Reforms to Protect Regional Library Services

The following message, along with a library factsheet, was posted to the AllRegions Email Discussion List at 5:59 pm today:

To: Massachusetts Library Community

I am pleased to provide you the attached document we developed collaboratively with the Patrick Administration regarding our ongoing work to preserve regional services in FY2011 and beyond.

Having the full support of the Administration is essential when such far reaching change is being implemented. We can provide the best possible statewide services only with complete commitment to a single consolidated region.

Important decisions will be made over the next several weeks to facilitate the merger of our current regional systems into the newly formed Massachusetts Library System (MLS) that will provide regional services statewide beginning July 1, 2010.

For more information about the merger plan and MLS see: http://mblc.state.ma.us/mblc/news/releases/past-releases/2010/nr100414.php

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

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Reforms to Protect Regional Library Services

Governor Patrick has tremendous respect for libraries, as they are essential to educating our children and offering resources to everyone in the Commonwealth.  Facing unprecedented budget challenges brought on by an unprecedented global economic downturn, no state agency has been untouched by cuts. Governor Patrick asked each state agency to develop creative ideas to meet our budget challenges while continuing to provide important services to Massachusetts residents. The Board of Library Commissioners, in consultation with the statewide library community, developed a plan to consolidate regional library systems. Governor Patrick included the Board of Library Commissioners plan in his Fiscal 2011 budget recommendations to the House and Senate.

How Libraries Receive Funding

Public libraries receive funding from their local communities, and therefore rely on state local aid funding. Governor Patrick’s proposed budget would not cut local aid. Libraries also rely on $21 M in state funding for regional services, state aid to public libraries, services for the blind and support of automated library networks through the Board of Library Commissioners. They also benefit from a $100 M bond bill Governor Patrick signed to invest in renewed and expanded public library facilities.

Regional Consolidation Plan

Regional library systems have been in place since the early 1960s. In 1998 they expanded to serve 1,750 libraries statewide through six regional systems. Under the new plan, the six regional systems will be consolidated into one system with offices located in Whately and Waltham. The plan preserves core programs and helps streamline operations so that residents can continue to access library services, such as:

• Delivery (13.5 million items moved between libraries annually)
• Interlibrary Loan (more than 6 million requests filled annually)
• Electronic reference sources access for libraries and residents statewide
• Cooperative Purchasing to receive discounts and avoid costs
• Summer Reading Program (100,000 kids served last summer)

What to Expect from Regional Consolidation

Your local library will continue to receive the same level of statewide services for summer reading, interlibrary loans, delivery, electronic resources and cooperative purchasing. Some services such as training and technical assistance for staff will continue, but at a reduced level.

These changes will not cause libraries to close, and services can be sustained only under a single consolidated region. Western Massachusetts will continue to be served through the Whately facility under the new plan, including continuing education and technical assistance services.

We all have a stake in this together to provide the best library services to the residents of the Commonwealth.

WMRLS Exec Board Vote on MLS Merger

Dear WMRLS Staff, Member Libraries and other library colleagues:

After lengthy and heartfelt discussion yesterday, the Executive Board of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) voted – 8 in favor, 2 opposed, and 1 abstaining – to proceed with the merger of WMRLS into the Massachusetts Library System (MLS). This vote was made on the condition that the Agreement of Merger document will be amended to call for regional corporations to remain in a “dormant” state instead of terminating entirely when the merger goes into effect.

This vote by the Executive Board gives the voting representatives of the WMRLS Council of Members the opportunity to vote for or against the merger at its meeting on May 25 at the Agawam Public Library. A 2/3 vote of the entire voting membership needs to approve the merger in order for it to take place. Similar voting opportunities are taking place in the other regions as well. We are preparing information to explain the consequences of votes in favor of, or in opposition to, the merger so that informed decisions can be made. We hope as many of our member libraries will join in the discussion and the vote.

We do not know the final outcome of the State budget process for MBLC Regional account 7000-9401, and whether it will call for 2 regions or not. The House of Representatives approved such language in its version of the FY11 budget, as proposed by many Western legislators in response to the concerns expressed by their constituents. The Senate is working right now on its version of the budget. It will be several weeks before the final version of the State budget will be determined.

In the meantime, the Board wishes to encourage member libraries and ALL library advocates and support organizations across the State to unite and work tirelessly on behalf of a restoration of funds for the regional account. Instead of the 29% reduction currently called for in the Governor’s and House versions of the budget, the figures being sought are the $14.8 million statutory funding levels (from the MBLC Legislative Agenda) or at least the $12.3 million in the current FY10 account. State funding for regional services has made possible cost-effective and valued services to libraries and residents across the State since the 1960s. That work must continue at adequate funding levels for the benefit of all libraries.

Yours truly, John Ramsay, Regional Administrator

Massachusetts Library Association Conference Handouts Now Online

Cathy Balshone, Reference Librarian of the Newton Free Library shares that both the PowerPoint presentation and handouts for the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Annual Conference program Librarian or Lawyer? What do YOU tell people when they have a legal question? are now featured on the MLA Speaker Handouts webpage.

tnk grEn with Teen Crafts

Thank you to Doris Madsen (Springfield City Library) and Mia Cabana (West Springfield Public Library) for facilitating our tnk grEn with Teen Crafts workshop on Monday, May 10 at the Springfield City Library.

In this hands-on workshop, Doris and Mia showcased four fun crafts for teens - all using recycled materials.


Crafts included the following:

• Recycled Coziness Hat
• Magazine Beads
• Tissue Paper Vase
• A transformed T-Shirt inspired by Megan Nicolay's Generation T:  108 ways to transform a T-shirt, Workman Publishers, 2006.

Editorial: Western Massachusetts Regional Library System needs public support

"Editorial: Western Massachusetts Regional Library System needs public support
By The Republican Editorials
May 10, 2010, 12:42AM
Western Massachusetts residents who cherish their community libraries should urge Gov. Deval L. Patrick and the state Legislature to scale back plans for cuts to the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System.

For the relatively small outlays that most communities make in their libraries, these institutions pay big dividends in the form of books and other materials.

Yet just when these services are needed the most, state officials are planning a 29 percent cut in aid to regional library systems that provide community libraries with invaluable support.

Because of these cuts, nine employees at the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System in Whately could lose their jobs." ... Read More