April 1, 2010
STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE DON HUMASON, R-Westfield, TO THE MASS BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS
I write to add my voice to the thousands of librarians, staff, and patrons of libraries in Western Massachusetts who are the direct beneficiaries of the good works of the Western Mass Regional Library System.
I believe my credentials as a library enthusiast and supporter should be well known but let me fully disclose here that I am a member of the Westfield Athenaeum Board of Trustees as well as a Friend of the Westfield Athenaeum, a member of the Legislature’s Library Caucus, and a Friend of the Western Mass Regional Library System.
I have visited the WMRLS headquarters in South Deerfield personally and have seen the efficiency with which they provide their services firsthand. John Ramsay, the Regional Administrator of WMRLS, is my constituent, and I consider him a friend.
In my meeting with Chairman Charlie Murphy of the House Ways and Means Committee on March 11 to review my personal priorities for the Fiscal Year 2011 House budget, I also submitted my requests in writing and included the following statement:
· Reject the Governor’s draconian cuts to libraries which are already serving more of our constituents during this economic downturn with fewer resources. Specifically: 7000-9401 State Aid to Regional Libraries.
I believe libraries are a cornerstone of our cities and the most Democratic of all institutions. They serve everyone equally. The return on investment is high. For every dollar spent for Regional Library Services, Massachusetts library users get over $8 in services and savings.
You know all the statistics as well as I. A recent study concluded that 70% of our constituents use libraries. I remain hopeful that the House and Senate will restore the funds that Governor Patrick was unwise to cut from his budget.
Western Massachusetts should not have to bear the disproportionate pain that would result from the closing of WMRLS and the creation of one region headquartered in Eastern Massachusetts.
I urge your most favorable consideration on this matter and assure you of my continued commitment to fight for all library services in Massachusetts.
Thank you.
DONALD F. HUMASON, JR.
REPRESENTATIVE
WESTFIELD
District Office
64 NOBLE STREET
WESTFIELD, MA 01085
TEL. (413) 568-1366
Room 542, State House
TEL. (617) 722-2803
Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.Sate.ma.us
Friday, April 2, 2010
MBLC Meeting on April 1, 2010: Statement of Christopher J. Lindquist, Westfield Athenaeum Director
April 1, 2010
Statement of Christopher J. Lindquist, Westfield Athenaeum Director, Westfield, MA, to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
Dear Chairman Comeau and Library Commissioners:
Since this is the first time I have had the opportunity to address the MBLC, I would simply like to thank you on behalf of the Westfield Athenaeum and the residents of the City of Westfield for the tremendous service you have provided to our library, to the regional library systems, the library networks and to libraries of all types in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I feel certain that you would much rather be celebrating the opening of a new or renovated library building than to be sitting here today listening to public comment about the proposed consolidation of the regions.
Having said that, I think it is the height of irony that we are sitting here on April 1st because I feel very strongly that collectively, we will all be fools if we accept the proposal to consolidate the six regional library systems into one entity at one location
in the hub and spokes model being recommended by the Transition Team. I say this with great respect for Rob Maier, the MBLC staff and all who served on the Transition Team.
However, I feel that the plan fails to effectively address the enormous needs of member libraries and residents of the Commonwealth as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.
I cannot accept that one of the main options considered by the Transition Team, namely the consolidation to three regions, is not being recommended by the Team. It strains credulity to think that geographical considerations did not carry greater weight in the Team’s deliberations, and I am urging you to consider very strongly the option of maintaining three regions, one in the east, one centrally located, and one in the west, which if funds allow, would absolutely be the most effective structure for member libraries going forward. Further, I find it hard to believe that in 9 months time, we will be dismantling what in the case of the Western MA Regional Library System, has taken 50 years to develop. Would it not be more prudent – perhaps even courageous – to limp along for another year, to maintain three regions at three physical locations, even with a substantially reduced staff, in order to develop those regions as funds become available? While we have a proposed budget for the hub and spokes model, I think budget proposals for the other two models should also be drafted in order to see how they compare to the proposal in front of you.
In a state the size of Massachusetts, with libraries located in the hinterlands of the Berkshires as well as on the Cape and Islands, situating a headquarters in the center of the state, located far away from many member libraries and away from a substantial number of our customers, including some of the smallest and most needy libraries in the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts, is in my opinion, irresponsible. There are at least 153 residents from Westfield whose signatures we collected on the Save WMRLS Petition who agree with me. I am sure we could have collected many more signatures had we had more time.
Recently, Tim Brennan, the Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, said at an economic summit that one of the “key threats” to the economic recovery in the Pioneer Valley is the “never-ending struggle to gain regional visibility in Boston.” Surely, that is part of the dynamic that you are witnessing here today. We cannot and you should not allow one more regional entity to be moved away from the Western region closer to Boston.
Due to the dedication and hard work of many of the people in this room, I feel that the library system in Massachusetts is in the top five library systems in the nation. If you approve the consolidation proposal before you, I think we will have moved well into the second tier of library systems in the country. Please don’t let that happen.
While I have the opportunity, I would like to say of John Ramsay and the staff or WMRLS, that they are the most caring, creative, cost effective and collaborative people I have had the pleasure to know, and that WMRLS is one of the most outstanding, forward-thinking organizations in the Commonwealth. The member libraries and the residents of the Western Region have been extremely well served by WMRLS over the past 50 years and I hope you will do everything you can to help them continue that irreplaceable service.
Finally, having read the Transition Team’s proposal, I am left with one very strong impression that there is something missing in the proposal: There is no passion, no soul, no heart. It is those missing ingredients that the staff of WMRLS brings every day to their jobs serving its member libraries and it is those qualities that can’t be measured and quantified that you will be dismissing if you accept the proposal before you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Statement of Christopher J. Lindquist, Westfield Athenaeum Director, Westfield, MA, to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
Dear Chairman Comeau and Library Commissioners:
Since this is the first time I have had the opportunity to address the MBLC, I would simply like to thank you on behalf of the Westfield Athenaeum and the residents of the City of Westfield for the tremendous service you have provided to our library, to the regional library systems, the library networks and to libraries of all types in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I feel certain that you would much rather be celebrating the opening of a new or renovated library building than to be sitting here today listening to public comment about the proposed consolidation of the regions.
Having said that, I think it is the height of irony that we are sitting here on April 1st because I feel very strongly that collectively, we will all be fools if we accept the proposal to consolidate the six regional library systems into one entity at one location
in the hub and spokes model being recommended by the Transition Team. I say this with great respect for Rob Maier, the MBLC staff and all who served on the Transition Team.
However, I feel that the plan fails to effectively address the enormous needs of member libraries and residents of the Commonwealth as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.
I cannot accept that one of the main options considered by the Transition Team, namely the consolidation to three regions, is not being recommended by the Team. It strains credulity to think that geographical considerations did not carry greater weight in the Team’s deliberations, and I am urging you to consider very strongly the option of maintaining three regions, one in the east, one centrally located, and one in the west, which if funds allow, would absolutely be the most effective structure for member libraries going forward. Further, I find it hard to believe that in 9 months time, we will be dismantling what in the case of the Western MA Regional Library System, has taken 50 years to develop. Would it not be more prudent – perhaps even courageous – to limp along for another year, to maintain three regions at three physical locations, even with a substantially reduced staff, in order to develop those regions as funds become available? While we have a proposed budget for the hub and spokes model, I think budget proposals for the other two models should also be drafted in order to see how they compare to the proposal in front of you.
In a state the size of Massachusetts, with libraries located in the hinterlands of the Berkshires as well as on the Cape and Islands, situating a headquarters in the center of the state, located far away from many member libraries and away from a substantial number of our customers, including some of the smallest and most needy libraries in the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts, is in my opinion, irresponsible. There are at least 153 residents from Westfield whose signatures we collected on the Save WMRLS Petition who agree with me. I am sure we could have collected many more signatures had we had more time.
Recently, Tim Brennan, the Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, said at an economic summit that one of the “key threats” to the economic recovery in the Pioneer Valley is the “never-ending struggle to gain regional visibility in Boston.” Surely, that is part of the dynamic that you are witnessing here today. We cannot and you should not allow one more regional entity to be moved away from the Western region closer to Boston.
Due to the dedication and hard work of many of the people in this room, I feel that the library system in Massachusetts is in the top five library systems in the nation. If you approve the consolidation proposal before you, I think we will have moved well into the second tier of library systems in the country. Please don’t let that happen.
While I have the opportunity, I would like to say of John Ramsay and the staff or WMRLS, that they are the most caring, creative, cost effective and collaborative people I have had the pleasure to know, and that WMRLS is one of the most outstanding, forward-thinking organizations in the Commonwealth. The member libraries and the residents of the Western Region have been extremely well served by WMRLS over the past 50 years and I hope you will do everything you can to help them continue that irreplaceable service.
Finally, having read the Transition Team’s proposal, I am left with one very strong impression that there is something missing in the proposal: There is no passion, no soul, no heart. It is those missing ingredients that the staff of WMRLS brings every day to their jobs serving its member libraries and it is those qualities that can’t be measured and quantified that you will be dismissing if you accept the proposal before you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
WWLP: Librarians raise voices against $ cuts
Posted on the WWLP website:
"Updated: Thursday, 01 Apr 2010, 6:52 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 01 Apr 2010, 5:16 PM EDT
Amy Phillips
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Local librarians are protesting cuts to services in Western Mass.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners met at Chicopee Public Library where librarians voiced their concerns. "~ Read More
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Regional Transition Report
The following message was posted to the MBLC "All Regions" email discussion list at 5:08 p.m. today:
To the Massachusetts Library Community:
All members of the library community and all library users are welcome to attend meetings of the Board of Library Commissioners including the meeting this Thursday, April 1, at the Chicopee Public Library. At this meeting the report of the Regional Transition Planning Committee will be presented. This is the first presentation to the Board of the complete report, and it is not an action item.
The Transition Report is the work of the Regional Transition Committee which is comprised of 3 members from the executive boards of each of the 6 regional library systems. They were supported by the regional administrators, the MBLC director and a process facilitator. The report will be the basis for a merger of the regional library systems to form the Massachusetts Library System (MLS). MLS will provide regional services to all member libraries beginning July 1, 2010.
The Board of Library Commissioners is committed to providing services through MLS on an equal basis to all libraries and residents statewide regardless of geography.
Regional library systems have held or are offering presentations on the Transition Report for regional member libraries throughout the Commonwealth. [A copy of the final report was attached to Mr. Maier's email.]
Rob
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert C. Maier, Director
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
98 North Washington Street, Suite 401
Boston, MA 02114
Ph (617) 725-1860 x249
To the Massachusetts Library Community:
All members of the library community and all library users are welcome to attend meetings of the Board of Library Commissioners including the meeting this Thursday, April 1, at the Chicopee Public Library. At this meeting the report of the Regional Transition Planning Committee will be presented. This is the first presentation to the Board of the complete report, and it is not an action item.
The Transition Report is the work of the Regional Transition Committee which is comprised of 3 members from the executive boards of each of the 6 regional library systems. They were supported by the regional administrators, the MBLC director and a process facilitator. The report will be the basis for a merger of the regional library systems to form the Massachusetts Library System (MLS). MLS will provide regional services to all member libraries beginning July 1, 2010.
The Board of Library Commissioners is committed to providing services through MLS on an equal basis to all libraries and residents statewide regardless of geography.
Regional library systems have held or are offering presentations on the Transition Report for regional member libraries throughout the Commonwealth. [A copy of the final report was attached to Mr. Maier's email.]
Rob
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert C. Maier, Director
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
98 North Washington Street, Suite 401
Boston, MA 02114
Ph (617) 725-1860 x249
Words Hurt - West Springfield Teen Advisory Board Video in Preparation for Chris Crutcher Visit on April 14
Members of the West Springfield Public Library Teen Advisory Board made this video in preparation for an upcoming visit from author Chris Crutcher.Thank you to Mia Cabana and the staff of the West Springfield Public Library for permission to post this inspiring video.
MBLC Commissioners Meeting at Chicopee Public Library on April 1
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Board of Library Commissioners
98 North Washington Street ! Suite 401 ! Boston, Massachusetts 02215
617 725-1860 ! 800 952-7403 (in-state only) ! FAX 617 725-0140
Chicopee Public Library - Directions
Thursday, April 1, 2010 - 10:00 A.M.
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
ACTION a. Approval of Minutes - March 4, 2010
Speaker: George T. Comeau, Esq., Chairman
2. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Speaker: Chairman Comeau
3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Speaker: Robert C. Maier, Director
4. LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Speaker: Maureen Killoran, Head of Library Advisory and Development/Government Liaison
5. MARKETING PLAN UPDATE
Speaker: Celeste Bruno, Communications Specialist
ACTION 6. CONSIDERATION OF A REVISION IN THE LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT PROGRAM AND BUDGET FOR THE FY2011 GRANT ROUND
Speaker: Maureen Killoran
ACTION 7 CONSIDERATION OF EXTENDING THE BOARD POLICY ON REGIONAL BUDGET REVISIONS THROUGH APRIL 30, 2015
Speaker: Director Maier
8. REPORT ON EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS AND SPONSORSHIPS OF THE BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS
Speaker: Director Maier
9. REPORT ON STIMULUS FUNDS TARGETED FOR LIBRARIES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Speaker: Marlene Heroux, Reference Information Systems Specialist
10. REPORT ON REGIONAL TRANSITION PLANNING
Speaker: Director Maier
11. STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
12. COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES
13. PUBLIC COMMENT
14. OLD BUSINESS
15. NEW BUSINESS
16. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Comeau
Monday, March 29, 2010
Chris Crutcher is Coming!
Chris Crutcher is the award-winning author of popular and powerful fiction for young adults. His writing speaks to all ages with its balance of humor and tragedy. The authenticity of his voice honestly addresses the realities today’s teens face.
After a day of meetings with our sixth, seventh and eighth graders, he will be speaking to the general public on Wednesday, April 14 @ 7:00 p.m. at the West Springfield Middle School, West Springfield, Mass. Borrow one of his books today and come listen to this excellent author of teen fiction. For adults, we recommend his autobiographical work, King of the Mild Frontier, which has been designated as West Springfield’s Community Read choice for this author visit.
See you there, Terri Mitus, Youth Services Librarian, West Springfield Public Library, 413-736-4561 x4
