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
When a recession hits, the need for library services don’t slow down. They surge. The newest blog post in the Fortifying Your Library series by MBLC Library Advisory Specialist Al Hayden looks at how Massachusetts libraries rise to the challenge even when resources tighten. Explore the data and learn how to calculate the numbers for your library at the link in bio.
Image: Infographic showing recession impacts on MA libraries.
#FortifyingFriday #LibraryData #LibraryStatistics #MassLibraries #FortifyingYourLibrary #LibrarySupport #LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #ForOurLibraries #FundingLibraries #SupportingLibraries #MBLCLibraries #MALibraries #MALibrarians #LibrariansInMA #LibraryUse #LibraryUseStatistics #LibraryUsers #LibraryFunding
A little #ThrowbackThursday to the 2025 Commissioner Awards celebrating the MBLC`s 135th Anniversary! It was an event filled with joy, connection, and #Massachusetts library love💛
📸 See more moments from the State House at the link in bio!
Image 1: MBLC Commissioners gathered for a special photo celebrating the MBLC’s 135th anniversary. Commissioners left to right - Kemarah Sika, Kate Chang, Karen Traub, George Comeau, Chari Vicky Biancolo, Vice Chair Tim Cherubini, Debby Conrad, Joyce Linehan and Jessica Vilas Novas.
Image 2: Senator Julian Cyr speaking at this year’s Commissioner Awards, with Senator Jake Oliveira beside him.
Image 3: A happy moment with Samuel Swett Green 2025 Commissioner Award Winners from the MA Trans Librarians Group with MBLC Director Maureen Amyot.
Image 4: Perkins Library Exec. Director Kim Charlson delivers meaningful message during her acceptance speech from the podium at the 2025 Commissioner Awards.
Image 5: Elizabeth P. Sohier Commissioner Award winner Mary Ann Cluggish with family.
#MassLibraries #MBLC135 #LibraryCommunity #LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #ForOurLibraries #FundingLibraries #SupportingLibraries #MBLCLibraries #MALibraries #MALibrarians #LibrariansInMA #LibrarySupport #LibraryLegislation #LibraryLaws #LibraryBills #MBLCLibraries #MassLibrarians #MassachusettsLibrarians #MassTransLibrariansGroup @perkinslibraryofficial
This #November and #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth we`re celebrating Indigenous stories, perspectives, and the enduring knowledge of Native communities with the MA250 reading list American Indian Sovereignty and Civil Rights, which features powerful works by Native authors and historians 📚
Browse the list at the link in bio!
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #MA250 #ReadNative #MassachusettsReads #ReadingTheRevolution #MAWriters #MAAuthors #MAThinkers #MABooklists #MassachusettsAuthors #MassachusettsBookList #MA250BookList #ReadingTheRevolutionBookList @masscenterforbook
Meet Janelle, a Library Director and a connector of people, stories, and possibilities. ✨
In this month’s “Careers in Libraries” video, she shares how library work isn’t just about books; it’s about lighting pathways, welcoming every voice, and building a place where community finds itself.
For more on exploring library career paths, visit the link in bio.
#MyLibraryCareers #CareersInLibraries #LibraryWork #MassachusettsLibraries #MBLCLibraries #LibrariesInMA #MAPublicLibraries #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesinMA #PublicLibrariesMassachusetts #libraryServices #InclusiveLibraryServices #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #LibraryWork #LibraryCareers #LibraryWork #LibraryCommunity #LibraryCommunities#CareersInLibraries #LibraryLife #CommunityMagic #StoriesConnectUs #MassLibraries
On Thursday, the Senate passed the Freedom to Read Bill/An Act Regarding Free Expression filed by Senator @juliancyr . @senatorjakeoliveira spoke at the Senate hearing, and in his speech said, "When we remove those stories, we don’t just erase books; we erase people. We take away the chance for young readers to discover themselves and for communities to understand one another. We lose empathy. And without empathy, democracy falters."
Image: A screenshot of Senator Jake Oliveira speaking from a podium, wearing a navy suit and lavender tie. The transcribed text reads, "without empathy, democracy falters."
#LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #ForOurLibraries #FundingLibraries #SupportingLibraries #MBLCLibraries #MALibraries #MALibrarians #LibrariansInMA #LibrarySupport #LibraryLegislation #LibraryLaws #LibraryBills #MBLCLibraries #MassLibrarians #MassachusettsLibrarian #Freadom #FreedomToRead #RightToRead
Members of the Massachusetts Library Community celebrate moments after the Senate passed #RightToRead legislation.
#LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #ForOurLibraries #FundingLibraries #SupportingLibraries #MBLCLibraries #MALibraries #MALibrarians #LibrariansInMA #LibrarySupport #LibraryLegislation #LibraryLaws #LibraryBills #MBLCLibraries #MassLibrarians #MassachusettsLibrarian #Freadom #FreedomToRead #RightToRead
As part of the MBLC’s 135th anniversary celebration at the State House, the MBLC was proud to award @senatorjakeoliveira with the 2025 C.B. Tillinghast Commissioner Award for championing public libraries as engines of opportunity for all and cornerstones of democracy. 🏆 During his acceptance speech, Senator Oliveira was joined by Senator @juliancyr for championing public libraries as engines of opportunity for all and cornerstones of democracy. nounce that the Senate will take up legislation to protect library materials and library staff from censorship during formal session on in the coming week. More info can be found at the link in bio!
The bill, An Act regarding free expression, was filed by Senator Cyr and cosponsored by Senator Oliveira to establish statewide protections for intellectual freedom and due process in Massachusetts school and public libraries, ensuring that library materials cannot be removed or censored based on personal or political beliefs. The bill also modernizes certain library statutes for gender-neutral and professional language.
Image: Senator Jake Oliveira and Senator Julian Cyr announce that the Senate will take up legislation in formal session in the coming week at the MBLC`s 2025 Commissioner Awards.
#LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #ForOurLibraries #FundingLibraries #SupportingLibraries #MBLCLibraries #MALibraries #MALibrarians #LibrariansInMA #LibrarySupport #LibraryLegislation #LibraryLaws #LibraryBills #MBLCLibraries #MassLibrarians #MassachusettsLibrarians #MassTransLibrariansGroup
Congratulations to the 2025 Commissioner Award Winners! ✨Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate our library champions in Massachusetts. We’ll be sharing more moments and photos from today’s ceremony in the coming days!
