News Release
September 6, 2001
Director, Communications & Public Information
1-800-952-7403, x208
David.L.Gray@state.ma.us
$240,000 in State Grants Awarded
BOSTON: The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is pleased to announce that it has awarded grants totaling $240,000 to the Regional Library Systems and Library Networks across the Commonwealth.
"These grants will be used to add or load holdings from libraries with stand-alone catalog systems to library catalogs that are part of the statewide virtual catalog, and to offset the cost of telecommunications hardware for libraries joining a network for the first time or upgrading their connectivity bandwidth," said Keith Michael Fiels, director. "This means that over the next year, many thousands of additional books and other library materials will be listed on our statewide catalog, and libraries will be able to add additional online catalog and Internet terminals. Libraries are the public's single most important source of Internet access for those without computers," he continued.
The Networks and Regions receiving these grants are:
|
Networks/Regions |
Award |
Amount |
|
Boston Regional Library System, Boston |
MARC Conversion
|
$13,138
|
|
Cape Libraries Automated Resource Sharing, Hyannis |
MARC Conversion Network Connections |
$11,363 $9,303 |
|
Central Massachusetts Regional Library System, Shrewsbury |
MARC Conversion |
$13,138 |
|
Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing, Paxton |
MARC Conversion Network Connections |
$13,137 $28,334 |
|
MetroBoston Library Network, Boston |
MARC Conversion |
$13,137 |
|
Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System, Waltham |
MARC Conversion |
$13,138 |
|
Minuteman Library Network, Natick |
MARC Conversion Network Connections |
$13,137 $12,633 |
|
North of Boston Library Exchange, Danvers |
MARC Conversion Network Connections |
$10,400 $18,735 |
|
Old Colony Library Network, Braintree |
MARC Conversion |
$13,137 |
|
SAILS, Middleborough |
MARC Conversion Network Connections |
$13,137 $30,995 |
|
Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Library System, Lakeville |
MARC Conversion |
$13,138 |
The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.