Western Mass Library Advocates - WMLA

05/11/2026

The Blandford Porter Memorial Library will soon be on the move as it prepares for its construction/renovation project.

Porter Memorial Library will close on May 18 to move its collection to its temporary home in Blandford Town Hall, where it will reopen on June 7 as the renovations begin to the historic 1892 library building on 87 Main Street.

05/04/2026

What a bright future for the residents and patrons of the Springfield City Library branch in East Springfield!

East Springfield community leaders understood the sustained effort it would take to rebuild the branch.

04/30/2026

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Mary Anne Antonellis from the Shutesbury Public Library for winning the 2026 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity from the American Library Association!
https://www.ala.org/news/2026/04/2026-lemony-snicket-prize-noble-librarians-faced-adversity-winner-mary-anne-antonellis

03/27/2026

Library Directors Joe Rodio (South Hadley) and Stephanie Maher (Palmer) recently attended the 91st Citizens' Legislative Seminar at the State House in Boston, representing the district of Senator Jake Oliveira. The seminar included two days of meetings, lectures, and activities about the state legislative process. More information about the program is in the first comment below.

03/09/2026

The Jones Library recently marked a key point in their construction project, currently scheduled to be completed a year from now in March 2027.

AMHERST — Expressions of love for libraries and the freedom and literacy they offer the community are among the messages, accompanying people’s signatures, written on a large, white-painted steel beam. On Friday afternoon, that beam, which for two days was open to the public to sign while locate...

02/25/2026

Sara Slymon, President of the Massachusetts Library Association is visiting Western MA libraries this week. Join her to learn more about, and contribute to, our statewide organization:

Springfield City Library (East Forest Park Branch), Wednesday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Northampton (Coolidge Museum, Forbes Library), Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Greenfield Public Library, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

02/04/2026

Feeling left out because you didn't make one of the three library legislative breakfasts in Western MA? Don't worry, we've got you covered. The wonderful Sunderland breakfast, with strong attendance from legislators, is now available to view at your convenience. Enjoy!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

02/02/2026

A crowd of 90+ library supporters braved last week's bitter cold to attend the Berkshire Library Legislative Breakfast at the Mason Library in Great Barrington.

01/23/2026

There was a terrific energy to the Library Legislative Breakfast held January 16 at the Sunderland Public Library. Thank you to the Sunderland team for their efforts, the MBLC for developing a meaningful legislative agenda, with special appreciation for our legislators and their continued encouragement and support. It all starts at the library.

01/20/2026

"Libraries are not luxuries" - wonderful article about the incredible legislative breakfast held last week at the Sunderland Public Library.

Librarians across western Massachusetts are calling for an additional $1 million for public library aid in the state's fiscal year 2027 budget, citing increased demand and costs, and the need for libraries to remain flexible and serve their communities.