Friday, January 29, 2010

Web 2.0 Week at WMRLS ~ Today: Google Favorites

Our Western Massachusetts Regional Library System January 15 Continuing Education Online Coffee Break focused upon Google Favortes. WMRLS invites you to view the archived pre-recorded session of this workshop:

Name: WMRLS Classroom - 01/15/2010 10:54

URL: http://67.202.209.252/launcher.cgi?room=wmrls_classroom_2010_0115_1054_47
Room ID: wmrls_classroom
Name: [Enter your name}

Google Favorites Online Handout for Workshop Participants

~ Sincerely, Janet Eckert, WMRLS

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Pittsfield library receives gift: Grave information for pre-WW II Massachusetts vets



The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, received a valuable research gift this week. Steve Twining, on behalf  of the Massachusetts Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, presented 20 rolls of microfilm to the Athenaeum's Local History Department Supervisor, Kathleen Reilly. The film contains grave information about Massachusetts veterans of the Revolutionary War, as well as veterans of the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American War, and WW I. This valuable collection is available during regular library hours to researchers in our Local History Department, where digital microfilm reader/printers are available for viewing, printing, saving files to a CD, or scanning to a flash drive.

Web 2.0 Week at WMRLS: Today HiTask


“HiTask was conceived as friendly and easy-to-use task management system that anyone can start using right away.  It is designed to satisfy both sophisticated followers of David Allan’s “Getting Things Done” methodology and anyone who just needs a quick and easy tool to manage their everyday tasks.” (HiTask website)





I am using the tool as an individual accountability tool for myself to schedule in appointed projects and appointments. You can have multiple people working together on a task or you can use it for a solo project. It can schedule tasks and link via iCal to other calendar tools such as Google Calendar or Windows Calendar and you can get deadlines for yourself regarding projects. ~ Jennifer Hawkes, Electronic Reference Librarian, Chicopee Public Library

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Governor Releases FY2011 State Budget

The following message was sent to the AllRegions Email Discussion List on Wednesday, January 27:

To:  Library Community
From:  Maureen Killoran, Head of the Library Advisory and Development Unit, Mass. Board of Library Commissioners

Date:  January 27, 2010

Governor Deval Patrick released his FY2011 budget request to the Massachusetts House and Senate today.  The House and Senate will each develop their own version of the FY2011 state budget.  The House is expected to release it's version of the FY2011 state budget in April and the Senate in late May.  In June, a joint House and Senate conference committee will review and resolve the differences in the FY2011 state budget.  Then the FY2011 state budget goes to the full House and Senate to accept or reject the budget.  Finally, the FY2011 state budget goes back to the Governor who has the authority to line item veto.

The Governor recommended the following amounts for FY2011 for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners:

Line Item 7000-9101 Board of Library Commissioners
FY2009 - $1,042,269
FY2010 - $938,042
FY2011 - $938,042

Line Item 7000-9401 State Aid to Regional Libraries
FY2009 - $17,166,071
FY2010 - $12,327,160
FY2011 - $8,781,475
 FY2010 & Governor's proposed FY2011 state budget removes the earmarking for the per capita for LLR. Governor's FY2011 budget also eliminates statutory language requiring regional reference centers.

Line Item 7000-9402 Talking Book Library (Worcester)
FY2009 - $421,143
FY2010 - $421,143
FY2011 - $421,143

Line Item 7000-9406 Talking Book & Machine Lending (Perkins)
FY2009 - $2,241,016
FY2010 - $2,241,016
FY2011 - $2,241,016

Line Item 7000-9501 State Aid to Public Libraries
FY2009 - $9,989,844
FY2010 - $6,823,657
FY2011 - $6,823,657
FY2010 & FY2011 Governor's proposed budget provides authorization for the Board of Library Commissioners to award waivers of the M.A.R. "in excess of the waiver limit set" in statute (no limit).

Line Item 7000-9506 Library Technology & Resource Sharing
FY2009 - $2,799,104
FY2010 - $1,929,238
FY2011 - $1,929,238

Line Item 7000-9507 Public Library Incentive Grant Program
FY2009 - $0
FY2010 - $0
FY2011 - $0

~ Maureen Killoran, Head of the Library Advisory and Development Unit, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, 98 North Washington St., Suite 401, Boston, Mass.  02114, Tel: 617-725-1860 ext.220; 1-800-952-7403  ext.220; email: maureen.killoran@state.ma.us

Planning for Regional Transtion

The following message was posted on the AllRegions email discussion list on Wednesday, March 3:

Dear Colleague:

The attached document provides an overview of the work to date of the Regional Transition Planning Committee (TransTeam). This group of 18 representatives of regional executive boards (3 members from each region) was established following the December 14 meeting of all regional executive board members to work toward a transition to a single “regional” entity to carry out the program beginning in FY2011. The work of the TransTeam is supported by Linda Braun as facilitator, the 6 regional administrators and myself as ex officio members.

This report brings you up to date with the Transition Team’s work to date. As noted in the report, the next step is for members of the Transition Team to present their report to regional executive boards in March. Feedback from these meetings will be considered by the Transition Team before it releases a final report in early April.
Regional Transition Planning Committee (Transition Team)

Report of Meetings Held February 5, February 17 and March 1, 2010

Single administrative entity

The six regional library systems will be consolidated into a single administrative entity called the Massachusetts Library System (MLS). MLS will operate from two sites in FY2011: the current home of the Metrowest Region in Waltham and the current home of the Western Region in Whately. Both sites are temporary pending the needs of MLS.

Staff

MLS will have a staff of about 22 FTE in FY2011 (a reduction from about 45 in FY2010). MLS will have an executive director, an assistant director, and a business manager. There will be 8-10 professional advisory positions responsible for continuing education and advisory services in the areas of library management, youth services, technology and MassCat. There will be 3 administrative support staff, and the current Western Region drivers and sorters will work for MLS in FY2011. Some continuing education and advisory services will be provided under contractual arrangements with outside providers.

Delivery

Delivery service will be maintained at its FY2010 level for all member libraries in FY2011.

Interlibrary Loan

Mediated interlibrary loan service (for non-automated requests and for libraries that are not members of an automated network) will continue under revised service contracts. Member libraries will package and mail materials being returned to libraries outside of the statewide delivery system.

Continuing Education and Advisory Service

Continuing education and advisory service will continue bearing in mind that there are fewer people providing the service. Trainings will be given at various sites across the state. During FY2011, staff will work from Whately or Waltham or from home in order to sustain the local relationships that are so important to member libraries.

Databases

Beginning in FY2012, database licensing will be statewide with close coordination between MLS, MBLC, LLR and other potential partners to license the best possible resources for the total funds available. Since regions renew database licenses at the end of the fiscal year (end of FY2010 for FY2011 use), they will renew their current licenses (as funding permits) this year for use by their current member libraries in FY2011.

Cooperative Purchasing

Statewide cooperative purchasing contracts for materials and supplies will be in place for FY2011 and will be continued.

Summer Reading

The statewide summer reading program is ready for summer 2010. Beginning with summer 2011, Massachusetts will join with 48 other states in using the national summer reading theme and materials. Member libraries may need to pay for some or all of the materials associated with this program.

Governance and Bylaws

MLS will operate under a governance structure similar to that of the current six regional library systems. MLS will operate under the articles of incorporation and IRS 501(c)(3) status of one of the current nonprofit regions. It will have a council of members that elects members of the executive board and approves an annual plan of service and budget for submission to the Board of Library Commissioners. The executive board will have 15 members elected at-large from the member libraries with provision for representation by type of library, geography of the state, and size of library. Board members will serve three year terms with a two consecutive term limit. A representative of the MBLC and LLR will serve as ex officio non-voting members.

During the transition from the six regions to MLS, a transition board will be designated by appointment of two members from each existing regional board and the designation of 3 additional members by the new board to balance library types, geography and size.

Next Steps

Members of the Transition Team will be presenting their report to regional executive boards in March. Feedback from these meetings will be considered by the Transition Team before it releases a final report in early April.

Reported by: Rob Maier for the Regional Transition Planning Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
The following message was posted on the AllRegions email discussion list on Wednesday, January 27:


From:  Robert C. Maier, Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Ph (617) 725-1860 x249

Dear Colleague:

The attached document provides an overview of the work to date of the Regional Transition Planning Committee (TransTeam). This group of 18 representatives of regional executive boards (3 members from each region) was established following the December 14 meeting of all regional executive board members to work toward a transition to a single “regional” entity to carry out the program beginning in FY2011. The work of the TransTeam is supported by Linda Braun as facilitator, the 6 regional administrators and myself as ex officio members.


At the January 22 meeting of the TransTeam a communication working group was established to share information about the work with the library community. The attached report prepared by the communication working group covers the meetings of January 5 and January 22. Reports will be issued following each meeting (scheduled through February 19) and a new section of the MBLC web site will be developed where all information about the TransTeam and its work will be posted. The URL will be announced soon.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Regional Transition Planning Committee (TransTeam)
Report of January 5 Meeting

All 18 members or alternates of the TransTeam attended (1 via phone) along with the ex officio members (regional administrators and MBLC representative) and facilitator.

Topics discussed:
Timeline for TransTeam work
Mission statement
Governance
Services
Name of organization


Regional Transition Planning Committee (TransTeam)
Report of January 22 Meeting

17 members or alternates of the TransTeam attended (2 via phone) along with the ex officio members (regional administrators and MBLC representative) and facilitator.

Topics discussed:
Confidentiality of TransTeam discussions; potential conflicts of interest; communication plan.

Tentative agreements were reached on the following topics discussed at the first meeting. Please note that agreements reached at this early stage of the process may need to be revisited as the work continues.

Name of Organization
Massachusetts Library System [acronym or abbreviation to be determined]

Mission statement
The Massachusetts Library System, a state-supported collaborative, fosters cooperation, communication, innovation, and sharing among member libraries of all types. The [Acronym] promotes equitable access to excellent library services and resources for all who live, work, or study in Massachusetts.

Services to be offered
Delivery
Data Bases
Mediated interlibrary loan
Continuing Education and Training (includes Youth Services)
Advisory and Technical Assistance (includes Youth Services)
Cooperative Purchasing (includes Summer Reading Program)
Research and Development
MassCat

Governance
This discussion is preliminary pending further legal advice. In general a 15 member executive board would be elected at-large with requirements for representation from all parts of the state, all types of libraries and all sizes of library. The initial transition board would be comprised from the existing executive boards with each appointing 2 members and 3 additional members appointed at-large.

Working Groups Appointed at this meeting will report back to the February 9 meeting of the TransTeam. The following working groups were established:

Personnel and Staffing will consider staffing and related budget levels needed to support the services listed above.

Human Resources will consider issues related to the hiring of the chief executive and staff including job descriptions, salary, benefits and the timeline for decisions on staff positions.

Structure and Locations will consider the location of the hub (main office) and spokes or offices (field locations) including the number of locations, their staffing levels, and whether they will include facilities such as training labs or meeting rooms.

Communications will issue updates to the library community on behalf of the TransTeam.

This report authored by Jim Douglas, Diane Giarrusso, Carolyn Noah and Rob Maier for the Regional Transition Planning Committee.

Date: January 27, 2010

Web 2.0 Week at WMRLS ~ Today: LibGuides


“LibGuides is the amazingly popular, easy to use, web 2.0 content management and library knowledge sharing system. Libraries use it to create attractive multimedia content, share knowledge and information, and promote library resources to the community.” (LibGuides website)

The Smith College Libraries started using LibGuides as a replacement for our linear, HTML based class guides. We soon discovered that LibGuides was not only great for class guides, but also research guides. We’ve begun replacing many of our old HTML research guides with LibGuides as well.


 ~ David Podboy, Information Commons Librarian, Smith College Libraries

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Web 2.0 Week at WMRLS ~ Today: Blogs

According to Wikipedia "A blog (a contraction of the term 'web log) is a type of website,usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other materials such as graphics or video".

The Smith College Libraries are using blogs in two ways: to share ideas among staff and communicate with users. Both the College Archives and Mortimer Rare Book Room are using blogs to highlight items in their collections.

Check out the Smith College Library Blogs at:
~ David Podboy, Information Commons Librarian, Smith College Libraries

Monday, January 25, 2010

Web 2.0 Week at WMRLS ~ Today: Slideroll


Definition from the Slideroll Website:  "Slideroll™ is online slideshow software that allows people to create smooth, video-like slide shows and publish them on the web. Slideroll™ is unique because it has all of the power of a desktop application, plus all of the connectivity benefits of being online. Slideroll™ even allows you to easily put Flash movies on your site without having to learn Flash."


The Chicopee Public Library created a Video Tour of the Library using the Slideroll software. 

~ Jennifer Hawkes, Electronic Reference Librarian, Chicopee Public Library