About the MBLC
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is the state library agency, founded in 1890, with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate, and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth.
As a state agency, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners promotes equitable access, advances innovation, and fosters resilience in libraries across the Commonwealth through funding, guidance, partnerships, and the coordination of statewide services.
Our vision for libraries in the Commonwealth is to see every library in Massachusetts as a thriving community hub, transforming lives through access to knowledge, information, and lifelong learning.
About this Website
The Massachusetts Libraries website provides the public a place to discover and learn about our free public library services. Visitors can get a library card, find library events, do research, learn how to borrow an eBook or audiobook, or which library will lend you a kayak.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) runs this website. Though we are not a public library, we work with all 369 Massachusetts public libraries to level the playing field and make sure everyone has access to the library services they want and need.
MBLC
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Statewide Online Resources
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Grants and State Aid
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Guidance and Advisory
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Construction Support
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Summer Reading Support
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Statewide Coordination
AT YOUR LIBRARY
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Borrow books, DVDs, CDs
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Attend a class or program
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Use a computer
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Get a Wifi hotspot
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Use a Makerspace
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Ask a reference question
#MidWeekPickMeUp #LibraryJoy 🥰 MBLC Director Maureen Amyot recently went back to visit the Wilmington E.M. Cooper Memorial #PublicLibrary where she began her #LibraryCareer in 1994 : "One of my proudest moments in that job was helping the library get its Absolute Charter from the New York State Board of Regents. It’s still hanging on the wall and it was a `life come full circle` moment to see it again." ✨
📜 A library`s absolute charter establishes the #library as an educational entity that is governed independently by a #LibraryBoardOfTrustees. It`s the founding document that helps keep many #PublicLibraries open and operating in perpetuity. Public Libraries in #Massachusetts have been in existence since 1790 and are living legacies built by generations of dedicated #librarians, #LibraryWorkers, #LibraryTrustees, #LibraryFriendsGroups and #LibraryVolunteers!
🖼️1: MBLC Director Maureen Amyot hugging the library`s framed Absolute Charter on her recent trip to Cooper Memorial Library, and hugging the Absolute Charter in 1995 at the NY State Capitol.
🖼️2: MBLC Director Amyot outside the front of the Cooper Memorial Library.
🖼️3: MBLC Director Amyot and current Director of the Cooper Memorial Library, Samantha Baer.
#WaybackWednesday #WBW #LibraryLove #LibraryLegacy #LibraryLegacies #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryWork #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary
👏 ALA`s I Love My #Librarian Honorees were on the local news! 📺 10 #librarians received the distinction of honoree for their dedicated work going above and beyond in their communities. For local coverage, visit the 🔗link in bio.
💬“Librarians nationwide make positive impacts on their communities every day, and the inspiring stories from this year’s I Love My Librarian Award recipients prove how transformative their efforts can be to the lives of their patrons. From Alabama to Alaska, from the Bronx to Maui, the vital services these librarians provide reinforces what we all know: that libraries everywhere are an essential public good, and the people who power them serve to inform, connect, educate, and empower their communities.”- ALA President Cindy Hohl
🔗For more on this year`s honorees and the I Love My Librarian Award, visit the link in bio!
#LoveMyLibrarian #LibraryLove #LibrariansWork #LibraryJoy #LibraryWork #LibrariesTransform #LoveLibraries
☃️ Happy Holidays from MBLC Chair Vicky Biancolo!
"What a busy year it`s been! #MassachusettsLibraries have been hard at work, helping to strengthen our community on person at a time.
Together, we circulated 58 million items and tackled over three million #ReferenceQuestions.
We welcomed 26 million visitors, with two million using #LibraryComputers and one million taking part in programs and classes.
We stood up for #IntellectualFreedom, championed everyone`s #RightToRead, and advocated for #FairEBookPricing for #Libraries.
There`s still much to do as we face new challenges, but we`re a powerful group when we work together. In this uncertain year, I`m especially grateful to be part of this vital work, and I`m excited for another year of both challenges and successes.
~ Vicky Biancolo"
#MBLCCommissioners #LibraryCommissioner #LibraryAdvocate #LibrarySchoolTeacher #LicensedLibrarySchoolTeacher #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary
❤️👉Your thoughts and opinions matter to us! 📋 Please take a few minutes to complete our social media survey and share your experience engaging with the MBLC`s social media posts at the 🔗 link in bio!
Your responses will help us identify the topics and information that you care about most to curate meaningful social media content. Thank you!
#MassLibraries #MALibraries #LibrariesInMA #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesinMA #LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #LibrarySocialMedia #SocialMediaInLibraries #LibrariesSocialMedia #LibrarySocials
👏Congratulations, Patrick Hollenbeck of the Great Barrington Libraries! Mr. Hollenbeck was recently named 2024`s Trustee of the Year by the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association (MLTA). Dedicated and passionate #LibraryTrustees are part of the fabric of what makes #MassachusettsLibraries so extraordinary.
🔗To learn more about Great Barrington`s Patrick Hollenbeck, visit The Berkshire Edge at the link in bio!
🔗For a list of all the 2024 Library Trustee Honorees, visit the MLTA`s website at themlta.org/trustee-of-the-year or the link in bio.
🖼️ Pictured: Patrick Hollenback in front of the Ramsdell Public Library in Housatonic. Photo courtesy of Hollenbeck.
#MassLibraries #MALibraries #LibrariesInMA #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesinMA #LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #LibrarySupport #LibraryAdvocacy @greatbarringtonlibraries
🎉 Congrats, Shrewsbury Public Library, on your exciting new Makerspace! The Makerspace is supported by a 2023 Creative Communities LSTA grant through the MBLC. The new grant round for LSTA grants is open now for #MassachusettsLibraries to apply at 🔗 the link in bio!
➡️ For more on Shrewsbury Public Library`s Makerspace, visit: For more on this exciting news, visit 🔗 the link in bio.
📸: Community Advocate, "Shrewsbury Public Library Unveils Makerspace" by Evan Walsh. Photo of a desktop with wooden laser cut file folder boxes, 3D printed snowflakes and figurines.
@shrewsburypubliclibrary
The construction team visited the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester last week to get an update on progress. We are looking forward to celebrating a Summer opening!
📷1 & 2: Erich Friedrich
📷3: MBLC Building Consultant
#LibraryConstruction #LibraryBuilding #LibraryBuildingProject #LibraryBuildings #LibraryReno #LibraryRenovation #LibraryConstructionProject #SustainableLibrary #SustainableLibraries #LibrariesinMA #MALibraries #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #libraryJoy #LibraryLove #mondayFunday #happyMonday #PublicLibraryConstruction #PublicLibrary #Gloucesterma
📰 Library Construction Bill Funded in Economic Development Bill- On Nov. 20, Governor Healey signed into law the Mass Leads Act, an economic development bill that will provide $150 million for the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP), which works with local communities to build, renovate, and expand public libraries. For more on this exciting news, visit 🔗 the link in bio!
Photo: A statue of a child reading a book, titled "The Reader" by Carolyn Wirth at Melrose Public Library on January 11, 2023. The statue is wearing a white hard hat.
#HotOffThePress #newNews #LibraryNews #MassachusettsNew #MANews #MALibraryNews #LibraryFunding #LibraryConstruction #LibraryBuilding #LibraryBuildingProject #LibraryBuildings #LibraryReno #LibraryRenovation #LibraryConstructionProject #SustainableLibrary #SustainableLibraries #LibrariesinMA #MALibraries #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #libraryJoy #LibraryLove #PublicLibraryConstruction #PublicLibrary
