NEWS RELEASE

At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) certified the remaining municipalities meeting all of the FY2026 requirements for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program. Public libraries in 338 certified communities have been awarded approximately $10 million in state funding. Libraries in State Aid certified municipalities receive approximately half of their grant awards following the Commonwealth's disbursement schedule, with the remaining amount released toward the end of the grant cycle in late spring, for a total of $20 million in state funding for public libraries in FY26.

The Commissioners also reviewed waivers for municipalities that did not meet the Municipal Appropriation Requirement (MAR). The MAR is required funding from the municipality's budget allocated to support the library. Each fiscal year, a municipality and its library must meet the MAR and the Minimum Standards of Free Public Library Service to be certified in the State Aid to Libraries Program.

Of the nine municipalities that applied for FY2026 MAR waivers, two libraries had a municipal budget reduction beyond the 5% threshold established for a disproportionate cut. Norwell Public Library's budget was cut by 9.45% (resulting in a disproportionate cut of -8.88%) and Stoneham Public Library's budget was cut by 13.22% (resulting in a disproportionate cut of -12.33%). Representatives from both municipalities appeared before the Board to discuss the library's funding. Of the remaining MAR waiver applicants, seven libraries had municipal budgets that fell short of meeting the MAR, and two municipalities are seeking a waiver for a second year. Commissioners will vote on the MAR waiver applicants at the February Board Meeting.

Funding from the State Aid to Public Library Program directly supports public library services in towns and cities across the Commonwealth. The reciprocity that comes with State Aid library certification allows library patrons to use any library in State Aid certified municipalities in Massachusetts, giving them access to millions of items available through the shared library system. State Aid to Public Libraries (7000-9501) is a priority in the FY2027 Legislative Agenda.