House Ways and Means Level Funds Libraries
April 16, 2025
Celeste Bruno
Communications Director
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@mass.gov
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Massachusetts House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee released their proposal for the FY2026 budget. Except for slight differences in the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners' (MBLC) agency line (7000-9101) and Technology and Resource Sharing (7000-9506), the House proposal funds all MBLC budget lines at FY2025 levels which aligns with the Governor's budget released in January. The full budget chart is available on the MBLC website.
"With the uncertain economic climate, level funding is good news," said MBLC Director Maureen Amyot. "Given the federal cuts to libraries, state funding is even more critical to maintaining the library services that millions of Massachusetts residents count on."
Earlier this month as a result of President Trump's Executive Order 14238 targeting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the MBLC announced service cuts. In its FY2026 Legislative Agenda, it has prioritized funding to MBLC agency line (7000-9101), State Aid to Public Libraries (7000-9501), and the Massachusetts Center for the Book (7000-9508).
"Funding to maintain library services is a pressing challenge not only on a state level but for municipalities as well. We've heard from public libraries that they are struggling with local budget issues. Funding at the levels requested in the legislative agenda helps maintain core library services and takes some of the burden off local communities," said Amyot.
The MBLC is working with the Massachusetts Library Association and the Library Legislative Caucus to identify Representatives to file amendments to support the Legislative Agenda. The House will debate the budget and any amendments and vote on a final version the last week in April. Following passage of the House version of the budget, the Senate will vote on their version in May. A conference committee will reconcile any differences between the two versions, and the FY2026 budget will be sent to the Governor to be put into place by July 1, 2025.
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.