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
"Every employee at the library plays an invaluable part," said 14th Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in a recently recorded video honoring the crucial and important work performed by the Library of Congress staff for Public Service Recognition Week. "The staff will continue to serve the United States Congress, the American public, and users across the world as the caretakers of our nation’s treasures and our collective history."
📺 You watch Dr. Carla Hayden`s entire message at 🔗 the link in bio.
#LoC #LibraryOfCongress #Librarians #LibraryExperts #libraryForEveryone #ForOurLibraries #Libraries #RightToRead #LibraryEmployees #LibraryStaff
✨ It`s not just #Friday, it`s a #FortifyingFriday! If your library offers space that outside groups are permitted to use, it`s extremely important that you have a solid, actionable meeting room policy. You can read this week`s blog post all about Meeting Room Use policies at 🔗 the link in bio or at tinyurl.com/mblc-fyl
#FortifyingFridays #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryBlog #LibraryPolicy #LibraryPolicies #LibraryLaws #FortifyingYourLibrary
ALT: Informative graphic for a new blog post on meeting room use policy in libraries. The image shows a stack of books and text, "Fortifying Your Library with Al Hayden, Policy: Meeting Room Use" with a URL to read more.
Can you guess what might be on the PBS` list 📋 "More than Books: 10 Different Ways Public Libraries Make Our Lives Better"? 😊
🔗 You can read the entire list and article at the link in bio!
#PublicLibraryFunding #LibraryFunding #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryLaws #RightToRead #IMLS #FederalFunding #IMLSFederalFunding #IMLSCuts #FederalCutsToLibraries #FedCutsToLibraries #ForOurLibraries
🏒 The 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!" You can read more about this summer`s visits with Blades at 🔗 the link in bio.
#summerAtYourLibrary #SummerReading #BostonBruins #NHLBostonBruins #BostonBruinsAtYourLibrary #WhenYouReadYouScore #BruinsSummerReading #SummerReadingMA #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary
📺 If you`re looking for a new documentary to dive into, PBS`s Free for All: The Public Library was just released last week! You can watch the whole film online thanks to PBS at the 🔗 link in bio!
#PublicLibraryFunding #LibraryFunding #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryLaws #RightToRead #IMLS #FederalFunding #IMLSFederalFunding #IMLSCuts #FederalCutsToLibraries #FedCutsToLibraries #ForOurLibraries
🗒️ From MBLC Director Maureen Amyot:
"Dear Colleagues: I’m glad to be able to start this update with some good news. Last night, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a temporary restraining order to block the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that resulted from President Trump’s Executive Order 14238. We’re working to determine how this will impact our ability to access IMLS funds…"
🔗 Read more at mblc.state.ma.us/mblc_blog
#PublicLibraryFunding #LibraryFunding #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryLaws #RightToRead #IMLS #FederalFunding #IMLSFederalFunding #IMLSCuts #FederalCutsToLibraries #FedCutsToLibraries #ForOurLibraries
🍎🏫 The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) formally commended the MBLC for supporting Massachusetts school library staff earlier this year. The 2024 Commendation acknowledges the expansion and awareness of the important work happening in support of school libraries, school librarians and the students they serve. The MBLC strives to continuously highlight and support the Commonwealth`s exceptional #SchoolLibraries!
🔗 To learn more about the AASL`s commendation of the MBLC, visit the link in bio!
#SchoolLibrary #MASchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrariesInMA #MassSchoolLibraries #SchoolLibraries OfMassachusetts #MassachusettsSchoolLibrary #MassachusettsSchoolLibraries #MassSchoolLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryBlog
Happy #FortifyingFriday! In today`s blog post, MBLC Library Advisory Specialist Al Hayden takes a look at how to write and establish #LibraryPolicies to keep children and youth safe in your #LibraryBuilding. You can read the entire blog installment at : 🔗tinyurl.com/mblc-fyl
#FortifyingFridays #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryBlog #LibraryPolicy #LibraryPolicies #LibraryLaws #FortifyingYourLibrary
