Important Changes to Library Access by July

Changes Ahead for Library Services in Blackstone

Big changes are coming to public library services across Massachusetts—and Blackstone will feel the impact. Beginning July 1, 2025, several statewide online resources will no longer be available through Massachusetts libraries. These tools were funded at the state level for use by all residents—meaning anyone with a library card in Blackstone could access them for free.

According to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), the change is due to the loss of federal support under Executive Order 14238, which eliminated national programs that helped fund these resources.

What’s Going Away?

According to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the following resources will be eliminated from statewide access starting July 1, 2025:

• Boston Globe Archive – Full-text articles from one of the state’s largest newspapers.
• Gale Databases – Covering general reference, biographies, legal forms, science, and history (including resources like Gale in Context: U.S. History and Science).
• HeritageQuest Online – Used by residents tracing family history.
• Peterson’s Career Prep & Test Prep – Popular with students preparing for standardized exams and adults planning career changes.
• Science Database (ProQuest) – Access to research and academic journals.
• Transparent Language Online – A tool for learning new languages, used by both students and adult learners.

These databases are especially valuable in small towns where residents might not otherwise have access to expensive subscriptions or specialized content. Students, educators, job seekers, and lifelong learners will all be affected. Without centralized funding, they will either disappear or need to be purchased individually by local towns—something many communities, including Blackstone, may not be able to afford.

What’s Staying?

Thanks to state support and budget prioritization, a few key resources will remain:

• Libby/OverDrive – eBooks and audiobooks will continue to be available. Massachusetts has committed $500,000 to keep this service going. In 2024, Blackstone residents alone borrowed 3,575 eBooks and 6,089 audiobooks.
• Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) – Interlibrary loan services that allow residents to borrow items from across Massachusetts will stay. Blackstone contributed significantly in 2024, sending out over 12,000 items to other towns and borrowing more than 4,100.
• Britannica Library & Escolar, Opposing Viewpoints, and PebbleGo – A handful of education-focused databases will remain, mainly for younger students.

What These Library Changes Mean for Blackstone

Residents who rely on the library for homework help, health information, genealogy research, legal document references or accessing newspapers may see major changes in what’s available online for free.

In particular, students and teachers in Blackstone will likely feel the loss of academic databases like Gale and Peterson’s Test Prep. These tools support classroom learning, projects, and personal enrichment.

This change highlights how decisions made at the federal and state levels can directly affect local access to learning and information—especially in smaller communities.

Our Library by the Numbers

The Blackstone Public Library remains one of the most active public spaces in town. In 2024:

• 43,845 people visited the library
• 46,533 items were checked out
• 2,912 public computer sessions were logged
• 3,814 online tools were accessed
• 2,148 digital items were borrowed via Hoopla
• 1,748 wireless hotspot connections were made
• 89 tutoring sessions took place through Brainfuse

These aren’t just statistics—they reflect real needs being met: families without internet at home, students completing assignments, seniors staying connected, and readers of all ages expanding their horizons.

What You Can Do to Help

While we can’t stop every federal decision, we can show what matters most here at home. Here are a few ways to support our library and help preserve access:

• Use your library. Every visit, borrowed book, or online session helps show the value of library services.
• Ask questions. Stay informed about changes and talk to staff about how you can stay connected to the tools you need.
• Support locally. The Friends of the Blackstone Public Library raise funds, run programs, and welcome volunteers. Even small donations and volunteering time make a difference.
• Speak up. Let local and state officials know that free access to education, research, and technology matters in Blackstone.
• Celebrate inclusion. Public libraries are for everyone. Supporting our library means supporting a welcoming space where every child and family feels seen and valued.
• Spread the word. Let others know about these upcoming changes and how they can support the library, too.

Libraries are more than buildings—they’re gateways to opportunity. Even small actions can help protect access to education, information, and connection right here in Blackstone. With some digital resources disappearing and conversations swirling about what libraries should or shouldn’t offer, it’s more important than ever to remember what public libraries truly stand for: welcoming all, supporting every child and family, and making sure everyone in our town has the freedom to learn, explore, and belong. When we show up—whether by using library services, asking questions, or standing by our shared values—we help keep that mission alive.

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