Stay In the Loop!

April 25, 2025

Update from the Director 

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We need to safeguard federal and state funding for libraries. Libraries across our nation provide vital services and cultural enrichment to their communities, and library use is on the rise. On average, 28 million people visit Massachusetts libraries each year. That’s more annual visits than Disney’s Magic Kingdom!
 
Libraries teach critical literacy skills, build communities, host educational programs, offer technology services, and provide many free resources in addition to books and digital content. They also serve as economic engines that reduce economic disparities, drive consumer spending, contribute to local economy, and provide resources for financial and business development. In Massachusetts, every $1 invested in libraries produces on average a $4 return.
 
Despite this, an executive order was signed last month to cut funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and all IMLS staff were placed on leave. This could have drastic influence on our country’s libraries, and would impact some services at the Boylston Public Library.
 

Why is the IMLS important?
Last year, libraries and museums received $266.7 million from the IMLS for grants and research (which amounts to 0.003% of the overall federal budget). The IMLS provides funds to individual states, who in turn support state-wide programs and libraries. The IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services.
 
 
What does the IMLS do for Massachusetts?
Cuts will impact each state differently. In Massachusetts, IMLS funding is received by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). With those funds, the MBLC:

• Purchases state-wide databases (Gale, ProQuest, Britannica Online) for every public and school library. About 60% of annual database use is from Massachusetts public schools.

• Sponsors the Commonwealth Catalog, which enables libraries to get materials otherwise unavailable in their local library networks. You currently have access to millions of items from 500 libraries with the Commonwealth Catalog. Around 7,500 items are shared across the state each month through this service.

• Provides administration fees and materials for the Libby platform, which allows patrons to borrow e-books and audiobooks. In 2024, there were over 240,000 e-books, audiobooks, and magazines available to you on Libby.  
   

What does this mean for Boylston?
Boylston is one of 165 local libraries in the CW MARS network. CW MARS patrons have saved $210 million by borrowing about 13 million physical and digital items instead of purchasing them. Boylston users borrowed 44,000 items in 2024 alone. Overall, circulation numbers in Boylston have increased an average of 16% annually.

The impact of this executive order will initially be felt in terms of access to materials. Boylston residents may experience longer wait times on materials and decreased selection. Additionally, the loss of IMLS grant programs further limits funding opportunities. In the last two years, the library has received over $30,000 in federal and state grants used to fund initiatives such as public programs, supplies, and building improvements. When funding is lost, libraries are forced to either turn to taxpayers or cut services.  


What can I do?
Libraries, legislators, and the public are fighting back against funding cuts. If you want to make your voice heard, the most effective way to do that right now is to contact your representative. You can sign one of the petitions below, or you can contact your federal or state representatives directly. (At the bottom of this message is a template provided by the American Library Association for contacting your reps.)
 

• EveryLibrary Petition: Stop Trump’s E.O. Attacks on Federal Funding for Libraries

• Show Up For Our Libraries (ALA)

• Empowered by Libraries – Tell the MBLC how your library has helped you and your story will be shared with Massachusetts legislators.

• Federal Legislators: FIND YOUR MEMBER

• State Legislators: FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR

• Consider a donation to the Boylston Public Library Foundation, Inc.

We're in this together. 

Erica Hout, MLIS
Boylston Public Library 
 

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November 25, 2024

Update from the Director

Dear Boylston Community, 

If you've been by the library recently, you likely noticed the work underway. The building's original windows are being replaced and restored, while the exterior is receiving cosmetic and structural maintenance to the trim and gables. We're fortunate to have a dedicated Board of Trustees safeguarding our historic building. Funding for this work was made possible by the Boylston Public Library Foundation, Inc., and the Town of Boylston. It's been a delight to be involved in a project with such cooperation across various boards and committees. With so many people coming together to make this work possible, we're excited to see the final result. The project is expected to be completed by Christmas. 

In my summer update I announced a new American Libraries Association grant which will continue to improve our interior space. We had great participation in the furniture survey. Thank you to everyone who gave feedback. We'll use this feedback as well as ADA guidelines to provide seating and workspace that is both comfortable and accessible to all ages, body types, and abilities. 

A major highlight of our fall season was the 3rd annual Fall Festival on the Common. With over 30 vendors and crowds of over 600, this September was our largest Fall Fest to date! This event is becoming an amazing annual tradition for the community. 

Our "Library of Things" collection is growing! From telescopes and STEM kits, to tools and theater projectors, the library now offers a variety of non-traditional items to borrow. Take a look at what's on offer, and let us know what you'd like added to the collection. 

Finally, the Boylston Public Library Foundation is getting ready for the next Annual Appeal. As we head into the season of giving, consider making a donation if you're able. The Foundation makes a tremendous impact on the library's ability to provide programs, technology, and initiatives that make our library and community special.
 

From all the library staff, we're wishing you a happy holiday season. 

You belong here. 

Erica Hout, MLIS
Boylston Public Library 

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July 22, 2024

Update from the Director

Dear Boylston Community, 

We’re in the midst of a bustling summer at the library. It’s truly a pleasure to see our community as you visit for books to take to the beach, grab museum passes to local destinations, find films for outdoor family movie-nights, and show us pictures of your gardens grown with Boylston Library seeds. Thank you for making the library a part of your summer routine! 

This June saw the close of another fiscal year. Library usage has steadily grown over time and this year was no exception. Throughout fiscal year 2024, over 6,000 people participated in our library programs. Nearly 30,000 items were borrowed from our building, and 15,364 e-books and audiobooks were borrowed through our online collections.

We’ve also recently concluded work on the American Libraries Association grant received in 2023 to support a neurodiverse community. In addition to new lighting in the Children’s Room, the library now provides sensory tools for all ages (including sound-reducing headphones, timers, and communication tools). I’m delighted to announce the ALA has awarded us another $10,000 grant to continue to make our physical space more comfortable and functional for everyone. The Boylston Public Library Foundation has generously offered to match this grant! Funding decisions will be made with your feedback. In the coming weeks, be on the lookout for a survey to provide your opinions on design priorities. 

I’ve been working alongside the Library Board of Trustees to plan renovations to the building’s exterior. After some delays, this work is now scheduled to begin in August. I hope you can join us for the 3rd annual Fall Festival September 28th on the Town Common to celebrate our freshly restored library. Until then, have a safe and happy summer!
 

You belong here. 

Erica Hout, MLIS
Boylston Public Library

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March 18, 2024

Update from the Director

Dear Boylston Community, 

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Did you know that on average, Americans pay about $40 per capita to public libraries through their taxes? This is considerably less than the average American spends on streaming services and various memberships each year. For $40 the library provides you and your entire community with amazing resources. 

Public libraries across the Commonwealth are busy preparing for the next fiscal year. While each library works independently to serve our unique communities’ needs, we all have a shared vision of connecting people to opportunities and growth. On a state level, the Massachusetts Libraries Board of Library Commissioners has been outlining next year's legislative agenda and budgetary needs. Priorities include defending the right to read, improving broadband access and digital equity, standing against publisher practices that restrict fair eBook access, and assisting libraries to serve as a gateway to citizenship and civic engagement. You can review the Legislative Agenda to learn how your support for state and local funding directly serves our communities. 

On a local level, the Boylston Library has been hard at work over the last few months. Here are few highlights I’d like to share: 

• We had our busiest winter yet with circulation, attendance, and programming.

• Boylston and the rest of the CW MARS network have improved our online catalog system. The new catalog provides better technology to make searches and account services easier.

• The Boylston Library Trustees have diligently worked to maintain our historic property and grounds. Some much-needed renovations to the exterior of the library will begin this spring. 

• Our popular seed library has been replenished, and seeds are already going fast. As I shared in my last update, we’re adding different types of objects to our collections. You can currently borrow games, pickleball and disc golf equipment. A telescope will be added next month. Keep an eye out for more exciting new resources!

You belong here. 

Erica Hout, MLIS
Boylston Public Library 

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November 1, 2023

Update from the Director

Dear Boylston Community, 

Did you notice a few snowflakes in the air this morning? Winter is fast approaching. As we prepare to enter a new season, I want to share some of the major successes we have experienced at the library over the last few months.

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• We saw record-breaking numbers in our Summer Reading programs with over 1,000 participating adults, teens, and children. Our community is reading! We also saw record numbers of people visiting the library on a daily basis. 

• After a busy summer our staff transitioned to preparations for the 2nd annual Fall Festival on the Common. You told us you wanted to see some large-scale community celebrations, and we listened. With sponsorship from the Boylston Public Library Foundation, Inc. as well as Clinton Savings Bank and Creative Event Services, Fall Fest is our biggest event of the year. 

• Use of digital materials has increased in recent months, and we now have the resources to regularly perform digital asset management to ensure diverse collections are available for you. We work hard to maintain a variety of audiobooks, ebooks, movies, television shows, newspapers, magazines, and scholarly materials. Boylston card holders have access to several different services and databases in addition to what is offered through our CWMARS network. If you're not taking full advantage of our online resources, reach out to learn what you can access for free through the library. 

What are we working on next?
We're preparing some upcoming additions to our regular services. After being awarded an American Library Association grant this June, we've held community conversations and sought feedback on how to make the library more autism-friendly. I want to thank everyone who took the time to get involved with this process. Our next steps are to implement some of the ideas and action items from our research. There will be some exciting new additions to the Children's Room in the year ahead!  

One of the initiatives of our Strategic Plan is to develop a comprehensive "Library of Things." The Library of Things will provide various materials for the community to share. I'm happy to announce that Boylston Parks and Recreation has generously donated disc golf sets as well as a pickleball net with rackets and balls. These items are now available to borrow. What other types of items do you want to have access to through the library? 

You belong here. 

Erica Hout, MLIS
Boylston Public Library