NEWS RELEASE

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) direct grants to public libraries at its July 11, 2024, board meeting. The grants help libraries address local community needs. The MBLC recently increased overall grant amounts so that libraries can develop sustainable projects that have a lasting impact on their communities and residents.

“In many communities libraries fulfill a vital role of being the only community space that welcomes all ages and abilities,” said Robert Favini, Head of Library Advisory and Development at the MBLC. “This year’s grants strengthen local communities with support for mental health programing, early childhood education, entrepreneurs, and more. The MBLC’s direct grant program is a great example of federal funds making a local difference.”

Ten libraries received grants for a total amount of $180,775 awarded. 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 a selection of this year’s projects.

Montague Public Libraries’ Beyond Library Walls - Serving Tweens and Teens program will address the pressing issue of social isolation and mental health challenges. Young individuals will be empowered through youth support, education, peer-to-peer connections, and opportunities for social emotional learning with a focus on building out-of-school community support and third spaces. By implementing youth-centric programs, fostering collaboration, including tweens and teen voices in the process, and increasing access to resources, the program will have a lasting impact on the well-being of local youth.

The Springfield City Library’s Young Adult Mental Health Initiative recognizes that teens in Springfield face many stress factors that weigh on their mental health. Data from the 2023 Springfield Youth Risk Behavior survey indicates that the mental health outcomes in Springfield’s teen population is worsening. The new initiative will provide the youth of Springfield with supportive programming, access to wider mental health resources, and partnerships with local community groups.

At the Gladys E. Kelly Public Library, the Nest small business incubator will offer a collection of tools, technology, resources, and community connections for entrepreneurs and small business startups. The Nest will be an important community-building resource with the library acting as liaison and connector to community members, jobs-seekers, businesses, and non-profits by providing space and needed resources. Monthly workshops will be hosted by support organizations, regular networking mixers will be hosted in the space, and a job fair will be held semi-annually. Beyond tools and technology, the project will provide connections and mentorship for small businesses and entrepreneurs, where users can connect with a local business mentor for advice and guidance on starting their own business.

Wilmington Memorial Library’s Playful Pathways: Nurturing Life Skills in Library Play Spaces will supplement or substitute for formal early education by providing research-based play spaces and programs at the library. According to the American Community Survey and Census.gov, 55% of Wilmington children under age 5 do not attend formal early education programs. The project will create the only free and accessible space in Wilmington for children and families that promotes curiosity and social emotional learning, while incorporating the seven Mind in the Making Life Skills and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) curriculum frameworks. With the ability to practice developmental skills in an intentional, but accessible setting devoted to play, Playful Pathways will lower barriers created by unequal access to education and allow Wilmington children to succeed.

Federal LSTA grants are funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services.In addition to the direct library grant program, the MBLC uses LSTA funds to support statewide programs and services including, research databases, the statewide eBook program, the Commonwealth Catalog and Libraries.state.ma.us 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 and on mblclsta.com.

About IMLS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.