Mass.gov/libraries

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Launches New Website ...

Plus Radio and Television Spots to Promote Massachusetts Libraries ...

And Librarian PR Tool Kit

Today's libraries are no longer just places to check out books: they have something for everyone. With the launch of a new advertising campaign and Website, Mass.gov/libraries, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) seeks to increase awareness that today's libraries offer everything from Internet access to music, movies, 24/7 on-line access to resources and databases, newly released books, literacy programs for children as well as a variety of programs and events for adults.

In addition to helping people locate a library near them, the new Web site will highlight some of the services that libraries offer. Users will be able to locate a library with Wifi (almost 70% of libraries offer this service), reserve books, movies, and music on-line, and use on-line resources. "Our on-line resources give people the simplicity of Google-like search with a yield of information that is from reliable sources and includes full-text articles," stated MBLC Director Robert C. Maier. Visitors to the new Web site can access the on-line resources using their library card from anywhere Internet is available.

Libraries have computers with Internet, Wifi access, the latest book releases, DVDs, CDs, audio books, popular magazines, newspapers and more. But one doesn't actually have to be at the library to access all the library has to offer. Visit Mass.gov/libraries and rediscover your library.

Funding for the Web site is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.

~ Celeste Bruno, Communications Specialist, MBLC Public Awareness Campaign

MBLC Wants Western MA events

The new "public face" of Massachusetts libraries http://www.mass.gov/libraries has a "What's New" section devoted to library programs and events - and they're looking for a broader
selection of library programming. WMRLS libraries should Email their event information to Celeste Bruno Celeste.Bruno@state.ma.us at the MBLC to have their programs and events listed. This is a great way to promote new and successful programs outside of our region and show that great libraries thrive throughout our state!

~Celeste Bruno, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Library Community Must Make Their Voices Heard

WMRLS Legislative Breakfast: Library Community Must Make Their Voices Heard

Visit the MBLC Website for photos of this event

Holding an event at Hampden Public Library would have been impossible three years ago. The library was forced to close its doors for almost a year in 2005 after the town voted down an override that would have provided library funding. On Friday March 7, 2008 Hampden Public Library hosted a Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) Legislative Breakfast that brought out members of Hampden Board of Selectman, Commissioners from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and several state legislators.

"We need to realize what's at risk when we don't fund libraries," stated Representative Mary Rogeness. "Here in Hampden you know what's at risk, but the state needs to realize that it's not just losing a library; it's losing the town's center; it's losing access; it's losing critical services that everyone needs in Massachusetts." Senator Gale Candaras encouraged the library community to make their voices heard on Beacon Hill, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease; you've got to squeak more, especially during this difficult budget year."

Mary King, WMRLS Regional Librarian, noted that the WMRLS Budget is down 17% since 2002 while MBLC Commissioner Katherine Dibble talked about the increase in demand for library services. MBLC Commissioner Richard Dunbar added "There are many issues competing before the legislature." "But whether the issue is global warming, health care, or how government works libraries are part of it all and we need to make sure that the legislature understands that."

Toni-Golinski-Foisy, Director of West Springfield Public Library and Friends of WMRLS, encouraged the crowd to attend Massachusetts Library Association's Legislative Day on April 2 at the State House, calling attendance at the event "critical in making our voices heard and letting our legislators know how vital libraries are."

Library trustees Beth Burger and Raymond Andree perhaps best captured the feelings of the crowd. "When libraries close, lives are shattered,"said Mr. Andree. "It's dangerous to become complacent" added Ms. Burger. "We need to make our voices heard."

The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.

~ Celeste Bruno, Communications Specialist, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Library Legislative Breakfast at Grace Hall Library

Representative Peter Kocot speaks about his support of libraries to people attending the Legislative Breakfast at the Grace Hall Memorial Library in Montgomery on February 13. Listening are Representatives Don Humason and Rosemary Sandlin, who also spoke about how important they consider State funding for libraries. Also attending were aides from Senator Michael Knapik and Rep. Michael Kane.

‘Tis the season to let our legislators know how important libraries are to us, by writing to them (contact information at http://www.mass.gov/legis/legis.htm), attending legislative breakfasts (http://www.wmrls.org/wmrls/legislativebfast.html) and taking the Friends of WMRLS bus to the State House on April 2 for Library Legislative Day (http://friends.wmrls.org/2009-bus.pdf).

~ John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, WMRLS

Legislative Breakfast season is coming up!

Thanks to all the hosting libraries for taking on this responsibility. Their efforts will help all of us.

Copied and pasted below is the list of breakfasts. Find your senator and then sign up for his/her breakfast. In a separate email to the WMRLS list, we will forward the entire 2 page letter that has gone out to libraries in the Pioneer Valley. Hope to run into some friends at the Breakfasts!

Please register with the hosts so that they can plan on refreshments, etc.

Western Mass Library Legislative Breakfasts Schedule ~ 2012

Full descriptions of the Breakfasts, plus registration information and directions are available at http://mla.memberlodge.org/Breakfasts

Thanks to the Mass. Library Association for hosting the information this year.

Senator Michael Knapik

Friday, January 27, 2012 ~ 8:00 a.m. ~ Holyoke Community College, Kittredge Center Room KC 303
Host: Kathleen McDonough, Interim Dean of Library Services and Academic Support
Registration email: jtomlinson@hcc.mass.edu

Senator Stanley Rosenberg

Friday, January 27, 2012 ~ 8:00 a.m. ~ Forbes Library, Northampton

Host: Janet Moulding, Library Director
Registration email: LDowning@forbeslibrary.org

Senator James Welch

Friday, January 27, 2012 ~ 8:00 a.m. ~ Agawam Public Library
Host: Judith Clini, Library Director

Registration email: jclini@agawamlibrary.org

Senator Benjamin Downing

Friday, January 27, 2012 ~ 8:00 a.m. ~ Berkshire Athenaeum

Host: Ron Latham, Library Director

Registration email: l.kaufmann@mcla.edu

Senator Gale Candaras

Friday, February 10, 2012 ~ 8:00 a.m. ~ East Longmeadow Public Library
Host: Susan Peterson, Library Director

Registration email: speterson@eastlongmeadowma.gov

Senator Stephen Brewer

Friday, February 24, 2012 ~ 8:30 a.m. ~ Palmer Public Library

Host: Nancy Menard, Library Director

Registration email: nmenard@palmer.lib.ma.us

Find the names of your state Senator and Representative(s) by visiting the Massachusetts Library Association - Elected Officials website http://capwiz.com/ala/ma/state/main/?state=MA

Environmental Monitoring

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) has been providing environmental monitoring services free of charge to libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, and town offices for sixteen years.  Normally two dataloggers are installed inside and one outside.  However, depending on the institution’s needs, more than three can be installed.  There are now openings on the waiting list starting in August 2013.  If you have never had this done, have done major renovations or changes to your facility since monitoring was done previously, or have moved into a new facility no later than this past summer, you might want to think about monitoring.  A description of the program is at http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/preservation/monitoring.php.

If you are interested in participating, please respond with the following information:

Name

Institution

Address

Phone #

Fax #

Email address

If you have any questions, please contact Gregor Trinkaus-Randall, Preservation Specialist,

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, gregor.trinkaus-randall@state.ma.us, www.mass.gov/mblc