Agawam Public Library Presents ...

AGAWAM PUBLIC LIBRARY

Monday, May 18, 2009

SHAKESPEARE…the Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet ...Presented by Richard Clark

One Monday, May 18th at 7:00, Richard Clark of “Keeping History Alive” will return to the Agawam Public Library to give a performance entitled “Shakespeare…the Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet”.

Come and celebrate Shakespeare by seeing twelve different characters, hear twenty-five monologues and soliloquies from his most famous plays. Share some of the most memorable moments in dramatic history.

Through “Keeping History Alive”, historical characters are brought to life in performances created from the lives and work of Mark Twain, Clarence Darrow, John Barrymore and Andrew Carnegie.

Richard Clark has been acting for over 30 years and has appeared in numerous New England regional theaters. He has worked professionally in New York Theater and in television. His film credits include “Guiding Light”, “As the World Turns” and “Saturday Night Live”.

For more information on Richard Clark, please visit his website at http://www.darrowactor.wordpress.com .

This program is sponsored by the Agawam Center Library Association. Please call 789-1550, or visit the Agawam Library to register.

Braille books at Forbes

The Forbes Library Children's Department is pleased to announce that we have recently purchased 250 titles in Braille for children ages birth through age 16. Many titles are already available, and the entire collection should be cataloged soon. These are specialty books that have been ordered direct from a publisher who strictly caters to visually impaired children.

The Forbes Library Children's Department is dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing Braille books for all of our local patrons as well as children who live across the state. We have contacted the Perkins Institute for the Blind and asked them to pass on this information to the families that they serve. Most of the collection can be searched and requested through the CWMARS catalog. You can see what is in the collection by doing a subject search in thecatalog of "Braille book" in the Northampton Children's scope. More titles will be added in time.

The collection includes titles from mainstream popular literature as well as the classics. We are providing Braille books at each level of development from toddler board books to literature for older children. Sighted children learn to read when they are exposed to the printed word and visually impaired children also learn at an early age if they are exposed to the tactile page. "We are hoping that by providing Braille literature throughout childhood that we will increase the chances that these children will develop into competent Braille readers and lovers of books," said Jude McGowan, Children's Librarian at Forbes Library. Ifyou would like to learn more about the collection contact Jude at jmcgowan@forbeslibrary.org or 413-587-1010.

~ Thank you, Lisa Downing, Assistant Director, Forbes Library, Northampton, http://www.forbeslibrary.org/

2009 Massachusetts Teen Librarian Summit ~ A Web 2.0 Adventure

The next best thing to attending our 2009 Massachusetts Teen Librarian Summit is reading and viewing events of the day via our ...

• Twitter #teenlib09 microblog
  
• Flickr pictures & slideshop
  
• MRLS Summer Reading Program Wiki listing of selected program handouts and recommended websites
  

*Photo by Susan Babb, Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System

Swine Flu Topic is on Medline Plus

Swine Flu topic on MedlinePlus is live- The topic will be live on the Spanish page by the end of the day.

~ Michelle L. Eberle, NN/LM-NER - UMass Med School, Lamar Soutter Library, michelle.eberle@umasmed.edu

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDIAN ORCHARD BRANCH LIBRARY

Springfield City Library Plans Special Celebration!
SPRINGFIELD, MA – April 23, 2009 – It’s 1909 and what’s happening in the world? William Howard Taft has just succeeded Theodore Roosevelt as the 27th President of the United States. Big band leader Benny Goodman is born. And construction begins on the RMS Titanic in Belfast, Ireland. On Oak Street in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, Massachusetts, the Springfield City Library system is opening the doors of a Classical Revival style library, made possible through the generosity of Andrew Carnegie. Designed by local architect John Donahue and built by local craftsmen, it is the first fully staffed suburban branch library in Springfield. In 1905 the Carnegie Foundation had given $260,000 to the city to build a central library and three branch libraries. (Also funded by this 1905 grant and commemorating one hundred years of service is the Forest Park Branch Library. A celebration event is being planned for the fall.)

In recognition of this milestone, there will be an Open House Celebration on Saturday, May 9th from 1-3 p.m. at the Indian Orchard Branch Library, which has now graced the corner of Oak and Worcester Streets for a century. The air will be filled with the sweet harmonies and jazzy blues sounds of the musical duo Too Human. Demonstrating her phenomenal artistry will be watercolorist Susan Pecora, who will work on a painting of the Library to be donated and hung in the branch. Crafts and face painting will provide fun for children. Refreshments will provide enjoyment for all!

This project is being funded in part through grants from the Springfield Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Special thanks and recognition go to the Indian Orchard Branch Library Advisory Committee for their continued help and support.


About the Springfield City Library
For over 150 years, the Springfield City Library (www.SpringfieldLibrary.org) has provided public library service to area residents. Starting with a single central library in 1857, the Springfield City Library today maintains ten neighborhood branches. Using state-of-the-art technology, the Library provides free and easy access to information and the opportunity for lifelong learning through a variety of programs and services, including Internet access at each location. Springfield City Library – A Place for You.

For additional information, contact: Janet Stupak, Community Relations Coordinator, Springfield City Library 413-263-6828, ext. 422; jstupak@springfieldlibrary.org

Join in MayDay ~ Make a Difference for Your Library or Archives

On May 1, you can do something simple that will make a difference for your library or archives. Join in MayDay , a grassroots effort whose goal is to save our libraries and archives!

INDIVIDUALS can do many things on their own:

* Quickly survey collections areas to ensure that nothing is stored directly on the floor, where it would be especially vulnerable to water damage.
* Note the location of fire exits and fire extinguishers.
* Encourage your repository to participate in MayDay.

REPOSITORIES may engage in activities involving all staff:

* Conduct an evacuation drill to acquaint staff members with the evacuation plan and to test its effectiveness.
* Update the contact information in your existing emergency preparedness plan and create a wallet-size emergency contact roster to facilitate communication and rapid response.

Here are some tips on how to get started...

* Visit a website. Check out SAA's MayDay website!

* Get Ideas for MayDay Activities

* Find tools to expand your disaster planning resources

* Create a quick-and-dirty disaster plan from a free template.

* Find disaster planning classes near you and more in the Annotated MayDay Resources .

* See examples of what others have done for MayDay in the past or what they're doing this year

* Read a book.

* For practical information about what to do first in an emergency and how to prevent further damage, view Heritage Preservation's Field Guide to Emergency Response .

* The Council of State Archivists publishes Emergency Preparedness Initiative and Rescuing Family Records: A Disaster Planning Guide to help point you in the right direction.

* Enter a contest.

* Heritage Preservation National Task Force is hosting a MayDay incentive contest featuring four prizes donated by Gaylord Brothers.

* Share.

* What did you do for MayDay? SAA would love to hear from you - even if you just changed a battery! Send us an email: MayDay@archivists.org.
* Send a paragraph or a photo and caption about how you made a difference for your archives on MayDay. We'll feature your information in the next issue of Archival Outlook. Send to Helen Janousek at hjanousek@archivists.org.

~ Gregor Trinkaus-Randall, M.A.L.S., C.A., Preservation Specialist, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

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

West Springfield Public Library hosts "Job Search" programs

West Springfield Public Library Hosts Job Search 101 Workshop

The West Springfield Public Library is pleased to host Job Search 101 – a workshop presented by Career Point on Thursday, April 23 at 7PM. Career Point of Holyoke is one of the commonwealth’s local one-stop career centers addressing the needs of jobseekers. This workshop offers the jobseeker an overview of job searching to plan your job search strategy. Some of the topics covered include defining work skills, networking, interviewing, and the computer as a job search tool. Participants will learn the importance of determining what skills they have , they will learn the importance of networking as a way of tapping the hidden market, they will practice answering some interview questions, and they will learn the role the computer will play in their job search-Internet job lists and online applications.

This event is free and open to the public. The West Springfield Public Library is located at 200 Park Street. Call 413-736-4561 x.111, or email wgevents@cwmars.org, with any questions.





WEST SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS CAREER CHANGE WORKSHOP

The West Springfield Public Library is pleased to present “The Career Change Workshop for Those Who Know There’s Something Better…”, Wednesday, April 29 at 7PM.

With the current state of the economy, it’s suddenly clear that there’s no such thing as a secure job. Whether you’ve lost a job, are in fear of losing a job, or simply know that there’s got to be a better way, this workshop will offer you a new perspective of the opportunities surrounding you. If you know deep down that you want to…
· have more than just another j-o-b
· live life on your terms
· do work that is meaningful to you

· have the power to create your own job security

Then join host Lisa Tarrant, of HelpMeLisa.com, for a creative way of looking at your future. This hands-on workshop will start you on the path to turning your interests into a viable income stream.

This program was made possible through a donation from the Conservation Commission. This event is free and open to the public. While registration is not required, it is requested. The West Springfield Public Library is located at 200 Park Street. Call 413-736-4561 x.111, or email wgevents@cwmars.org, with any questions.

~ Anna Popp, Assistant Reference Librarian, West Springfield Public Library

A New WRapper & Other Changes for WMRLS

A New WRapper & Other Changes for WMRLS

With fewer WMRLS staff and State budget reductions expected for the fiscal year that starts July 1, WMRLS is taking some actions now to put us in a better position to confront tougher times ahead.

The first change is a complete revision of our WRapper newsletter. This publication will be much more concise, thus requiring less paper, staff time, and mailing costs. One copy of the print edition will be issued to each member library. WRapper will now be published on a quarterly basis.

WRapper will continue to be published online. From now on, WRapper will highlight some key developments, but will always remind our readers that recent happenings at our member libraries can be found on our WMRLS-One- Blog.

The WMRLS-One-Blog provides time-sensitive information that the print edition of WRapper cannot achieve. With a large number of our member libraries having gained better Internet access, the time seems right to pursue a more online approach to disseminating important information in a timely way.

Likely Suspension of Bookmobile Service. With yet another large budget cut looming, WMRLS will almost definitely have to suspend our beloved bookmobile service for FY10. This program has been bringing browsing collections to the shelves of small public libraries since the 1940s. The WMRLS materials budget has been inadequate, in some years non-existent, since the devastating 24% State budget cut of FY03.

The initial version of the FY10 budget brings us back down to that same funding level. At the same time, libraries and their users have been making breathtaking use of our delivery service, which has been transporting materials between libraries at all-time record levels. Even with a new way of counting delivery totals, we should surpass 2 million items delivered in FY09! This service, with the cost of gasoline fluctuating wildly, and the age of our trucks rising, is requiring more and more of our budget and staff resources.

A Proud Tradition of Service! Despite the need for retrenchment in some areas and possible layoffs, we at WMRLS will do everything we can to provide our member libraries with the excellent and responsive service they have come to expect of us since 1961. We will keep offering important continuing education programs – some online – to keep you up to date on your skills and what is involved in running libraries today. We will give you plenty of opportunities to get together to talk about common interests and collaborations, to “keep the fire burning” in our hearts and minds. We will help you if you have a local issue that you are confronting. We will track down hard-to-find titles that you could not locate through the online catalogs of other Massachusetts libraries. In short, we will do everything we can to fulfill the WMRLS motto, “Libraries – Cooperating, Communicating, Sharing.”

~ John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, WMRLS

Our Spring issue of WRapper features:

• Continuing Education Updates
• Member Library Updates via our WMRLS-One-Blog
• WMRLS Staff Directory & Phone Extensions
• MLA in Springfield!

Dedication of the J. Peter Scolforo Gallery at the Lee Library

The Board of Directors of the Lee Library Association honored retiring President, J. Peter Scolforo, by naming the Gallery in his honor. Peter served on the board for more than 30 years, and for the last 20 years, as the President. The dedication took place on December 3, 2008.

Peter initiated applying for a grant in the 1970’s which made it possible for the library to build the addition. He also served as the chair of the building committee. That addition houses the gallery, the Children’s Room, a reading area, and space for the stacks. This is a fitting tribute, because without Peter’s leadership, the gallery and addition would not exist.

~ Mary Philpott, President, Board of Directors, Lee Library Association

Local Authors Day at the Bushnell-Sage Library in Sheffield

On the first Saturday of November for the past 6 years, the Trustees and Friends of the Bushnell-Sage Library in Sheffield, MA, have hosted a Local Authors Day to celebrate local talent. Due to the space limitations at our library, we are able to host only the first 50 who accept from our database of over 230 local authors. Those 50 include authors and illustrators of children’s books, poets, cookbook writers, historians, writers of self-help books, sociologists, philosophers, and sports and mystery writers. It is a social event, not a fundraiser, for the authors and illustrators, whose profession is often a solitary one.

We are most fortunate in our corner of the tri-state area in western Massachusetts to have as much literary talent as we do. Our authors include a Peabody Award winner, an Emmy winner, and two Caldecott medal winners.

The authors and illustrators bring their books to display, sell, and autograph. The public often brings in books they already own for the authors and illustrators to sign, or they come to chat with the participants, or they bring their children to meet “real” writers. There is a coffee hour for the writers just before the public arrives and a luncheon for the participants after the morning’s event.

A group of volunteers prepare all the refreshments, the Selectmen and Town Administrator take part, the police direct the traffic, and the Friends of the Bushnell-Sage Library host the coffee hour and the luncheon. Those who work on the event feel privileged to celebrate our local talent at this popular annual event.

~ Nancy Hahn, Director, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield

Programs for ALL ages

In an effort to provide programming for our youngest patrons we have expanded our services for this group beyond the usual Toddler Time and Pre-School Story Times. There was a demand and need to fill the gap that faced families with very young children. In January 2008 we started a "Tummy Time" program for babies birth through active crawlers.
The response to this program was overwhelming!

Every Monday morning for two hours we host between 20-25 Mommy/Daddy/Baby participants. It has become an important social and networking group for new parents as well as active playtime for their babies. Not long after we began to hear comments from the graduates of this program (active crawlers and pre-walkers) who were not yet old enough for Toddler Time and Story Time that they wanted a program of their own. Out of these conversations came the idea for a "Baby Play Group". This program fills the gap for our youngest, but still very valuable patrons.

This group meets weekly for two hours. The wide variety of ages, birth-18 months, ensures that it is a lively and very social event. We at the Forbes wanted to be inclusive to all of our patrons, regardless of their age. The Children's and Young Adult Department now offers programming for ages birth-age 14. It is a wise investment to spend time with these young patrons because today's toddler will be tomorrow's adult patron and voting citizen! Besides the fact that they are incredibly fun to be around!!!

~ Lisa Downing, Assistant Director, Forbes Library, Northampton