Computer Coding Camp (Innovative/Open)
Cotuit Library's project will support a Computer Coding Camp (C3) for preschool (ages 3-5) and elementary school (ages 6-8) children. C3 will comprise a week-long series of one- or two-hour workshops (depending on age group) that teach the basics of computer coding and computational thinking through analog and digital games, crafts and tasks. C3 will be repeatable throughout the year, adaptable for different ages and able to be run in-Library or brought to outreach sessions. C3 will benefit the Cape community as well as strengthen Cotuit Library's role as a regional leader in digital literacy training.
Innovative / Open Grants
Libraries of all types apply new methods to solve problems, build programs, and best carry out their library’s mission and plan. These projects meet the needs of a specific target audience. Libraries also use the Open grant opportunity to execute project from earlier grant years, but which are no longer being explicitly offered.
Access for All
Libraries will be eligible to apply for grants to plan and implement a project to improve accessibility to library services based on the specific needs identified by the library.
Anytime STEM Learning
Children are the center of a model that shapes and influences the pace of their learning based on their interests. Libraries offer hands-on, inquiry based experiential learning and connect STEM to everyday life outside of formal educational settings. Previously "Full STEAM Ahead" and "Science is Everywhere".
Citizenship Corners and Expanded English Language Services
Public libraries develop a range of services for New Americans. "Citizenship Corners" provide dedicated space for circulating materials and informational resources on citizenship and other immigration related topics. Libraries may expand existing English as a Second Language classes, or develop a Conversation Circles program.
Civic Hub
Libraries can strengthen their role as a source for dependable print and media resources while serving as trusted spaces to start and continue community conversations. By serving as public forum and civic engagement ‘incubators’, libraries can support informed, issue-oriented public programs and structured opportunities for discussion.
Customer Experience
Public libraries develop a two-pronged approach to customer service, focusing on traditional elements while embracing emerging technologies.
Conserving and Digitizing Historical Resources
This program will support the conservation of library and/or archival research materials with significant research value of long-term significance. Proof of ownership will be required for any project that involves the direct treatment of materials. The institution must commit to maintaining the digital files and making them available to researchers for the foreseeable future both in-house and through the Digital Commonwealth.
Financial Literacy for All Ages
Public, K-12 and academic libraries strengthen their roleas a resource for improving financial literacy in their community or organization. Libraries design and implement a project guided by Financial Literacy Education for Libraries: Guidelines and Best Practices for Service.
First Contact
Massachusetts has a rich history that is documented in many libraries, historical societies, archives, and colleges. This plethora of sources that document the stories of the towns or regions can be discovered through the use of original documents. This grant opportunity will provide support to facilitate and enhance the use of these collections in support of educational goals.
Go Local
Libraries have a key role to play in capturing, collecting, and making community stories available and meaningful. Libraries can be at the center of community celebrations and historic events and create valuable records of those events in traditional and new formats: from pamphlets and written histories to podcasts, video recordings, oral histories, online exhibits, and more.
Health and Wellness
Public, K-12 and academic libraries strengthen their role as a resource for improving the health literacy in their community or organization.
Full STEAM Ahead
Public Libraries offer an array of learning experiences that engages the preschooler’s curiosity of the concepts of science and that introduces how arts and science intertwine with each other. During the project, the library collaborates with local preschools and their Coordinated Family and Community Engagement programs (CFCE) as well as with museums, local businesses, industry (if applicable) and others to promote improved STEAM learning.
IdeaLab
Makerspaces are everywhere. They may be a specially designed area serving as a digital media lab, or a standalone cart in the library’s teen section or community room. As a unique place to design and create, the IdeaLab serves as a discrete learning space to use new tools and material not available at home. It can be a place to produce videos, learn about electronics or simply try out new skills.
Innovative / Open
Libraries of all types apply new methods to solve problems, build programs, and best carry out their library’s mission and plan. These projects meet the needs of a specific target audience. Libraries also use the Open grant opportunity to execute project from earlier grant years, but which are no longer being explicitly offered.
Jobs/Career Information at Your Library
Libraries of any type provide services and resources to carry out programming aimed at serving the needs of job and career seekers.
Manuscripts Arrangement and Description
Much of the archival material housed in libraries remains unorganized and inaccessible due to the lack of staff with archival training. Additionally, many libraries do not have collection development policies that would help in defining the scope and subject areas of the institution’s archival holdings. Working with an archival consultant, libraries can address these deficiencies and take steps to increase the knowledge of and access to their unique collections.
Mind in the Making
Public libraries establish or enhance play spaces for children ages 0-6 in public libraries. These play spaces are aimed at early learning and social interaction among children and their caregivers.
Pathways to Success
Libraries have always provided resources for career development and job information. Funds are available for libraries to jump-start this increasingly important role. Libraries can initiate special focused programming, update current resources, and conduct promotional and outreach activities using LSTA grant funds.
Preservation Assessment
Libraries of any type undertake an institutional preservation assessment using the services of a preservation consultant, and generate a report that may be used to guide future preservation activities.
Preservation/Conservation of Library and Archival Materials
This program will support the preservation/conservation of library and/or archival research materials with significant research value, including informational materials in print, non-print, manuscript, or other format or medium.. The completion of a Preservation Assessment and a library Preservation Long-Range Plan are required to be eligible for this program.
Readers Advisory
Public or institutional libraries plan and implement a project designed to train staff in the techniques of Readers’ Advisory.
Science is Everywhere
Public and school libraries plan and implement a project using the Science Quest manual or similar science curriculum developed through other library STEM projects.
Serving People with Disabilities
Over a two year span, libraries plan and implement a project based on the specific needs identified by the library. The MBLC makes available information on how to conduct a library scan and community assessment.
Serving Tweens and Teens
Over a two year period, libraries carry out a targeted program aimed at middle and high school-aged "tweens" and "teen". Libraries conduct a preliminary needs assessment, including surveys or focus groups with teens as well as interviews with community leaders, parents, and teachers
Town-Wide Preservation Assessment
This program, focusing on the preservation assessment of collections, is the first step in the process of preserving, arranging and describing, and eventually digitizing historically significant local collections in Massachusetts for access through the Digital Commonwealth, a non-profit collaborative organization that provides resources and services to support the creation, management, and dissemination of cultural heritage materials held by Massachusetts libraries, museums, historical societies, and archives.
The MBLC awarded 29 LSTA grants totaling $318,224 to public and academic libraries throughout the Commonwealth in the FY 2020 grant round. Projects begin on October 1, 2019.
Visit our past project listing for information about prior years.
| Municipality | Institution Name | Grant Category | Award $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abington | Abington Public Library | Preservation Assessment | $4,200 |
| Athol | Athol Public Library | Manuscripts Arrangement and Description | $10,000 |
| Beverly | Beverly Public Library | Mind in the Making | $10,000 |
| Blackstone | Blackstone Public Library | Financial Literacy for All Ages | $7,500 |
| Boston | Massachusetts Eye and Ear - Howe Library | Preservation Assessment | $4,200 |
| Brookline | Brookline Public Library | IdeaLab | $15,000 |
| Dartmouth | Bishop Stang High School Library | Innovative | $12,000 |
| Falmouth | Falmouth Public Library | Go Local | $15,000 |
| Gloucester | Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library | Civic Hub | $7,500 |
| Great Barrington | Great Barrington Libraries/Ramsdell Library | IdeaLab | $9,624 |
| Ipswich | Ipswich Public Library | Conserving and Digitizing Library and Archival Material | $30,000 |
| Kingston | Kingston Public Library | Financial Literacy for All Ages | $5,500 |
| Lawrence | Lawrence Public Library | Citizenship Corners | $15,000 |
| Lenox | Lenox Library | Serving Teens and Tweens | $15,000 |
| Leverett | Leverett Library | Go Local | $6,000 |
| Millis | Millis Public Library | Health and Wellness | $7,500 |
| Nahant | Nahant Public Library | Go Local | $15,000 |
| Natick | Morse Institute Library | Mind in the Making | $10,000 |
| New Bedford | New Bedford Public Library | IdeaLab | $15,000 |
| Norwood | Morrill Memorial Library | Mind in the Making | $10,000 |
| Peru | Peru Library | Preservation Assessment | $4,200 |
| Shutesbury | M.N. Spear Memorial Library | Innovative | $15,000 |
| Southborough | Southborough Library | IdeaLab | $15,000 |
| Stoneham | Stoneham Public Library | IdeaLab | $15,000 |
| Sunderland | Sunderland Public Library | Access for All | $7,500 |
| Sutton | Sutton Free Public Library | Anytime STEM Learning | $7,500 |
| Wareham | Wareham High School Library | IdeaLab | $15,000 |
| West Tisbury | West Tisbury Free Public Library | Civic Hub | $7,500 |
| Wilmington | Wilmington Public Library | Health and Wellness | $7,500 |