Dewey love our libraries? Storrs Library's Inspiring Blog

Visit the Blog of the Storrs Library, Longmeadow

One of our part time staff, Phyllis Bogert, has been photographing libraries for many years. She did not use a digital camera, but collected all her beautiful photographs in an album which she would share with us from time to time. Barbara Fitzgerald, our Adult Services Librarian, thought it would be a great idea to turn this album into a Picasa Web Album and put it online for all to see. We enlisted the help of a volunteer, Doris Brodeur, who scanned in all the photos. I then created a blog, using all the skills that I learned the WMRLS "Blogging for Beginners" Workshop! This collaborative effort was finally finished and posted last week. It is accessible from our homepage, www.longmeadow.org/library.

Curiosity about the WMRLS extraordinary delivery system, linking so many libraries of different size and architecture, was what motivated Phyllis and John to set out on their trips. We thought you might like to let other libraries know about the blog so that they, too, can enjoy the lovely photographs.

~ Farida Pomerantz, Storrs Library, Longmeadow

WMRLS is closed on Wednesday, December 9

Due to hazardous driving conditions expected across the 4 county area through much of today, the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) will be closed today. There will be no delivery, and the workshop "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: New Teen Books" has been canceled. Please notify any staff at your library if their work is affected by delivery.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but the safety of staff, vehicles and library materials is of utmost importance. We expect to resume full services tomorrow.

~ John Ramsay, WMRLS Regional Administrator

Berkshire Athenaeum hosts Foundation Center Librarian Ines Sucre

On Tuesday, December 1, the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, was thrilled to host Foundation Center Librarian Ines Sucre for a full day training on grantseeking. Fifty-four Berkshire area residents registered for this free training opportunity that included a hands on session searching the Foundation Center databases. Attendees included staff from area cultural, human service and other non-profit organizations as well as local artists. The Berkshire Athenaeum is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center and routinely provides access to FC resources.

~ Madeline Kelly, Supervisor, Reference Services
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield

December 31 is deadline to apply for Laura Bush Foundation Grant

Visit the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries for complete information on this grant opportunity.

10 Things to do at a Library that Don't Involve Renting Books

Anna Miller, author of the Online Degree Blog, recently posted a tribute to libraries titled
"10 Things to do at a Library that Don't Involve Renting Books".  Anna's blog begins:

"Libraries have long stood as a cornerstone of neighborhoods across the world, offering access to books and other resources for entertainment in addition to research purposes. In their continuing devotion to nurturing a love of reading and knowledge in the citizenry, many have expanded their offerings beyond the ability to rent books. Some newer features embrace technological advances, while others provide free services blending education and enjoyment. No matter what extras these libraries offer, all of them continue the tradition of intellectually and creatively stimulating their respective communities... "Read More ...

Ware High School Library Goes GREEN

Many thanks to Ware High School Librarian, Valerie Wlodyka, and all of the faculty, staff, and students, who decorated the library GREEN in preparation for our recent WMRLS Summer Reading Program Roundtable (Focus on Teen Programs)