Massachusetts Library Organizations

There are a variety of organizations in the Massachusetts that meet different needs.  The purpose of this page is to describe several of them and help you get to the organization that can help you the most.

Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) The Massachusetts Library Association is an independent 501(c)(3) organization supported by our members and events.  The mission of MLA is to advocate for and empower the Massachusetts library community by providing leadership, legislative advocacy, professional development, networking opportunities, and by defending intellectual freedom. You are currently on our web site.	Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) The 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 MBLC maintains statistics for libraries across the Commonwealth and a list of all the libraries in Massachusetts. Their web site is: http://mblc.state.ma.us/index.php
Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) The Massachusetts School Library Association is an independent organization. MSLA advocates for school library programs that have a significant and measurable impact on student achievement. It supports licensed, highly qualified library teachers at all levels and endorses school library programs that have strong leadership, resources, and instructional components. Their web site is: http://maschoolibraries.org	Massachusetts Library System (MLS) The Massachusetts Library System, a state-supported collaborative, fosters cooperation, communication, innovation, and sharing among member libraries of all types.  The MLS promotes equitable access to excellent library services and resources for all who live, work, or study in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) provides services to 1,700 Massachusetts libraries of all types and sizes throughout the Commonwealth.  MLS was established in 2010 to consolidate the services of six former regional library systems.
Massachusetts Friends of Libraries (MFOL) MFOL's Mission: Provide leadership on issues of regional, state and national concern to libraries. Encourage and assist in the formation and continued growth of Friends of Libraries. Enhance the effectiveness of Friends of Libraries. Create a network for sharing information among Friends of Libraries. Promote awareness on library issues and advocate for state funding to libraries throughout the Commonwealth. Assist Friends of Libraries in hosting roundtable discussions on important subjects. Sponsor workshops for Friends of Libraries on critical issues. Recognize the wonderful work of Friends of Libraries across the state. Their web site can be reached here.	Massachusetts Library Trustees Association (MLTA) The Massachusetts Library Trustees Association serves as a resource for trustees to become knowledgeable advocates to improve their community libraries.  To accomplish this goal, the MLTA: Serves as a forum for exchange of information among trustees provides workshops and seminars and disseminates information on a variety of topics to the trustees advocates for library legislation at the local and state level works with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) to improve libraries in the Commonwealth, concentrating on communications among the trustees (e.g., producing the Trustees' Handbook with the MBLC). Their web site can be reached here.