On November 5, 2021, the new Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton MA opened its doors to the public and celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The $14.5 million project was supported by a $5.8 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP). “A library is a living … Read more
A new statewide program from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), now makes it possible for residents to “borrow the Internet” from their local library by checking out a hotspot. Thousands of Massachusetts residents rely on libraries for internet access. There were an average of 15,000 internet sessions every day in public libraries … Read more
For many years now, residents of Massachusetts have been able to access audiobooks, ebooks and e-versions of their favorite magazines through various library networks. The demand for econtent continues to grow and surged after libraries closed their doors in 2020 as COVID-19 led to shutdowns of many public spaces across the country. At its October … Read more
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) has partnered with Walker Cares to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid to library staff. “Frontline library staff work with teens, many of whom have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and a year of social distancing.” said Lyndsay Forbes, Project Manager and Grants Specialist at the MBLC. “This program has … Read more
When COVID 19 forced schools and business to switch to remote learning and working, it became clear that not everyone across the Commonwealth had access to high-speed internet in their homes or their communities. For the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), which has been working to increase access particularly in rural areas since the … Read more