The Agawam Public Library TWEETS!

The Agawam Public Library is moving further along into the 2.0 world, and can now boast we have our very own Twitter page. Twitter is a form of social networking, which is nick-named micro-blogging, because of the short messages that may be posted. On our Twitter page you can find out information on Library Services, Resources, Programs and Events. Check out our Twitter page at http://twitter.com/agawamlibrary

~ Maria Yacovone, InterLibrary Loan Services, Agawam Public Library

Everyone flies to the Springfield City Library these days!

A very unusual visitor to the Springfield City Library this morning!
Springfield City Library - A Place For You

~ Janet Stupak, Community Relations Coordinator, Springfield City Library

Update: MBLC Account (7000-9401)

Dear WMRLS Library Supporters:

I’m pleased to share some GOOD NEWS in these difficult times!

The FY10 budgets of both Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate resulted in an increase of over 14% for the 6 Regional Library Systems in MBLC account (7000-9401). At the same time, there was no specific language about funding for Boston Public as Library of Last Recourse (LLR), so the amount the LLR gets from this account was decreased dramatically.

Since both the House and Senate versions of the budget were the same, this account is not subject to revisions by a legislative Conference Committee.

It is gratifying that the encouragement and advocacy of so many people made a real difference with our State legislators, who responded in a big way. We express our appreciation to our Representatives and Senators for their support of the Regions and the important services they provide, especially in this tough economy.

~ Thank you, John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

Weeding with the CREW Method - WMRLS May 21 Continuing Education Workshop

Weeding with the CREW Method

Summary of WMRLS May 21 Continuing Education Workshop:

This workshop explored the straightforward guidelines recommended in The CREW Method, a nationally recognized tool for intelligent de-selection. Through hands-on weeding, participants discovered for themselves that these methods really work! Belinda Boon, author of The CREW Method, presented the workshop to help participants identify reasons for and against weeding and discover how to overcome obstacles, learn how to weed using The CREW Method and practice techniques for weeding non-print and children’s materials. This workshop was funded by the Together We Thrive LSTA grant.

Visit the WMRLS Weeding the Library Collection Website for links to selected handouts and more! [Our WMRLS Weed It! For an Attractive and Useful Collection website was one of the first websites to cover this important collection development topic and continues to be among the Top 10 most visited pages on our 242 page website.]

Puppetry ~ WMRLS May 19 Continuing Education Workshop

Puppetry


Summary of WMRLS May 19 Continuing Education Workshop:

Presenters Joan Knight, Director of the Jaffrey (NH) Public Library, and Judith Stoughton, Children's Librarian of the Mansfield (CT) Public Library demonstrated how to incorporate puppetry into library programs and make puppet magic. They offered practical ideas, tips, techniques and specific activities that can be transported to your library.


Resources on Puppetry Available from the WMRLS Professional Collection

Tips & Techniques: Storytelling with Puppets and Props. Library Video Network, 2002. [DVD PROF 027.62]

Leading Kids to Books Through Puppets by Caroline Feller Bauer. ALA, 1997. [PROF 027.625]

We the People Bookshelf awarded to Huntington Public Library

The Huntington Public Library is pleased to announce that the Library is a recipient of the “We the People” Bookshelf grant that includes free hardcover editions of 17 children’s classics. The grants, presented by the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association, are provided to support the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture in our library. Each year, the National Endowment for the Humanities identifies a theme to build the “We the People” Bookshelf. This year the theme for the bookshelf is “Picturing America”. In 2009, 4,000 school and public libraries in all 50 U.S. states were selected from a pool of more than 7,000 applicants to receive “We the People” Bookshelf grants.

The books will be available at the library for patrons to check out and read. For suggestions for programming or more information about library programs visit or telephone the Library. Telephone: 413/667/3506.

~ Margaret Nareau, Director, Huntington Public Library