Welcome to MCCLPHEI: Home

MCCLPHEI is a non-profit organization composed of the chief librarians of the 30 public academic libraries in Massachusetts. The organization:

• Cultivates collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships among libraries.
• Promotes awareness and activism on issues related to libraries and higher education.
• Provides resources for library staff development.
• Serves as an affinity group for chief librarians.
• Advocates for the needs of academic libraries and academic library users with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Library System, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the Massachusetts State Legislature, and other affiliated stakeholders.

Mission

MCCLPHEI strengthens public academic libraries in Massachusetts through advocacy, communication, and collaboration, and advances the intellectual, cultural, and economic opportunities for students, faculty, and all other citizens of the Commonwealth.

Vision

MCCLPHEI will collectively elevate public higher education and the public higher education libraries of Massachusetts by shaping policies and decisions impacting our organizations and our users.

Values

• We center diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice to guide how we think, act, and interact with one another.
• We are committed to the growth and development of our library leaders and staff.
• We value the creation and preservation of knowledge.
• We believe libraries are teaching and learning centers where all library staff teach and actively assist users.
• We understand and promote the idea that access to affordable education and resources is a public good benefitting all.
• We are committed to Open Access and the adoption of no cost or low cost resources.

Current priorities and initiatives are grounded in the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

1. Develop specific initiatives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice.
2. Support personal and professional growth through member programs and services for chief librarians and library staff.
3. Promote access to affordable education and resources through collaboration and resource sharing.
4. Cultivate organizational growth through strategic partnerships focused on advocacy and policy development at local, regional, and national levels.

The organization originated in 1968 as an informal advisory group to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to coordinate the expenditure of $5,000,000 over a six year period for the Books for College Libraries project. The group further coordinated the expenditure of statewide funds over the next five decades. In 2007, the organization applied for non-profit educational agency status, which was awarded through the Secretary of State's office, leading to the creation of MCCLPHEI, Inc. in 2008. Per statistics reported by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 152,739 undergraduate students were enrolled in MCCLPHEI colleges in Fall 2023.