Bill > S686

This bill proposes to establish a Master of Library Science (MLS) assistance program in Massachusetts. The program, to be overseen by the board of higher education and funded through appropriations, aims to provide grants to public librarians currently working in public libraries within the Commonwealth. These grants are intended to help these librarians pursue or continue their education to earn an MLS degree from an institution of higher education in Massachusetts or partner institutions through the New England Board of Higher Education's Regional Student Program. The board of higher education will be responsible for creating the program's rules and regulations, which will outline the criteria for academic, leadership, and extracurricular achievements required to qualify for the grants, with the goal of awarding grants covering full tuition to eligible librarians who apply from each public library.