Pioneer Valley Legislative Breakfasts

The schedule for the Pioneer Valley Legislative Breakfasts has been added to the Friends of WMRLS website. For details on your own area's breakfast click here.

Hope to see you at one of the events.

Lynn Coakley
Friends of WMRLS Board

Online Database Brochure

The WMRLS Reference Advisory Committee has created a new trifold flyer to share with your staff and patrons. The updated Electronic Resources Brochure reminds users of the variety of electronic resources available to them and includes helpful information on the "How & Why" of databases. Check it out today! Download the pdf for easy printing and distribution by clicking on the title above or by visiting www.wmrls.org and clicking on "Online Databases."

ALSC announces exceptional Web sites for children

Immediate Release December 23, 2008

ALSC announces exceptional Web sites for children

CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has added more recommended Web sites to Great Web Sites for Kids (www.ala.org/greatsites), its online resource containing hundreds of links to commendable Web sites for children.

Great Web Sites for Kids (GWS) features links to beneficial Web sites of interest to children, organized by subject headings such as animals; literature and languages; sciences; the arts; and reference desk. There is also a special section with sites of interest to parents, caregivers and teachers, plus an area devoted to sites in Spanish. The ALSC Great Web Sites for Kids Committee maintains and updates the site.

The newly added sites are:

• Activity TV - http://www.activitytv.com/
• Animal Fact Guide – http://www.animalfactguide.com/
• BaseballRox – http://www.baseballrox.com/
• The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art - http://www.carlemuseum.org/
• Chemicool – http://www.chemicool.com/
• Dawn - http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/DawnKids/index.asp
• Mem Fox: Teaching, Learning, Living - http://www.memfox.com/
• Kevin Henkes - http://www.kevinhenkes.com/
• Horizon Magic Porthole – http://www.magicporthole.org/
• KidsClick! Web search for kids by librarians – http://www.kidsclick.org/
• Maisy’s Fun Club - http://www.maisyfunclub.com/
• School Time Games - http://www.schooltimegames.com/
• Jon Scieszka Worldwide - http://www.jsworldwide.com/
• Charles R. Smith, Jr. - http://www.charlesrsmithjr.com/
• Speakaboos - http://www.speakaboos.com/
• Tate Kids - http://kids.tate.org.uk/
• The Audrey Wood Clubhouse - http://www.audreywood.com/

Members of the 2008 Great Web Sites for Kids Committee are: Karen Lemmons, co-chair, Howe Elementary School, Detroit; Becki Bishop, co-chair, Campbell Court Elementary School, Bassett, Va.; Amy Brown, Worthington Libraries, Columbus, Ohio; Robin Gibson, Granville, Ohio; Diana McFarland, Brunswick, Maine; Carla Morris, Provo City (Utah) Library; Marilyn Sobotincic, Medina County (Ohio) District Library; Terrell Young, Washington State University, Richland.
The complete listing of great sites with annotations and selection criteria can be found at www.ala.org/greatsites.

Clip art from LibraryClipArt.com

"webforchildren," American Library Association, December 23, 2008. http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2008/december2008/webforchildren.cfm (Accessed December 26, 2008)Document ID: 523689

Library Updates from the MBLC

Massachusetts Libraries ~ Inform, Empower, Inspire
Update: December 23, 2008

Gates Foundation Awards $6.9 Million to Improve Library Internet Connectivity. Massachusetts among states to receive grant funds.

All Aboard! Young and old alike enjoy Yarmouth's annual Polar Express tradition. Watch this fun video:




Dickens Online. Through digitization, WPI's Gordon Library is sharing Dickens' work in its original form. Hear more about this fantastic project through this report on PRI's The World |
View the actual original serial ~ This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the MBLC.

When school lets out early, kids hang out at the library!
If you're one of those old-timers who still believe that a public library means books and maybe some out-of-date magazines, you've got another thing coming. "Kids aren't reading less these days they are reading different things," said Deborah Dowson, young adult librarian at the Groton Public Library.

Energy grants given to towns ~ Greenfield and Holland to use funds on library projects.

My Haverhill: The keepers of Haverhill's history ...the writers point out the unique system in Haverhill where contributions and private income supply all of the books and other material and where part of the money raised through calendar sales makes it possible for the Haverhill library to function at a much lower cost to the city government than most libraries in the country.

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

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

Wendell Free Library featured in 12/15/08 Library Journal

Congratulations to the staff and trustees of the Wendell Free Library. Wendell is one of five Massachusetts public libraries cited in Public Library Buildings: 2008 of the article "Library Buildings 2008: Keeping the ''ECO'' in Economy: Public and academic buildings combine for 213 projects in 2008" by Bette-Lee Fox [Library Journal, 12/15/2008].

Technical Services Roundtable February 3rd in Westfield

Hello Everyone,

You are invited to our next Technical Services Roundtable meeting, at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3rd (the 4th if it snows, which hopefully it won't) at the Westfield Athenaeum.

Jeremy Goldstein, of the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, will be moderator.

Please RSVP and send agenda items to jeremy at jgoldste@cwmars.org

I look forward to seeing everyone in February.

Time to Order 2009 Summer Reading Program Materials

Greetings WMRLS Member Libraries,

Ready, Set ... Order! Summer 2009 is a long way away, but it's time to order your paper materials! This year's program highlights space and is called "Starship Adventure at your Library". The teen component is called "Find What's Out There at the library". Librarians who are conducting summer reading programs for adults are welcome to use either program theme. Deadline for orders is January 20, 2009. It's going to be a fantastic summer!
The order form URL is: http://surveys.wmrls.org/2009starship

~ Sincerely, Janet Eckert, WMRLS

Our 2009 Massachusetts Summer Reading Program is funded by your local library, the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Libraries Are More Popular Than Ever!

Featured on the NBC Nightly News on December 10, 2008:

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

Must-See Sites for Technical Services

Thank you to Jeremy Goldstein, Berkshire Athenaeum Cataloging Supervisor, who inspired participants who attended today's WMRLS continuing education workshop "Must-See Sites for Technical Services". Jeremy's recommended technical services (and more!) websites are now featured on our WMRLS Cataloging & Classification webpage.

Thank you, too, to Dodie Gaudet, Bibliographic and Technical Services Consultant (Central Massachusetts Regional Library System). Dodie developed the original "Must See" workshop and generously granted permisssion to adapt this program for our region.

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

The Bill Dwight Show

I was on the Bill Dwight Show this Monday talking about libraries and library stuff. It's available as a Podcast. I am on about half way through the December 1 show. In this show I talked a lot about the intrinsic value of the library as social space.

I am also on talking about libraries and the Amazon Kindle on the November 21, show. I think I am on for about 15 minutes about 12 minutes into the Podcast.

It was fun and, I think, a good way to profile libraries and librarians to the public. It looks like I will be on as a semi-regular "library guy" guest.

The show is on AM 1240, 1400 and 96.9 FM. Bill Dwight is a former Northampton City Councilor with a pretty colorful past. I don't know where the rest of you all might be but you might have a local AM talk news show that would welcome a library correspondent. If it's your cup of tea it's a great way to promote libraries in general and programs or other happenings at your library specifically.

Best,

Adam Novitt
Pelham Library

"Prejudice against gamers"

Three cheers for Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe of the Springfield City Library whose response to Joseph Grosso's "Mission Aborted" [BackTalk, Library Journal, 9/15/08, page 34] is published in the November 15, 2008 issue of Library Journal.

From Sarah's article, titled "Prejudice against gamers":

"... Gaming (along with anime, manga, and comics) has opened up the library for kids and teens. We have introduced things like digital editing, writing fan fiction based on games kids enjoy, and creating plans for video games. Gamers create online videos set to music and use text to read and write back and forth online in massive multiplayer games. They write and read reviews to help the library select games.... Games teach players about community interaction, history, civics, and many other subjects.... " - Read more at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6611583.html

Western Massachusetts Literacy Champions

Congratulations to ....

Candy Cross, Children's Librarian of the Wheeler Memorial Library in Orange who has been chosen as a 2009 Massachusetts Literacy Champion. Candy joins WMRLS Members' Massachusetts Literacy Champions - Jean Canosa-Albano (Springfield City Library - 2008 Champion), Haydee Hodis (Brightwood Branch, Springfield City Library - 2007 Champion), Marilyn Antonucci (Springfield Public Schools - 2006 Champion), Lynne Weintraub (Jones Library, Amherst - 2005 Champion), and Janet Kelly (Springfield City Library - 2003/04 Champion)

From the Massachusetts Literacy Champions website:

"The Massachusetts Literacy Champion Program is supported by Verizon Check Into Literacy program foundation.verizon.com and the Massachusetts Literacy Foundation http://www.massliteracy.org/. Each Literacy Champion receives $3,500 in grants to support their literacy program and professional development."

WRapper November/December Newsletter Now Online

Extra! Extra! Read All About ...

A New Outlook at the Wilbraham Public Library by Christine Bergquist, Wilbraham Public Library

Berkshire Athenaeum's Renovations to the Local History and Reference Departments by Ronald B. Latham, Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield

Bookmobile: Keeping Up with the Times by Mary King, WMRLS

Election Results by John Ramsay, WMRLS

Forbes Library Welcome Kiosk by Janet Moulding, Forbes Library, Northampton

Forbes Library's Spanish Language Website by Lisa Downing, Forbes Library, Northampton

Happy 100th Birthday to the Griswold Memorial Library by Betty Johnson, Griswold Memorial Library, Colrain

"Leading Change: Working with Emotional Issues" at NELA by Mary King, WMRLS

Medspeak Project Update by James L. Craig, UMass Amherst Libraries

Milne Library's Environmental Education Program Series by Mindy Hackner, Milne Library, Williamstown

North Adam's Take Charge Energy Kits by Marion Grillon, North Adams Public Library

November Storytimes Celebrate Picturing America by Margo Storozuk, Southwick Public Library

October Hero - Ed Popielarczyk by Janet Eckert, WMRLS

Owen Listens to Youth Read at the Richmond Free Public Library by Kristin Smith, Richmond Public Library

Palmer's Platinum Patron Recognition Program - Reading Rewards by Helene O'Connor, Palmer Public Library

Reading, Writing and History by Pat McLeod, Milne Library, Williamstown

Save the Date: UMass Amherst Libraries Dinner with Friends on April 4, 2009 by Leslie Schaler, UMass Amherst Libraries

Southwick Public Library Celebrates Family Literacy Month by Margo Storozuk, Southwick Public Library

Successful Programs at the Dickinson Memorial Library by Angela Rovatti-Leonard, Dickinson Memorial Library, Northfield

Survey Says ... Tips on Planning a Young Adult Survey at the Library by Mia Cabana, West Springfield Public Library

The East Longmeadow Public Library Receives Stavros Access Award for 2008 by Sue Peterson, East Longmeadow Public Library

With the Help of the GCC Library, I Got an A on My Paper! by Hope Schneider, Greenfield Community College Library

WMRLS Disc Repair Machine Now Available to Public Libraries Serving Populations of 2,500 and under by Becky Marconi, WMRLS

Worthington Library receives ALA/Fetzer Institute Award by Leona Arthen, Worthington Library

WMRLS Continuing Education Workshops - January 2009

And More!

Now online at http://www.wmrls.org/wrapper/november2008.pdf

February 3, 2009 is deadline to apply for THE BIG READ grant

From the National Endowment for the Arts THE BIG READ website:

"The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Approximately 400 organizations in communities of varying sizes across the country will be selected to participate in The Big Read from September 2009 through June 2010."


An overview of THE BIG READ featured in the November 15, 2008 issue of Library Journal:

1. "Big Read, Big ROI: How the one-book program extends the library's most trusted brand" by Beth Dempsey.

Recent THE BIG READ video posted on YouTube:
"Claymation reenactment of the novel the Great Gatsby for Waukesha's BIG READ celebration."

The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education

Posted on YouTube and promoted in Library Hotline, November 24, 2008:

"The Center for Social Media is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education on November 11, 2009. This code is a step-by-step guide to fair use in an academic setting that enables teachers and students who use popular culture to know when their uses are legal.

The Code of Best Practices was created in collaboration with the Washington College of Laws Program on Information, Justice and Intellectual Property and with our new partner Media Education Lab at Temple University. The Code will be released in hard copy in Philadelphia at the Kirby Auditorium on Tuesday, November 11th ..."

Milne Library Top Ten for Appalachian Trail Hikers

The David & Joyce Milne Library in Williamstown was recently included on a short list of “hiker –friendly” libraries along the Appalachian Trail in the A.T. Journeys bimonthly magazine. The magazine features articles of interest not only to hikers but those that have an appreciation for the nation’s most legendary trail. The only library in the top ten from Massachusetts, shares its “hiker friendly” status with large county libraries in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia and a few of similar size libraries in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine.

“This was a great acknowledgement; our through hikers have left me notes saying what a great library and friendly staff we have. We always know when the hikers begin coming through – there is definitely something in the air!” states Pat McLeod the Library Director.

~ Pat McLeod, Library Director, David & Joyce Milne Public Library, Williamstown

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

Boston Public Library's What Do Want To Know Ad Campaign

From the Boston Public Library Ad Campaign website:

"The advertising campaign titled “what do you want to know?” was created to help remind residents and visitors, scholars and students, businesses and families, and seniors and children alike of the vital and friendly resource they have in the Boston Public Library. A&G made our library staff the heroes of the campaign – positioning them as The Ultimate Search Engines. They’re here to answer any question you have, and they’re reachable 24 hours a day by phone, by email or by visiting one of our branches across the city."

Massachusetts School Library Association Conference Highlights

The next best thing to attending the Massachusetts School Library Conference is reading all about it via the MSLA Conference 2008 Blog. Be sure to read all about it at http://mslaconference2008.blogspot.com/

Library Ghosts!

Reprinted with permission from the Babson Library weblog:

"Remember those ghost stories from your childhood?

Did you know there are a number of libraries Massachusetts that claim to have ghosts or at least paranormal activity?

One of these libraries is the Clapp Memorial Library in Belchertown. While working their night custodian has seen apparitions moving around the building and books mysteriously sliding in and out of the shelves. His reports were so compelling that, the Sci-Fi channel program Ghost Hunters sent a team to investigate the case. The show aired on March 19, 2008.

Did they find any ghosts? Here’s a link to the “Library Ghost” so you can find out. "

~ Andrea Taupier, Library Director, Babson Library, Springfield College

WMRLS Editor's Note: See Also Clapp Memorial Library postings on this blog.

Happy Halloween image from Public Domain Clip Art

Western Massachusetts Library Club Annual Meeting

Caption: Three Western Massachusetts Library Club members are, from left to right, Frank Taplin, Dorothy Carmody and James Craig.

The Western Massachusetts Library Club (WMLC) held it's annual meeting on October 29, 2008 at the Holyoke Public Library. WMLC has been in existence since 1898, and this group of active and retired librarians supports the services of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System, donates money from its Humphry Fund for the purchase of professional titles at WMRLS, and offers programs of interest and education for western Massachusetts librarians and library users. This fall's program was Mountain Park by Jay Ducharme, local author of the book by the same name. Mr. Ducharme's slides and conversation about the history of this local landmark were fact-filled and entertaining, and his enthusiasm for his topic is infectious!

~ Mary King, Regional Librarian, WMRLS

Transformations at the Wheeler Memorial Library in Orange

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHOTO CAPTION: Some of the creatures recently seen in the Wheeler Memorial Library. Bottom to top to left to right: Zoe Basque, Baylee Rousseau, and Hailey Sousa, Colleen and Taylor Basque, Alyssa Rousseau and Saydie True

Imaginations ran on the wild side at the Wheeler Memorial Library when volunteer Zita Bridges came to work her magic with face paints. Children and adults took part in the fun of pretending to be everything from pumpkins to spiders, butterflies to tigers, and even a fairy or two. Librarian Candy Cross, looking like the Cat and the Hat, supervised the making of Oobleck, miniature scarecrows, monster goop, and spiders. It was a fun free time for all who attended.

~ Candy Cross, Children's Librarian, Wheeler Memorial Library, 49 East Main St Orange MA 01364; 978-544-2495, ext 103

News from the Jones Library ESL Center

Are you curious about being a volunteer ESL tutor? Hear ESL volunteers describe their experiences working with their students on the Center’s web page http://www.joneslibrary.org/esl/index.html and on YouTube. These videos were developed by an intern from Amherst College’s Center for Community Engagement and helped to recruit 26 new tutors for the program’s fall tutor training. The list of students waiting for tutors is down to just 3—a record low. Contact Lynne Weintraub for more information at 259-3093.

~ Bonnie Isman, Library Director, Jones Library, Amherst, MA 01002; tel: 413-259-3106;
ismanb@joneslibrary.org

Visit the Jones Library's Tutors and Students website to listen to tutors and students share their experiences with the library's English as a Second Language Tutoring Program (one of the four videos is posted below).

Gravestone Guessing Game

This may be a little late for this year, but I’ve discovered an easy and fun way to link Halloween with reading! The Gravestone Guessing Game!

First, you pick some book villains that have died in their stories. For the game I ran this year, I had seven including The White Witch (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe), Count Olaf (A Series of Unfortunate Events) and Captain Hook (Peter Pan).

You create a gravestone for each villain. They can be cut from cardboard or foam board, and painted to look like stone. I also included black “Etching” pictures on the stone to clue folks into who’s stone it belonged to (For example, Captain Hook’s stone had a Skull and Crossbones above the inscription.)

Each stone also got an inscription on it, a poem describing the character and how they died. For example, on Hook’s stone it read:

“I brought fear as I sailed the sea
No man was so fierce as me
I feared only a Croc
And the tick of a clock
Till I was that beasts snack at tea!”

However no stone had the characters name on it. Each stone however, got a letter glued to it on orange paper. The stones were then displayed around the children’s room.

Each child playing the game got a sheet with the name of the seven villains (and the book they belonged to). The children then went around the room and read each of the tombstones, trying to figure out what villain belonged to what stone. They wrote the letter of the stone beside the name on the sheet.

It was a big hit at our Halloween Haunt. We’ve decided to keep the stones up till after Halloween, as it’s an activity that the kids can do independently.

National Gaming Day @ your library

From the American Library Association website:

"On Saturday, November 15, 2008, hundreds of libraries throughout the country will showcase gaming programs and services in support of National Gaming Day @ your library (NGD). Gaming of all types at the library encourages patrons to interact with a diverse group of users, share their expertise with others, and develop new strategies for gaming and learning.

The mission of National Gaming Day @ your library is to:

• Raise awareness about the use of games as a library program;
• Expose people to a new type of board game;
• Establish connections between local board game groups and the library."

Trick or Treat with ReadsinMA!

Trick or Treat! We invite staff of all WMRLS member libraries to give our ReadsinMA online reading program a test drive!

Staff of all WMRLS member libraries who post public reviews to our WMRLS Trick or Treat online reading program are eligible to win the colorful M&M candy dispenser that is pictured on the program page (below)!

Prize drawing is Friday, October 24 at 1 pm! Visit http://www.readsinma.org/wmrls today!

For more information about ReadsinMA, visit our ReadsinMA Blog : )

Belchertown Library's Capital Campaign Website

From the Clapp for Community website:

"A capital campaign – 10 years in the making – is underway to renovate and expand our facilities, to address population growth that has burgeoned, the changing needs of today’s patrons and the inefficiencies of our historic library building. The goal is to rejuvenate the Clapp Memorial Library to its original purpose: A Destination Place. THE place in Belchertown to find reliable resources for readers and information seekers of all ages; to experience learning and culture; and to enjoy “community” at its finest."

In addition to the following video, the Clapp for Community website features the debut of the new title "The Incredible Tail of Nathaniel J. Mouse" , a PowerPoint presentation,and more!

Western Massachusetts Library Club Annual Meeting

Annual Meeting at the Holyoke Public Library

Wednesday, October 29 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Registration & Light Refreshments Business Meeting & Elections A la Carte Luncheon to Follow

Program: Mountain Park with Guest Author Jay Ducharme

Please make your reservation for the luncheon along with your meeting reservation by Sunday, October 26. Email: lakmary729@lycos.com or Telephone: Franklin Taplin - 413/534-0867

Directions to the Holyoke Public Library

Visit the Western Massachusetts Library Club Website

Chibiconn V: A HIT!

On September 27, 2008, the Springfield City Library opened its doors to the anime fans of Western Massachusetts with a vast selection of anime showings on the Community Room’s big screen! Starting off with the classic 1963 anime Astro Boy, the day showcased anime for all ages and tastes. Among those shown were: Glass Fleet (a sci-fi drama about a rebellion against a cold and ruthless ruling class), Emma: A Victorian Romance (A Jane Austen-type period romance), and Ghost Stories (a hilarious re-dub of a spooky ghost-chasing tale, filled with Daily Show type humor). Between each showing, a series of door prizes, generously donated by several anime companies and contacts, were given away.

On Sunday the 28th, the crowds returned for our headliner contests and guests. The Anime Music Video contest was cancelled due to lack of entries, but we still enjoyed a showing of AMVs, some created by our young patrons, some showcased as winners from local conventions through the years! Next, we were treated to a manga workshop presented by Bettina M. Kurkoski. Bettina is a professional artist and manga creator for Tokyopop, and she did a wonderful job of not only teaching drawing tips, but also explaining the complicated buisness of being a professional artist. From agents to contracts to computer programs to figure sketching, she covered everything you need to know.

Then it was on to the cosplay and skit contest. The costumes were varied and the skits were well written. The art contest followed with a fantastic display of the creativity of the next generation of manga and animation artists on hand. Every piece was interesting and refreshing, and our judges had plenty of trouble narrowing the winners down.

By the end of the day our final count was in! 127 anime fans had passed through our doors to join the fun! What did they have to say about the festival? Here are just a few comments!

“It gave me the spirit of anime, the real anime spirit.”

“I had never really tried to cosplay before, but Chibiconn absolutely made me get some motivation and discover that I actually enjoyed anime and making costumes!”

“I love anime and I like to meet other people who like anime.”

Safe to say, the event was a hit!

NELA Conference 2008

Sunday afternoon in Manchester NH was a time to attend great programs and greet old friends at the opening day of the 2008 NELA Conference! In the accompanying photos, enjoying the Vendor's Exhibits are Mary King (WMRLS), Joan Powers (Undermountain Elementary School, Sheffield) and Madeleine Charney (DuBois,UMASS) with her darling son, Eli.

Read More About It! Visit the NELA Conference Blog

Work Like A Patron Day

Brian Herzog, a reference librarian at the Chelmsford Public Library, is the author of the blog, Swiss Army Librarian or, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Fear and Loathing at a Public Library Reference Desk. With colleagues at the Chelmsford Public Library, Brian recently celebrated "Work Like a Patron Day" in which staff experience the library from the patron's point of view.

Must Reading is Brian's Work Like A Patron Day Proposal (excerpt below) and Event Recap.

"I’m proposing “Work Like A Patron Day” on October 15th. In honor of the day, I think library staff should (when possible):

• enter and leave the library through the public entrance (not the staff doors)
• use the public restrooms
• use the public computers to do your work
• reserve public meeting rooms for meetings
• follow all library policies"

Worthington Library receives ALA/Fetzer Institute Award

Good news from the Worthington Library!

"The Worthington Library is one of 50 libraries to be chosen for the ALA/Fetzer Institute “Let’s Talk About It: Love & Forgiveness” grant. The grant awards the library $2500 to cover project director training in Denver, honorarium for the local scholar who will run the book discussion series and any other expenses. Worthington chose the topic: “Love and Forgiveness in the Light of Death” which follows nicely our well-received series last year on spiritual practices in our community. We are partnered in the grant by The Worthington Health Center, the Council on Aging and the Congregational Church. Our local scholar is Walter Wright, Academic Dean of Clark University and a PhD in Philosophy. We are very happy to have received this grant."

~ Leona Arthen, Director, Worthington Library

In Good Spirits Opening This Weekend!

I just wanted to let everyone know that there is a really great musical opening at the Shea Theatre in Turners Falls Ma this Friday! The show runs Oct 17-18 & Oct 24-25 at 8pm. They’ll also be matinees on Sunday Oct 19 & 26 at 2pm!

The musical is “IN GOOD SPIRITS”, a hysterical comedy about 5 ghosts that haunt a theater and the second rate community theater group that moves in with them. Will the ghosts scare them out, or help them out? If you’ve never seen a show with dancing sharks, prima donnas, and haunted bathrooms all set to toe tapping tunes, you have to see this one!

Best of all, several local librarians are in the cast and crew, including the Jones Library's own Sondra Radosh, producing the show! (and a certain Springfield library associate in the chorus as well! LOL )

Reserve tickets by phone at the Shea Box Office, 413-863-2281, ext. 3. Or you can go to http://www.arenacivictheatre.org/

Sarah HW
Springfield City Library

Library License Plates to benefit Massachusetts Libraries

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!
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

Summer Reading Program Updates

Greetings All,
I have 3 calendar years of Summer Reading Program (SRP) updates to share with you:

2008 – Thank you to all who evaluated last summer’s program. We’ve compiled your feedback and it is now posted online .





2009 – The links to the complete manuals for both the general and teen 2009 SRP are now posted on our WMRLS READS! blog . The Massachusetts Regional Library Systems are now working to finalize the 2009 order form of free promotional materials for our member libraries (posters, bookmarks, reading records, certificates). Our goal is to have the complete library order form for 2009 materials posted to our WMRLS READS! blog by mid-November.


2010 - It's time to Vote for our 2010 Massachusetts Regional Library Systems Statewide Summer Reading Program Theme. Our online Summer Reading Program Ballot - - runs today through Monday, November 3. We'll announce our winning 2010 Summer Reading Program Theme on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4.

~ Sincerely, Janet Eckert, WMRLS

Clip art from LibraryClipArt.com

Going Green Institute - December 4, 2008

From the Library Journal Going Green Institute Website:

Going Green Institute

December 4, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building

Admission is free ~ Register soon as seats are limited

"The fourth Library Journal Design Institute moves to Connecticut for a one-day think tank on green design. We will bring together leading architects, designers, librarians, and vendors to hone in on the challenges and solutions we face in making libraries sustainable. As previous Green Design institutes have shown, there is much more to sustainability than making our libraries green. With every Green Design Institute, we've taken a leap forward in knowledge and understanding, but there is so much more we can learn from these experts and each other. Join us for a day-long series of green-themed presentations, panels, and breakout sessions, and learn the latest developments, options, costs and strategies being adopted.

We'll also reprise one of the most successful features of the day: hands-on breakout sessions with architects. Each librarian attendee will have a chance to have their design challenge be the focus of one of the six architect-led breakout sessions. The design challenges do not have to focus solely on going green, but the breakout session will incorporate green solutions into the design.
Limited to 100 attendees, the seminar is for those considering a new building project or renovation, in the fundraising or pre-bond stage, or in the early building process."

Coffee Bars, Computer Blogs, & Cybrarians

A big thank you to Bonnie Isman, Director of the Amherst Libraries, and guest presenter of today's inspiring WMRLS Continuing Education Workshop titled Coffee Bars, Computer Blogs, and Cybrarians, Oh My! It’s Not your Grandmother’s Public Library.

This presentation was originally conducted for the Greenfield Senior Symposia series and to other local organizations. The content was designed for community groups with the hope of stretching their minds about the kinds of things that libraries can do. Using slides, websites, and a special DVD presentation, Bonnie gave participants a whirlwind tour of the history of American libraries and concluded by showcasing 21st century libraries and the incredible services and programs that they provide their communites.

Posted below is a sampling of the material that Bonnie shared with us.

YouTube Presentation: Jones Library English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutoring



Carnegie Libraries -
http://wmrls.blogspot.com/2008/01/catalogue-of-photographic-exhibition-of.html

Cerritos launches "The Experience Library" - http://www.ci.cerritos.ca.us/library/experience_library.html

From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America © 2008 OCLC -
http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding/default.htm

In Search of Solutions: How People use the Internet, Libraries, and Government Agencies to Find Help - http://pewresearch.org/pubs/677/in-search-of-solutions

Libraries with Coffee Shops - http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.php/Libraries_with_Coffee_Shops

The Library History Buff (Look for "The First Bookmobile")- http://www.libraryhistorybuff.org/

Library pioneers strove for a place in history. Republican, The (Springfield, MA) - July 28, 2008 Author: STAN FREEMAN Edition: ALL Section: NEWS Page: A01

Number of Libraries in the United States -
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/hqops/library/libraryfactsheet/alalibraryfactsheet1.cfm

The Peterborough Town Library:The Oldest Free Public Library in the World Supported by Taxation - http://www.libraryhistorybuff.org/peterborough.htm

Wyoming Libraries - http://wyominglibraries.org/

Nikki Giovanni at STCC

On Friday, October 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the gymnasium of Scibelli Hall, the College will welcome world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni.

This is the first program in a series of Diversity Speakers/Art events sponsored by the Diversity Council for the 2008-2009 season. This event is also being sponsored by: Mass Mutual, Mass Mutual Center, Baystate Health, Black Men of Greater Springfield, Springfield Health & Human Services, American International College, PeoplesBank, The Point of View, Unity First, Springfield College and WNEC.

Ms. Giovanni, who is one of the most widely read American poets, is considered a National Treasure. Oprah Winfrey recognizes Ms. Giovanni as one of Oprah's twenty-five Living Legends. Ms. Giovanni calls herself "a Black American, a daughter, a mother, and a professor of English". Her focus is on the individual, for she believes in the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus in the lives of others.

Ms. Giovanni has written 30 books for adults and children, some of which have been on the New York Times Bestseller list. Her most recent children's book, Rosa, illustrated by Bryan Collier (and which our library has, among other books of hers, in its children's collection,) was a Caldecott Medal Honors book and won the Coretta Scott King award. She has received numerous other awards. Click on http://nikki-giovanni.com/awardsnhonors.shtml to get that list.

Ms. Giovanni is a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. Attached is You-tube video clip of how she rallied the Virginia Tech community after the tragedy in April, 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zrJhtH-SHY.
The text she composed can be read at: http://www.vt.edu/remember/archive/giovanni_transcript.html

Lynn Coakley
Coordinator of Technical Services & CLGS coordinator
Library
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Sq.
Springfield, MA 01102
413.755.4565
fax: 413.755.6315
lcoakley@stcc.edu

Summary of Technical Services Roundtable

Yesterday the latest technical services roundtable was held at the North Adams Public Library.  At the meeting:

The attendees stated that they would like to see more activity on the CWCAT message board. Janet Schrader encouraged us to use CWCAT to communicate with each other about all tech services topics – whether or not C/W MARS cataloging is involved.  The attendees agreed that if we have more continuous activity on CWCAT, then we can send fewer messages to WMRLS and CWINFO.

The MLA Technical Services Section is seeking a candidate for Vice-Chair (2 and a half year committment) to fill an immediate vacancy, as well as candidates for Vice-Chair (3 year), Secretary (2 year), and Member-at-Large (2 year) to be elected at this year's conference in Springfield.  If interested please contact Cecile Bianco (Cecile.Bianco.umassmed.edu)

Libraries were reminded that they are obligated to follow the street dates for materials provided to them by their distributors. 

C/W Mars is actively working on customized templates for libraries seeking to print spine labels from Millenium Cataloging.  If you are interested and your library uses a laser printer, please contact Janet Schrader (jschrader@cwmars.org), if you use a continuous feed printer please contact Tom Corbett (tcorbett@cwmars.org).  It is also recommended that you send C/W Mars an example of your label stock along with its item number.  Click here for further information.

Libraries are strongly urged when adding items containing multiple parts to clearly label on the container what parts are included.  When cataloging these items it is recommended that you only use one barcode for the set as a whole. This is intended for items that circulate throughout the network and on which patrons/staff can place holds. The single barcode is so there will not be multiple item records for what is actually a single item.

A list of all current itypes has been posted to the C/WMars website for quick reference. 

Carolyn Platt wanted to know which products we prefer for attaching book jackets.  Some libraries like fiber or filament tapes, and no one worries about covering up information!

Laura Dankner of the Milne Public Library in Williamstown has volunteered to compile a list of commonly used supplies for covering books.  Please post your supply lists to the CWCAT list for this project. 

Jeremy Goldstein gave a talk on LibraryThing and LibraryElf, and will be happy to answer any questions on either topic (jgoldste@cwmars.org).

The next meeting will be held at the Westfield Athenaeum in February.

UMass Amherst Libraries Hosts Social Change Events in October

UMASS AMHERST LIBRARIES HOSTS

SOCIAL CHANGE EVENTS IN OCTOBER

Special Collections and University Archives at UMass Amherst Libraries will host a series of events on social change in October. Two authors will read from their works: Tom Fels on October 21 and Cathy Wilkerson on October 24, both in the Special Collections Reading Room, Floor 25, Du Bois Library, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The film Hearts and Minds will be shown on October 27, 7:00 p.m., and on October 29, 2:00 p.m., at Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity St., Amherst. The Fourth Annual Colloquium on Social Change will feature journalist Parker Donham and activist Junius Williams on October 28, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Cape Cod Lounge, Student Union, UMass Amherst. All events are free and open to the public.

On October 21, Tom Fels will read from Farm Friends: From the Late Sixties to the West Seventies and Beyond. Fels lived on a communal farm for four years (1969-73), which provides the background for Farm Friends, a memoir and a study of the generation of the 1960s. Beginning in 1969, it continues as a personal chronicle of the author and his extended family up to the present day. Farm Friends was nominated for the Alfred H. Barr, Jr., Award, the Philip Johnson Award, and the Wittenborn Memorial Award. Fels was a college administrator for five years before becoming a full-time curator and writer.

On October 24, Cathy Wilkerson will read from Flying Close to the Sun: My Life and Times as a Weatherman. Wilkerson was active in the civil rights movement, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and the Weathermen. In 1970, she was one of two women to survive an explosion in the basement of her family’s townhouse that killed three Weathermen, forcing the group underground. For the past twenty years she has taught mathematics in New York City schools. She graduated from Swarthmore College in 1966, worked in the national office of the SDS, and witnessed the results of the Cuban Revolution first hand. She was very active in civil rights and the women’s movement.

On October 27, Robert Cox, head of Special Collections and University Archives, will introduce Hearts and Minds at Amherst Cinema at 7:00 p.m. The film will also be shown on October 29, at 2:00 p.m. The controversial 1974 Academy Award winning documentary about the Vietnam War was directed by Peter Davis. The film consists of interviews, newsreels, and documentary footage of the conflict at home and abroad.

On October 28, Parker Donham will speak at the Fourth Annual Colloquium on Social Change. Known for his aggressive scrutinizing of government and his powerful columns in favor of social justice and the environment, Donham worked for 30 years as one of Canada’s best known independent journalists, winning two National Magazine Awards and many Atlantic Journalism Awards. He is now senior partner in Kempt Head Communications, a Nova Scotia company specializing in communications services and risk communications for public figures, corporations, and public agencies.

Junius Williams, Esq. will also speak at the October 28 colloquium. Williams is a noted attorney, educator, musician, and advocate for urban revitalization. He was elected President of the National Bar Association in 1978, the youngest person to be so designated. He served as Director of Community Development and the Model Cities Program for the City of Newark, N.J. (1970-72). He is co-founder, business manager, and performer with the vocal and instrumental ensemble Return to the Source, and uses music and a variety of media to enrich the curriculum of schools. Williams holds a B.A. from Amherst College and a J.D. from Yale University.

For more information, contact Robert Cox, rscox@library.umass.edu; 413-545-6842.

Banned Books Week

2008 Banned Books Week is September 27 through October 4

Read more about it!

American Library Association's Banned Book Website

Facebook - Banned Books Week

MySpace - Banned Books Week

National Public Radio - "Grapes of Wrath" and the Politics of Book Burning by Lynn Neary

Song for Banned Books Week 2008 on YouTube

Berkshire Athenaeum Blog Reports on Current Economic Crisis and more

Read All About the latest Berkshire Athenaeum News!

Risky Business Series: A librarian's guide to finding information on the current economic crisis reported in the Berkshire Athenaeum's About Business blog.

A review of the Berkshire Athenaeum's first Video Game Night reported in The Geeky Librarian blog.