Exhibit: Writing the Landscape: Books from the Library of American Landscape History

The UMass Amherst Libraries is hosting an exhibit “Writing the Landscape: Books from the Library of American Landscape History.” The exhibit features several books developed by the Library of American Landscape History (LALH) and photographs by noted landscape photographer Carol Betsch. The exhibition is on view from February 1 through May 20, 2010.

A reception will be held on February 4, 2010, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The exhibit and reception will be in the Learning Commons on the Lower Level of Du Bois Library at UMass Amherst.

The Library of American Landscape History is a nonprofit organization based in Amherst, MA, whose mission is to educate and promote thoughtful stewardship of the land. The award-winning LALH publishing program includes books, surveys, and reprints of classics in the field, such as the Book of Landscape Gardening by Frank Waugh, founder of the program of landscape architecture at UMass Amherst. Carol Betsch is the managing editor of UMass Press, with whom LALH maintains its primary publishing partnership.

For more information, contact Madeleine Charney (mcharney@library.umass.edu, 413-577-0784) or Jessica Dawson (jdawson@lalh.org, 413-549-4860).

Image credit: Carol Betsch - West Gazebo before Storm, Gwinn estate, Cleveland, OH. Gwinn, an important American estate of the Country Place Era, is featured in a recent LALH book, A Genius for Place.

Wheeler Memorial Library Maintains Essential Services

Photo caption: At the final stop of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System's bookmobile at the Moore-Leland Library in North Orange, Dianne Salcedo and Manuel King, library employees; bookmobile driver David Ferland, and library volunteer Norman Flye, select materials to supplement the library's collections.


Wheeler Memorial Library Maintains Essential Services

Wheeler Memorial Library Director Walt Owens has announced that the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System's (WMRLS) bookmobile service made its last stop today at the Moore-Leland Library in North Orange. The bookmobile, which provided supplementary deposit collections for Wheeler Memorial Library and other libraries across Western Massachusetts is the latest victim of the continuing state budget crisis.

Fortunately, the heavily used delivery service that allows library patrons to receive books and other materials from libraries across Massachusetts will continue unchanged, at least for now. According to Owens, this service is essential for library patrons to have access to a much broader range of media and books than the Orange libraries could possibly afford. "While we will miss the supplementary bookmobile collections", said Owens, "we are very pleased for our patrons to still be able to benefit from the access to materials from all Massachusetts libraries." The Wheeler and Moore-Leland Library patrons borrow approximately 10,000 books per year through the regional library's delivery service.

Owens reports that the Library Trustees are committed to maintaining programs and services during the current economic downturn. The use of reserve funds from bequests and accumulated state aid has allowed the library to maintain hours and staff at current levels, although those funds are very limited. "Orange residents need the library more than ever during hard times, and the Trustees and Library Staff are committed to being here for them," said Owens.

According to Mary King, Regional Librarian with WMRLS, a variety of things make this step necessary---a decade of budget problems, a more recent lack of drivers to take the bookmobile out and also a lack of technical services staff to promptly acquire and process a collection, and most recently the very real threat of huge budget cut for next year with possible mergers of regional library systems.

~ Walt Owens, Wheeler Memorial Library, Orange

Share Your New Year's Reading Resolution

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Give our WMRLS Online Reading Program A Test Drive!

New hours for the Greenfield Public Library starting 1/4/10

After listening to supporters’ statements at the recent budget hearing, Greenfield Public Library staff decided to restructure our hours to be more available to working people, students, and families.

As of Monday, January 4, the GPL's new hours will be as follows:

Monday -- Closed
Tuesday -- 9:30-8pm
Wednesday -- 9:30-8pm
Thursday -- 9:30-5pm
Friday -- 9:30-5pm
Saturday -- 9:00-1pm
Sunday -- Closed

The staff wishes to thank everyone who supported us during the past few months and hopes the new schedule will better accommodate the needs of our patrons.

Transition of Regional Library Systems: An Update

The following message is edited from an email that was sent to the allregions email discussion list on December 22 by Cindy Roach, Southeastern Massachusetts Library System:

"Over the past two months, regional annual meetings, executive boards and two planning meetings have identified “Core” regional services. The “Core” regional services that will continue in the new regional structure are:

· Advisory and Consulting
· Continuing Education
· Databases and e-content
· Delivery
· Mediated Interlibrary Loan

On Dec 14, Regional Executive Boards, MBLC Liaisons and Regional staff met to prioritize “second tier” services. “Second tier” services are those that will continue in the new regional structure as funding is available. One service that was identified and that is essential and an integral part of any regional service is Advocacy. It is an activity that the new structure must endorse and actively pursue.

Second Tier services:

· Cooperative Purchasing programs – including materials and supply coops plus other programs that provide the best bang for the buck for members.
· MassCat
· Youth Services – While the consulting and continuing education part would be a core service; most agreed that the new regional structure must have strong commitment to youth through work with school libraries, the Summer Reading Program and other literacy support.
· Digitization – Important, but the group could not determine how the new structure could have a strong return of investment in this area. This still needs to be discussed and developed.
· Web support and development: This would include projects such as Home on the Range, where the region would support web-site development and maintenance. It would also mean hosting and maintaining specialized web resources: the Library Policy and job description page; Director’s Essentials, Performer’s Directory.
· Research and development: keeping aware of trends in the field, new technologies, grants and innovative pilot projects.

Please think about the regional services that you use – have we identified them? Please send any comments that you have regarding “core” and “second-tier” services, to your regional administrator, John Ramsay, by December 31st.

Email comments to jramsay@wmrls.org

There is a Committee established who will work on a plan of service that includes the “core” and as many “second” tier services as funding allows. This committee will start its work early in the new year and we would like to have your comments to share with them.

Thank you. Happy Holidays to all!"

Athenaeum sale of reprints attracts press

 The Local History Department of the Berkshire Athenaeum (Pittsfield's Public Library) received some great press  in a Berkshire-area weekly, The Advocate. Author Judith Fairweather interviewed Local History librarians Kathleen Reilly and Ann-Marie Harris regarding the reprinting, in partnership with the Berkshire Family History Association, of various important local history titles. While these items are available for sale year round from the Local History Department, they are particularly promoted during the holiday season as a unique gift option. Proceeds benefit the Local History Department's ongoing work to preserve important print materials. Thank you, Advocate!

WAMC Broadcast: Bookmobile Service Falls Victim to Economy

WAMC New England News:

"SHEFFIELD, MA (WAMC) - A 75-year tradition in Western Massachusetts comes to an end this month. The bookmobile service is being cut due to massive reductions in state funding. WAMC's Charlie Deitz reports... © Copyright 2009, WAMC"  ~ Listen to the broadcast

Berkshire Athenaeum offers Computer Classes in January & February

Berkshire Athenaeum
Pittsfield's Public Library
One Wendell Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499 9480

Schedule of Computer Classes

 January & February 2010

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

***PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: SIGN UP AT THE REFERENCE DESK***

Our Computer Lab sessions are taught presuming attendees’ ability to type on a computer keyboard; use either a laptop touchpad or a mouse; and enter an address in the address bar of a browser. Those who do not have these skills are welcome to sign up for our sessions; however, they may find they are unable to fully participate.

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 FREE online resources available to start-up, maintain, and grow your business and how they may provide a one-stop-shop for all aspects of your business. (Taught by Dick)
Tuesday, January 12, 6 – 7 pm

College Funding Re$ource$
A review of websites that can assist you in financing a College Education- for you or for your children. (Taught by Dick)
Saturday, January 30, 10 – 11 am

Email
Setting up a free web-based email account. (Taught by Mary Ann)
Saturday, January 16, 10 – 11 am

Excel Basics
Participants will review the interface, create a basic spreadsheet, insert formulas. (Taught by Madeline)
Wednesday, January 20, 6 – 7 pm

Google Docs
We will explore the basics of this free word processing software. (Taught by Madeline)
Wednesday, February 3, 6 – 7 pm

Homework SOS for Parents
You know the kids shouldn’t be “googling” or using Wikipedia for their homework – but maybe you’re not sure what they should be using? We will review some authoritative library databases geared toward students at different grade levels: all free and available 24/7. (Taught by Mary Ann)
Thursday, January 28, 6 – 7 pm

Job Search Resources in Learning Express
We will explore the Learning Express database Job Search module which includes resume writing; creating effective cover letters; and interview tips. (Taught by Mary Ann)
Thursday, February 11, 6 – 7 pm

Library Catalog: Beyond the Basics
Go behind the scenes with the Athenaeum's cataloger to discover what goes into making the library's catalog, and pick up a few searching tricks along the way. (Taught by Jeremy)
Wednesday, January 13, 6 – 7 pm

LibraryThing: An Introduction
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, February 18, 6 – 7 pm

Word 2007 Basics
An introduction to Word 2007 covering opening and saving a document; setting up margins; changing fonts; running a spell check; selecting templates; creating a letter and other documents. (Taught by Dick)
Tuesday, February 16, 6 – 7 pm

Word 2007 : Tables
We will use Word 2007 to create and format a table. (Taught by Madeline)
Wednesday, February 24, 6 – 7 pm

Future of Regional Library Systems

Dear Western Massachusetts Library Community:

A historic meeting of Executive Boards from the 6 Regional Library Systems took place on Monday, December 14, 2009. Its purpose was to determine the future shape of Regions and their services in the face of continued budget reductions from the State. The FY11 forecast for Regional systems (Board of Library Commissioner State budget account 7000-9401) calls for a cut of 28%. It is clear, with no promising economic news on the horizon, that Regional services and organizational structures need to be reconsidered in order to remain sustainable.

After a full day of discussion of different models and service priorities, it was determined that there is support for a single administrative organization that will consolidate business operations and services that lend themselves to better economies of scale. Everyone is well aware that there is also a great need for a local presence throughout Massachusetts, through which advisory services and continuing education programs will be delivered. The exact shape of that local presence has not yet been decided. One model is a hub and spokes, that would have consultants scattered in different areas, operating either from space in a library or a small office, or even from home via telecommuting. Another much- favored model is for a single administrative unit, with offices in different area of the state that can accommodate two or more consultants and would have training/meeting facilities.

The concern of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) and its Executive Board is that services to our unique, vast, rural and remote area must get the attention, visibility and resources it requires to achieve equitable access to library services on a par with other parts of the Commonwealth. With half WMRLS communities having populations under 1,900 people, there is tremendous need for training, individual assistance, and familiarity with small library issues. It is due to the rural nature of our area that Regional library Systems came into being in the first place. WMRLS was the first Region to form (1961), as a direct offshoot of the Western MA Library Federation of the 1950s.

The future prospects for our wonderful WMRLS staff, our excellent and responsive delivery system, and even our headquarters building, are unclear as of this writing.

We know there are many questions and concerns that the West will be overlooked in this process, as people feel “always happens” to our area. Please be assured that, as always, we at WMRLS and our Board will advocate long and hard to ensure that the West will receive the services and attention that libraries of all types need. We will update you regularly about developments as a statewide planning process begins to work out details and future directions and structures.

Yours truly,
John Ramsay, Regional Administrator
Western MA Regional Library System
P.O. Box 609
S. Deerfield, MA 01373
jramsay@wmrls.org
(413) 665-9898 x. 113

What is your New Year's Reading Resolution?

The ReadsinMA online reading program is available free of charge to all public libraries in the commonwealth.

If you are interested in giving ReadsinMA a test drive OR if you are interested in becoming eligible to win a mystery bag filled with library goodies, do visit our new WMRLS “Happy New Year ~ Reading Resolution” ReadsinMA program - Staff of all WMRLS Member Libraries - academic, public, school, and special libraries - are invited to participate.

WMRLS public libraries may register for ReadsinMA via our new 2010 Summer Reading Program Order Form

~ Sincerely, Janet Eckert, WMRLS

www.ReadsinMA.org 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.

Dewey love our libraries? Storrs Library's Inspiring Blog

Visit the Blog of the Storrs Library, Longmeadow

One of our part time staff, Phyllis Bogert, has been photographing libraries for many years. She did not use a digital camera, but collected all her beautiful photographs in an album which she would share with us from time to time. Barbara Fitzgerald, our Adult Services Librarian, thought it would be a great idea to turn this album into a Picasa Web Album and put it online for all to see. We enlisted the help of a volunteer, Doris Brodeur, who scanned in all the photos. I then created a blog, using all the skills that I learned the WMRLS "Blogging for Beginners" Workshop! This collaborative effort was finally finished and posted last week. It is accessible from our homepage, www.longmeadow.org/library.

Curiosity about the WMRLS extraordinary delivery system, linking so many libraries of different size and architecture, was what motivated Phyllis and John to set out on their trips. We thought you might like to let other libraries know about the blog so that they, too, can enjoy the lovely photographs.

~ Farida Pomerantz, Storrs Library, Longmeadow

WMRLS is closed on Wednesday, December 9

Due to hazardous driving conditions expected across the 4 county area through much of today, the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) will be closed today. There will be no delivery, and the workshop "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: New Teen Books" has been canceled. Please notify any staff at your library if their work is affected by delivery.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but the safety of staff, vehicles and library materials is of utmost importance. We expect to resume full services tomorrow.

~ John Ramsay, WMRLS Regional Administrator