LSTA Direct Grants to Libraries

Massachusetts uses LSTA funding to provide libraries with direct grants to meet the needs of their community. There were four LSTA direct grants awarded to libraries in the Third Congressional District in 2022 totaling $41,989.00.

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

  • Archives Arrangement and Description – Lawrence Public Library $10,000

    The library’s special collections contain many unique materials with an outsized focus on the early years of Lawrence's history. The community’s character and demographics have changed throughout the years, however, the archives at the library have not reflected that reality. This project addresses this need by consulting with an archival expert to assist the staff in developing guiding policies, protocols, and procedures; provide training on these new processes; and undertake an overall reorganization of the collection and the physical space in which it lives.

  • Access for All – Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton $14,489

    Without a community or senior center in town, the library is the primary place most in Littleton come to learn, access services, and socialize. The library currently lacks the equipment that would make it more accessible to the visually and hearing disabled population of Littleton. This project allows the library to install hearing loops for the program room and service desks, adaptive technology to public computers, and to offer magnifiers for library and home use. The library will also provide training to staff on how to serve and support patrons with disabilities.

ARPA Funding

Grants were given to communities that were hardest hit by COVID in the state to be used to improve access for residents at the library. Five grants totaling $225,000 were given to libraries in the Third Congressional District.

  • Fitchburg Public Library will use funds to obtain equipment for self-checkout, create more flexible indoor library space, and purchase hold pick up lockers.
  • Haverhill Public Library will use funds to offer programming focused on providing career assistance, improving English language and literacy skills, and improving computer literacy skills. Some funding will also be used to provide language instruction classes for library staff.
  • Lawrence Public Library will use funds to create a community welcome center and provide related programming.
  • Samuel S. Pollard Memorial Library, Lowell will use funds to create a mobile pop-up technology lab, upgrade the library's senior center computer lab, and purchase a variety of equipment that will increase accessibility for library users.
  • Nevins Memorial Library, Methuen will use funds to assist in rebuilding the Literacy Volunteers of Methuen, provide health training to the public, enhance outdoor programming space, develop an early literacy initiative, and upgrade library AV equipment.