The Benefits of State Aid

“We use state aid primarily to support emerging technology and professional development. We also use our state aid to support important projects and initiatives including our Homework Center operation.” Framingham Public Library
“State Aid to Public Libraries is a great equalizer among communities, allowing us to expand beyond our local budget appropriations.” South Hadley Public Library
“The Library will be upgrading the Children's Programming Room with new cabinetry and programming space in order to safely and efficiently meet the growing demand for library programming in the Natick community.” Morse Institute Library, Natick

Better Health Care Starts with You

State Aid to Public Libraries = Local Aid to Libraries

Massachusetts Libraries Board of Library Commissioners

Guarantees access to 59 million items from across the state for residents whose library is certified in the program (reciprocal borrowing). Resident borrowing from libraries outside their local community has increased 30% in the last decade.

Saves money; for example, Pittsfield residents were able to borrow more than 19,908 items from other libraries because the library is State Aid certified^*. If the library had to purchase these items it would cost an estimated $298,620.

Can be used in any way that supports library services.^**

View Library Expenditures, Percentage of local budget, and More

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.

6,400,000 Items Borrowed^*

$96,000,000 Saved

over 6.4million items shared in 2023^*

^*Does not include eBooks, audiobooks or other digital downloads.

Why Staying Certified Matters
State Aid Certified?	Yes	No
Residents have access to:	59 million items from libraries across the state. Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library (link opens in a new window). Statewide research databases (link opens in a new window).	Their library’s own collection. Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library (link opens in a new window). Statewide research databases (link opens in a new window).
Municipalities have access to:	Millions of dollars in library construction grants (link opens in a new window) through the MBLC’s Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Federal grant money for local needs (link opens in a new window) through the MBLC’s Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program. The MBLC’s Small Libraries in Networks program (link opens in a new window) which provides libraries that serve small communities (population under 10,000) with funding to support their network memberships.

Why Staying Certified Matters

If Libraries Are State Aid Certified

Residents have access to:

59 million items from libraries across the state.
Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library.
Statewide research databases.

Municipalities have access to:

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.

If Libraries Are NOT State Aid Certified

Residents have access to:

Their library’s own collection.
Resources through Library for the Commonwealth at Boston Public Library.
Statewide research databases.

Municipalities have access to:

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 FY2025 (link opens in a new window)

FY 2025 Awards and Certification Status

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, 13 needed accommodation for not meeting the full hours/materials requirements.
11 applied for waivers of the MAR: 3 received additional funding and withdrew which resulted in 8 waivers granted for FY25. 7 waivers were within the 5% threshold and 1 (Wales) was above the 5% threshold.
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)

^*Libraries apply annually to be certified in the State Aid to Public Libraries program. They must meet minimum standards, including the Municipal Appropriation Requirement. About 98% of public libraries participate in this voluntary program. ^**Use of State Aid Funds: Funds shall be distributed under the guidelines of the municipal equalization grant program, the library incentive grant program and the nonresident circulation offset program; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any payment made under this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city or town and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the public library of that city or town without appropriation. Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2015.