Virtual Programming Grants

CARES Act funding was used to create grant opportunities for libraries in Massachusetts to increase virtual programming in their communities. Libraries applied for grants to purchase recording equipment including cameras, microphones, and editing software; materials to create crafting and science kits that residents could pick up curbside; and to hire professionals to host events that were available to all Massachusetts residents through the MBLC’s Virtual Events Calendar.

In the Sixth Congressional District, libraries in Amesbury, Burlington, Georgetown, Hamilton-Wenham, Newbury, Peabody, Tewksbury, and Wilmington received a combined total of $23,265 in these grants.

Summer Distance Learning Grants

Libraries needed to adapt quickly to continue providing summer services that are expected by communities in a safe and accessible manner. To assist them, MBLC provided a total of $117,500 of CARES Act and LSTA funding to libraries that requested it to purchase summer reading tracking software Beanstack. This allowed summer reading to continue while children, teens, and adults were at home.

LSTA Direct Grants to Libraries

Massachusetts uses LSTA funding to provide libraries with direct grants to meet the needs of their communities. There were 36 LSTA direct grants totaling $404,305 across the state in 2020.

Below are examples of direct grant funded projects in the Sixth Congressional District:

  • Civic Hub - Lucius Beebe Memorial Library (Wakefield)

    Lucius Beebe Memorial Library has identified a need in Wakefield for residents to become more engaged in community life, both civically and socially. Through a mix of speakers, guided book discussions of carefully chosen fiction and nonfiction titles, and a final town-wide event, the Library will offer residents the opportunity to become more fully invested in Wakefield. Commit to Your Community will take participants from getting involved for their own self-interest - to improve their own health and well-being - to acting with more compassion and understanding towards other residents, and finally to enacting real and meaningful change within the community. Beebe Library seeks to be the place where residents can truly connect - to find friendship, purpose, and a sense of community.

  • Health and Wellness - Beverly Public Library

    Holistic wellness is a form of health that considers the whole person - body, mind, spirit, and emotions - in the quest for optimal health and wellness. Holistic Wellness for All (HWFA!) will incorporate the power of holistic practice for the Beverly community. Beverly serves an economically diverse population. Unfortunately, the individuals who could most benefit from holistic practice cannot afford the costly practices that are often not covered by insurance. Seniors, low-income families, and those with mental health issues do not possess the economic capability to pay for treatment. Through extensive in-house and community-wide programming, the Library will provide opportunities for education and practice. The Library will also create a unique collection and refreshed space that will disseminate relevant, credible health information for the community on integrated practice and holistic health access for all.