WRPLS: First Regional Meeting - April 18, 1961

On April 18, 1961, the group that was to become the Western Regional Advisory Council (WRAC) conducted its first exploratory meeting to plan for the Western Regional Public Library System (WRPLS), the predecessor of WMRLS (the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System). The meeting was held at the Greenfield Public Library. On December 1, 1961, the contract for the first regional public library system in Massachusetts was signed.

Our information source? Mr. Franklin P. Taplin, first WRPLS Regional Administrator, who was attending the first formal meeting of the Western Massachusetts Library Advocates. Frank has been present at a lot of Massachusetts library history. Frank, thanks for the memories.

WMRLS Executive Board Council of Members Meeting

WMRLS Executive Board Council of Members Meeting

Tuesday May 25, 2010
10:00 AM until 12:30 PM

---

The Western MA Regional Library System (WMRLS) Council of Members needs to take up the issue of the merger of WMRLS into the new Massachusetts Library System. This matter will be put to a vote, after discussion, at the meeting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25, at the Agawam Public Library. We will be sending out documentation, along with a way for those of you who cannot attend the meeting, to vote yea or nay.

Directions

---

Location: Agawam Public Library

WMRLS and the Statewide Merger Discussion Meetings

 WMRLS and the Statewide Merger Discussion Meetings

•  Lee Library - March 23, 2010 ~ 25 staff and trustees of WMRLS member libraries attended this session
• Agawam Public Library - March 24, 2010 ~ 20 staff and trustees of WMRLS member libraries attended this session
• WMRLS Headquarters, Whately - March 25, 2010 ~ 42 staff and trustees of WMRLS member libraries attended this session

Summary of WMRLS and the Statewide Merger Discussion Meetings

John Ramsay, WMRLS Regional Administrator; Betty Johnson, Colrain Library Director and member of the WMRLS Board and Transition Team; and Sue San Soucie, Montague Library Director and member of the WMRLS Board and Transition Team; each led one or more of this week’s WMRLS and the Statewide Merger Discussion Meetings. They welcomed the participants at each of the three discussion roundtables and also thanked them for their participation and support. 

John, Betty, and Sue, gave balanced presentations of the key things that have brought us to this point in a consolidation effort. They distributed and reviewed the first 7 pages of the March 8 Comment Draft and made the point that the MBLC will receive the Final Recommendations Report from the Transition Team on April 1. They also mentioned that a “Transition Manager” may be named to give time to hire an Executive Director for the MLS.

The following is a compilation of the questions and points were made by attendees at each of the three discussion sessions:  [Responses from Transition Team and WMRLS Staff appear in italics]

• How will these changes affect the MBLC?
• What’s the total cut to the Region Library Systems since 2003? (About 37%)
• WMRLS has been first in many things statewide, a leader.
• Do we have legal rights as a minority group?
• Does the MLS know what the costs will be to pay for legal advice, hire an interim manager, and buy out regional office leases? How is the MBLC advocating to the Governor on behalf of the Regions? The MBLC Legislative Agenda requests full statutory funding for account 7000-9401, which would actually be an increase over the FY10 levels.
• Does it make sense for members to maintain a regular presence at the WMRLS HQ during the Transition Year, to keep the pressure on?
• Librarians need to act fast---each person should get 10 people to contact the Commissioners, legislators, and the Governor SOON about this issue
• Will the MA Library System be a state agency or 501.c3 organization? 501.c3. The MetroWest Region is expected to reorganize into the new entity, a much smoother, faster path than starting a new 501.c3. The new organization will be almost exactly like the old regions organizationally. The other regions will become dormant in case needed in the future. The regional administrators have sought good legal advice to determine necessary steps. This is considered a merger of assets and liabilities from the current regions to the new entity.Everything will be at a reduced level. Only delivery will be maintained at a current level for one year. This is not a cure for the ongoing budget crisis. If the budget is worse than the $6.9m projection, services will be further reduced. Advocacy is aimed at increasing the funding levels in 7000-9401.
• Library participants expressed concerns that delivery will be reduced in the number of days delivery is provided. The stated intent is that current levels of delivery services will be maintained for FY11. There is concern that in the future there will need to be cutbacks due to the budget.
• Library participants expressed concerns that it is important to be vigilant that services are evenly provided. Success rates must be equivalent throughout the state and not just based on volume.
• Location of hub: for next year at MetroWest office in Waltham. After that, 495 corridor along the Pike. An independent consultant should look at where the hub should be, considering costs, effectiveness, etc. Some Transition Team members see the WMRLS building as a liability (due to the mortgage) rather than as an asset. There are also costs of technology to be considered in transitional office. WMRLS has the technology infrastructure right now.
• Can we bookend services between MBLC and LLR in Boston and an MLS presence in Whately that is both functional and symbolic?
• Is it viable to have a ‘spoke’ working on the road in western MA where Broadband and wifi are not available throughout? Can a person in the west act as spoke without more support?
• If you are looking to hire staff from across the country, you’re also looking at a host of moving costs, etc., that are not in the budget. Several regional boards felt that current regional administrators, as well as current regional staff, should receive priority in the hiring.
• Continuing education opportunities must be close to the member libraries. WMRLS libraries don’t have mileage money or subs to allow long travel to workshops. They just wouldn’t have the ability to get there. Basic library courses are required for small library directors; school librarians also need PDP credits they can get to.
• Along with the Friends of WMRLS website, there is also a “We Love Western Mass Libraries” FaceBook presence that has achieved 1,300 fans in just 10 days. Library users comprise most of the members.
• Will only delivery happen in Whately? We hope continuing education workshops and advisory services can also be provided from this office, at least for FY11.
• How will Continuing Education occur out here? Staff will conduct training throughout the state. In other regions, the assumption is that it is easy to find training locations. Not so much here.
• Will all the jobs be outsourced including delivery? No, but there will be fewer of them. Current staff can apply if they want to relocate or possibly work from home.
• Will the building be able to be used by western staff? The current draft Transition Team report calls for MLS staff to work out of Whately or Waltham in FY11, or from home or maybe at member libraries, if space and infrastructure is available. .
• Do you feel there is time to shift the tide? We don’t know how much they can stop this. The MBLC will be receiving a presentation on the plan on April 1. We Love Western MA Libraries Face Book page has 1269 people signed on, including Commissioners, legislators, even the Governor’s office is paying attention. The Commissioners will be making the decision with whatever funding is available. Even if funding is restored, we will not go back to the status quo. The state cannot afford to fund 6 regions. For this area, this is a ‘T’ stop! A place for training that is reachable, with good parking and an easy to get to location! The WMRLS Board voted against the wording in the plan that states a specific location.
• Why not propose two locations, Waltham and Whately, and see what happens? Why make irreversible decisions?
• Is it true that there are no Commissioners from western MA? Yes. They are Governor appointed. We don’t know how decisions are made once appointments are recommended to the Governor.
• Could the new entity be entrepreneurial and charge end users $.25 for delivery? Possible, but complicated to collect and track the expenditures.
• Electronic resources like C/W MARS are easily scalable. Physical resources like delivery are less so. Have networks been in the mix for discussion? They were in the planning a year ago. They get their funding from membership money, less so from the state.
• If there is one MA Library System, will that encourage the movement to one automated network statewide? This would probably make sense, but the MBLC does not have the leverage with funding to move the networks in that direction. Most of network funding comes from membership fees from their member libraries.
• Would state funding for automated networks ever be a possibility? Could, but depending solely on state funding is very risky, as evidenced by the regions!
• There were several comments on the desirability of reducing delivery through allowing patrons to limit holds to their own library’s copy. Maybe the networks, as they explore open source systems, could develop a green option that patrons could select, which would reduce delivery volume. Most borrowing activity is within a regional area.
• How are regional service values developed? A consultant designed a methodology to measure the value of each service, based on usage or savings to libraries.
• How can we better present economic arguments for the value of the Regions?
• The folks making some of these decisions, have no concept of the relationship between the western MA libraries and their Region. There is an ongoing and deep relationship here.
• How has the MBLC been as a leader in this process? What has the MBLC done to protect the services in the underpopulated areas of the state? In many ways, the process has been consensus-driven based on the input and work of the statewide Transition Team.
• The way this process has been run is inexcusable.
• Don’t give up after July 1. Demand the services that your libraries and users need. Make sure that the leadership among the Commissioners and the new MA Library System hears from you. Be involved. Your State tax dollars are supposed to equalize services and meet needs across the State. Whatever the next system, use it and demand services you need, even if they’re not the same as in other parts of the state.
• One librarian shared her motto: “Only those that attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.”

 ~  Above compilation is edited from each of the full meeting reports by Mary King, WMRLS Regional Librarian; and Jan Resnick, WMRLS Assistant Regional Administrator

Bookmobile Emptied

Today, February 25, 2010, Regional Staff removed all the materials from the bookmobile as the next step in concluding the service. It's a sad day, but now all the materials from the bookmobile are shelved in our Whately building, available for holds.

~ Jan Resnick, Assistant Regional Administrator

WAMC Broadcast: Bookmobile Service Falls Victim to Economy

WAMC New England News:

"SHEFFIELD, MA (WAMC) - A 75-year tradition in Western Massachusetts comes to an end this month. The bookmobile service is being cut due to massive reductions in state funding. WAMC's Charlie Deitz reports... © Copyright 2009, WAMC"  ~ Listen to the broadcast

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

Summer Reading Program Library Displays now featured on our WMRLS flickr website

Visit Our WMRLS flickr website for a Virtual Busman's Holiday

& to enjoy out-of-this world

Library Displays

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wmrls

Top 10 WMRLS Webpages ~ June 2010

What are the current Top 10 WMRLS Webpages?

Join our WMRLS WIMBA CE Coffee Break for a 7 minute webtour!

Name: WMRLS Classroom - 06/24/2009 13:39
URL: http://67.202.209.252/launcher.cgi?room=wmrls_classroom_2009_0624_1339_57

Instructions:
Select "Participant Login"
Room ID: wmrls_classroom
Name: (Write your name, pseudonym, and/or library name)

Note:

The first time that you visit this website, you may be prompted to run the Wimba Classroom Setup Wizard to ensure that your computer is ready to run this online continuing education program.

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.

Saturday, January 24 is WMRLS Night at the MassMutual Center!

Dear WMRLS Member Libraries:

The Springfield Falcons Hockey Team is sponsoring a fundraiser to benefit the WMRLS bookmobile service. It will be their home game at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, against the Providence Bruins. If your library is interested in helping promote this event to your staff and users, please read further to see how you can help…

The Falcons have provided WMRLS with flyers and tickets for the game. Would your library be interested in selling tickets? We’d ask you to post the flyer at your library and request the number of tickets you would like to sell to your staff, trustees, friends, and users. They’re for a discounted price of $10 per ticket, and WMRLS will receive $3 per ticket sold, which will be used to purchase materials for the bookmobile. Just fill out the online form at our page for this fundraiser, at http://forms.wmrls.org/wmrls-falcons.html and we’ll send the requested number of tickets to your library ASAP. Depending on your timing, the tickets could be used as last-minute Stocking Stuffers, or for a family outing.

An added benefit is that members of the public who donate a new or lightly used hardcover children’s book at the game will receive a coupon that they can use to purchase a ticket for another game, on either February 20 or 21, and get a second ticket for free. We hope some of the donated books will be able to be added to our bookmobile collection.

So, if you’re willing and able to help promote this fundraiser and sell some tickets, you’ll be benefiting WMRLS and helping introduce area hockey fans to the Falcons.

Thank you, and we at WMRLS wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season!

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

WMRLS Opening at 10:30 today - Delivery Very Limited

Dear Western Region Libraries:
Due to widespread icing of roads through much of our service area, the Western MA Regional Library System will be opening late at 10:30, today, Dec. 12, 2008. A modified delivery schedule will be in effect. Libraries whose deliveries are canceled will be contacted by telephone after WMRLS Headquarters opens. Thank you for your understanding and for passing this message along to key staff at your library. ~ John Ramsay, Regional Administrator

Annual Meeting of the WMRLS Council of Members

Thank you to all who attended our recent Annual Meeting of the WMRLS Council of Members at the American Institute of Economic Research (AIER) in Great Barrington. A special thanks to:

• Beth Eisman, AIER Head Librarian, and all of her colleagues for the warm and gracious welcome!
• All WMRLS Executive Board Members for their outstanding work and commitment to our region
• Guest Speaker, Terry Plum, Assistant Dean of the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Mt. Holyoke College, who shared his reflections on librarianship in the 21st century.

Basic Book Repair Workshop on June 19

Congratulations to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and to MBLC Preservation Specialist, Gregor Trinkaus-Randall who are being honored with the 2008 Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections, given jointly by the American Institute for Conservatin of Historic and Artistic Works and the Heritage Preservation. ~ Complete information

This morning, Gregor is leading the workshop "Basic Book Repair: Getting It Right - Good In-House Repairs of Library Materials". Several participating librarians have requested that we take photos of this program in order that they can better promote how they continually update their library skills* to best serve their communites.

* One of the many benefits of WMRLS membership is free-of-charge continuing education workshops for member library staff on such topics as basic book repair, reference databases, long range planning, and guidance for library staff in new technologies.

Online Reference Resources - Two Spectacular Websites!

At the recent Online Reference Resources program held at WMRLS, our discussion of outstanding developments in digital technology prompted the sharing of two spectacular websites.

The British Library has scanned nearly a dozen books from their collection and you can actually “turn the pages” and hear the text of these rare works as well as use a magnifying glass to more closely examine these gems! Visit their site at http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/ttpbooks.html

And at http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/ the Theban Mapping Project has taken years of research and made it available digitally, including 3-D tours of ancient tombs in Thebes and other archaeological wonders! Check it out! Thanks Anna Popp, West Springfield Public Library.

~ Shirley A. Keech, Research & Database Specialist, WMRLS