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
#JustLastFriday 👏 Thank you Nahman-Watson Library at Greenfield Community College for hosting such a great legislative breakfast.☕ It was a delight to be amongst so many #Massachusetts #LibraryAdvocates, including Senator Jo Comerford!
🖼️: Commissioner Karen Traub, Senator Jo Comerford and MBLC Director Maureen Amyot at the Greenfield Community College Legislative Breakfast on January 13, 2025.
#CommunityCollegeLibrary #CommunityCollegeLibrarie #PublicLibrariesInMA #libraryLove #LibraryJoy #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryAdvocate @gcc_library @jocomerfordma
We are sad to share the news of the passing of Irving H. Zangwill. Irving was a lifelong resident of Fall River, a teacher in the Fall River Public Schools more than 30 years, a library trustee, and MBLC Commissioner from 2006-2010. Irving is remembered fondly as a kind individual, great collaborator and passionate advocate for libraries and public education. We are very lucky to have known and worked with Irving.
🔗For Irving`s obituary, visit the link in bio.
🖼️: Irving H. Zangwill
❤️👉We want to hear from you! Tomorrow is the last day the MBLC social media survey is open. 📋 Please take a few minutes to complete our questions and share your experience engaging with the MBLC`s social media accounts at: 🔗
https://mblc.libwizard.com/f/mblc_social
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
39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to public service and championed #Libraries. "As a former #LibraryTrustee, I recognize that strong #PublicLibraries connect users with many worlds of knowledge and learning, yet they also have a special bond with their own communities and the people who live there. Every member of the community is welcome," wrote President Carter in 1999 in a letter to the Georgia Public Library Service state agency.
🖼️: A letter unearthed by the Georgia Public Library Service in tribute and remembrance of former President Carter that he wrote advocating for libraries in 1999.
#RememberingPresidentCarter #HonoringPresidentCarter #PublicLibrary #PublicLibraryService
✨❄️ The MBLC wishes you a warm and cheerful holiday season! ⛄ This snowy scene is Peru Public Library, in Peru, MA from 2017 via Digital Commonwealth. For more info and historical photos to explore, visit the 🔗link in bio!
#happyHolidays #HappyNewYear #WinterWonderland #HistoricalPhotosMA #CommonwealthHistory #MAHistory #DigitalDommonwealth #HistoryOnline #MBLCLibraries #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MAPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesInMA #PublicLibraries #WinterLibrary #SnowyLibrary #MassachusettsLibraries
#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
