Western Massachusetts Library Club Meeting - March 18

Western Massachusetts Library Club invites librarians and friends to a workshop on ...

Tips for an Incredibly Successful Booksale - Wednesday, March 18 at the Clapp Memorial Library in Belchertown. Light Refreshments at 9:30 a.m.; Workshop from 10 to 11:30.

Call Dorothy Carmody: 413-323-7559 or email her at docbel22@aol.com.

Clapp book sale Chairman Mauri Korhonan will describe how their Friends team has been able to organize two hugely profitable sales each year. He will provide tips on how to run abook sale from start to finish. With insights on set up, space issues, volunteers, and what to do with the books not sold.

Free Day for Librarians at the Eric Carle Museum

Take an opportunity to visit The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art during their Annual Librarians’ Open House with Jim Trelease on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. The Carle invites librarians to a day at the Museum. You'll receive free materials for your libraries and enjoy afternoon refreshments, and two presentations. PDP's are available.

For reservations call (413) 658-1126 by March 20. This event features the following:

• Presentation by Barbara Elleman, guest curator of the exhibition, Those Telling Lines: The Art of Virginia Lee Burton.

• Visit the Museum’s Barbara Elleman Research Library and enjoy light refreshments in the Café.

• Presentation by Jim Trelease, Carle Honors recipient and author of the million-copy best seller, The Read-Aloud Handbook.

~ Jan Resnick, Assistant Regional Administrator, WMRLS

Leverett Legislative Breakfast

Attending library legislative functions is a good opportunity to convey your concerns to legislators, to hear their perspective on the issues, and network with colleagues. More than 75 people attended the stimulating Leverett Legislative Breakfast on February 13 and took the opportunity to speak with Senator Rosenberg, Representatives Guyer, Kulik and Scibak.

Our legislators were feeling pretty good about the newly announced committee assignments and the increase in the western Mass delegation's leadership positions. They weren't feeling so pleased about the fiscal situation, but their support of libraries remains high.

The breakfasts are good opportunities to see new libraries like the one in Leverett and note details you might like to use in your own library. Former Director Lorna Rivers offered tours including the famous 'Velvet Elvis' of many successful fundraisers.

Local legislators hope to see a lot of western Mass librarians, friends and trustees at Legislative Day at the State House April 2. Don't forget to sign up for the bus and make the trip a breeze.

For more photos of the Breakfast taken by Leverett's J. Ricker, see the slide show below.

~N. Janeen Resnick, Assistant Regional Administrator, WMRLS