Booklist Online for WMRLS Member Libraries

Through the LSTA "Together We Thrive" grant, WMRLS has purchased a subscription to Booklist Online. this purchase allows unlimited simultaneous remote access for all WMRLS members.

For more information about the "Together We Thrive" grant, contact: Becky Marconi, WMRLS "Together We Thrive" grant coordinator.

Funding for the WMRLS "Together We Thrive" grant is provided through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) administered through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and WMRLS.

Storrs Library Hosts Author Dave Fromm

The Storrs Library in Longmeadow hosted a very well-received book talk featuring local author, Dave Fromm. Dave read from and discussed his recently (October 2008) published book Expatriate Games: My Season of Misadventures in Czech Semi-Pro Basketball. Upon graduation from college, Dave decided to move to Prague even though he didn't speak Czech, or know anyone in Prague, or if the Czechs had basketball leagues there, much less professional leagues, still less if they let foreigners play. The book is an amusing and touching memoir of that year (1994) Dave spent in Prague. The audience found him engaging and personable. The evening ended with a lively question and answer session. Dave is interested in doing additional free book talks at other libraries in the area. You can contact him at david.fromm@gmail.com

~ Barbara Fitzgerald, Adult Services Librarian, Storrs Library, Longmeadow

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.

Library License Plates Benefit All

From the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System website:

"Be among the first with a library license plate!
Celebrate libraries by proudly displaying the new MA library license plate and encouraging your staff members, friends, trustees, or members to join us!

Applicants who submit their application to CMRLS by Nov. 30, 2008 will be entered into a drawing for the opportunity to communicate with prominent Massachusetts authors Lois Lowry or Gregory Maguire, and to be named as a character in a work-in-progress by one of them or to help invent a name that suits the story. Two names will be selected.

The Central Massachusetts Regional Library System (CMRLS) announces it is now accepting advance applications for a new specialty license plate celebrating libraries in Massachusetts.

Proceeds will benefit public, academic, special and school libraries across the state that belong to a Regional Library System. Equitable shares of the proceeds will be made available to qualifying libraries through an open grant process. Funds will not be used to supplant library budgets.

If you'd like to be the owner of a low library license plate number, apply now!"

Read more about Massachusetts Library License Plates

Apply for a Massachusetts Library License Plate

Simmons College InfoSession

Looking to enhance your credentials?

Simmons College will be holding an info session at the main branch of the Springfield Public Library on their masters degree program in Library and information studies program.

Simmons offers concentrations in Archives and Preservation Management, a School Library Teacher Program, a PHD Program, and more.

More info here:
http://www.simmons.edu/gslis/

on the Mount Holyoke Campus:
http://www.simmons.edu/gslis/academics/programs/ms/mtholyoke.shtml

DETAILS
*************************
Information Session
Monday, December 1st @ 6:00pm
Springfield City Library
Central Library Meeting Room
220 State St., Springfield, MA 01103

For directions: http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/branches/direct.html#cl
Free off-street parking is available in the State Street parking lot across the street from the library and next to the Springfield School Department building

Call 413-533-2400 for further information.
Or visit www.simmons.edu/gslis

*classes held at Simmons Boston or South Hadley Campus

~ SIMMONS
Learning with Purpose

"With the Help of the GCC Library, I Got an A on My Paper!"

Upcoming Library Events: West Springfield Public Library

From the West Springfield Public Library

Upcoming Events!

One Town & Seven Railroads: Author Talk with Larry Lowenthal ~ Larry Lowenthal, contributor to "One Town & Seven Railroads" will speak about the creation of the book, published through cooperation with the Palmer Public Library. This comprehensive book chronicles the story of the railroads of Palmer "Past, Present and Never Were." November 19, 7 PM. Free.

Guilt Free Holiday Eating ~ It is especially difficult to make healthy food choices from Halloween to Easter. But can you let your healthy eating plan lapse for half a year, every year, and not suffer from the consequences? The answer is no, of course not. Nutritionist Jennifer Giffune will teach strategies and techniques to put in place when holidays hit, so that you can enjoy them without risking poor health afterwards. November 20 at 7 PM. Free.

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

Upcoming Library Events: Emily Williston Memorial Library

From the Emily Williston Memorial Library, Easthampton

Upcoming Events!

Send a soldier a smile & some treats for the holiday ~ On Wednesday, November 19, we will decorate bags and fill holiday stockings with season's greetings and candy to send to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sponsored by registered volunteer of booksforsoldiers.com, Linda Fortin. Complete information posted on the library's website

A Special Evening with local author and illustrator, Jeff Mack ~ On Wednesday, December 3, at 5:30 p.m. our patrons are invited to a special evening with local author and illustrator Jeff Mack. Jeff will read from his new picture books and talk about how he writes and illustrates children’s books. His newest books will be on sale and will make special holiday gifts since they will be personally signed by Jeff. It’s exciting that his new Halloween book Boo, Bunny was recently featured in People magazine! That evening we will also unveil a new mural that Jeff has created for our Youth Department and offer some yummy holiday refreshments.

Freedom of Expression: Resistance and Repression in the Age of Intellectual Property ~ On Tuesday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m. (snow date December 10), we will be showing the fascinating documentary film, Freedom of Expression: Resistance and Repression in the Age of Intellectual Property. This film was produced by Kembrew McLeod and our staff member Jeremy Smith, in conjunction with the Media Education Foundation in Northampton. This evening is a wonderful opportunity for patrons interested in creative freedom and the legal issues of copyright to converse together and with the film’s editor. Refreshments will be served.

~ Johanna Douglass, Program Director, Emily Williston Memorial Library, Easthampton

The d'Alson Chronicles: Part One - Pun Intended

A brand new film on library research produced by the Assumption College d'Alzon Library and now featured on YouTube:

Description:
"The first segment in a three part series, follows Mike, the procrastinating college student, as he learns how to use library resources in his quest to get an "A" on his psychology paper."



Part Two: Princess of Internal Affairs

Part Three: Phantom of Interrogation

Where do short library pencils come from?

Kudos to Williams College Librarian and Film Maker, Nick Baker, who has produced a documentary on the origin of library "short pencils". Enjoy the film~

UMass Amherst Libraries announces expansion of services to users

Edited from the press release UMASS AMHERST LIBRARIES ANNOUNCES EXPANDED SERVICES AND HOURS:

"A team of 18 librarians has created over 80 new subject research guides (http://www.library.umass.edu/subject ). These are designed to be convenient and relevant to students and faculty doing research, and can be embedded in the campus course management system, SPARK. A link to the page can also be found on the Library web site: http://www.library.umass.edu ."

CONTACT: LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATION ASST., (413) 545-0162

Novermber 13 is WMRLS Annual Meeting at AIER

Dear Western Massachusetts Libraries:

This is a reminder that all of you are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) Council of Members from 10:00 till about 12:30 on Thursday, November 13, 2008. The location will be the unique American Institute for Economic Research in the scenic hills of Great Barrington. A couple of us visited AIER yesterday, and we guarantee you will enjoy visiting this site and learning about this intriguing member of our Region and the work they do, especially in the context of these challenging economic times. There is no need to RSVP; just show up, one and all.

Please consider trying to ride share with others in your area - it'll save gasoline and add to your enjoyment of the day.

Directions to AIER, 250 Division Street, Great Barrington, can be found at http://www.aier.org/about/our-location . Just select where you'll be coming from and the driving directions will appear. Basically, it's about 7.5 miles south and west of the Red Lion Inn at the center of Stockbridge. At 250 Division St., you'll see a stone entrance on the right with "AIER" on it. Turn into the driveway and keep straight for almost a mile, following signs for Library Office. There's plenty of parking just over the crest of the hill.

We need a quorum of our member libraries in order to act on several business issues, so we hope you will try to attend. The agenda, FY2010 budget and plan of service and other documents are on our website at http://archive.wmrls.org/council/agenda/ . Please print out relevant documents and bring them with you to help us reduce Regional printing costs. A nominating slate is being finalized and will be posted on the site later; copies of that slate will be available at the meeting.

In addition to our regular business meeting, we will:

• Hear from the MA Board of Library Commissioners about the latest statewide library developments.
• Learn perspectives on today's libraries and library education from Terry Plum, Assistant Dean of the Simmons College GSLIS program at Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley.
• Get an update from the Friends of WMRLS about their many fundraising and advocacy activities over the past year and being planned for upcoming months.
• Enjoy the report of Becky Marconi, Project Coordinator for the LSTA "Together We Thrive" grant. This exciting effort has been benefiting many small public libraries. This project is just starting its second year.

We think you'll find the WMRLS Annual Meeting an especially interesting opportunity for the entire Western Massachusetts library community to come together, interact, learn, and demonstrate your support for your WMRLS. We hope to see you all at AIER on November 13 !!!

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