LSTA Direct Grants to Libraries

Massachusetts uses LSTA funding to provide libraries with direct grants to meet the needs of their community. There were two LSTA direct grants awarded to libraries in the Sixth Congressional District in 2023 totaling $23,860.

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

  • Hamilton-Wenham Public Library $14,000

    Over 40% of the population of Hamilton and Wenham are over the age of 60 and depend on outside help and support for their daily activities and socialization. Hamilton-Wenham Public Library will use the grant to expand service to this group that often feel isolated, unsupported, or invisible. The project will launch a homebound delivery program, create a collection of assistive technology items, establish a Memory Café program for adults living with dementia and their caregivers, circulate Memory Kits, and provide staff training in how to best serve this population.

  • Sawyer Free Library (Gloucester) $10,000

    Sawyer Free Library’s Young Gloucester Scientists Club will offer a program for elementary and middle school students that supports learning both in and outside of the Library through continued access to physical collections, materials, and programming. Circulating kits and library produced digital content will provide participants with fun learning activities to do at home as well as in-person family programming that introduces them to Gloucester community members with careers across a variety of STEM fields. This project will not only allow for a hands-on approach to learning and build community connections, but it will also encourage youth to actively think like scientists by observing, questioning, and experimenting with the world around them.