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