BPL To Manage New State-Wide Digital Library

The following is a press release from Reps. Mary Walz and Byron Rushing.

State Representatives Marty Walz and Byron Rushing announce a new state-funded initiative for that will expand library resources across the Commonwealth and provide additional state funding for Boston’s library system.

Through their work with the legislature’s Library Caucus and other legislators representing Boston, Representatives Walz and Rushing worked to establish the Library for the Commonwealth and have its funding included in the state’s fiscal year 2012 budget.  

BPL will develop and maintain the Library for the Commonwealth, a statewide digital library.  It is an expansion of BPL’s nationally recognized leadership role and ensures that its expertise and resources extend far beyond Boston’s city limits.

“As the daughter and sister of librarians, I think my passion for libraries is encoded in my DNA.  With this new initiative, Boston Public Library gains additional financial resources and every resident of the state gains access to its magnificent collection,” said Rep. Walz.

Residents will be able to access a spectrum of resources, ranging from local town records to research collections of academic institutions, historical societies and archives across the state.  The program is a partnership with Digital Commonwealth, an existing organization of libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions.

In addition to the expansion and oversight of the powerful statewide digital library, the program entitles all Massachusetts residents to participate in a statewide inter-library loan program, have a BPL library card with unrestricted borrowing privileges, and use BPL’s reference and research services.

Rep. Rushing, who is also a member of BPL’s Board of Trustees, said “All the residents of Massachusetts are privileged to have this extensive resource.  It is an example of what great public institutions can provide.  And like the words above the door of the main Copley Square library say, it is ‘free to all’”