MBLC Brochure
Strong libraries are essential to education and lifelong learning, to economic development, to strong communities and to a strong democracy.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners supports, improves, and promotes library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board also strives to provide every resident of the Commonwealth with full and equal access to library information resources regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background.
The goals of the Board are to
- maintain and strengthen the Commonwealth's free public libraries,
- provide statewide and regional programs for the improvement of library services provided by libraries of all types,
- support resource sharing and the utilization of electronic information technology by libraries, and
- provide specialized library services to blind and physically handicapped residents.
The Board was established in 1890 under Chapter 78 of the Massachusetts General Laws. It consists of nine commissioners appointed by the Governor. A director, appointed by the Board, is responsible for administration of the Board's programs and services.
Massachusetts libraries today face unprecedented challenges with new and rapidly changing information technologies, an expanding range of user information needs, and decreased funding.
During the past decade, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, working with the Governor and Legislature, has undertaken several innovative initiatives to strengthen the Commonwealth's libraries.
The Board's Strategic Plan for the Future of Library Services in the Commonwealth has made new library information technologies and the combined resources of the Commonwealth's public, academic, school and special libraries available to all residents. At the same time, a new regional service structure, along with a statewide virtual catalog of library holdings, and statewide 'digital library' of electronic articles, has vastly expanded the services provided by every public, academic, school and special library in Massachusetts.
In 1999, the Board developed the Public Library Initiative, designed to strengthen public library service in every city and town, reduce inequities in public library service within the Commonwealth, improve public library services for children and young adults, and help every public library to better meet unique community priorities and needs.
The first step in this initiative, an increase in basic State Aid to Public Libraries, was implemented by the Legislature and Governor for FY2000. A second step, taken in 2001, was the Small Libraries in Networks Grants, through which 63public libraries have been able to affiliate with an outmated network. Further components, when enacted, would provide special assistance and incentives to help every public library purchase additional library materials, extend library hours and improve services to users of all ages. Other proposed programs would strengthen services to public library trustees and friends groups, stimulate increased philanthropic donations to libraries, and help ensure that trained library personnel are available to serve children and the unique needs of rural and urban communities.
Programs and Services
Through the programs outlined below, the Board works with Massachusetts libraries in planning and evaluating the services it provides to assure the most effective use of federal, state and local funds in meeting the information needs of all Massachusetts residents.
State Aid to Public Libraries
The Board administers the State Aid to Public Libraries Program, composed of three grants, each based on a specific disbursement formula, that are awarded yearly to municipalities whose public libraries meet statutory and regulatory requirements. By encouraging libraries to meet certain minimum requirements, the State Aid to Public Libraries Program improves library services, while assisting municipalities with less revenue raising capability and municipalities whose libraries lend materials to residents of other communities.
Regional Library Systems and Library of Last Recourse
The Board administers a program of regional services that allows libraries of all types to provide users with materials and information otherwise unavailable locally. The six regional library systems provide services to and support resource sharing among almost 1,700 public, academic, school and special libraries in the Commonwealth. Regional services include interlibrary loan, reference, delivery of materials between libraries, continuing education, technical assistance, database access, bookmobile services, cooperative purchasing programs and specialized collections of print and nonprint materials. The Board also administers funds for the maintenance and development of collections and services of the research library at the Boston Public Library that serves as the Library of Last Recourse for all residents of the Commonwealth.
Library Technology and Resource Sharing
Board programs improve local library operations and provide Internet access for most public libraries by supporting nine automated networks. At present, 307 of the 370 Massachusetts public libraries are members of an automated network, and an additional 57 libraries receive Internet access. Board staff provides support and technical assistance to automated networks and public libraries applying for discounted telecommunications services under the federal E-Rate program. Using state and federal funds, the Board coordinates the development and expansion of this statewide network to extend services equitably to all residents of the Commonwealth.
Through the Board's Web site (mass.gov/mblc) libraries and library users have direct electronic access to a directory of more than 1,700 regional member Massachusetts libraries, a unified search of 35 million Massachusetts library holdings through a statewide virtual catalog, a core set of full-text magazine and reference databases, including more than 30 million articles for instant downloading, a collection of 7,000 electronic books, and a directory of 700 special collections repositories in Massachusetts.
Statewide Services to Libraries and Library Users
The Board provides statewide services to enable libraries to offer in-depth reference services, and accurate, up-to-date information for their users from within the library or from wherever the user has access to the Internet. The Board and the Regional Library Systems have licensed in-library, campus-wide, and home access, to full-text magazine and reference databases, providing access to thousands of copyrighted general, business, health, scholarly, biographical and news publications. Access to current and back issues of three Massachusetts newspapers - The Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and the Worcester Telegram and Gazette - is also available statewide. Through MassAnswers, an online chat reference services, librarians are available to answer research and information questions from library users 24/7.
Public Library Construction
Board staff works with public libraries on all phases of planning and construction of library buildings. This includes development of the library building program, coordination of the efforts of trustees, staff and community, establishment of the library building committee and review of schematic drawings through final design. In addition, the Board conducts the state-funded Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Since 1990, this program has awarded grants to public libraries in 213 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth totaling $246 million. As of January 2004, 249 grants have been awarded. Of these, 51 have been for planning and design and 198 have been for new construction or addition/renovation projects.
Library Services and Technology Act Federal Program
Each year, libraries of all types receive grants through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) federal program that is administered in Massachusetts by the Board. The purpose of LSTA is to enhance electronic linkages among libraries and to develop library and information services for persons having difficulty using a library. The Board administers statewide services and direct grant programs for which individual libraries, regional library systems, automated resource sharing networks, and cooperating groups may apply. The State Advisory Council on Libraries, a group representing various types of libraries as well as library users, provides valuable advice to staff and the Board on LSTA programs and the allocation of grant funds.
Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Access to library materials for the blind/visually impaired or those certified as unable to read normal print is provided by the Board through funding to the Braille and Talking Book Library at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, which serves patrons in eastern and western Massachusetts, and the Talking Book Library at the Worcester Public Library, which provides services for patrons in central Massachusetts. The Board also provides funding to support NFB-NEWSLINE®, a service that makes it possible for blind individuals to gain access to newspapers via a toll-free telephone number.
Public Library Advisory and Technical Assistance
The Board provides assistance to municipal officials, boards of trustees, library directors and library friends groups. Board staff members advise on laws, proposed legislation, regulations and policies affecting local public libraries, governance issues, roles and responsibilities of trustees, friends groups, and fund raising for libraries. Board staff members also work closely with the Massachusetts Library Association, the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association and the Massachusetts Friends of Libraries to strengthen programs for trustees and friends.
Library Reference/Research Services
The reference and research library supports the research needs of public libraries and the development of Board programs with a current collection of professional materials and resources. Members of the library community are encouraged to borrow materials, access electronic databases, and make active use of the library's reference and research services. The holdings of the Board's library may be searched through the NOBLE Network (http://catalog.noblenet.org).
Data Coordination and Analysis
The Board collects and analyzes financial, demographic and personnel information about all types of libraries. The data is compiled and published each year in a series of reports that are distributed to public, school, academic and special library directors, as well as public library trustees. Customized statistical reports are created for libraries and for state and municipal officials. In addition, the Board actively participates in the Federal-State Cooperative System (FSCS), the State Library Agency Survey and the Academic Library Survey. All collected data is also available on the Board's Web site (mass.gov/mblc/advisory/statistics).
Certification of Library Personnel
In order to ensure that communities are served by qualified library personnel, the Board grants Certificates of Librarianship to applicants based on work experience or education level as set forth in statute and regulation. The certificates are required of all Massachusetts public library directors as a prerequisite for municipalities to receive State Aid to Public Libraries.
Library-Based Literacy
Public libraries have become increasingly involved in the coordination and delivery of literacy services in the community, providing outreach programs to people with low-level reading skills and also to those with limited English-speaking ability. Library-based literacy programs include developing adult new reader and curriculum collections, providing literacy support services for the community and offering one-on-one or small group instruction at the library. Board staff provides consultation and technical assistance to public libraries in program development, selection of materials, proposal writing and identification of outside funding sources. The Board is also part of a statewide consortium that works to promote family literacy programs that offer adult basic literacy education for the parent and basic skills education for children.
Preservation
The Board coordinates a statewide preservation program for all types of libraries and archives to preserve valuable special collections, prolong the life of circulating collections, and ensure the continued availability of these materials to library users. The preservation program reaches librarians and archivists through workshops, technical assistance, an environmental monitoring program, preservation information services, emergency assistance, and federal grant awards.
Emergency Assistance Program
The Emergency Assistance Program provides assistance to libraries and archives in the event of an emergency, in addition to providing disaster preparedness training in advance. This program is designed to aid libraries and archives through four program components: 1) Clean-Up Kits and Storage Boxes for smaller emergencies, 2) Technical Assistance from the Regional Library System and Board staff members, 3) Emergency 24 Hour On-Call Professional Technical Assistance Services and 4) On-Call Disaster Recovery Service for Freezing and Drying Library and Archives Collections damaged in fires or floods (public libraries only.)
Continuing Education and Training
Staff from the Board, in conjunction with the six regional library systems and other library groups such as the Massachusetts Library Association, Massachusetts Library Trustees Association and Massachusetts Friends of Libraries, provides a wide range of continuing education and training programs for library trustees, staff, and friends of library organizations.
Communications and Public Relations
The Board continues to increase public awareness of the value of libraries as community resources, and the role that it serves as an advocate for libraries and improved library services to the residents of the Commonwealth. As part of its Communications and Public Relations Program, the Board produces a number of publications (see list in this brochure), conducts a public awareness campaign and provides information to the media that is intended to increase awareness on the part of librarians, trustees, friends of libraries, government officials, as well as the general public, to the ongoing programs, grants and work of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Publications
The Board publishes news and information useful to Massachusetts libraries and interested citizens through the following publications.
A Proposal to strengthen and Improve Public Libraries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2000
MBLC Notes (published bimonthly)
Directory of Architects Who Have Designed for Construction Grant Recipients, 2003
Library Services and Technology Act - Massachusetts Long-Range Plan, 2003-2007
Massachusetts Library Data Reports - School, Academic and Special
Massachusetts Public Library Data Reports - Children's Services, Circulation & Holdings, Electronic Services, Featured Reports, Financial Statistics, Personnel: Salaries, Personnel: Education & Staffing, Public Library Outlets, Rankings of Public Libraries, Services, and Summary Tables & Graphs
Massachusetts Public Library Directory, 2004
Massachusetts Public Library Trustees Handbook, 2000
Massachusetts Special Collections Directory, 2000
Preserved to Serve: The Massachusetts Preservation Agenda, 1992
Strategic Plan for the Future of Library Services in Massachusetts, 1993
The Municipal Pie...What's Your Library's Share?
In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, all publications (including this brochure) may be requested in electronic format for use by individuals with disabilities.
08/04