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
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!
Thank you, @masslibrarysystem, for hosting a great Member Annual Meeting today! 👏 It was inspiring to connect with colleagues from across the Commonwealth, share ideas, and celebrate the incredible work happening in our #MassLibraries.
Image 1: From left to right, Commissioner Karen Traub, Commissioner Jessica Vilas Novas, Commissioner Debby Conrad, Chair Vicky Biancolo, Vice Chair Tim Cherubini and MBLC Director Maureen Amyot stand on a curved staircase at the Devens Common Center for the 2025 MLS Member Annual Meeting.
#LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #ForOurLibraries #FundingLibraries #SupportingLibraries #MBLCLibraries #MALibraries #MALibrarians #LibrariansInMA
❔Did you know? Founding MBLC Library Commissioner C.B. Tillinghast was a teacher and journalist before he became State Librarian? His passion for education greatly influenced his time as a founding Commissioner, and his belief in equal access to information helped lay the foundation of many of today`s Massachusetts libraries that are inclusive spaces for learning and connection.
🔗Discover more about Tillinghast and other founding Commissioners as the MBLC celebrates 135 years at the link in bio!
#LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #ForOurLibraries #FundingLibraries #SupportingLibraries #MBLCLibraries #MALibraries #MALibrarians #LibrariansInMA
Congratulations, Andrea, for receiving a 2025 Manuel Carballo Governor`s Award for Excellence in Public Service! 🏆 The awards ceremony took place earlier today with Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll and 28 other recipients of the 2025 Manuel Carballo Governor Award. 250 state employees were nominated.
💬"Your work makes a deep difference in the lives of the people of the Commonwealth. I am grateful to work alongside you," said Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll.
Image 1: Andrea at the awards ceremony with Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll
Image 2: MBLC Director Maureen Amyot, Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll, MBLC Library Building Consultant Andrea Bono-Bunker and Valerie Bono-Bunker smiling at the Manuel Carballo Governor`s Award Ceremony
Image 3: Andrea at the State House for the 2025 Manuel Carballo Governor`s Award Ceremony
#PublicServiceExcellence #LibraryInnovation #MassLibraries #MALibraries #LibrariesInMA #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesinMA #LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #LibraryConstruction #LibraryBuilding #LibraryBuildingProject #LibraryBuildings #LibraryConstructionProject #SustainableLibrary #SustainableLibraries #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #libraryJoy #LibraryLove #PublicLibraryConstruction
#MBLCLibraries
📰 A move for #IntellectualFreedom: A federal judge has ruled that previously banned books will be returning to military school libraries. In her decision, U.S. District Court Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles sided with the students and their families, writing that "the removals were not rooted in pedagogical concerns". Read the entire NPR article at 👉 the link in bio!
#FreedomToRead #IntellectualFreedom #DiverseVoices #BookBanning #BookBanningNews #Censorship #CensorshipNews #LibraryCensorship #ForOurLibraries #LibraryReading #Freadom #LibraryNews #LibraryRegulations #BooksAboutRace #BooksAboutGender #RightToRead #ReadingBannedBooks
💖We’re so grateful for all the amazing Friends of the Library groups across MA—their dedication and hard work make a lasting difference in our libraries and communities!
🚨📢 Today is the last day to RSVP for The Massachusetts Friends of Libraries (MFOL) Fall Friends Sharing with Friends event on *Saturday, November 8 at 10AM at Worcester Public Library*! This is a wonderful opportunity for Friends groups to share ideas, resources and camaraderie. Light lunch will be provided. 👉 Save your spot at the link in bio.
🔗Learn more about MFOL at the link in bio!
#MFOL #MAFriendsOfLibraries #MassFriendsOfLibraries #FriendsOfLibraries #LibraryFriendsGroups #LibraryFriends #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary
🤗It`s #FortifyingFriday! Ever wonder about how a recession might affect library programming attendance? MBLC Library Advisory Specialist Al Hayden explores exactly that in this week`s ✨Fortifying Your Library✨ blog post. Read more at the link in bio or🔗tinyurl.com/mblc-fyl
#FortifyingFridays #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryBlog #LibraryPolicy #LibraryPolicies #LibraryLaws #FortifyingYourLibrary
