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The FY2027 Legislative Agenda of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
It All Starts at the Library is the FY2027 Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Legislative Agenda. State Aid to Public Libraries (7000-9101) is the funding priority and the MBLC is requesting a 5% increase to that budget line. The agenda highlights the ways libraries are vital to addressing some of the issues facing the Commonwealth including affordability, lagging literacy rates, and more. Why it matters It’s the way the MBLC requests state funding to pay for:
Copies will be available at Legislative Breakfasts across the state and will be sent to legislators and libraries. You can use it with both state and local officials to explain the good work that libraries are doing and the need for funding. The funding flow chart provides more information about how the MBLC uses state funds to support library services. Thank you to the MBLC’s Statewide Public Relations Advisory Committee for working closely with MBLC staff to develop this agenda. Thursday, March 5 | 6:00–7:00 PM | Online via Zoom
Women have been involved in jazz since the early 1920s, not just as vocalist, but as instrumentalists, composers and arrangers. An understanding of jazz would not be complete without highlighting the influence and contributions of women—women such as Bessie Smith, Valaida Snow, Mildred Bailey, Mary Lou Williams, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn. The goal is to provide an understanding particularly of their personal lives, their ability to read music, perform and survive in a time when jazz was considered “a man’s world”. It also covers the full spectrum of years, genre, recordings, and recognized achievements. Presented by Fiona Brown of Flute Juice Productions based in Orlando, Florida. Learn more on their website here: https://flutejuice.net/ This concert is sponsored in part by funding for The Lunenburg Public Library Monthly Music Series, supported by North End Subaru and the Friends of the Lunenburg Public Library. Register below to receive the Zoom link in your confirmation email. https://lunenburglibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/virtual-women-in-jazz-with-galen-abdur-razzaq/ Join Core Forum 2026 at The Galt House Hotel (Louisville, KY) for an incredible opportunity to celebrate the diverse and interconnected library work of you, our Core members. From November 18-20, 2026 we’ll engage the collective expertise of presenters and participants, facilitating thought-provoking conversations over two days of presentations, table-top exhibits, and poster sessions. Core Forum provides a place to build and foster relationships with colleagues through exciting networking activities.
Consider submitting a proposal for a thought-provoking and highly-relevant to practitioners presentation in the following areas: ● Access and Equity ● Buildings and Operations ● Leadership and Management ● Metadata and Collections ● Technology ● Preservation Presentation Opportunities SESSION - Concurrent sessions will be held on Thursday and Friday. Presentations will be 45 minutes in length with 15 minutes for introduction and Q&A. Presenters are required to present in-person and register at the discounted presenter rate. PRECONFERENCE - Half-day afternoon preconferences (3-4 hours) and all day tours (off-site venue) will be held on Wednesday. Presenters are required to present in-person. POSTER - Poster sessions provide the opportunity to share work, research, and ideas across the Forum’s content areas identified in the bulleted list above. Print posters will be displayed throughout the Forum, with special time reserved during Friday morning for participants to ask questions and engage presenters. Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria: ● Relevance to the Forum’s program tracks and audience ● Opportunities for learning and applicability to current library trends ● Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion We encourage diversity in presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, libraries, and experiences, and deliberately seek and encourage submissions from underrepresented groups, such as Indigenous peoples, women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities. We also strongly encourage submissions with presenters from public, school, and special libraries. Vendors wishing to submit a proposal should partner with a library representative who is evaluating/using the product or service. Presenters will submit final presentation slides and/or electronic content (video, audio, etc.) 10 days prior to the event for accessibility reviewing and to be made available online following the event. Presenters will be able to register at a discounted rate and participate in the Forum as attendees. Ready to submit your proposal? Complete the Proposal Form before the Sunday, March 8, 2026 deadline. To preview the 2026 Core Forum proposal questions before starting the form, please download the questions here. Questions can be sent to the Forum Planning Co-Chairs or Core Staff: Kevin Lightfoot, Core Forum Planning Committee Co-Chair, [email protected] Holly Sealine, Core Forum Planning Committee Co-Chair, [email protected] Julie Reese, Core Executive Director, [email protected] Tom Ferren, Core Deputy Executive Director of Learning & Events, [email protected] Save the Date Registration will open in April. Join the notification list to receive event announcements, and visit the Core Forum website for program information and sponsorship opportunities. Join us for the Library Advocacy Boot Camp sponsored by MLA's Legislative Committee.
Date and time: October 7 | 9:30am - 3:00pm This year's boot camp will focus on advocacy at the local level. How can you best work with selectboards, finance committees and other town officials to build long-term support for your library? How do you get the message out that the library is a need during tough financial times? What steps can you take to engage with your community when the library is under threat of disproportionate budget cuts? This program will address these and other questions to help you build your advocacy toolkit. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Adam Chapdelane Executive Director and CEO Massachusetts Municipal Association Tim Garvin President United Way of Central Massachusetts LOCATION Worcester Public Library 3 Salem Square Worcester, MA EVENT REGISTRATION FEE MLA Members | Free Non MLA Members | $30 A continental breakfast and lunch is provided and included in your registration Click here to register by October 1. MLA's Conference Committee is seeking proposals for presentations for its upcoming annual conference.
Your proposals help shape our conference and by extension, enriches our profession. Have you introduced a new program or service that you think others would benefit from learning about? Perhaps you're interested in learning about a certain topic. You can bet others are, too - so, why not consider putting together a program? Our attendees are particularly interested in hands-on, practical, actionable information and ideas. You may submit a proposal on behalf of the presenter(s). Panels are limited to three (3) including the moderator. The submission window closes on October 3rd and submitters will be contacted in November after the Conference Committee has reviewed the proposals. As a presenter, you're awarded a reduced registration rate to attend the conference on the day you present. All sessions are to be presented live and in-person. We look forward to seeing your proposal! Thank you! Introduction to the Sustainable Libraries Initiative
Monday, September 8 | 2:00 PM Eastern Learn about the exclusive tools, resources, and methodologies that help library leaders make more authentic, focused decisions; manage resources effectively; design impactful services and programs; and build partnerships that align with the triple bottom line of sustainability: environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic feasibility. REGISTER Introduction to the Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP) Wednesday, September 10 | 10:00 AM Eastern Did you know your members receive a 20% discount on our award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program? This webinar will cover how to get the most out of SLI membership, what it means to become a certified library, and the features and benefits of joining the SLCP. REGISTER Thank you to the entire library community for your advocacy efforts this year supporting the legislative agenda at the 16 events held around the state.
The House Ways and Means Committee has released its FY2026 budget numbers, and all library lines have been level funded. This is below what was requested for FY26 to provide level services. Although we understand the state is anticipating a tight budget next year, we also know that when times get tough, libraries get busier. We need your voices to advocate for library funding increases. We are very thankful for state reps who have stepped up to file amendments to increase the MBLC’s budget lines. Please contact your representatives and tell them how important it is that they vote for the following amendments. Amendment #67 to H.4000 State Aid to Public Libraries Representatives Higgins of Leominster and Murray of Milford move to amend the bill in section 2, in item (7000-9501) by striking out the figures “$20,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the figures “$22,000,000”. Important because: Encourages municipal support for public libraries to maintain their certification and provides much needed funding to libraries at a local level. Amendment #323 to H.4000 Board of Library Commissioners Representatives Kerans of Danvers, Murray of Milford and Higgins of Leominster move to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7000-9101, by striking out the figures “$2,073,664” and inserting in place thereof the figures “$2,489,122”. Important because: Strengthens the MBLC’s support and services to our libraries. With federal funding that supports some MBLC salaries at risk, increased support for this line is more critical than ever. Amendment #1020 to H.4000 Mass. Center for the Book Ms. Sabadosa of Northampton moves to amend the bill in section 2, in item (7000-9508) by striking out the figures “$420,000” and inserting in place thereof the figures “$550,000”. Important because: Develops, supports, and promotes cultural programming that will advance the cause of books and reading and enhance the outreach potential of libraries. Increased funding bridges the literacy gap and deepens literacy efforts in communities of need. Amendment #134 to H.4000 Library Technology and Resource Sharing Ms. Meschino of Hull moves to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7000-9506 by striking out the figures “$6,172,690” and inserting in place thereof the figures “$6,477,954”. Important because: Supports cost-effective resource sharing through the Automated Resource Sharing Networks and partially funds statewide databases. Amendment #254 to H.4000 Perkins Talking Book Library Mr. Owens of Watertown moves to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7000-9406, by striking out the figures “$4,053,441” and inserting in place thereof the figures “$4,256,113”. Important because: The Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library enables people who are unable to read conventional print due to a disability to experience the joy of reading, and lifelong learning, through free accessible library services and resources. Amendment #452 to H.4000 Regional Libraries Local Aide Mr. Murray of Milford and Ms. Higgins of Leominster move to amend the bill in section 2, in item (7000-9401) by striking out the figures "$19,000,000" and inserting in place thereof the figures "$19,950,000". Important because: MLS provides services to libraries and library users, including: Delivery; Digital Resource Sharing; Training & Professional Development; and Consulting. Also, the Library for the Commonwealth at the Boston Public Library provides services to all Massachusetts residents and supplement the library resources found in communities statewide Amendment #613 to H.4000 Worcester Talking Book Library Ms. Keefe of Worcester moves to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7000-9402, by striking out the figures “$711,942” and inserting in place thereof the figures “$747,539”. Important because: The Worcester Talking Book Library provides free services to Massachusetts residents of any age who are unable to read traditional print materials due to a visual or physical disability. HOW YOU CAN HELP The House will begin debate on budget amendments on Monday, April 28. Now is the time to take action! Don’t know who to call or email? Find your Legislator. Need to know more about the MBLC Legislative Agenda? Learn here. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions. Legislative Committee Co-Chairs Kathy Lussier, Nora Blake & Will Adamczyk [email protected] is a statewide discussion list for Massachusetts libraries. Messages posted to this list are saved in a publicly-accessible archive. APPLY FOR LIBRARY FREEDOM INSTITUTE!
Library Freedom Institute is an intensive training for library workers who want to support information democracy in our communities. Over almost four months, you'll learn practical tools and strategies to defend privacy and access. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of the various threats to knowledge in our current information landscape, including the harms of Big Tech. All in a supportive cohort environment with other library workers from around the country. Weekly virtual lectures and an in-person weekend will cover subjects like:
Applications for the next Library Freedom Institute are now open on libraryfreedom.org/institute until March 15th. The 2025 cohort will begin sometime in mid to late April. Scroll down for the application questions and an FAQ, and don't hesitate to reach out to Alison Macrina (Director, Library Freedom Project) if you don't see your question answered there. Join their mailing list for LFP events: https://lists.riseup.net/www/subscribe/lfp-news Learn more about how you can donate to the ALA Disaster Relief Fund and to aide in restoring library services in the LA community.
The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is pleased to offer this conference scholarship program to individuals who are employed at MLS member libraries. We encourage staff at all levels, in all types of libraries, to apply for a conference scholarship.
Learn more here and apply by December 15! |
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