The message below is a synopsis and status update written by Maureen Amyot, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC):

On December 3, 2025, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced it had reinstated all federal grants which were terminated due to Executive Order 14238 signed by President Trump on March 14, 2025. The goal of the executive order was to eliminate IMLS "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." 

The IMLS announcement followed the November 21st ruling by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell in favor of 21 state attorneys general, including Massachusetts. Judge McConnell determined that Executive Order 14238 exceeded presidential authority and violated laws governing agencies established by Congress. This ruling permanently blocks Executive Order 14238 and ensures that IMLS can continue delivering critical support and funding for libraries nationwide and prohibits any further attempts to dismantle the agency.

With these two major developments, the MBLC has started to rebuild its federal program.

Snow Library’s “Warming Winter with Music” series, sponsored by the Helen Telfair Trust, returns in the new year with a lineup of weekly concerts featuring stellar performers from the Cape and beyond. All are invited to these free performances, which begin at 2 p.m. in the library’s Craine Gallery every Saturday in January and February.

The final week of the Friends of Snow Library’s Fall Lifetime Learning series features a new program on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., Documenting Our Great Country: ‘Two Roads’ (2024) and ‘Brighton Beach’ (1980). Directors Susan Wittenberg and Carol Stein of Ace Pictures, Inc. will present two films that illustrate art’s power to bridge divisions and highlight immigrant communities coexisting in a shared uprootedness.

The Friends of Snow Library's fall Lifetime Learning session continues next week with a class on World Religions: How Are They the Same and How Are They Different? Led by Steven Kepnes, a world religions professor and author, the two-part course begins on Monday, Nov. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and attempts to discern what world religions have in common, where they diverge, and what impact they have on our world. 

A course on “Folktales and Fairytales: The Stories That Shaped Us” leads the next round of Lifetime Learning programs offered by the Friends of Snow Library. On Monday, Nov. 3, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., scholar Mike McCartney delves into Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Hansel & Gretel and other well-known tales, shedding light on how they evolved and helping us understand the significance of some key character types. The course continues on Nov. 10 and concludes on Nov. 17 when the cast and crew of the Academy Playhouse’s Into the Woods will contribute their talents to the discussion.

On March 14, 2025, the current Federal administration issued executive order 14238 which provided only enough federal funds to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to close its operation. As a result, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) prepared for this current fiscal year which began July 1st by eliminating various research databases in anticipation of financial uncertainty since prior to the executive order, the MBLC received $3.6 million from the IMLS to support statewide library services and grants to local libraries. In the ensuing months, several states, including Massachusetts, filed lawsuits to prevent shuttering IMLS and organizations such as the American Library Association (ALA) and EveryLibrary Action among others urged everyone to contact members of Congress to support federal funding for libraries. The good news is that on September 2nd, the House Appropriations released its version of the FY 2026 budget bill that includes $291.8 million for IMLS. In its version the Senate included $295 million for IMLS funding. This is a $3 million reduction from the previous year, FY2025, but it is still a significant increase and a reversal from the President’s budget which included $6 million to shutter the agency.  - Tavi Prugno, Director of Snow Library

The Friends of Snow Library’s fall 2025 Lifetime Learning session begins on Tuesday, Sept. 30 with 23 new courses presented using a hybrid format, meaning that courses will be presented simultaneously in person in the library’s Craine Room and on Zoom. This session, continuing through Thursday, Nov. 20, features something for everyone and includes popular past presenters as well as exciting new ones.

Courses run from one to four classes in length and most are held during the day from 10:30 a.m. to noon or 1:30 to 3 p.m. Most are recorded and can be viewed at a time convenient to you. Course descriptions and online registration will be available beginning Sept. 2 at www.friendsofsnowlibrary.org/lifetime-learning-program. Brochures and registration forms will also be available at Snow Library, 67 Main St., Orleans. A donation of $10 per course is suggested, which supports library programs.

Follow the Friends of Snow Library on social media for ongoing Lifetime Learning information. Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Snow-Library, Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/friends_of_snow_library/) and Threads (https://www.threads.net@friends_of_snow_library).

Due to President Trump’s elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law,” research databases offered through Snow Library by the state board of library commissioners and the Mass. Library System will be significantly reduced. As of July 1, 2025, the following databases will no longer be available:

Lower Cape Pride and Snow Library are seeking local artists to submit works celebrating diversity, love, unity, and our LGBTQ+ community. The Pride Month Art Exhibit will run from June 4-28, 2025 in Snow Library’s Craine Gallery. To submit, please fill out the google form here.

Deadline for submissions is 5 PM on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Theme: Unity in Community. Artwork celebrating Diversity, Love, Unity and our LGBTQ+ Community.
What: Art created including the following mediums: photography, paintings, drawings, collage, multi-media. All artwork must be ready to hang.
Who: Open to all artists
Drop-Off Date: June 2nd, 9:30-10:30 am (Contact melissaalvesot@gmail.com if this does not work for you)
Pick-up Date: June 28, 10:00-11:00 am
Reception: Wednesday, June 4th, 4:30 - 6:30pm. Invite your friends!

Former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger returns to Snow Library on Thursday, April 17 to discuss “The Health of Our Democracy and the Rule of Law in 2025.” This Zoom-only Lifetime Learning presentation takes place from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The following courses are offered during the seventh week of the Friends of Snow Library’s 2025 Winter-Spring Lifetime Learning Session. All are available via Zoom while five are also offered in person at the Snow Library.

Monday, April 7, 1:30 to 4 p.m. “Undressing Tyranny: Four Hitchcock Films.” Marc Strauss presents Saboteur, the third film in his course highlighting Hitchcock’s warning about the false and seductive narratives of authoritarianism. The last film of the series, Lifeboat, will be shown on 4/14. Zoom only.

The following courses are offered during week 6 of the Friends of Snow Library’s 2025 Winter-Spring Lifetime Learning Session. All are available via Zoom while five are also offered in person at Snow Library.

Monday, March 31, 1:30 to 4 p.m. “Undressing Tyranny: Four Hitchcock Films.” Marc Strauss presents Foreign Correspondent, the second film in his course highlighting Hitchcock’s warning about the false and seductive narratives of authoritarianism. Saboteur will be viewed on 4/7 and Lifeboat on 4/14. Zoom only.

The following two courses are offered during week 4 of the Friends of Snow Library’s 2025 Winter-Spring Lifetime Learning Session. Each is available via Zoom and also offered in person at the Snow Library.

Wednesday, March 19, 5 to 6:30 p.m.: “Novels & Ideas: Strange Actors” continues with a discussion of Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich led by Steve and Jeff Bornemeier. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy will be discussed on April 2 and Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami on April 16.

Thursday, March 20, 1:30 to 3 p.m.: “American Sacred Music.” Joe Marchio wraps up his course about the evolution and influence of traditional worship music, gospel music, and spirituals.

The following courses are offered during the fifth week of the Friends of Snow Library’s 2025 Winter-Spring Lifetime Learning Session. All are available via Zoom while five are also offered in person at the Snow Library. All courses are recorded and registered participants will receive a Zoom link to the class recording for future viewing, so even if you register after a course has begun, the entire course can be enjoyed.

Monday, March 24, 1:30 to 4 p.m.: “Undressing Tyranny: Four Hitchcock Films.” Popular presenter and retired dramatic arts professor Marc Strauss returns with a new film course highlighting Hitchcock’s warning about the false and seductive narratives of authoritarianism. He will introduce each film and lead a discussion after viewing. Secret Agent begins the series, followed by Foreign Correspondent on 3/31, Saboteur on 4/7, and Lifeboat on 4/14. Zoom only.

The Winter-Spring Lifetime Learning session enters its third week with the following courses, all of which are available online via Zoom while four are also offered in person at the Snow Library. All are recorded, and registered participants will receive a Zoom link to the class recording for future viewing.

The final class of “Murder Will Out! The Evolution of the British Mystery Novel” will meet on Monday, March 10, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mike McCartney will conclude his examination of the history of the British mystery novel. 

The following courses are offered during the second week of the Friends of Snow Library’s 2025 Winter/Spring Lifetime Learning Session. All classes are available via Zoom, while four are also offered in person at the Snow Library.

Monday, March 3, 1:30 to 3:30: “Murder Will Out! The Evolution of the British Mystery Novel” continues presenter Mike McCartney’s examination of the history of the British mystery novel. The last class will meet March 10.

Registration for the Friends of Snow Library’s 2025 Winter-Spring Lifetime Learning Session is now open. The first week of the session begins with the following courses, all of which are available online via Zoom while five are also offered in person at the library. All are recorded and registered participants will receive a Zoom link to the class recording for future viewing. In addition to hearing loop technology in the Craine Room, all classes on Zoom provide on-screen closed captioning of the sound (also included on the recording).

The Friends of Snow Library’s 2025 Winter-Spring Lifetime Learning session begins on Monday, Feb. 24, and continues until Friday, April 25 with 25 new courses presented in two formats: online or in person in the Craine Room at the library. Once again, this session has something for everyone and includes many popular past presenters as well as engaging new ones.

Courses run from one to four classes in length and most are held during the day from 10:30 to noon or 1:30 to 3 p.m.  Most classes are presented in person, via zoom, and also recorded for your convenience. In addition to hearing loop technology in the Craine Room, all Zoom classes provide on-screen closed captioning of the sound.  The closed captioning of the program will also be viewable when watching the recording (and a full transcript of the audio can be downloaded and saved).

Course descriptions and online registration are available at www.friendsofsnowlibrary.org/lifetime-learning-program.  Brochures and registration forms are also available at Snow Library, 67 Main Street, Orleans.  A donation of $10 per course is suggested, which supports library programs.

Enjoy live music in the library’s Craine Gallery from 2 to 3 p.m. every Saturday through February. Snow Library’s “Warming Up Winter With Music” series continues with the Bourbon Sunset Trio on Feb. 1, Anna May on Feb. 8, Salted Folk on Feb. 15 and Saltclouds on Feb. 22.

For details on each show, visit our calendar page. All concerts begin at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

The series is sponsored by the Helen Telfair Trust.