History

Established in January 2000, Massachusetts Center for the Book was initially organized as a collaborative project of six academic/educational/library organizations: Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Boston Public Library, Mass Humanities, UMass Amherst Libraries, American Antiquarian Society, and Five Colleges, Inc., which served as the Center’s fiscal agent. Chartered by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress as its commonwealth affiliate, Massachusetts Center for the Book became the 38th affiliated center for the book in a network that now sees centers in every state in the country as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Marianas. Mass Center for the Book became an independent 501(c)3 on July 1, 2005, and since July 1, 2014, has been partially supported by a line item in the state budget, operating with public and private support to develop programs with the potential for statewide impact in Massachusetts libraries.

Supporters

We are supported by an appropriation from the General Court of Massachusetts, through line item 7000-9508, administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. We also receive annual support from Massachusetts Cultural Council and Library of Congress. Grants from partnering organizations, most especially Mass Humanties, and donations from the general public support our work as well.