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
🌟If you`re reading this, #youDidIt, you survived #Monday! 💝 So here`s a #BehindTheFence #SneakPeek at the exciting progress of Melrose Public Library`s renovation as it nears completion. We can`t wait to celebrate the grand re-opening with you all soon. 😊
📸: Our extraordinary MBLC Library Building Consultants
#LibraryConstruction #LibraryBuilding #LibraryBuildingProject #LibraryBuildings #LibraryReno #LibraryRenovation #LibraryConstructionProject #SustainableLibrary #SustainableLibraries #LibrariesinMA #MALibraries #MassachusettsLibraries #MAPublicLibrary #MAPublicLibraries #libraryJoy #LibraryLove #mondayFunday #happyMonday #PublicLibraryConstruction #PublicLibrary @melrose_ya
#LibraryJoy😊 Earlier this week, MBLC Director Maureen Amyot and MBLC Commissioners visited a some of the wonderful #Libraries and #Museums in #WesternMassachusetts. On their tour, they stopped by Williams College, Milne Public Library in Williamstown, Great Barrington Libraries, Richmond Free Public Library, Stockbridge Library, Monterey Library, Porter Memorial Library in Blandford, Austen Riggs Center, Jacob`s Pillow Dance Center, and Hancock Shaker Village. Thank you for welcoming us and spending time with us!
🖻1: From L to R: Milne Public Library Trustee Bridge Spann, MBLC Chair Vicky Biancolo, MBLC Vice Chair Tim Cherubini, MBLC Director Maureen Amyot, Berkshire Athenaeum Director Alex Reczkowski, MBLC Commissioner Karen Traub and Milne Public Library Asst. Director Kristen Rose.)
🖻2: Exterior of Milne Public Library in Williamstown
🖻3: Milne Public Library`s "Thingdom" is a lending library of things ranging from pressure washers to projectors!
🖻4: Stockbridge Public Library Dir. Wendy Pearson and MBLC Dir. Maureen Amyot
🖻5: A bright orange room at the Monterey Public Library
🖻6: Library visit in Monterey (From L to R: Berkshire Athenaeum Director Alex Reczkowski, MBLC Chair Vicky Biancolo, Monterey Library Director Mark Makuc and MBLC Commissioner Karen Traub.)
🖻7: Library visit in Great Barrington! (From L to R: MBLC Vice Chair Tim Cherubini, Great Barrington Libraries Dir. Dawn Jardine and Great Barrington Library Trustee Ruby Chang)
🖻8: Library luncheon at Porter Memorial Library in Blandford! (From L to R: PML Director Nicole Daviau, PML Librarian Michele Crane, MBLC Director Maureen Amyot and MBLC Commissioner Karen Traub.)
🖻9: Puppet Time Theatre with Berkshire Athenaeum Dir. Alex Reczkowski at Richmond Free Public Library!
🖻10: Exterior of Richmond Free Public Library.
#LibraryTour #LibraryLove #LibraryVisits #VisitYourLibrary #MassachusettsLibraries #LibrariesInMA #MALibraries #MAPublicLibraries #MassachusettsPublicLibraries #MALibrary #LibraryVisit #PublicLIbraryMA #MAPublicLibrary #LibraryOfThings #Thingdom #LibraryRooms #LibraryDirectors #LibraryTrustee #LibraryTrustees #LibraryStaff
🐾 Did you know having a dog to read to can improve reading comprehension for kids? According to Mrs. McNickles at Chilmark School, reading to a dog puts less pressure on students compared to when they read aloud to their peers or teachers. Mrs. McNickles` dog Molly is a licensed therapy dog that joins her class on Fridays-what lucky students!
To learn more about this delightful way Chilmark School kids are improving their reading skills, visit the link 🔗 in bio!
#mapubliclibraries #readtoadog #schoollibrarian #librarian #librarians #libraryadvocacy #masslibraries #publiclibrary #schoollibrary #libraryadvocates #librarycommissioners #librarylovers #librarywork #readingdog #therapydog
#Massachusettslibraries are bridging the digital divide every day! 💻 Free tech assistance, loaning Wi-Fi hotspots and laptops are just some of the many ways your #publiclibrary can support you.
“We recognize how important Internet access and use is in modern society. Our aim is to help expand access to everyone — regardless of their ability to purchase their own equipment,” said Christian Boor, Technology Services Librarian at Westfield Athenaeum. For more, visit 🔗the link in bio!
#librarytechlibrarian #techserviceslibrarian #librarytechservices #librarytechnology #digitalequity #publiclibrarytech #publiclibrarytechnology #libraryfunding #fundinglibrarytechnology #fundinglibraries #librariesinma #malibraries #mapubliclibraries #mapubliclibrary #publiclibraries #publiclibraryma
📢 The 16th Annual Boston Book Festival is this Saturday, October 26 in Copley Square from 10A-6P! Come visit our booth at the Outdoor Festival on Boston Public Library Plaza and be sure to check out the fantastic schedule of free events with some of your favorite authors for all ages at the link 🔗 in bio!
#bookfestival #bostonbookfestival #bostonreads #freebookfestival #bookauthor #booktalk #bookevents #booksbooksbooks #childrensbooks #yabooks #childrensauthor #yaauthors #kidslit #childrenslit #yalit
#justlastweek 👋 Were you at MLA`s Library Advocacy Bootcamp last Thursday? MBLC Commissioners and MBLC Director Maureen Amyot were in attendance to meet and support all #library advocates as legislative season approaches! Bravo to all the speakers, presenters and organizers for putting together such an important event 👏
📷Pictured: MBLC Commissioners and Worcester Public Library`s Executive Director pose together in front of podium and stage at MLA Library Advocacy Bootcamp on October 10, 2024.
⭐From L to R: MBLC Commissioner Vice Chair Tim Cherubini, MBLC Commissioner Karen Traub, Worcester Public Library Director Jason Homer, MBLC Commissioner Chair Vicky Biancolo, MBLC Director Maureen Amyot and MBLC Commissioner Debby Conrad.
#schoollibraries #publiclibraries #massachusettslibaries #malibraries #librariesinma #mapubliclibrary #mapubliclibraries #libarylegislation #librarybill #librarian #librarians #libraryadvocacy #masslibraries #publiclibrary #schoollibrary #libraryadvocates #librarycommissioners #librarylovers #librarywork
#midweekpickmeup 🎉 The North Dartmouth and Southwick branches of the Dartmouth Public #Library join the list of #finefreelibraries in #massachusetts! 85% of #publiclibraries in the Commonwealth are fine free. 🔗For more on Dartmouth, visit the link in bio!
🔎 To view all the fine free libraries in #MA: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/mblc/viz/FineFree/LibraryFinesinMassachusetts
#librarynews #finefreelibrary #publiclibrary #library #libraries #mblclibraries #massachusettslibraries #malibraries #librariesinma #malibrary #publiclibrariesinma #mapubliclibraries #librariesforall #librariesforeveryone #libraryreading #allthebooks #darmouthma @dartmouthpublic
#goodnewsfriday #didyouknow❔ The Millers Falls branch of the Montague Public Library`s interior renovation is partly funded by the MBLC`s State Aid to Public Libraries program! The branch library is set to reopen the week of Oct. 21 to Oct. 28 with new furniture, layout changes and more.
🔗 To learn more about this project, visit the link in bio!
#librarybuilding #librarylove #librarybuildingproject #malibrary #malibraries #massachusettslibraries #libraryrenovations #libraryrenovation #librarydesign #librarybuildingrenovation
