WMRLS Library Leadership Participants Named

LLMA 09

40 people from across the state will participate in this summer’s leadership conference at Wheaton College in Norton, MA.

8 were from Western Region libraries:

• Paulina Borrego, Integrated Sciences & Engineering Library, UMass Amherst
• Susan Crowther, Chicopee Comprehensive High School
• Penni Martorell, Holyoke Public Library
• Jennifer Hawkes, Chicopee Public Library
• Richard Moon, North Adams Public Library
• Maxine Schmidt, Integrated Sciences & Engineering Library, UMass Amherst
• Carolyn Schwartz, Ely Library, Westfield State College
• Carol Will, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, UMass, Amherst

In addition, two people from WMRLS libraries will serve as mentors to help facilitate the conference and provide support to attendees:

• David Podboy, Reference/Information Commons Librarian at Smith College, was a graduate of the LLMA 07.
• Alison Ernst is Director of Academic Resources at Northfield Mt. Hermon School, former Director at the Graves Memorial Library in Sunderland and former President of the WMRLS Executive Board.

~ John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, WMRLS

Guest Author: Directories on the WMRLS website

Are you looking for information on western Massachusetts authors (and beyond) and/or how to plan and conduct a library Guest Author program? If so, do visit the WMRLS AUTHORS website.

Berkshire Athenaeum Portrait

A rare opportunity to watch the creative process taking place will be afforded to visitors to the Berkshire Athenaeum this Spring, when a new portrait of the library takes shape. The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum have launched their first public painting event, selecting Pittsfield artist Marguerite Bride to create a watercolor portrait of the library building.  The new work will ultimately hang in the main entrance of the “new” Berkshire Athenaeum, which was built in 1974 and is celebrating its 35^th birthday this year. 

In addition, Marguerite Bride will be blogging the experience at http://www.baportrait.blogspot.com/

WMRLS Library Stars!

For complete information, read "America's Star Libraries" by Ray Lyons & Keith Curry Lance
in Library Journal, 2/15/09

The Library Journal, in its February 15, 2009 issue, announced its first national awards based on a new process for rating libraries. And, we’re delighted to let everyone know that the Lenox and Stockbridge Library Associations earned three-star ratings! Congratulations on this recognition to these two fine Berkshire County libraries!

This assessment is based entirely on 4 per capita service output measures: visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use. The libraries were ranked and compared with peer libraries, but, in a departure from past rankings, the groupings are based on total operating expenditures and not population.

~ John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

WMRLS Library Budget Crisis Roundtable

The WMRLS Continuing Education Workshop Library Budget Crisis Roundtable offered about 25 member librarians, mostly directors of public libraries, a chance to discuss the local situations that they are facing in their communities. While a few library directors reported cuts to their budgets this year, most libraries are making plans for handling budget shortfalls beginning in July, with options like fewer hours, staff furloughs, layoffs, and reduced materials’ spending under consideration. John Ramsay, WMRLS Regional Administrator, facilitated the conversation and his PowerPoint presentation, which includes several helpful links to budget tools, is shared here.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Posted on the AllRegions Email Discussion List today:

The Governor's office has created a central website with information about what the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act means to Massachusetts residents and information on how the Governor plans to invest federal stimulus funds in the Commonwealth. The Governor's office has also created a brochure with helpful information. The MBLC has posted a link to all this information on our consumer website:

The Governor's office hopes that libraries will make the information available to their patrons. Visit the Governor's website.

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

Libraries and Lead Law: An Update

ALA: U.S. Rep. Fortenberry’s legislation will protect books from regulation
March 25th, 2009 Category: OGR

Nebraska congressman introduces bill to amend consumer safety act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jenni Terry

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Library Association (ALA) supports legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) yesterday to amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) to exempt ordinary books from the lead limit within the act. This is a welcome step toward ensuring libraries will not be adversely affected by the law.

In August 2008, Congress passed CPSIA, an important law to protect children from the real dangers of toys made with lead-based paint; however, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) misinterpreted the law to apply to ordinary books for children 12 years of age or younger.

The law was set to go into effect on February 10, 2009, but in late January 2009, the CPSC issued a one-year stay of implementation for enforcement of the new lead limits in children’s products, stating that the commission will not impose penalties against anyone for making, importing, distributing or selling a children’s product to the extent that it is made of certain natural materials, such as an ordinary children’s book printed after 1985.

Fortenberry’s bill, H.R. 1692, would remove the pre-1985 provision and states that CPSIA was not intended to apply to ordinary books – those books that are published on paper or cardboard, printed by conventional publishing methods, intended to be read, and lacking inherent play value. H.R. 1692 also states that testing has shown that finished books and their component materials contain total lead content at levels considered non-detectable, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that there is little risk to children from lead in ordinary books.

“We are grateful for this bill since it supports what the ALA, libraries, teachers and parents know to be true – books are safe and should not be regulated by this law,” ALA President Jim Rettig said.

“Reading is critical to child development, and libraries should be free to continue providing services to children without the fear of having to comply with unnecessary and expensive testing. Rep. Fortenberry’s bill corrects the CPSC’s misinterpretation that would deny our children access to books and limit their opportunities to learn.”

Read the full text of the bill here.

West Springfield Public Library: A Commitment to Early Literacy Training

Research shows that children get ready to read years before they start school. *

Currently the West Springfield Public Library is featuring an exhibit that showcases its commitment to early literacy by highlighting the programming and services that the youth department staff is currently providing to its community.

On Tuesday, March 24, West Springfield Youth Services Librarian, Terri Mitus, conducted a live demonstration of the first session of her library’s successful “Little Crawlers” storytime series. Following this inspiring demonstration, Terri shared with colleagues tips and techniques on ways to conduct a successful lapsit program.

The West Springfield Public Library was a 2007 recipient of the Library Services & Technology Act "Mother Goose On the Loose" grant funded program that is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

READ MORE ABOUT IT!

Baby rhyming time / Linda L. Ernst. Neal-Schuman Publishers, c2008 PROF 027.62

Early literacy storytimes @ your library : partnering with caregivers for success / Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Díaz. American Library Association, 2006. PROF 027.62

Lapsit services for the very young II : a how-to-do-it manual / Linda L. Ernst. Neal-Schuman Publishers, c2001. PROF +027.62

Mother Goose on the loose : a handbook and CD-ROM kit with scripts, rhymes, songs, flannel-board patterns, and activities for promoting early childhood development / Betsy Diamant-Cohen. Neal-Schuman Publishers, c2006. Prof 373.21

*From Every Child Ready To Read @ your library

Getting Your Message Out ~ Presented by Celeste Bruno, MBLC

Many thanks to Celeste Bruno, Communications Specialist of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners who presented the informative WMRLS continung education workshop "Getting Your Message Out: Keys to Ensuring Successsful Media Interactions" on Thursday, March 17 at the Springfield City Library.

Highly recommended for every library ~ A Media Relations Policy!

April and May Workshops at the Berkshire Athenaeum

Schedule of Computer Classes

April & May 2009

All classes are held in the Athenaeum Computer Lab and last for one hour.

***Preregistration Required: Sign up at the Reference Desk***

Berkshire Funding Resource Center
Introduction to the Foundation Center website and its resources; using the Foundation Center databases to locate foundation grant funding sources; orientation to Athenaeum resources to support grant research. (Taught by Madeline)Tuesday, April 7 (10 am); Wednesday, May 13 (6 pm)

Blogs and Blogging Series

Part 1: Introduction to Blogs and Blogging. What blogs can and cannot do. Personal and Business Blogs. Developing your blog plan. Setting up a blog email account with gmail. (Taught by Dick) Wednesday, April 15 (10 am)

Part 2: Create and manage your own blog. Using Google’s Blogger, you will create your own free Blogger account. Creating your first blog post. (Taught by Dick) Wednesday, April 22 (10 am)

Part 3: Managing your blog. Discussion of blog maintenance and growth. Resources available to support and grow your blog. (Taught by Dick) Wednesday, April 29 (10 am)

Business Websites You Should Know About
Keeping informed and up-to-date is always important in business. Workshop will focus on best business websites and how they may provide a one-stop-shop for all aspects of your business. (Taught by Dick) Saturday, April 11 (10 am); Saturday, May 23 (10 am)

Email Series

Part 1: Getting started in Email: Set up your own email account. The advantages of more than one email account. Will focus on creating gmail and yahoo mail accounts. (Taught by Dick) Thursday, April 9 (10 am); Thursday, May 7 (10 am)

Part 2: Managing  your Email account: Workshop will focus on what you can do with your email account. Setting up Folders and Labels. Address and Contact Lists. Using the Help areas. File storage and privacy issues. Will answer your email questions. (Taught by Dick) Thursday, April 16 (10 am); Thursday, May 14 (10 am)

Evaluating Medical Websites
List of reliable sites and how to use. What to look for when judging for yourself. (Taught by Mary Ann) Saturday, April 18 (10 am); Saturday, May 9 (10 am)

Free Business Resources on the Web
This workshop will cover FREE online resources to start-up, maintain and grow your business. Focus will be on operational tools you’ll be able to use right away. Develop online contacts and support. (Taught by Dick) Tuesday, April 28 (6 pm); Tuesday, May 12 (6 pm)

Internet Essentials
What’s an “icon”, anyway? What’s a “browser” and why should I care? Where’s the “address bar”? In this session we will cover the answers to the most frequently asked questions nuts and bolts questions about searching the Internet that the Athenaeum Reference Librarians receive. (Taught by Madeline) Thursday, April 30 (10 am); Wednesday, May 20 (6 pm)

An Introducation to LibraryThing
For many booklovers, LibraryThing is the greatest site online. In this workshop you will set up a free account, learn how you can interact with fellow bibliophiles, and see how you can contribute to the Athenaeum’s catalog as a result. (Taught by Jeremy) Thursday, April 23 (10 am)

Library Catalog Series

Part 1: Finding books and other items in the library catalog. Learn how to look for the item you want. Learn how to request the item you want. Will include an explanation of the three regions (Western, Central, Virtual) and the Union Catalog. (Taught by Mary Ann) Tuesday, April 28 (10 am)

Part 2: Learn how to manage your own library account in order to: Renew your checked- out items; Keep a record of what you’ve read or listened to; See the items you request. (Taught by Mary Ann) Tuesday, May 5 (10 am)

Part 3: Now that you understand how to utilize the library catalog, go behind the scenes with the Athenaeum’s cataloger to discover how the records are made and learn a bit about the philosophy of cataloging. (Taught by Jeremy) Tuesday, May 12 (10 am)

Web 2.0
In recent years the internet has changed profoundly, from being a mere information resource to being a community center (must like libraries themselves).  Come and discover what blogs, wikis, twitter, and various social networks have to offer, as well as why so many of them feature silly pictures of cats.   (Taught by Jeremy) Saturday, April 25, (10 am); Wednesday, May 13 (10 am)

Why Does the Library Owns a Wii?
Video games have become a dominant force in entertainment, and one of the only industries shown to be recession proof.  Come and learn what's hot in gaming, why it matters, and why the Athenaeum now runs bi-weekly video game nights. (Taught by Jeremy) May 21 (7 pm)

Word Basics

We will use Word 2007 to create a short document, using the options for simple document formatting (font, bullets, indentation, alignment, bold, italics, underlining). (Taught by Madeline) Tuesday, April 7 (6 pm); Tuesday, May 19 (6 pm)

ReadsinMA Online Reading Program - An Overview

Read All About ReadsinMA - We have just created an online slideshow (Best viewed with the Explorer browser) that aims to introduce Massachusetts librarians to our ReadsinMA online reading program.

www.ReadsinMA is supported by your local library, the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, with funding from the Institute of Museums and Library Services, an independent federal agency that grows and sustains a Nation of Learners because lifelong learning is critical to success.

• Register your WMRLS public library for ReadsinMA - ReadsinMA may be used for online reading programs for children, teens, and adults.

• Visit Our ReadsinMA Blog for complete information

Sincerely, Janet Eckert, Youth Services Consultant, WMRLS

The WMRLS Bookmobile and Budget Cuts - An ABC News 40 Report

WMRLS Bookmobile Plight Reaches TV: Springfield TV News 40 (WGGB) ran a piece on March 9, 2009 portraying the difficulty WMRLS will face continuing its cherished 60 year old bookmobile service if WMRLS sustains another large State budget cut for FY10.

Potential Library Cuts Could Permanently Park Bookmobile By Marci Izard

"SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass. (Abc40) The economic downturn has brought about a spike in library circulation. But as the demand for library resources has risen, budget cuts loom on the horizon...." [Read and View the complete report]