LSTA Direct Grants to Libraries

Massachusetts uses LSTA funding to provide libraries with direct grants to meet the needs of their community. There were five LSTA direct grants awarded to libraries in the Ninth Congressional District in 2022 totaling $49,358.

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

  • Mind in the Making – Holmes Public Library, Halifax $9,358

    This grant allows the creation of all-inclusive play-and-learn spaces that address the social-emotional and developmental learning needs of young children and promotes caregiver and child interaction. The newly transformed spaces are designed to encourage children to engage in free dramatic play. Materials selected are geared toward children ages 0-6 and stress the importance of hands-on, unstructured play to build language, cognitive, and social-emotional skills.

  • Dig In – West Tisbury Free Public Library $10,000

    The library is expanding its monthly and seasonal nature programs and creating an outdoor community garden. Library garden programming will be augmented and expanded to include children, families, and seniors alike and offered in English and Portuguese. The outdoor garden spaces will serve as an educational initiative of seed-to-plant growth in action which will benefit the multi-generational West Tisbury community and be used to restock the existing Seed Library.

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. Two grants totaling $100,000 were given to libraries in the Eighth Congressional District.

  • Fall River Public Library will use funds to upgrade technology and support digitization efforts.
  • New Bedford Free Public Library will use funds to purchase a van to be used for outreach services.