NEWS RELEASE

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce that Andrea Bono-Bunker, Library Building Consultant in the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP), has been named a "2026 Mover and Shaker" by Library Journal. This honor celebrates librarians who lead through practical action and a dedication to professional values.

"What distinguishes them and what distinguishes leaders from the rest of us is that not only do they have strong convictions, they pursue them on the job. They have the potential for library greatness because they hold passionately strong beliefs about libraries and library service. They are driven by their professional concern that no one should be denied information because of his or her point of view, age, or the nature of the information. In short, their work is defined by our professional core values and our ideology. That is what will make them leaders and great librarians," said Hallie Rich, Editor-in-Chief at Library Journal.

Ms. Bono-Bunker was recognized for "Building Equity" through her leadership of the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. "When someone can use their library without encountering a physical barrier...when teens choose the library as their third place...when staff can enjoy flexibility and transform spaces easily to provide a service or experience...I may not have statistics on such effects, but I bore witness to them," says Bono-Bunker. "And they're what I hold in my heart."

This is the second prestigious award Ms. Bono-Bunker has received in less than a year. In the fall of 2025, she was awarded the Manuel Carballo Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service.

Ms. Bono-Bunker, who has been with the MBLC since 2018, has taken an innovative and inclusive approach to improving the MPLCP by incorporating sustainable building practices and developing new program regulations that reduce cost, streamline the process, and prioritize community need, informed in part by her own experience as a grant recipient.

The MBLC received a Leading by Example award because of this work. It was one of eleven Massachusetts state agencies, public higher education institutions, municipalities, and public sector individuals recognized by the Baker-Polito Administration for their leadership in promoting initiatives that reduce environmental impacts and associated energy costs of state operations.

Prior to joining the staff at the MBLC, Ms. Bono-Bunker was Director at the Woburn Public Library during its MPLCP construction project. She, along with former director Kathleen O'Doherty and trustee Richard Mahoney, worked closely with architects, local leaders, and the community to ensure the design met community needs while highlighting the original Richardson library building. In 2023, the Woburn Public Library was awarded the Prestigious AIA/ALA Award honoring the best in library architecture and design. It marked the fourth award for the library.