WMRLS End of Era Picnic

On Saturday July 9, 2011, WMRLS staff got together for a picnic to catch up, say good-bye and in general, celebrate almost 50 years of service to the libraries and communities of western MA. We had staff from the very beginning and those who served until this past week. As usual we gathered over food, and a certain baseball rivalry was brought to the fore. The picnic was held at the D.A.R. State Park in Goshen on an absolutely gorgeous day. There was more than a little 'remember when' and a lot of discussion of plans for the future.

We were privileged to have three of our four past Regional Administrators present. Frankin P. Taplin was the Region's first Administrator (1961) and was responsible for encouraging libraries to join and support the new organization. Bruce S. Baker (RA from 1972-1990) took the Region and its first budget increase (yes 10 years on the same budget) through an expansion of services, the move from Springfield to Hatfield, and to becoming a nonprofit. John E. Ramsay (RA from 1991-2010) guided Regional services through the expansion from a public library system to include all types of libraries, the building of the new WMRLS HQ in Whately, and the eventual, budget induced merger into a single statewide system.

The picnic was sponsored by the Western MA Library Advocates, and we offer our sincere thanks for their support. We have a lot to be proud of and much to look forward to. What a grand history of service and a great group of people with whom to share a major portion of our lives.

~Jan Resnick, Former WMRLS Assistant Regional Administrator

WMRLS Night at the MassMutual Center A Grand Success!

John Ramsay, Administrator of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) prepares to drop the ceremonial puck at the Springfield Falcons Game on January 23, 2010 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Accompanying him for the faceoff are Wally, The Green Monster (Red Sox Mascot) and opposing captains for the Falcons and the visiting Hartford Wolf Pack.

Some 150 WMRLS supporters, from all 4 western counties, attended the match, which was a fundraising benefit to honor WMRLS. During the puck drop, the announcer read off this message to the large, near-capacity crowd: “John and the Western MA Regional Library System want you to know that, in difficult economic times, people use their libraries more. Right now, and for the last 10 years, usage has risen to all-time highs. Please support your local libraries at town meetings, and encourage our legislators to support State funding of library services, especially the Regional Library Systems.”

To cap off a great evening, the home team tied the game in the third period and won it in a thrilling overtime.

Annual Meeting of the Council Of Members - Tuesday, November 17

Dear Members of the Western MA Regional Library System (WMRLS):

The 2009 Annual Meeting will be one of the most important in the almost-50 year history of WMRLS. It will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Agawam Public Library. Details, directions and an online registration form are at http://www.wmrls.org/council/ . There you will also find links to documents (agenda, nominating slate, minutes, FY11 budget and plan of service) that will be reviewed and presented for approval. If you’d like, please print them to review them and bring them with you to the meeting.

The Regions just sustained State budget cuts yesterday. Their exact impact is yet to be determined. The budget for next year (FY11) is initially forecast to be reduced by at least 28%. All this news has already forced us to end our beloved bookmobile service at the end of December 2009. There is talk about consolidation of Regions, with the final number of Regions not yet determined. Many of you have expressed your concerns, and have questions about the future of WMRLS and its services.

After required business is transacted, considerable time has been set aside for Rob Maier, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, to offer us an update on the State budget situation for libraries. He will also talk about the process underway to forge future directions for Regions and their services. There will be ample opportunity for people to ask questions so they can better understand what might lie ahead for all of us.

We hope to have a great turnout for this important Annual Meeting!

Thank you,

John Ramsay
Regional Administrator, WMRLS

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

MARLS Coop Extended Through June 2010

Dear MARLS Purchasing Cooperative Libraries:

Some good news! The MARLS Statewide Purchasing Cooperative will remain in effect through June of 2010.

The vendors of library materials and supplies have agreed to continue extending their excellent discounts and services to participating libraries for another year. These discounts help stretch library budgets in these difficult times. Technical services staff at libraries do not need to change their ordering procedures for at least another year.

During FY10, the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System, with assistance from the other Regions, will begin working on a brand new, even more comprehensive, statewide bid to go into effect in July of 2010.

For details on the MARLS program, please visit the Western Region's MARLS website at http://www.wmrls.org/coop/index.html. FYI, we notify participating libraries about any Coop news, clarifications and changed contact information through the statewide "allregions" email distribution list, and also note them in the "Updates" section of the MARLS website.

We hope you continue to enjoy the Cooperative for FY10. It is one of the many benefits of your library's membership in one of the 6 Regional Library Systems.


Thanks, John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

MLA Annual Conference Raffle Winners!

We are pleased to announce that the following 3 people from Western Massachusetts member libraries were selected in the drawing for a free day's registration at the Annual Conference of the Massachusetts Library Association at the MassMutual Center in Springfield (May 5-8). A total of 32 people entered this contest, which was sponsored with funds donated to WMRLS by the Berkshire Library Breakfast Committee.
Appropriately, they are from 3 different types of libraries:

* David McMahon - Babson Library, Springfield College
* Flannery Buchanan - Talmadge Elem. School, Springfield
* Mary Kostanski - Greenfield Public Library

Congratulations to these people We hope they, and many other people from WMRLS libraries, will enjoy this conference, which this year is being held in our part of the state.

If you missed it earlier, here is the link to the MLA conference brochure:

~ Sincerely, John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

Great Turnout for Library Legislative Day

On Thursday, April 2, several hundred library supporters flocked in record numbers to the State House in Boston for Library Legislative Day. This event was jointly sponsored by the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts School Library Association. Western and Central Massachusetts libraries were very well represented, many taking the trouble-free and inexpensive bus chartered by the Friends of WMRLS. The bus was registered to capacity.

The day was scheduled advocate for State funding for libraries of all types, along with the regional library systems the automated networks, the Talking Book Libraries and the Board of Library Commissioners. The message was that libraries are essential, but especially now in these troubled economic times. The halls of the State House were filled with people sporting bright green lapel stickers emblazoned with the words “Libraries – Instruments of Recovery.”

If turnout and enthusiasm are any measure, this Legislative Day was a resounding success. With State funding for so many services jeopardized for FY10, it was critical that a massive effort be made to encourage legislators to support libraries.

Sincerely, John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, WMRLS

WMRLS Library Budget Crisis Roundtable

The WMRLS Continuing Education Workshop Library Budget Crisis Roundtable offered about 25 member librarians, mostly directors of public libraries, a chance to discuss the local situations that they are facing in their communities. While a few library directors reported cuts to their budgets this year, most libraries are making plans for handling budget shortfalls beginning in July, with options like fewer hours, staff furloughs, layoffs, and reduced materials’ spending under consideration. John Ramsay, WMRLS Regional Administrator, facilitated the conversation and his PowerPoint presentation, which includes several helpful links to budget tools, is shared here.

WFCR Broadcast: "Libraries Popular in Tight Times"

WFCR reporter recently interview WMRLS Administrator, John Ramsay, on the impact of area libraries during the current tight times. Listen to: Libraries Popular in Tight Times

Information on upcoming Library Legislative Breakfasts

Advocate for State Funding for Libraries!

Photos from recent Library Legislative Breakfast at the Holyoke Public Library

Library Legislative Breakfasts - 2008

Advocacy for State funding for libraries is absolutely essential in tight economic times. Right now there are several opportunities for library supporters to get involved so our State Senators and Representatives are “on board” in declaring that library funding is a priority of theirs. The accounts of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners fund most of the State’s allocations for libraries, such as the Regions (account 7000-9401) and networks (7000-9506).

To participate in this movement, you are encouraged to attend one of the legislative breakfasts in all 6 senatorial districts of our area. See http://www.wmrls.org/wmrls/legislativebfast.html for details.

And, the Friends of WMRLS are chartering a roundtrip bus ride to the State House in Boston on April 2, Library Legislative Day. This is the “only way to go” with gas prices so high and the hassle of getting into Boston by car. There are several pickup locations, and the ride, with many other library supporters traveling, is always enjoyable. The bus costs just $20 for members of the Friends, or $25 for non-members. The post that follows includes complete information.

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

Safety in the Library ~ Never Out of Date

WMRLS has long advocated that libraries should ALWAYS have at least 2 people on duty at any time. While this may be difficult for small or branch libraries, it is essential that we provide for the safety of our valuable library workers and library users.

A previous WRapper article on this topic was prompted because I had just returned from a Rural Libraries Conference in Arizona where shock and fear had spread throughout the library community there... a local librarian had just been brutally murdered in her remote library, while working alone, just before the conference began. Within a year, western Massachusetts experienced a similar troubling situation when a local librarian was beaten and assaulted while working alone in her library. Fortunately, in that case, she was able to escape without serious injury, but it was a very unsettling experience for everyone. In our first article we had cautioned that people shouldn't assume “That sort of thing couldn't happen here”. We learned firsthand that such things can happen anywhere. There have been other episodes in other parts of Massachusetts as well.

It is critical that sensible precautions be taken. The following tips should be considered by librarians, trustees, or other governing authorities:

1. Have a second person on hand at all times, especially at opening and closing times. The dynamics of a confrontation are dramatically altered by the presence of another person. In addition to warding off attacks, it is useful to have another person nearby in case someone was to fall down a flight of stairs or suffer a heart attack or other medical emergency.
2. If you cannot provide for a second person, especially at closing times, make sure there is someone waiting for the employee to arrive home and to check up if they don't show up.
3. Install an alarm that sounds directly at the police station or at the emergency dispatch center for the town.
4. Provide an on-person mobile phone or other communications device to use in an emergency, programmed to call the police.
5. Increase lighting inside and outside the library and in parking areas.
6. Cut back landscaping where people can hide.
7. Make sure there is clear visibility between the parking area and the library entrance.
8. Hold regular security awareness sessions for all staff and volunteers.
9. Establish a Crime Watch network with householders and businesses in the library's vicinity.
10. Develop a safety plan with the local police, covering how to deal with problem patrons, how to report an incident, and procedures for entering the library when there are signs of forced entry.

This article was originally printed in the April 2001 edition of WRapper: the newsletter of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

~ John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, WMRLS