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
-
Statewide Online Resources
-
Grants and State Aid
-
Guidance and Advisory
-
Construction Support
-
Summer Reading Support
-
Statewide Coordination
AT YOUR LIBRARY
-
Borrow books, DVDs, CDs
-
Attend a class or program
-
Use a computer
-
Get a Wifi hotspot
-
Use a Makerspace
-
Ask a reference question
Happy Holidays from the MBLC Commissioners and the MBLC Staff! ❄️
"It is often said that it is within the struggle that we find our strength. That certainly holds true for 2025. In the face of extreme chaos, financial challenges, and threats to the very core of what we stand for, as a community we united, we pushed back and we reaffirmed that we will always stand up for each other and the people we serve." ~ Chair Vicky Biancolo. You can read the entire holiday message at the link in bio.
Image: MBLC staff at the Commissioner Awards on November 6, 2025 at the Massachusetts State House
#MBLCCommissioners #LibraryCommissioner #LibraryAdvocate #LibrarySchoolTeacher #LicensedLibrarySchoolTeacher #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #MBLCLibraries #MAPublicLibraries
Boston Public Library`s Top 10 Most Borrowed Books for 2025 were all written by women, with romance novels the topping the list! 📋📚 Explore the books at the link in bio.
Image: Nine book covers in a grid format including "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros, "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas, "Happy Place" by Emily Henry, "Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingslover, "The Wedding People" by Allison Epsach, "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins, "The Women" by Kristin Hannah, "Shield of Sparrows" by Devney Perry and "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" by Suzanne Collins.
#TBRList #TBR #TopReads #RomanceBooks #Romantasy #RomantasyBooks #WomenAuthors #FemaleAuthors #TopBooklist #BostonBooklist #BostonPublicLibrary #BostonReads #MassachusettsReads #PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryAdvocate
Legislative breakfast season is off to a great start! Thank you to all the libraries (Framingham Public Library, Thayer Memorial and Storrs) that have hosted events so far. We look forward to joining you at more to come! For the legislative event schedule, visit the link in bio!
Image 1: MBLC Commissioner Karen Traub (2nd, in red) at Thayer Memorial Library`s legislative breakfast event.
Image 2: Library advocates at Thayer Memorial Library`s legislative breakfast.
Image 3: MBLC Vice Chair Tim Cherubini addressing the attendees at Storrs Library.
Image 4: Legislative breakfast set up at Storrs Library in Longmeadow with book bike!
@thayer.memorial.library @storrslibrary @frampub
#PublicLibrariesInMA #MassPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesOfMassachusetts #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MassPublicLibrary #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MALibrary #LibraryAdvocate
We’re delighted to introduce you to Lobna, a children’s room library assistant who loves connecting with the families that come into her library. 😊 Library staff make a difference in so many ways, and we’re happy to share their experiences and stories with the Careers in Libraries video series.
Explore more library career paths at the link 🔗in bio!
Share your own journey to working in libraries on social media using the hashtag #MyLibraryCareer and tag us @mblclibraries! Select videos will be featured on our socials 🤳
Image: Lobna sharing her story about how she came to work in a library and what it means to her.
#MyLibraryCareers #CareersInLibraries #LibraryWork #MassachusettsLibraries #MBLCLibraries #LibrariesInMA #MAPublicLibraries #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #PublicLibrariesinMA #PublicLibrariesMassachusetts #libraryServices #InclusiveLibraryServices #MassachusettsPublicLibrary #LibraryWork #LibraryCareers #LibraryWork #LibraryCommunity @simmonsslis
🎉 Congratulations to the Town of Blandford on their unanimous vote in favor of the Porter Memorial Library expansion project! Read more about this exciting library construction project at the link in bio.
Image: Porter Memorial Library director Nicole Daviau speaks to community members about the Blandford library expansion project, with architectural plans displayed behind her. Photo credit: The Reminder.
#LibraryConstruction #LibraryBuilding #LibraryBuildingProject #LibraryBuildings #LibraryReno #LibraryRenovation #LibraryConstructionProject #SustainableLibrary #SustainableLibraries #LibrariesinMA #MALibraries #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #libraryJoy #LibraryLove #PublicLibraryConstruction #PublicLibrary #MBLCLibraries #MALibraryConstruction #MALIbraryBuildings #MAPublicLibraryConstruction #BlandfordMA @blandfordpmlibrary
On December 3, 2025, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) reinstated all federal grants that had been terminated under Executive Order 14238, following a federal court ruling that permanently blocked the order as unlawful. With these 2 major developments, the MBLC will begin rebuilding its federal program and restoring critical support for libraries statewide. Read more at the link in bio.
Image: Following a federal court ruling and the reinstatement of IMLS grants, the MBLC is beginning the work of rebuilding its federal library programs to support communities statewide.
#LibraryData #LibraryStatistics #MassLibraries #FortifyingYourLibrary #LibrarySupport #LibraryService #Library #Libraries #LibraryWork #LibraryLove #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #ForOurLibraries #FundingLibraries #SupportingLibraries #MBLCLibraries #MALibraries #MALibrarians #LibrariansInMA #LibraryUse #LibraryUseStatistics #LibraryUsers #LibraryFunding #IMLS #IMLSFunding #LibraryFunding
Exciting news! Blandford has been awarded a $5.4 million MBLC library construction grant to support an expanded and accessible Porter Memorial Library 🎉📚 Learn more at the link in bio.
Image: Porter Memorial Library in Blandford, photo credit Porter Memorial Library.
#LibraryConstruction #LibraryBuilding #LibraryBuildingProject #LibraryBuildings #LibraryReno #LibraryRenovation #LibraryConstructionProject #SustainableLibrary #SustainableLibraries #LibrariesinMA #MALibraries #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #libraryJoy #LibraryLove #PublicLibraryConstruction #PublicLibrary #MBLCLibraries #MALibraryConstruction #MALIbraryBuildings #MAPublicLibraryConstruction #BlandfordMA
Fitchburg`s Wallace Library celebrated a meaningful milestone this past week with a beam topping ceremony! Community members were invited to sign the steel beam before it was lifted into place 🏗️. It’s a moment that marks the city’s hard work, shared pride, and the next chapter of the new library rising into view 😊. The project is supported in part by an MBLC Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program Grant.
View photos from the ceremony and read more at the links in bio!
Image 1: Guests signed the steel beam before it was lifted into place during the beam topping ceremony.
Image 2: Community members look on as the ceremonial beam is raised at the Fitchburg Public Library construction site.
#LibraryConstruction #LibraryBuilding #LibraryBuildingProject #LibraryBuildings #LibraryReno #LibraryRenovation #LibraryConstructionProject #SustainableLibrary #SustainableLibraries #LibrariesinMA #MALibraries #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #libraryJoy #LibraryLove #PublicLibraryConstruction #PublicLibrary #MBLCLibraries #MALibraryConstruction #MALIbraryBuildings #MAPublicLibraryConstruction #FitchburgMA @fitchburg_public_library_ma
