The Squeaky Wheel

To all:

We've heard over and over again at legislative breakfasts that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Let's start squeaking really loud.

The Friends of WMRLS website has been updated to include links to the advocacy documents for you to use in preparation for Legislative Day. It also includes email addresses of the Western Mass. legislators for you to use to email your own.

http://friends.wmrls.org/

Direct URLS to specific information is as follows:

Email Addresses of FY2010 Leadership and Western MA Legislators:
http://friends.wmrls.org/pdf/legislative-emails.pdf

Email Addresses of Western MA Legislators;
http://friends.wmrls.org/pdf/legislative-emails-wma.pdf

Communicating the Message to Legislators and the Governor:
http://friends.wmrls.org/pdf/2010-legislator.communication.pdf

2009 Statistics to Share with Legislators and the Governor:
http://friends.wmrls.org/pdf/2010-legislator.communication-stats.pdf

12th Annual Berkshire Library Legislative Breakfast

On Friday, March 05, 2010, the 12th Annual Berkshire Library Legislative Breakfast was held at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. Fifty-seven trustees, librarians, and friends from all over Berkshire County took the opportunity to express their support of libraries and their concerns about cuts in state funding for libraries. Senator Ben Downing and Representative Smitty Pignatelli confirmed the need to make our voices heard in Boston and asked for letters supporting state funding for regional library systems (7000-9401) and library technology (7000-9506). Constituent letters help them persuade their colleagues of the needs of western Massachusetts.

Speakers included: Ron Latham, Director of the Berkshire Athenaeum and Master of Ceremonies, Rob Maier, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Jan Resnick, Assistant Regional Administrator of the Western MA Regional Library System (WMRLS), Hope Bodwell, Director of the Monson Free Library representing C/W MARS, and Deborah Bruneau, Director of the Adams Free Library representing the Friends of WMRLS. Attending in addition to local supporters were Commissioner Dr. Em Claire Knowles, Commissioner Vicki Kaufman, and John Ramsay, Regional Adminstrator, WMRLS.

~Jan Resnick, Assistant Regional Administrator, WMRLS

Pittsfield offers Computer Lab sessions

The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, has finalized a schedule of Computer Lab classes for April & May. All sessions last one hour; registration is required.

Schedule of Computer Classes: April & May 2010

***PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: SIGN UP AT THE REFERENCE DESK***

Our Computer Lab sessions are taught presuming attendees’ ability to type on a computer keyboard; use either a laptop touchpad or a mouse; and enter an address in the address bar of a browser. Those who do not have these skills are welcome to sign up for our sessions; however, they may find they are unable to fully participate.

10 Free Websites You Will Want To Consult Regularly
Session will present 10 free resources you will find useful for your everyday information and financial needs. (Taught by Dick) Saturday, April 3, 10 am – 11 am

Blogs and Blogging Series
Part 1: Create your own blog: Using Google’s Blogger, you will create your free Blogger account and first blog post. (Taught by Dick) Tuesday, April 20, 6 pm – 7 pm

Part 2: Managing your blog: Discussion of blog maintenance. Resources available to support and grow your blog. (Taught by Dick) Tuesday, April 27, 6 pm – 7 pm

PREREQUISITE: To register for the Blogs & Blogging Series, patrons must sign up with a gmail account. Registration will be confirmed via an email message from the instructor to that gmail account. Interested patrons who do not have a gmail account may register for that computer lab session (Offered on Thursday, April 15).

Excel 101
Participants will review the interface, create a basic spreadsheet, insert formulas. (Taught by Madeline) Wednesday, May 12, 6 pm – 7 pm

Excel 102
Participants will explore some beyond the basics features of Excel 2007, including working with data and formatting worksheets. Prerequisite: Excel 101 or familiarity with Excel Basics. (Taught by Madeline) Wednesday, May 19, 6 pm – 7 pm

Facebook
This past May, Facebook surpassed MySpace to become the dominant social networking site on the Internet. Now find out what makes this site so popular and learn how you can participate. (Taught by Jeremy) Wednesday, April 7, 6 pm – 7 pm

Gmail
Setting up a free web-based email account, using Google’s gmail service.
(Taught by Mary Ann) Thursday, April 15, 6 pm – 7pm

Going Mobile
The current trend in technology is for devices that can travel with you. Laptops, netbooks, smart phones, handheld game consoles, e-book readers, and the iPad are all a part of this trend. Come and discover these technologies, learn about purchasing considerations, and find out how they can be used at the Berkshire Athenaeum. (Taught by Jeremy)
Wednesday, May 5, 6 pm – 7 pm

Job Search Resources in Learning Express
We will explore the Learning Express database Job Search module which includes resume writing; creating effective cover letters; and interview tips. (Taught by Mary Ann)
Thursday, May 6, 6 pm – 7 pm

Linked In
Explore LinkedIn, an online network that facilitates job searching, collaboration & communication with other professionals. (Taught by Dick)
Saturday, May 15, 10 am – 11 am

Smart Consumer
We will review several free websites that offer product evaluations to help you “know before you buy”. (Taught by Mary Ann) Saturday, May 1, 10 am – 11am

Word 2007 Basics
An introduction to Word 2007 covering opening and saving a document; setting up margins; changing fonts; running a spell check; selecting templates; creating a letter and other documents. (Taught by Dick) Tuesday, April 6, 6 pm – 7 pm

Word 2007 : Tables
We will use Word 2007 to create and format a table. (Taught by Madeline)
Wednesday, May 26, 6 pm – 7 pm

Posted by Madeline Kelly
Berkshire Athenaeum
mkelly@cwmars.org

Regional Transition Team Report #2

The following message was posted on the AllRegions email discussion list on Wednesday, March 3:

Dear Colleague:


The attached document provides an overview of the work to date of the Regional Transition Planning Committee (TransTeam). This group of 18 representatives of regional executive boards (3 members from each region) was established following the December 14 meeting of all regional executive board members to work toward a transition to a single “regional” entity to carry out the program beginning in FY2011. The work of the TransTeam is supported by Linda Braun as facilitator, the 6 regional administrators and myself as ex officio members.

This report brings you up to date with the Transition Team’s work to date. As noted in the report, the next step is for members of the Transition Team to present their report to regional executive boards in March. Feedback from these meetings will be considered by the Transition Team before it releases a final report in early April.

Regional Transition Planning Committee (Transition Team)

Report of Meetings Held February 5, February 17 and March 1, 2010

Single administrative entity

The six regional library systems will be consolidated into a single administrative entity called the Massachusetts Library System (MLS). MLS will operate from two sites in FY2011: the current home of the Metrowest Region in Waltham and the current home of the Western Region in Whately. Both sites are temporary pending the needs of MLS.

Staff

MLS will have a staff of about 22 FTE in FY2011 (a reduction from about 45 in FY2010). MLS will have an executive director, an assistant director, and a business manager. There will be 8-10 professional advisory positions responsible for continuing education and advisory services in the areas of library management, youth services, technology and MassCat. There will be 3 administrative support staff, and the current Western Region drivers and sorters will work for MLS in FY2011. Some continuing education and advisory services will be provided under contractual arrangements with outside providers.

Delivery

Delivery service will be maintained at its FY2010 level for all member libraries in FY2011.

Interlibrary Loan

Mediated interlibrary loan service (for non-automated requests and for libraries that are not members of an automated network) will continue under revised service contracts. Member libraries will package and mail materials being returned to libraries outside of the statewide delivery system.

Continuing Education and Advisory Service

Continuing education and advisory service will continue bearing in mind that there are fewer people providing the service. Trainings will be given at various sites across the state. During FY2011, staff will work from Whately or Waltham or from home in order to sustain the local relationships that are so important to member libraries.

Databases

Beginning in FY2012, database licensing will be statewide with close coordination between MLS, MBLC, LLR and other potential partners to license the best possible resources for the total funds available. Since regions renew database licenses at the end of the fiscal year (end of FY2010 for FY2011 use), they will renew their current licenses (as funding permits) this year for use by their current member libraries in FY2011.

Cooperative Purchasing

Statewide cooperative purchasing contracts for materials and supplies will be in place for FY2011 and will be continued.

Summer Reading

The statewide summer reading program is ready for summer 2010. Beginning with summer 2011, Massachusetts will join with 48 other states in using the national summer reading theme and materials. Member libraries may need to pay for some or all of the materials associated with this program.

Governance and Bylaws

MLS will operate under a governance structure similar to that of the current six regional library systems. MLS will operate under the articles of incorporation and IRS 501(c)(3) status of one of the current nonprofit regions. It will have a council of members that elects members of the executive board and approves an annual plan of service and budget for submission to the Board of Library Commissioners. The executive board will have 15 members elected at-large from the member libraries with provision for representation by type of library, geography of the state, and size of library. Board members will serve three year terms with a two consecutive term limit. A representative of the MBLC and LLR will serve as ex officio non-voting members.

During the transition from the six regions to MLS, a transition board will be designated by appointment of two members from each existing regional board and the designation of 3 additional members by the new board to balance library types, geography and size.

Next Steps

Members of the Transition Team will be presenting their report to regional executive boards in March. Feedback from these meetings will be considered by the Transition Team before it releases a final report in early April.

Reported by: Rob Maier for the Regional Transition Planning Committee

The Making of a Picture Book: The Marriage of Text and Art

Behind the scenes look at the making of picture books by local authors and illustrators: Leonard Baskin, Kathryn Brown, Corinne Demas, Patricia MacLachlan, Emily MacLachlan Charest, Richard Michelson, Dennis Nolan, Katy Schneider, and Jane Yolen.  Visit the web at: www.tiny.cc/picturebook


Events:


· Monday, March 8, 2010 4pm Opening Reception in Library Court


· Wednesday, March 24 at 4:15pm in Library Stimson Room Tea. Talk with the authors and illustrators. Coffee, Tea and Cookies will be served.

Sponsored by Mount Holyoke College, Library, Information and Technology Services (LITS) and UMass Amherst Libraries, Arts, Events and Exhibits Committee

~ Deb Morrissey, Asst. to the Director of LITS, Mount Holyoke College Library

Palmer Public Library's "Serving Teens and Tweens" LSTA Grant

On March 1, Elizabeth Gallaway conducted the workshop "Pain in the Brain-Teen Library Behavior 101" for the staff of the Palmer Public Library. This workshop was funded by a LSTA grant titled "Serving Teens and Tweens."

~ Mary Bernat, Reference Librarian, Palmer Public Library