Advocacy

The Western Mass Library Advocates support  libraries in the four Western counties of Massachusetts and across the Commonwealth.

Advocacy Activities

  • We coordinate and support the increasingly successful Legislative Breakfasts held In Western Massachusetts (see below).
  • We help support the Board of Library Commissioner’s Annual Legislative Agenda
  • We have arranged for a bus to Beacon Hill for Library Legislative Day to bring librarians and library staff from Western Mass to the State House to advocate for libraries! 
  • We help to host a Virtual Library Legislative Day.
  • We use a Facebook page to keep our community of library advocates and supporters updated on WMLA happenings and events
  • WMLA’s Past-president Nicole Daviau has created a list of annual activities to stay engaged all year long!

Libraries offer opportunity for all.
WMLA advocates for libraries.

Legislative Breakfasts

All of these events work towards advocating for the year’s Library Agenda. You can find more about the current fiscal year Library Legislative Agenda from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

2025

Each event included a number of other local legislators and state officials. We are grateful for their time and attention to advocating for libraries in Massachusetts.

  • Berkshire Library Legislative Breakfast with Senator Paul Mark
    Taconic High School, Friday, January 31, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.
  • Franklin County Library Legislative Breakfast with Senator Jo Comerford
    Greenfield Community College and Simmons University School of Library and Information Science West Campus, Friday, January 10, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Chicopee Public Library Legislative Breakfast with Senator Jacob R. Olivera and Senator Adam Gomez
    Chicopee Public Library, Friday, January 24, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
  • West Springfield Public Library with Senator John Velis
    Brightwood Branch Library, Friday, February 14, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

2024

  • Greenfield Public Library with Senator Jo Comerford
    Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
  • David & Joyce Milne Public Library, Williamstown with Senator Paul Mark
    Friday, January 26, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
  • Agawam Public Library with Senator John Velis
    Friday, February 16, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.
  • Springfield Public Library Brightwood Branch with Senators Adam Gomez and Jake Oliveira
    Friday, February 23, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

To find Legislative Breakfasts all over the state, check out MLA’s list of advocacy events. Some of the breakfasts even have a virtual option. Get out there an meet new librarians and legislators!