Library License Plates!

From the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System website:

"Be among the first with a library license plate!
Celebrate libraries by proudly displaying the new MA library license plate and encouraging your staff members, friends, trustees, or members to join us!

Applicants who submit their application to CMRLS by Nov. 30, 2008 will be entered into a drawing for the opportunity to communicate with prominent Massachusetts authors Lois Lowry or Gregory Maguire, and to be named as a character in a work-in-progress by one of them or to help invent a name that suits the story. Two names will be selected.

The Central Massachusetts Regional Library System (CMRLS) announces it is now accepting advance applications for a new specialty license plate celebrating libraries in Massachusetts.

Proceeds will benefit public, academic, special and school libraries across the state that belong to a Regional Library System. Equitable shares of the proceeds will be made available to qualifying libraries through an open grant process. Funds will not be used to supplant library budgets.

If you'd like to be the owner of a low library license plate number, apply now!"

Read more about Massachusetts Library License Plates

Apply for a Massachusetts Library License Plate

Check out the library's high-tech tools

Web access to journals, e-books, music is free and easy. Boston Globe. -- http://tinyurl.com/683uo7

AASL Standards for the Twenty-First-Century Learner

"Kathy Lowe, the executive director of the Massachusetts School Library Association, is the chair of the AASL [American Association of School Librarians] Learning Assessment and Indicators Task Force." -- RedOrbit.com. Full Post at: http://tinyurl.com/633y8p

Libraries adapted to digital age

"The Internet was supposed to send America's public libraries the way of eight-track tapes and pay phones. But it turns out, they're busier than ever." -- USA Today. Full Story at: http://twurl.nl/gq75yz

Area libraries cite growing use of services by residents

Librarians across Western Massachusetts are noting a surge in borrowing. -- The Republican - MassLive.com - Springfield,MA. Full Story at: http://twurl.nl/wjhmji

Teens gain guiding role at libraries

Thanks to federal funding, teen dreams are coming true in communities across the state. -- Boston.com. Full Story at: http://twurl.nl/kb08p0

MBLC Library Security Summit, Oct. 4, 2008

On Saturday October 4, 2008, a library security summit will be held at the Lunenburg Public Library. The program will be from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Admission is free, however registration is required. - To register, contact: Maureen Killoran, Head Public Library Advisory Unit, MBLC. Phone: 1-800-952-7403. Fax: 617-725-0140. E-Mail: Maureen.Killoran@state.ma.us

MBLC to Hold Budget Hearings

"The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) will hold two public hearings on its fiscal year 2010 budget request. The purpose of the hearings is to gather public input on the need for state support for library programs and the relative priority the Board should place on line items in its budget for fiscal year 2010 before submitting that request to the Office for Administration & Finance." -- MBLC Press Release. Full Post at: http://tinyurl.com/5hbsyo

Free and reliable

"According to statistics published by the state library board, circulation has risen from 45.2 million items in fiscal year '99 to 52.1 million items in fiscal year '07." -- Sun Chronicle (Attleboro). Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5hvu5u

Amy Ryan Named Next President of Boston Public Library

"The Board of Trustees of the Boston Public Library today named Amy Ryan as the next President of the Boston Public Library. After a six-month nationwide search the Trustees chose President Ryan citing her extensive knowledge of big city library systems, her management styles, understanding of technology and commitment to community libraries." -- Boston Regional Library System. Full Post at: http://blog.bpl.org/brls/?p=105

Construction Grants Awarded to 31 Public Libraries

"At its Board Meeting at Falmouth Public Library on Thursday, August 14, 2008, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) voted to award twenty nine General Construction Provisional Grants and two partial awards for a total $94,269,464 in grants to the thirty one communities on the MBLC Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program Wait List." -- MBLC. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6ntuka

Online overhaul at Newburyport

"The Newburyport (Mass.) Public Library has been given a $50,000 online facelift, pro bono, by local web development and interactive marketing firm iMarc." -- The Newburyport Current. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6og72v

Search for library president narrows

"The identity of the finalists has been a closely guarded secret among members of the search committee, which winnowed down a pool of about 160 candidates. Finalists include Susan Hildreth, Amy E. Ryan, Mario M. Gonzalez, and possibly Thomas F. Birmingham." -- Boston.com. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5b2wpr

Teens rock at library

LANCASTER— Kids strummed and bopped the night away at Thayer Memorial Library’s Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero party last week.

They waited patiently, watching intently as other kids had their turns at the rhythmic music video games, calling out advice, competing against each other to the music of the Rolling Stones and other classic rock groups.

http://tinyurl.com/6orzde

Anne Larsen to Leave MBLC

To: All Regions

Anne Larsen is leaving the Board of Library Commissioners after 10 years as Library Building Consultant/Small Library Specialist to return to her native New York where she will assume a new position as Director of Facilities Planning and Technology at Hunter College of the City University of New York.

During her time at the Board of Library Commissioners Anne has worked with hundreds of librarians, trustees, local officials and architects to help them bring their vision of improved public library facilities from concept to reality.

MBLC Director Rob Maier said, "Anne's position as building consultant for small libraries was created by the legislature to assure that smaller communities would have equal footing with larger communities in seeking funds from the public library construction program. Anne has worked tirelessly to bring smaller libraries into the program and to help them meet the special challenges they face in improving their library facilities."

"I have enjoyed working with library advocates across the Commonwealth to bring new and updated public libraries to their communities. I've met wonderful people from every corner of the state and I will miss them all. Working at the MBLC will always remain a major highlight of my career. This new opportunity is simply one that I could not pass up and the prospect of returning to New York is very exciting," commented Anne Larsen on this change.

Anne came to the Board of Library Commissioners in 1998 following a career that included positions at academic, school and prison libraries. In 1992, she spent a sabbatical year establishing a library at the fledgling American University in Bulgaria Along with her husband, Malcolm Brown, she has also founded a rural community public radio station, built a micro-hydropower facility, and supported wind power development in Hull, Massachusetts.

Rob

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert C. Maier, Director
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
98 North Washington Street, Suite 401
Boston, MA 02114
Ph (617) 725-1860 x249

Keeping the beacon burning brightly

Somerville's libraries are at risk of being decertified due to a history of inadequate funding. -- Somerville News. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5thfoc

Boston Lawyer/Politician a Finalist To Head Boston Public Library

"Former Massachusetts State Senate president Thomas_Birmingham, a lawyer and political ally of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, is among six finalists to head the Boston Public Library (BPL), where veteran President Bernard Margolis saw his contract not renewed after clashing with the mayor. Menino claimed Margolis neglected the branches; the library called Menino authoritarian." -- Library Journal. Full Post at: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6584955.html?desc=topstory

Hennepin County's top librarian a finalist for Boston job

Amy Ryan, Hennepin County chief librarian, was recently named a finalist for the Boston Public Library post soon to be vacated by Bernard Margolis. -- Minneapolis Star Tribune. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/57wh72

Patrick signs bill to bring internet to rural communities

Governor signs bill bringing broadband to Western MA-an area where libraries have been the only source of high speed internet in many communities. Western Massachusetts Regional Library System Administrator, John Ramsay, was on hand for the bill signing and spoke with key officials about the role libraries can play in helping individuals access service. -- The Republican. Full Story at: http://twurl.nl/ab3ret

Hampden appoints librarian

"Ellen C. Bump has been hired as the permanent director of the Hampden Free Public Library, the library trustees said. Bump had been director of the Hampden Free Public Library for eight years when the library was closed in July 2004 after voters failed to approve an override of Proposition 2½." -- The Republican (Springfield, MA). Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5ett3a

Legislative Issues Alert on Tax Repeal Initiative

The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network has issued the following alert on the tax repeal initiative:

"This November, a referendum question repealing the Massachusetts personal income tax will be on the ballot. We must inform the public that eliminating the state personal income tax will have detrimental effects on state revenues that fund state programs and services, including those provided by the nonprofit sector." -- David P. Magnani, Ed.D., Executive DirectorMassachusetts Nonprofit Network http://www.massnonprofitnet.org/

Library is on the move

"The Bolton Public Library expansion project has reached a critical point on its long and winding road. This week, construction drawings were locked down for bidding, and today marks the last day the building will be open in its original 105-year-old glory. Tomorrow, the library will begin its migration to temporary quarters to make way for construction." -- The Bolton Common. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/57bjxg

Assonet library to stay open for now

Assonet's Hathaway Library will remain open, at least until January, the Library Board of Trustees has decided. -- SouthCoastToday.com. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5cpvpo

Private fundraising opens Wellesley branches

"Two years after the Wellesley, Massachusetts, voters rejected public funding that would have allowed two branch libraries to remain open, both locations are now set to reopen their doors. Marla Robinson, chairwoman of the Wellesley Free Library Board of Trustees, said a private fundraising effort launched in October 2006 has raised more than $240,000 to reopen the Hills (above) and Fells branches in September...." Boston Globe, July 29, 2008. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5ctj2n

Library patrons reap benefits of override vote

Rachel Charrier, a member of the Dartmouth Board of Library Trustees, thanks Dartmouth voters and residents in this letter published in SouthCoastToday.com. Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/6x58zl

Book ‘em: Libraries see a rise in visits

“Libraries are saying there is a lot more usage,” said Celeste Bruno, communications specialist for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. “The most recent concrete data, which is from 2007, indicated libraries were up for the eighth straight year.” -- The Concord Journal. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6s37ux

Hackers make phone calls on library tab

"Hackers got into the computerized phone system at the Duxbury (Mass.) Free Library in March and rang up $15,000 in unauthorized calls. The FBI, among others, is now investigating. The good news: The town may not actually have to pay it....Quincy (Mass.) Patriot-Ledger, July 17." Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6paq78

Brockton and Raynham library computers may get a boost from Gates Foundation

The days of sluggish surfing might be over soon for those accessing the Internet at Brockton’s three libraries and the Raynham Public Library. The two library systems learned recently that they could receive thousands of dollars for computer technology from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. -- Wicked Local Brockton. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5t6jsj

'Online branch' library opens in Newburyport

The Newburyport Public Library recently put the finishing touches on an updated library Web site. "The online resources really complement the collection," Newburyport Public Library assistant director Giselle Stevens said. -- Daily News of Newburyport. Full Story at: http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_200215550.html

Relevant or not? Voters to decide how important library is

"'People are going to libraries more than ever,' said Celeste Bruno, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners." -- The Daily News Transcript, Norwood, MA. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6kkcxo

Books are passing across the circulation desk at a whopping rate at the Beverly Public Library

"The library reports that Beverly library patrons borrow more books through the interlibrary loan system than any other of the 28 other libraries in the system." -- Beverly Bee. Full Story at: http://www.wickedlocal.com/beverly/news/lifestyle/columnists/x1346880253/Beverly-Bee

The atmosphere is 'wild' at Somerset Library this year

"Somerset — Kids will be invited to participate in some wild activities at the public library this year.The summer reading program this year is called “Wild Reads at Your Library,” and Children’s Librarian Susan Hughey said the wildness takes several forms." -- The Herald News, Fall River. Full Story at: http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x2043505324/The-atmosphere-is-wild-at-Somerset-Library-this-year

Milford Town Library - New director is welcomed

Susan Edmonds started as the new Milford Town Library director on July 1. She replaces Jennifer Perry, who resigned in March to relocate to Florida and head the Elsie Quirk Library in Sarasota. -- The Milford Daily News. Full Story at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x875596723/IN-MILFORD-LIBRARY

Library program ready for takeoff

Sara Collins, children's librarian at the Manchester Public Library, is bringing NASA to the community this fall. To further the library's youth education programs this coming school year, Collins has attended lectures at Boston University about future lunar missions and is participating in webcast presentations about polar ice. Collins said she found out about the workshop from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. -- Gloucester Daily Times. Full Story at: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_185214929.html

Budget Crisis Is Making Towns Think of Merging

WBUR.ORG: "Hamilton - July 07, 2008 - It is coming down to this: the budget crisis hitting local governments could mean that Massachusetts will lose one of its 351 cities and towns. Governor Deval Patrick and legislators are urging local governments to provide services jointly with their neighbors. Now, two towns are considering pushing that proposal to its extreme. WBUR?s Fred Thys reports." Full Story at: http://www.wbur.org/news/2008/78414_20080707.asp

Child safety zone’ ordinance advances

Fallriver: "High-risk sex offenders will be banned from city-owned schools, parks and libraries — places were children are apt to play and study — under an ordinance unanimously endorsed by a City Council subcommittee Monday night.The full council could ratify the measure as soon as July 15." -- http://www.heraldnews.com/news/local_news/x1470896198/-Child-safety-zone-ordinance-advances

Middlesex County Law Library Moves to Woburn

The Middlesex Law Library opened its doors in Woburn after completing a move from Cambridge. The library is located on the third floor at 200 TradeCenter, the new site of the Middlesex Superior Court. -- http://www.mass.gov/courts/middlesex-library-move.html

Easton’s librarian has seen the world

"While for some the term librarian conjures up images of an older woman meekly stamping and recording which books are checked out, for Annalee Bundy, the executive director of the Ames Free Library, her career has been anything but quiet and boring." -- Easton Journal - Raynham,MA. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5d6hns

‘We could not have asked for any better’

"Retired Library Director Mary Jane Pillsbury has praised her staff at the Wareham Free Library for treating library patrons like royalty. Yet she was the one receiving the royal treatment Sunday as family, friends and colleagues came to pay tribute to the woman who had a vision of a full service library in Wareham and whose hard work and dedication brought that vision to life." -- Wicked Local Wareham. Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/5djnkc

Across US, schools feel budget pinch

Slashed funding and rising costs are forcing school districts to cut back, even close down. -- Christian Science Monitor. Full story at: http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0625/p01s01-usgn.html

A wild summer at the library

"School’s out, and it’s going to be a wild summer at the Wellesley Free Library. The library is participating in a statewide reading program, “Wild Reads,” that enables children of all ages to keep track of what they’re reading this summer — online." -- Wellesley Townsman. Full Story here: http://tinyurl.com/4jzaur

In tough times, officials eye shared services

"With cities and towns confronting a grim economic climate, municipal officials are beginning to take a harder look at an idea that has been somewhat sensitive in certain quarters in years past: developing regionalized services. " Some 200 area officials attended a conference on regionalization held in Worcester last month. Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, who attended the conference, said it doesn't make sense in many cases for communities to have separate services, such as individual libraries, pension systems, and dispatch centers, when they can share those services and realize tax savings in difficult times." -- Boston.com. Full story at: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/19/in_tough_times_officials_eye_shared_services/

Arthur's libary card song

One of Arthur's Three Best Songs is the library card song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqDY_u1t8SA

Sharon St. Hilaire Inducted into MLA Hall of Fame

Here is a recent article from the Providence Journal about Sharon St. Hilare being inducted into the Massachusetts Library Association's Hall of Fame - http://www.projo.com/massachusetts/seekonk/content/EB_SEEKONK_LIBRARIAN_5_06-06-08_5AAD5GA_v10.312d75c.html

Krista McLeod inducted into MLA Hall of Fame

Here's a recent announcement from the Valley Dispatch of Krista McLeod's induction into the Massachusetts Library Association Hall of Fame during the last month's annual conference in Falmouth.

Library’s young adult program is something special

"A public library is many things to many people, and it takes a lot of coordination to make sure all portions of the population get out of their library what they need." -- Belmont Citizen-Herald. Full story at: http://www.wickedlocal.com/belmont/town_info/x1427984145/Library-s-young-adult-program-is-something-special

The Psychogeography Map of the U.S.

There is a FASCINATING article that appeared in the May 4th edition of the Boston Globe discussing the pockets of creativity that seem to exist across the country. The Northeast along with Los Angeles, Seattle and Austin cities reportedly have higher concentrations of people with personalities are more open to experiencing the world--'types who are drawn to creative endeavors toward innovation, and entrepreneurial start-up companies'.

What do you think? Are we living up to our hype here in Massachusetts by offering creative programs and services?

At Your Library: working together

In this article from the Harwich Oracle, Ginny Hewitt, Director at the Brooks Free Library, Brooks Free Library , provides a brief overview how libraries have regionalized services and how CLAMS benefits the residents of the Cape Cod and Islands. Full story at: http://www.wickedlocal.com/harwich/news/x501226166/At-Your-Library-Working-together

Baker's Dozen - a Guide Through the World of Web 2.0

On May 20, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Arlington Heights, IL launched Baker’s Dozen – a guide through the world of the Web 2.0. Over the course of a year, you will be guided through new technologies and web sites, given virtual places to explore, and provided with a forum to ask questions and receive answers about those places. Take a look, ask questions, get answers, meet new people and find out what questions they have. Community, collaboration and creativity – that’s what Web 2.0 is all about. It's all online and free. -- Thanks to Tame the Web (http://tametheweb.com/). Full story at: http://www.ahml.info/vlog/default.asp?ID=158

Book giveaway program blossoms

"Donating a bag of books mushroomed to 2 million in seven years and gave birth to Reader to Reader, a nonprofit that sends words around the world. David Mazor started the organization in 2001, and he'll be recognized with a Dakin award for his human service at the annual Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce dinner June 5. . ." -- Amherst Bulletin. Full Story at: http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/94093/

Become an Emerging Leader

ALA is now accepting applications for the 2009 class of Emerging Leaders. The program is designed to enable more than 100 new librarians to get on the fast track to ALA and professional leadership. Participants are given the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, network with peers, and get an inside look into ALA structure and activities. Full story at: http://ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/may2008/emergingleaders.cfm

Newton votes no on $12m override

Newton voters, worried about the slow economy and distrustful of the city administration's ability to spend money wisely, soundly rejected a $12 million Proposition 2 1/2 override proposal. Officials warned that a no vote would mean that four satellite branches of the Newton Free Library would be closed and that Sunday hours at the main library would be cut back. -- Boston.com. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/21/newton_votes_no_on_12m_override/

Plymouth Rockettes have wow factor

The Plymouth Rockettes won second place and took the Wow! Factor Award last week at the first-ever Book Cart Drill Team Competition at the Massachusetts Library Association Conference in Falmouth. -- Wicked Local Plymouth. Full Story and YouTube link at: http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/news/x1902437040/Plymouth-Rockettes-have-wow-factor

Check it out: Libraries that will lend you fishing gear

I like this story, not only because of the fishing connection to my name, but the innovative way that these libraries are keeping in touch with the times. Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/6zjesj

Librarians show off their moves

From the Cape Cod Times: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080509/NEWS/805090316

It's all good: Economic downturn could be uplifting for libraries

It's all good: Economic downturn could be uplifting for libraries

Library foundation earns charitable status

"Library Director [Peabody Institute Library] Martha Holden said the creation of a foundation gives the library more flexibility to raise money, especially through planned giving or memorial donations. It's also a way for the library to supplement city funds and money from the Friends of the Library, which helps with about $10,000 worth of programming a year, she said. Holden said public libraries are increasingly forming charitable organizations at the urging of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, in part, because grants from its Public Libraries Fund are calling for matching funds." -- Salem News. Full Story: http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_115213920.html

Speak Up, Speak Loudly

An excerpt of Kimberly Lynn 's testimony before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on February 27 is available in the Spring issue of Bay State Libraries and well worth reading. Kim makes a strong argument for continued financial support of the libraries and offers many great examples of how libraries are impacting the lives of Massachusetts residents.

State of America’s Libraries Report

Here's a video presentation (7:58) of ALA President Loriene Roy and ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels discussing the state of America’s libraries report, 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqBGNpqneeU

The full report, State of America’s Libraries report, is available at: http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/presscentera/piopresskits/2008statereport/2008statehome.cfm

Libraries Solve Problems! Computers in Libraries 2008

Opening Keynote Address: Libraries Solve Problems! Lee Rainie. 9:00 a.m. +
Wonderful keynote presentation on library use across America by Lee Rainie, Pew Internet & American Life Project. The good news: libraries and the service of librarians is in demand, and the demand is growing. Survey Findings: Library users both high traditional and electronic resources. Those who use libraries are young and most likely to be library users in the future. Fifty-three (53)% of market share isn't all that bad. Awareness is key. Marketing of services to helps tell the library story to users and potential users. It's a public eduation opportunity. There a lots of success stories to talk about. Build awareness. Make it comfortable to use the services. Make it clear that what libraries do helps users solve real world problems. Training and outreach are also key builders of awareness and use. More later. -- Richard

5 Traits You Will Need on Your Way to Becoming a Leader

The Dumb Little Man blog has an interesting post today by Jay White entitled: "5 Traits You Will Need on Your Way to Becoming a Leader."

LLMA Testimonial

For those of you who are reading this blog to decide if you want to apply for the 2009 LLMA Institute, I’m thrilled to say my participation as a candidate in the 2007 Library Leadership Institute was a fantastic experience! Everyone I met at the institute, from the consultants to the LLMA committee to my fellow candidates to the hosting librarians, shared a diverse and colorful repertoire of stories and experiences. It was truly a diverse group in many ways: gender, age, experience, race, aspirations and type of library. At the end of the institute, I left there feeling energized and enthused. Not only did I become friends with some of the other candidates, but I am absolutely convinced that the LLMA Institute was instrumental in helping me transition from a schedule of 3 part time jobs at 3 different libraries at 2 different institutes to a full time permanent position as the Science Librarian at Holy Cross College—a position I was offered and accepted six months after LLMA!

Congratulations, Sarah!

LLMA '07 alum Sarah Marks has been promoted to Assistant Librarian at Fitchburg State College. Congratulations to Sarah!

LLMA 2009 plans are underway!

RFP for 2009 LLMA Leadership Institute Facilitator Issued ...

Proposals are being sought for a Facilitator for the 3rd Library Leadership Institute to be held in July 2009. Participants in the Institute will include up to forty (40) professional or paraprofessional library staff, and possibly trustees and/or friends of libraries. Deadline for proposals is April 1, 2008.

The full RFP can be found at: http://www.semls.org/news/llma proposal 2008.pdf

LLMA Leader Goes Graphic

Congratulations to Maureen Ambrosino, author of The Metamorphosis: Birth of a Library Activist. Maureen submitted text; art was provided by Gary and Laura Dumm who created a graphic novel published in the January 2008 School Library Journal. The result: our very own activist librarian superhero!

Librarianship Has a Bright Future

Librarian listed in US News' "Best Careers 2008"

"Forget about that image of librarian as a mousy bookworm. Librarians these days must be high-tech information sleuths, helping researchers plumb the oceans of information available in books and digital records. It's an underrated career...."

There's a list of overrated careers too, with attorneys, advertising executives and architects heading the list.

http://www.usnews.com/features/business/best-careers/best-careers-2008.html

5 Reasons to Bring Your Child to Story Time

As an added value to the MBLC Public Relations campaign to actively promote the programs and services proved by Massachusetts libraries, the advertising agency Buyer Advertising is featuring the Mass.gov/Libraries website in the current issue of G.A.B.: gimmie a break Magazine.

Also featured in the February 2008 issue of G.A.B. is an inspiring article by the youth services lbirarians of the Plymouth Public Library titled:

5 Reasons To Bring Your Child to Story Time: Your Toddler Belongs at the Library by Margaret McGrath & Jennifer Jones.

Leadership Means Acknowledgment

Do you credit your MBLC Certification status, library network or region on your website? How about your flyers or annual report? How is general public going to know that it is important for us to remain State Certified Public Libraries, or members of our region or network if they don’t even know that we are?

Adding a tag line to your web site is an important first step to alert your customers to the fact that you are more than just a single entity operating individually. We need to stress what each of these memberships does for us, as a library. Too often, libraries don't bring about a conversation about these important certifications or memberships until they are in danger of losing them. We need to tell the public now why each membership and certification we have are necessary to our operation. How else would a non-librarian know that Regions pay for delivery, or we get internet service through our network, or certification means they can borrow anything from any library in the state as easily as they can?

Being a leader means acknowledging partnerships and memberships that are beneficial to your organization. I can’t think of any other items that mean more to a Public Library than Certification, Region and Network. All three provide resources that we could not do without and still be what our customers want us to be.

My Plainvillepubliclibrary.org tag lines are as follows:

Proud Member Of:
[SAILS logo] Providing Resource Sharing, circulation and internet and MIS services
[SEMLS logo] Providing Daily Material Delivery and Databases
[MBLC logo] Certified Public Library: FY07

Add this information to your literature every chance you get. People need to see or hear something at least 3 times to remember it. Start the conversation now!

Contact Legislators About State Funding for Libraries!

Advocacy for all libraries was an important issue during Library Leadership 2007. This long but important message from the Massachusetts Library Association Legislative Committee is a perfect opportunity for us all to JUST DO IT!

To the Library Community:

The Governor's Budget (House 2) came out last week, with disappointing
numbers for Library Line Items. Once more the funding for libraries
has failed to reach the levels budgeted for libraries prior to the
sharp reductions of FY2002--2004.

Are you aware that the "Cherry Sheet" Library Line Items (State Aid
and Regions) and Account 9506 are the only ones that have not
recovered or EXCEEDED FY2001 funding levels? Therefore, Regions, State
Aid and Line 9506 (Telecommunications and Resource Sharing) are still
millions of dollars below where they should be had those lines been
treated the same as all other local aid and other state funds! This
means less dollars in your State Aid check, more pressure on local
budgets to fund networks, and Regional services drastically reduced to
keep the delivery system running.

Now the economy is looking bleak, and we are once again going to be
told that there is no money for libraries! Let's not allow this to
happen!

MLA is asking EACH AND EVERY ONE of you to contact your state
legislators and ask them to give Massachusetts Libraries their FAIR
SHARE!

TAKE ACTION NOW!
In the next few weeks, State Representatives and Senators will be
asked by the leadership to list their 2 or 3 highest priorities for
funding in the state budget this year. Please call or write to your
state legislators IMMEDIATELY, and ask them to include libraries in
their priorities.

We suggest that you make an appointment, or go to their posted office
hours in the next few weeks, and make the case to them that libraries
have not been treated fairly with other state priorities over the last
8 years. It is time to give libraries a FAIR SHARE. Please try to
obtain from them a commitment that Libraries will be one of their
priorities this year.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!
Pull together a team of Library Staff, Trustees, Friends and
supportive local officials. If you are in a district in which you
Legislator represents more than one town and/or library, pick up the
phone or write an email and work with your colleagues in other
libraries to coordinate a message or a visit to your Senator or
Representative. Library Staff, Trustees and Friends should all be
involved in advocating for more state funding for libraries!

BE PREPARED
For documents and information on the state budget, the MLA Legislative
Agenda, and on the Cherry Sheet Deficit for Libraries, go to:
http://www.masslib.org/lc/library_cherry_sheet_history_2008.pdf

For general information on Massachusetts Library Funding/Legislative
Issues go to:
http://capwiz.com/ala/ma/state/main/?state=MA

For information on your local funding impact click on:
http://www.mass.gov/?
pageID=dorterminal&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Local+Officials&L2=Municipal+Data+and
+Financial+Management&L3=Cherry+Sheets&L4=FY2009+Cherry+Sheets&sid=Ador
&b=terminalcontent&f=dls_cherry_09_cs09ct_wordrec&csid=Ador


We suggest you familiarize yourself with this information, print out
relevant material and present it to your legislator when you speak or
write to them.

FOLLOW UP AFTER
MLA wants to know what our Legislators are thinking about the budget
for libraries this year. Please help us out by passing along any
information you have from meetings, phone calls, or correspondence
with your Legislators by emailing Meredith McCulloch
(meredith.mcculloch@gmail.com) of the MLA Legislative Committee.
Meredith will be coordinating your responses. If you need advice
please contact us for help.

Thanks for your action! Let's make sure we gain some ground this
year. It has been too easy for Legislators to put libraries on the
back burner over the last 8 years....let's make sure they pay
attention to us in the next few weeks as the budget priorities are set!



MLA Legislative Committee
Co-Chairs:
Krista McLeod
Jackie Rafferty

Congratulations to Barbara Merolli!

The following information was posted recently on the CMRLS listserv. Congratulations to Barbara on her new job at Holy Cross!

"Barbara Merolli has been appointed our new Science Librarian. Barbara has served for this past semester as our interim science librarian and has done a wonderful job. Barbara has her MLS from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA from Nichols. Before switching to librarianship she had thirty years of management experience with Verizon. Since obtaining her MLS from URI, Barbara has worked for us as a part time reference librarian and evening/weekend supervisor, and as a reference librarian at Anna Maria College. She was also selected to participate in the 2007 Library Leadership Institute sponsored by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. "