The Benefits of State Aid
State Aid to Public Libraries = Local Aid to Libraries
Reciprocal Borrowing by Municipality
Over the past year, over 6.4 million items have been shared between libraries in the Commonwealth. With an average item cost of $15, this equates to over $96 million in savings.
State Aid Certified? | Yes | No |
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Residents have access to: |
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Municipalities have access to: |
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Why Staying Certified Matters
- 59 million items from libraries across the state.
- Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library.
- Statewide research databases.
- Millions of dollars in library construction grants through the MBLC’s Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program.
- Federal grant money for local needs through the MBLC’s Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program.
- The MBLC’s Small Libraries in Networks program which provides libraries that serve small communities (population under 10,000) with funding to support their network memberships.
- Their library’s own collection.
- Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library.
- Statewide research databases.
- Nothing
For detailed information on State Aid Requirements, application process, or MAR waivers, please refer to the information on the MBLC website (link opens in a new window).
State Aid Awards
State Aid awards have nearly doubled for most communities in the last decade. See the decade comparison for your community (link opens PDF in a new window).
Search State Aid Awards
Find awards from FY2007 to FY2024 (link opens in a new window)
FY 2024 Awards and Certification Status
- Awards - Initial Payment - November 2023 (PDF) (link opens PDF in a new window)
- Awards - Initial Payment - December 2023 (PDF) (link opens PDF in a new window)
- Awards - Initial Payment - January 2024 (PDF) (link opens PDF in a new window)
- Awards - Initial Payment - February 2024 (PDF) (link opens PDF in a new window)
FY2024 Certification Summary
- Of the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts, 350 have public libraries or share public libraries.
- Of the 350 municipalities with libraries, 347 applied for State Aid to Public Libraries.
- Of the 347 that applied, 337 met all requirements and 10 used accommodation not meeting the full hours/materials requirement.
- 5 applied for waivers of the MAR: 1 received additional funding and withdrew which resulted in 4 waivers granted for FY24.
- 347 were certified to receive State Aid to Public Libraries.
State Aid Histories
Histories may be found on the State Aid Annual Report Resource Guide (link opens in a new window) as one of the summary documents for each year.
For more information, please contact:
Jen Inglis, State Aid Specialist
617-725-1860 x227
857-488-6112 (Mobile)
jennifer.inglis@mass.gov (link opens in a new window)
Cate Merlin, Head of State Programs
617-725-1860 X220
857-283-5669 (Mobile)
Cate.Merlin@mass.gov (link opens in a new window)