News Releases
May 21, 2025 - Sharon Celebrates New Library with Ribbon Cutting
On Monday, May 19, enthusiastic Sharon residents and public officials gathered at Sharon Public Library to celebrate the opening of the new library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The construction project was partially funded with a $7.5 million grant through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program ...
READ MOREMay 20, 2025 - MBLC Maintains some Databases, Support for eBooks, and ComCat
On March 14, 2025 President Trump signed Executive Order 14238 eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." IMLS is the single largest source of critical federal funding for libraries. Through IMLS' Grants to States Program, for FY2025 the Massa...
READ MOREMay 07, 2025 - Libraries Level Funded in Proposed Senate Budget
Yesterday the Senate Ways and Means released its proposed $61.3 billion state budget with $52,432,341 in funding to support libraries. As with both the Governor and House budgets, the Senate level funded across all budget lines for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The full Senate Ways and M...
READ MOREMay 02, 2025 - Bruins Goalie Jeremy Swayman is 2025 Summer Library Player
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce that Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman is the featured player for the 2025 Statewide Summer Library Program, "When You Read, You Score!" This summer Swayman will be featured on the annual READ poster available at public libraries across th...
READ MOREApril 16, 2025 - House Ways and Means Level Funds Libraries
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 pr...
READ MOREApril 15, 2025 - Melrose Celebrates its New Library
On April 15, 2025, Melrose residents were joined by state and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of the new Melrose Public Library. “The construction of any library, no matter the size, affirms the principles and freedoms we stand on," said Commissioner Jessica Vilas Novas from the Massachus...
READ MOREApril 03, 2025 - Federal Uncertainty Causes Cuts
In the wake of President Trump's Executive Order 14238 that targeted the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the notice that the entire IMLS staff was put on administrative leave on March 31, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) announced cuts to library services and grants at its mon...
READ MOREFebruary 25, 2025 - Explore Grants Awarded to 18 Libraries [Eliminated Due to Federal Cuts]
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce 18 libraries will receive a combined $93,000 as the FY2025 recipients of Explore Grants. The MBLC uses federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding to provide Explore Grants that improve library services, collections, and progr...
READ MOREFebruary 10, 2025 - 347 Libraries Certified to Receive Local Aid
Libraries certified in the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners' (MBLC) State Aid to Public Libraries Program receive local aid funding to directly support public library services. For FY2025, 347 municipalities and their libraries are certified in the program and will share $20 million in state aid funding....
READ MOREFebruary 07, 2025 - eBook Funding Increases but Access Constrained
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) recently awarded $1 million in grants to Automated Networks for purchase of eContent for the Library eBook and Audiobook program (LEA). LEA gives Massachusetts residents access to eBooks, audiobooks, and more from 389 participating libraries across the Commonwealt...
READ MOREJanuary 09, 2025 - $1.3 Million Awarded in Planning and Design Grants
At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded $1.3 million in planning and design grants to thirteen libraries through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP), a state-funded program that works with local communities to build, renovate, and expand pu...
READ MOREJanuary 09, 2025 - $9.8 Million Awarded so far in State Aid
At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) certified the remaining libraries meeting all FY2025 requirements for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program. So far, 339 libraries have been awarded $9.8 million in state funding. The awards are roughly half of the total state aid...
READ MOREDecember 12, 2024 - Second Round of FY2025 State Aid Awards Approved
At its December Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) approved 154 municipalities that met all the requirements for certification in the FY2025 State Aid to Public Libraries Program. These libraries join the 136 libraries that were approved in November. Approximately $8 million in...
READ MORENovember 21, 2024 - Library Construction Funded in Economic Development Bill
On November 20, Governor Maura Healey signed into law the Mass Leads Act, an economic development bill which provides billions in critical investments to create jobs, support business growth, expand workforce development programs, and support rural and regional economic development initiatives. The bill supports the Ma...
READ MORENovember 13, 2024 - Lawrence Among 136 Libraries State Aid Certified
At its November Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) approved 136 municipalities that met all requirements for the FY2025 State Aid to Public Libraries Program. State Aid program grants for FY2025 total $20 million, nearly double what libraries received in FY2020. Municipalities rely o...
READ MORENovember 12, 2024 - Grant Round Opens for New LSTA Grants
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce the FY2026 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant round. The MBLC uses federal LSTA funding to provide grants to libraries that allow them to offer innovative services in their local communities. For this year, the MBLC is piloting...
READ MOREOctober 09, 2024 - Fitchburg Celebrates Long-Awaited Library Renovation with Groundbreaking
Fitchburg residents, state representatives, and local officials gathered on October 8 to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fitchburg Public Library’s construction project. The project includes the renovation of the Wallace Building and the creation of an entirely new youth library wing. The new library will g...
READ MOREOctober 03, 2024 - Construction Planning and Design Grants Awarded to Blandford and Otis
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) began the process of awarding planning and design grants through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP), a state-funded program that works with local communities to build, renovate, and expand public libraries. This grant round features ...
READ MOREAugust 12, 2024 - State Aid, MLS, BPL big winners in State Budget
Governor Maura Healey recently signed the $57.78 billion state budget with increases of more than 13% for State Aid to Public Libraries (line 7000-9501) and State Aid to Regional Libraries (line 7000-9401) which funds the Massachusetts Library System and the Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library. Both i...
READ MOREJuly 31, 2024 - Colrain Library Wins Nation's Highest Museum and Library Honor
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1994, the award has honored ...
READ MOREJuly 24, 2024 - MassArt at the Library
The Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) are piloting an exciting new summer program, the Summer Art Workshop series, to increase access to art education during the summer months. The program places MassArt faculty and student ambassadors in publi...
READ MOREJuly 12, 2024 - MBLC Elects FY2025 Officers
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) elected new officers to serve for FY2025 at its Board Meeting on July 11, 2024. “It has been a great pleasure to serve as Chair this year,” said Debby Conrad who served two terms as MBLC Chair. “I valued the opportunity to work with such a commi...
READ MOREJuly 11, 2024 - MBLC Awards Federal Grants to Local Libraries
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 devel...
READ MOREJune 28, 2024 - Bruins Prizes and Blades Visits at Libraries this Summer
Summer Library Programs play a significant role in keeping kids and teens connected to educational resources over the summer. Research shows that reading just four books over the summer helps kids avoid summer learning loss. To encourage kids and teens to keep reading during the summer months, the Boston Bruins, in par...
READ MOREJune 01, 2024 - Swansea Breaks Ground on New Library
On June 1, 2024 the residents of Swansea joined with local and state officials to break ground on the new Swansea Free Library. Designed to welcome the entire community, the project will renovate the original library, which was built in 1900 for a population of 1600, demolish the 1964 addition and add a new addition to...
READ MOREMay 24, 2024 - Deerfield Celebrates Groundbreaking
Local and state officials recently joined Deerfield residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Tilton Library. Commissioner Karen Traub from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), Senator Jo Comerford, Representative Natalie Blais, and Koby Gardner-Levine from Congressman Jim McGovern’s of...
READ MOREApril 24, 2024 - Maureen Amyot Named MBLC Director
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce Maureen Amyot as its new Director. "It is with great pleasure that we welcome Maureen to the MBLC," said MBLC Chair Debby Conrad. "With challenges to intellectual freedom, gaps in equitable service, unfair eBook practices, and library staff ...
READ MOREApril 19, 2024 - MBLC Grants Preserve Historical Collections
Massachusetts libraries are home to historic and unique items that are important to a community's history and form a part of the Commonwealth's rich cultural heritage. Many libraries protect and share irreplaceable local records, in mixed formats of books, photographs, archives, digital files, and even memorabilia. Pre...
READ MOREApril 19, 2024 - House Ways and Means Budget Proposal Released
The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently released their proposal for the FY2025 budget. This includes funding increases in the amounts requested in the FY2025 Legislative Agenda for the Talking Book Libraries at Perkins (7000-9406) and Worcester (7000-9402) and for Library Technology and Resource Sharing (70...
READ MOREMarch 15, 2024 - Bruins All-Star David Pastrnak is 2024 Summer Library Player
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce that Boston Bruins right-winger David Pastrnak is the featured player for the 2024 Statewide Summer Library Program, “When You Read, You Score!” This summer Pastrnak will be featured on the annual READ poster available at p...
READ MOREMarch 12, 2024 - Timothy Cherubini Appointed Library Commissioner by Governor Healey
Timothy Cherubini of Williamstown has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve on the nine-member Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). Mr. Cherubini brings over 3 decades of experience in libraries and non-profits to the MBLC, including work in academic libraries, regional and national library n...
READ MOREFebruary 28, 2024 - Governor Maura Healey Appoints Kate Chang as Library Commissioner
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. ...
READ MOREMarch 12, 2024 - Governor Healey includes Library Construction in Bond Bill
On March 1, Governor Maura Healey filed the Mass Leads Act, which provides $3.5 billion in critical investments, including the Commonwealth's public libraries. The bill supports the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners' (MBLC) Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) with a proposed $150 millio...
READ MOREFebruary 06, 2024 - 347 Libraries Certified for State Aid Awards
At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) certified 65 additional municipalities meeting all FY2024 requirements for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program. In total, 343 libraries have met all state aid requirements, 4 libraries requested waivers, and toge...
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For More Information & Press Inquiries
Celeste Bruno, Communications Director
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celeste.bruno@mass.gov
June Thammasnong, Communications Specialist
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