Have you signed up for the Whately meeting July 22, 2013?

The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) Executive Board’s next meeting is July 22^nd in Whately.  At 12 noon-1 pm MLS will host a discussion to gather input from stakeholders on the future of MLS’s ongoing presence in western Massachusetts.   They are inviting member libraries and stakeholders to attend and take part in a conversation about MLS’s long-term future in Western Massachusetts.  As they begin to consider alternative locations, they need to hear the members’ preferences.  Have you signed up so the MLS Executive Board can hear your voice?

The Executive Board of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) met on June 17^th to hear a recommendation by MLS Executive Director, Greg Pronevitz, to investigate new avenues, in addition to continuing to seek a tenant, to eliminate the unnecessary costs incurred for the Whately facility as well as the staff responsibilities required to manage a large building.  These avenues include putting the facility up for sale.  The Board voted to accept the recommendation.  The MLS Executive Board also acts as the Executive Board of WMRLS.

Please register online so they can plan for your attendance:

School Library Bill Hearing Tomorrow

The hearing on Bill S.1475 to create a special commission to investigate and study our Massachusetts school library programs. will begin at 11 AM , Wednesday, July 10^th at Room B1 in the State House. No need to register to attend.

On Wednesday, July 10th legislators will be deciding whether to move forward with Bill S1475. Bill S.1475 will create a special commission to investigate and study our Massachusetts school library programs. Show your support by calling or emailing your state legislators today! 

For additional information, contact:  Kendall Boninti, MSLA Legislative Committee Co-chair, Library Teacher - Waltham High School.

Helping Users Find Reliable Immigration Services and Information - Free Webinar

Date:  Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Time:  2 – 2:30 PM

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region invites you to join us for a webinar presented by Ted Albers, USCIS Northeast Regional Community Relations Officer. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the US Government branch of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for providing immigration services and benefits. Ted will offer suggestions about how to refer library patrons who may need immigration information or services to qualified immigration service providers.

Register at:

http://nnlm.gov/ntcc/classes/class_details.html?class_id=607

Michelle Eberle, MSLIS, AHIP

Consumer Health Information Coordinator
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region
(508) 856-2435 | (800) 338-7657

ALA Launches “Authors for Library E-books” Campaign

During the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago last week, Maureen Sullivan, president of ALA announced the launch of “Authors for Library Ebooks,” a new initiative that asks authors to stand with libraries in their quest for equitable access to e-books. Bestselling authors Cory Doctorow, Ursula K. Le Guin and Jodi Picoult are helping kick off the campaign.

The campaign represents an extension of the ALA’s advocacy strategy to ensure all people have access to the world’s knowledge and literature through our nation’s libraries—regardless of format. Over the past 18 months, ALA leaders have met with major publishers, distributors, authors and representative associations to seek sustainable solutions for library e-book lending.

“The heart of the issue is that access to authors’ works through libraries is being restricted— hurting discovery, reading choice, literacy and the simple love of reading,” said ALA President Maureen Sullivan. “Many e-books are still not available to most libraries at any price. Of those we can buy, the library frequently pays 150-500 percent more than the consumer price, forcing libraries to purchase fewer copies for library readers.

“We’ve made some progress over the past year, but not far or fast enough to meet the growing needs of our communities,” Sullivan added.

Libraries support authors in a range of ways, including:

•           Exposure. Libraries help authors get noticed through author events, book clubs, readers advisory and features on library websites;

•           Sales. Research shows that library loans encourage people to buy books. Many libraries now even provide an option for people to click and “buy-it-now” from their websites.
•           Respect. Libraries honor authors’ work by protecting copyright and paying for the content they lend.
•           Love of reading. Libraries help grow readers – and writers.

“My first job was at a library, and one of the things that I remember so clearly is the wide range of people who came in our doors every day. Young, old, rich, poor—libraries encourage exploration and a love of reading,” Picoult said. “Whether it’s a digital file or a paper copy, I want readers to find my books—and all books—in their libraries! I stand with libraries—and I invite other authors to join me in the campaign for library e-books for all.”

Both Le Guin and Doctorow also have written and spoken about the need to improve access to e-books and innovate in ways that support reader choice and reader privacy.

Developed by the ALA’s Digital Content & Libraries Working Group, the Authors for Library E-books campaign encourages authors to sign on to a statement of shared values, to discuss the issue with their publishers, and raise awareness of their concerns through their websites, social media and other communications channels.

An Afternoon with Matthew Pearl

Tuesday, June 18, area librarians met with author Matthew Pearl for conversation about an author’s life and his Fiction Massachusetts Book Award winning title The Technologists.  This program was the first in a series of author discussions hosted by the Western Massachusetts Library Advocates (WMLA).  Informal programs with authors were requested on the WMLA priorities survey conducted over the winter.

Matthew shared some of his writing history, how he changes approaches from title to title to challenge himself, and the kinds of mysteries and historical questions that get him started developing an idea.   Participants were curious about the difficulty of incorporating historical figures into fiction, the multiple themes of The Technologists:  the competition between Harvard and MIT, the conflicts between classes and generations over who should have access to education and technology, the unbridled power of the rich and privileged.  Many of these themes recur in other Pearl titles.  The impact of the Civil War is a significant element in The Technologists and The Dante Club.

Congratulations to Faith Kaufmann, Dorothy Pam, Deb Kern, Lisa Wenner, Joan Powers, and Robin Shtulman – Winners of the door prizes which included copies of the Massachusetts Must Reads poster, The Dante Club, The Poe Shadow, The Last Dickens, and The Technologists.

 

 

Messages from the Other Side ~ A Fundraiser for South Hadley

SUMMER READING PRIZES for ALL MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC LIBRARIES

               Don’t forget to request your summer reading prizes.

The Western Massachusetts Library Advocates (WMLA) Board of Directors has arranged with the Eastern States Exposition to provide each Massachusetts PUBLIC LIBRARY conducting a summer reading program, free tickets for this fall’s Big E in West Springfield.  The Big E will provide two (2) free general admission tickets to each public library in Massachusetts with the understanding that these tickets will be used as incentives or rewards for children and teens to encourage them to read over the summer.  

In addition, Yankee Candle has created a prize for the Summer Reading Program. It is a free wax hand mold and is redeemable at their flagship store in South Deerfield. Yankee Candle has a section of the store called Wax Works where guests are allowed to make molds of their hands in wax, color the mold and bring them home. Throughout the process they are assisted by a sales associate. This is a lot of fun for kids and the wax hand normally retails for $8.

The winners of the prizes should be chosen through a random drawing of names at the end of your summer reading program.

To participate—

·         Prepare a self-addressed 6” x 9” envelope STAMPED with TWO (2) First Class stamps (SASE)

·         Address the envelope to YOUR library with “ATTN:  [your library’s person designated to receive these valuable prizes.]”

·         Place the SASE (Please make sure to use a 6” x 9” envelope) inside another stamped envelope.
·         Mail to:
                WMLA
                ATTN:  SUMMER READING
                P. O. BOX 609
                South Deerfield, MA 01373

NOTE: Your SASE must be received by WMLA by Monday, July 15, 2013.  Earlier is better.

 

For security reasons, DO NOT write the words “Tickets” or “Big E” on the outside of your envelopes.
For public library systems with branch libraries, you will need to either send a separate SASE for each branch OR one large envelope with sufficient postage to hold the number of tickets and brochures you are requesting.  Please tell us how many branches for which you need tickets.

The only request that our donors have made of Massachusetts public libraries receiving these prizes is that the public be notified of their donation to encourage reading among our young people.  Please add to or create signs or posters with this information. 

WMLA Board members will process your requests and mail the tickets shortly after July 30th.

On behalf of the WMLA Board,
Jan Resnick
njrezz@comcast.net

Conversation with: Matthew Pearl, author ~ The Technologists, Mass Book Award Fiction Winner, 2013

 

When:            June 18, 2013 at 2.p.m.

Where:           Whately, MLS Office

What:             An opportunity to discuss the story and background of The Technologists, a thriller about the early years of MIT, its competition with Harvard, and how practical skills and science save the day for 1860’s Boston.  Author Matthew Pearl will attend, answer questions, and discuss this and his other books with us.  Join us for an informal opportunity to talk about Massachusetts books and writing, the ins and outs of The Technologists, and conducting author programs at your library.

Door prizes, gifts, and signing opportunities.

Registration is necessary:  Please email Jan Resnick njrezz@comcast.net to save your seat.





Award Winning Author to Speak for Library Benefit

FY14 State Budget Conference Items - Action Needed

Last week the Senate finished and voted on its version of the FY 2014 budget.  See Cindy Roach’s email of 5/24/13 for full details. 

The Speaker of the House and Senate President will each appoint 3 members to serve on the Conference Committee very soon.   The line items below will be considered by the Conference Committee since the Senate and House versions and language differ for these accounts. 

7000-9101              For the operation of the board of library commissioners

WMLA Supports the Senate Budget figure:               $1,018,754     

                                                          House Budget                  $1,012,047

  

7000-9401              For state aid to regional public libraries; provided, that the board of library commissioners may provide quarterly advances of funds for purposes authorized by clauses (1) and (2) of section 19C of chapter 78 of the General Laws, as it considers proper, to regional public library systems throughout each fiscal year, in compliance with the office of the comptroller’s regulations on state grants, 815 CMR 2; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, in calculating the fiscal year 2013 distribution of funds appropriated in this item, the board of library commissioners shall employ population figures used to calculate the fiscal year 2012 distribution; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the library of the commonwealth shall receive not less than thirty-five and nine tenths cents for each resident of the commonwealth

WMLA Supports the Senate Budget figure:                      $9,731,475

                                                      House Budget                            $9,279,475

 

*** IMPORTANT:   Ask your legislators to support the SENATE version, since Boston would get an additional $150,000 and MLS would get a much-needed increase of $350,000. 

 

Advocates please emphasize to all legislators – House and Senate Leadership, those legislators who are appointed to Conference and those who are not – that the Senate bottom line increase for this account MUST be approved in order to benefit both BPL and MLS.  If the lower House total is passed, and the Senate language increasing the BPL per capita remains, the increase for BPL will be taken from the MLS budget.   

 

This happened in the past to the Regional Systems, and some legislators did not realize the unintended consequence of only approving the per capita increase.  They thought they were passing an increase for the Regions, when the actual result was a cut.  We need them to understand that “You can’t increase BPL’s per capita without increasing the bottom line.”

 

7000-9506              For the technology and automated resource sharing networks

                                                     Senate Budget                             $1,929,238  

WMLA Supports the House Budget figure:                         $2,129,238

 

Contact your legislators as soon as possible.

 

 

Advocacy in D.C.

On May 7- 8, 2013, hundreds of library supporters from all across the country convened in Washington DC for National Library Legislative Day. They were briefed on legislative issues affecting libraries and met with their members of Congress to discuss them.  Massachusetts Libraries were well represented on Capitol Hill.  A number of MA librarians brought our message to our Congressional delegation.  For the first time, the Western Massachusetts Library Advocates (WMLA) sponsored an advocate of our own.  Betty Johnson, Colrain, reports on her trip to our nation’s capital:

It was a great opportunity.  There were 4 of us from Massachusetts-in the photograph, Julie Farrell, Library Media Specialist-Overlook Middle School, Ashburnham; Betty Johnson, Director-Griswold Memorial Library, Colrain; Senator Elizabeth Warren; Cindy Roach, MBLC-Head of Library Advisory and Development; Dianne Carty, MBLC-Acting Director.

We had individual appointments with all the Massachusetts legislative delegation.  Most of the visits were with Aides but they were very receptive to our requests.  LSTA funding was the major talking point.  With sequestration the funding level is down of course and will affect the number of grants that the MBLC is able to award.  ALA is asking for LSTA funding to return to the 2010 level.  Julie spoke to the legislators about school issues as she was representing the MSLA.  We wholeheartedly thanked the legislators for all their support of libraries.  Cindy said our delegation is very supportive. 

My husband and I drove down on Monday and stayed at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University.  A shuttle bus went back and forth from the university to Union Station all day, so it was very convenient.  I was able to visit the Martin Luther King Memorial and the Library of Congress building.  The Library is beautiful if you ever get a chance to see it.

On Tuesday morning there was a conference meeting at The Liaison Capitol Hill with a delicious continental breakfast.  Many states had much bigger groups of librarians represented.  After a lunch at the Billy Goat Tavern, our group met with several Congressional Aides and ended our day with a reception in the Hart Senate building.

On Wednesday, it was very exciting to visit the House and Senate Office buildings. We met with the rest of the Congressional Aides and actually had the chance to speak to Congresswoman Tsongas and Congressman Keating.  We had lunch at the Tortilla Coast, and ended the day with the Meet and Greet with Senator Warren. Our meet and greet with Senator Warren was in the Visitor's Center of the Capitol Building.

Thursday we drove home to the real world. 

Here is a link to handouts and information covered in the briefing on Tuesday: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/nlld

Contact Your State Senator - Time is Short!

Three amendments have been filed to adjust the Massachusetts Senate budget.  Please contact your Senators (Brewer, Candaras, Downing, Knapik, Rosenberg, and Welch) and ask them to sign on to these amendments.  This must be done today or tomorrow (May 19 – 20, 2013.)

This is important because if the Senate amendments are adopted and the amounts are different from the House budget, the discussion moves to the Budget Conference Committee.  If the amendments are not adopted and the budgets in both houses are the same, the discussion is over for the year (unless the Governor vetoes a line item.) 

*Amendment 151   Library Technology and Automated Resources  (7000-9506) filed by Ms. Clark & Ms. Chandler.

This Amendment raises the budget line by $200,000 and matches the House amount.  If the Senate and House amounts match, the line goes through at the higher amount.  Among other things, like automated networks funded in this line, are the Small Libraries in Networks grants so important to small libraries in western Massachusetts.

*Amendment 103   Library of the Commonwealth (7000-9401) filed by Mr. Petruccelli.

Budget Line 7000-9401 funds both the Library of the Commonwealth (Boston Public) and the MLS.  This amendment raises the per capita amount for Boston.  It also raises the total figure for the line item.  If the per capita is raised without the increase to the line, any increase for Boston would reduce the MLS budget.

*Amendment 153  Aid to Public Libraries  (7000-9501) filed by Mr. Eldridge.  

This amendment increases the amount available in the State Aid to Libraries program by $1,000,000.  This would provide the first increase in State Aid since 2010.  This increase is one of the MBLC's priorities for this year.  Every public library meeting basic requirements would benefit from this increase.  This amendment is still more than $2,000,000 lower than what libraries shared in FY2009.

If our libraries want to have any impact on these budget figures, we need to ask our Senators to sign onto the amendments and work for their approval.  The discussion will be over by the end of the week.  It's time for phone calls and email!