Legislative Agenda FY2026

Girl siting on floor using laptop in library aisle
Woman assisting child using sewing machine in class
Smiling teenage boy taking notes while sitting on floor in libary
Group of young adults seated on floor in library talking in library surrounded by books
Mature women seated at table listening to someone speaking
Two people standing and smiling in library

State funding through the Governor and Legislature supports statewide lending, eBooks and audiobooks, delivery, library technology, online learning and research, programming and much more.

State funding to libraries is <1% of the total state budget.

Libraries are busy*:

  • 58 million items borrowed
  • 26 million visits
  • 3 million reference questions answered
  • 2 million people used library computers
  • 1 million people attended library programs and classes

*Data from 2023 ARIS Report

FY2026 MBLC Budget Request

Line Item Number and Name FY2024 FY2025 Proposed Increase FY2026 Request
9101 Board of Library Commissioners $1,904,745 $2,074,268 $414,854 $2,489,122
9401 Regional Libraries Local Aid $16,717,600 $19,000,000 $950,000 $19,950,000
9402 Talking Book Program Worcester $678,040 $711,942 $35,597 $747,539
9406 Talking Book Program (Perkins) Watertown $3,860,420 $4,053,441 $202,672 $4,256,113
9501 Public Libraries Local Aid $17,600,000 $20,000,000 $2,000,000 $22,000,000
9506 Technology & Resource Sharing $6,167,581 $6,169,480 $308,474 $6,477,954
9508 Center for the Book $420,000 $420,000 $130,000 $550,000
Totals $47,348,386 $52,429,131 $4,041,597 $56,470,728