Ms. Chang holds a Master of Art in Public Policy and Master of Art in Asian Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and is a graduate of Grinnell College with a Bachelor of Art in History.
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.