Reforms to Protect Regional Library Services

The following message, along with a library factsheet, was posted to the AllRegions Email Discussion List at 5:59 pm today:

To: Massachusetts Library Community

I am pleased to provide you the attached document we developed collaboratively with the Patrick Administration regarding our ongoing work to preserve regional services in FY2011 and beyond.

Having the full support of the Administration is essential when such far reaching change is being implemented. We can provide the best possible statewide services only with complete commitment to a single consolidated region.

Important decisions will be made over the next several weeks to facilitate the merger of our current regional systems into the newly formed Massachusetts Library System (MLS) that will provide regional services statewide beginning July 1, 2010.

For more information about the merger plan and MLS see: http://mblc.state.ma.us/mblc/news/releases/past-releases/2010/nr100414.php

Rob
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Robert C. Maier, Director
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
98 North Washington Street, Suite 401
Boston, MA 02114
Ph (617) 725-1860 x249

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Reforms to Protect Regional Library Services

Governor Patrick has tremendous respect for libraries, as they are essential to educating our children and offering resources to everyone in the Commonwealth.  Facing unprecedented budget challenges brought on by an unprecedented global economic downturn, no state agency has been untouched by cuts. Governor Patrick asked each state agency to develop creative ideas to meet our budget challenges while continuing to provide important services to Massachusetts residents. The Board of Library Commissioners, in consultation with the statewide library community, developed a plan to consolidate regional library systems. Governor Patrick included the Board of Library Commissioners plan in his Fiscal 2011 budget recommendations to the House and Senate.

How Libraries Receive Funding

Public libraries receive funding from their local communities, and therefore rely on state local aid funding. Governor Patrick’s proposed budget would not cut local aid. Libraries also rely on $21 M in state funding for regional services, state aid to public libraries, services for the blind and support of automated library networks through the Board of Library Commissioners. They also benefit from a $100 M bond bill Governor Patrick signed to invest in renewed and expanded public library facilities.

Regional Consolidation Plan

Regional library systems have been in place since the early 1960s. In 1998 they expanded to serve 1,750 libraries statewide through six regional systems. Under the new plan, the six regional systems will be consolidated into one system with offices located in Whately and Waltham. The plan preserves core programs and helps streamline operations so that residents can continue to access library services, such as:

• Delivery (13.5 million items moved between libraries annually)
• Interlibrary Loan (more than 6 million requests filled annually)
• Electronic reference sources access for libraries and residents statewide
• Cooperative Purchasing to receive discounts and avoid costs
• Summer Reading Program (100,000 kids served last summer)

What to Expect from Regional Consolidation

Your local library will continue to receive the same level of statewide services for summer reading, interlibrary loans, delivery, electronic resources and cooperative purchasing. Some services such as training and technical assistance for staff will continue, but at a reduced level.

These changes will not cause libraries to close, and services can be sustained only under a single consolidated region. Western Massachusetts will continue to be served through the Whately facility under the new plan, including continuing education and technical assistance services.

We all have a stake in this together to provide the best library services to the residents of the Commonwealth.

WMRLS Exec Board Vote on MLS Merger

Dear WMRLS Staff, Member Libraries and other library colleagues:

After lengthy and heartfelt discussion yesterday, the Executive Board of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS) voted – 8 in favor, 2 opposed, and 1 abstaining – to proceed with the merger of WMRLS into the Massachusetts Library System (MLS). This vote was made on the condition that the Agreement of Merger document will be amended to call for regional corporations to remain in a “dormant” state instead of terminating entirely when the merger goes into effect.

This vote by the Executive Board gives the voting representatives of the WMRLS Council of Members the opportunity to vote for or against the merger at its meeting on May 25 at the Agawam Public Library. A 2/3 vote of the entire voting membership needs to approve the merger in order for it to take place. Similar voting opportunities are taking place in the other regions as well. We are preparing information to explain the consequences of votes in favor of, or in opposition to, the merger so that informed decisions can be made. We hope as many of our member libraries will join in the discussion and the vote.

We do not know the final outcome of the State budget process for MBLC Regional account 7000-9401, and whether it will call for 2 regions or not. The House of Representatives approved such language in its version of the FY11 budget, as proposed by many Western legislators in response to the concerns expressed by their constituents. The Senate is working right now on its version of the budget. It will be several weeks before the final version of the State budget will be determined.

In the meantime, the Board wishes to encourage member libraries and ALL library advocates and support organizations across the State to unite and work tirelessly on behalf of a restoration of funds for the regional account. Instead of the 29% reduction currently called for in the Governor’s and House versions of the budget, the figures being sought are the $14.8 million statutory funding levels (from the MBLC Legislative Agenda) or at least the $12.3 million in the current FY10 account. State funding for regional services has made possible cost-effective and valued services to libraries and residents across the State since the 1960s. That work must continue at adequate funding levels for the benefit of all libraries.

Yours truly, John Ramsay, Regional Administrator

Massachusetts Library Association Conference Handouts Now Online

Cathy Balshone, Reference Librarian of the Newton Free Library shares that both the PowerPoint presentation and handouts for the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Annual Conference program Librarian or Lawyer? What do YOU tell people when they have a legal question? are now featured on the MLA Speaker Handouts webpage.

tnk grEn with Teen Crafts

Thank you to Doris Madsen (Springfield City Library) and Mia Cabana (West Springfield Public Library) for facilitating our tnk grEn with Teen Crafts workshop on Monday, May 10 at the Springfield City Library.

In this hands-on workshop, Doris and Mia showcased four fun crafts for teens - all using recycled materials.


Crafts included the following:

• Recycled Coziness Hat
• Magazine Beads
• Tissue Paper Vase
• A transformed T-Shirt inspired by Megan Nicolay's Generation T:  108 ways to transform a T-shirt, Workman Publishers, 2006.

Editorial: Western Massachusetts Regional Library System needs public support

"Editorial: Western Massachusetts Regional Library System needs public support
By The Republican Editorials
May 10, 2010, 12:42AM
Western Massachusetts residents who cherish their community libraries should urge Gov. Deval L. Patrick and the state Legislature to scale back plans for cuts to the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System.

For the relatively small outlays that most communities make in their libraries, these institutions pay big dividends in the form of books and other materials.

Yet just when these services are needed the most, state officials are planning a 29 percent cut in aid to regional library systems that provide community libraries with invaluable support.

Because of these cuts, nine employees at the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System in Whately could lose their jobs." ... Read More

May 15: Margaret Wise Brown Day at The Carle

Ramsdell Library to Stay Open

By a vote of 460 to 6 at Monday night’s town meeting, Great Barrington chose to keep Ramsdell Library open. The decision came following a year of tumult touched off by a study done by Library Director Anne Just for the Board of Selectmen on the impact of closing, continuing, or renovating Ramsdell Library. Town residents, especially those in the library’s Housatonic neighborhood, were very vocal in opposing closure. While the town administration decided early on not to close the library, a citizen’s petition to close was placed on the warrant, which reignited anxieties. A vocal citizen’s campaign was mounted to save the library, which now looks ahead with clearly demonstrated citizen support.

Republican Newspaper: Western Massachusetts Regional Library System faces state funding cuts, layoffs

"Western Massachusetts Regional Library System faces state funding cuts, layoffs
By Dan Ring, The Republican
May 06, 2010, 8:13PM

BOSTON – Steep cuts in state funding will force layoffs and other cuts to an organization that provides regional services to libraries in Western Massachusetts, marking an “incredible loss” for the region, local librarians said...." ~ Read More

NEH awards grant to Library to complete Du Bois digitization

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries have been awarded a grant of $314,787 from the National Endowment for the Humanities' We the People program to complete digitization of the papers of African-American intellectual and activist W.E.B. Du Bois.

In 2009, with the support of a Verizon Foundation grant, Special Collections and University Archives embarked on the historic project to make the Du Bois Papers, consisting of more than 100,000 items, available freely on the Internet. At the halfway mark of the Verizon Foundation project, Special Collections has scanned 35,000 pages and created records for more than 11,000 items. Funds from the NEH will enable Special Collections to make the entire collection available online by the end of 2013. The images will be available at the end of the project at www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/.

We the People is an NEH program designed to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study and understanding of American history, culture and democratic principles.

Since 1973, the UMass Amherst Library has housed the W.E.B. Du Bois Papers, a collection of more than 100,000 letters, photographs, manuscripts, memorabilia and audiovisual materials. Widely recognized as one of nation's most significant collections for the study of African-American history, the Du Bois collection offers insight into a wide range of social and historical movements. Included is Du Bois' correspondence with figures such as Marcus Garvey, Booker T. Washington, Albert Einstein and Mohandas Gandhi.

Info about Merger Vote, the House Amendment and other matters

The following message was posted to the WMRLS email discussion list on May 5:

Dear WMRLS Member Libraries, Friends of WMRLS, the We Love Western Mass Libraries FaceBook Group, and other library colleagues: 

We have been receiving questions about the effect of regional members voting for or against the merger of their Regions.  In a discussion with the attorney who is helping the MBLC and the Regions with the proposed merger of the regions into the Massachusetts Library System, I received the basic answer, which follows.  [NOTE:  There is quite a bit more to think about and consider – the long answer – that is contained in the Word document attached to this message. We hope you will read it.] 

The short answer is that a corporation cannot be forced to merge.  At a Council of Members meeting (the WMRLS meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25, at the Agawam Public Library), 2/3 of the voting members attending the meeting, or voting by some other means, is required to approve that Region’s merger. 

You probably saw the MBLC Executive Director Rob Maier’s announcement late yesterday about the outcome of the House version of the FY11 budget.  Included for regional account (7000-9401) was language requiring the MBLC to fund at least 2 regions, one serving the West and the other serving the Eastern part of the State.  There are many issues entailed.  Please open and read the attachment to get a fuller understanding of all that is involved, at least as far as I can muster at this moment. 

Thank you for your consideration and support of WMRLS and all the Regions. 

John Ramsay

Regional Administrator, WMRLS

Merger Issues for Members to Consider

I have spoken with the attorney who is assisting the MBLC and Regions with the proposed merger into one administrative organization.  I basically asked, “What happens if the members of a region do not vote to merge?”  He said that a corporation cannot be forced to merge.  So, if a 2/3 vote in favor of merging (by authorized voting representatives from member libraries) is not achieved at a Regional Council of Members meeting, that region is not part of the merger.  But, wait, there’s more to it than just that!  

Funding.  A crucial issue is money.  Regional library systems rely almost entirely for their operations, staff and services on State funds from  MBLC account 7000-9401.  Both the Governor’s and House versions of the FY11 State budget did not include an increase in the funds in the account.  So, thus far, the situation budget-wise is still dire for this account.  

MLS.  The MBLC has already designated the Massachusetts Library System as the recipient of funds from the regional account for FY11. See MBLC press release at   http://mblc.state.ma.us/mblc/news/releases/past-releases/2010/nr100414.php.  

Amendment 548.  Language was included in the FY11 budget that requires the MBLC to fund at least 2 Regions, WMRLS and the Massachusetts Library System (MLS).   This budget language amendment was proposed by a large number of Western State Representatives in response to unprecedented advocacy from their concerned constituents.  It is important that everyone understand that no WMRLS staff were involved in the filing or wording of this amendment.  We do sincerely applaud our Representatives for taking action on the input from Western Region librarians and library supporters.  

Could WMRLS operate under House Amendment 548 if the regional account is level-funded?  Our preliminary estimate is that WMRLS could provide its key services, but this is contingent on some assumptions and negotiations that have not yet even been broached.  As a long-term and sustainable solution, especially if State fiscal constraints continue, it is very questionable whether WMRLS could continue as a “standalone” region for the foreseeable future.  A total reversal of the State funding picture would be needed, and this is not anticipated in the near future.  

State Budget Process.  There are many steps remaining in the budget process.  We do not know if the Senate will try to incorporate the same language that appeared in the House budget.  And what will the Senate funding level be for library accounts?  If there are differences between the legislature’s versions of the budget and language, a House / Senate Conference Committee would need to resolve those differences.  After that, the Governor could still issue a line item veto of that account.  To reverse such a veto, both the House and Senate would need to override it.  So, the House budget is just a part of the process.    

Funding, Again.  It has been stated since the very start of the merger process that the 6 regions have been doing important and cost-effective work to assist libraries across the State.  Can more funds be appropriated by the State?  We do not know.  

Statewide Effort.  We at WMRLS and across the State appreciate all the efforts by library supporters and State Representatives to advocate for regional services and State support of library services in general.  It is only through a statewide effort, not from just one area, that additional funding might be possible.  This is true whether WMRLS remains on its own or WMRLS is part of the consolidated MLS.  WMRLS has a long tradition of working with and for the whole state in improving library services.  It will take a serious and massive advocacy effort, with help from the Massachusetts Library Association and many more people, to reverse the downward budget spiral for libraries and their regions and the other organizations that exist to help libraries.  As one of our members offered at a roundtable to discuss the merger, “Only those that attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.”  Maybe we all need to try as hard as we can.  

Thank you,
John Ramsay
Regional Administrator, WMRLS 

WMRLS Executive Board Council of Members Meeting

WMRLS Executive Board Council of Members Meeting

Tuesday May 25, 2010
10:00 AM until 12:30 PM

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The Western MA Regional Library System (WMRLS) Council of Members needs to take up the issue of the merger of WMRLS into the new Massachusetts Library System. This matter will be put to a vote, after discussion, at the meeting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25, at the Agawam Public Library. We will be sending out documentation, along with a way for those of you who cannot attend the meeting, to vote yea or nay.

Directions

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Location: Agawam Public Library

FY2011 House Budget Adopted

The following message was posted to the ALLREGIONS email discussion list on May 4, 2010:

"To: Massachusetts Library Community
From: Rob Maier, Director, Mass. Board of Library Commissioners

The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved its version of the FY2011 state budget on Friday, April 30. In mid May 2010 the Senate Ways and Means Committee will release its version of the FY2011 state budget. In June 2010 a joint House and Senate conference committee will be appointed to resolve the differences between the two versions of the FY2011 state budget. After the full House and Senate agree to the conference committee report, the FY2011 state budget goes to the Governor who has the authority to line item veto. The FY2011 state budget must be in place by July 1, 2010.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved the following for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for FY2011:

Line Item 7000-9101 Board of Library Commissioners

FY2009 - $1,042,269

FY2010 – $938,042

FY2011 – Governor’s $938,042

FY2011 – House Budget $914,448

Line Item 7000-9401 State Aid to Regional Libraries

FY2009 - $17,166,071

FY2010 - $12,327,160

FY2011 – Governor’s $8,781,475

FY2011 – House Budget $8,781,475

FY2010 & FY2011 Governor’s & House state budgets remove the earmarking for the per capita for Library of Last Recourse. Governor’s and House FY2011 budgets also eliminate statutory language requiring regional reference centers.

The House budget for FY2011 includes the following two provisions under line item 7000-9401:

“; and provided further, that said section 19C of said chapter 78 shall not apply to a municipality with more than 500,000 residents during fiscal year 2011 unless such municipality funds and maintains operations for all branch libraries in service as of January 1, 2010 and funds and maintains staffing levels at its central library as such staffing levels existed on January 1, 2010”.

“; and provided further, that the board of library commissioners shall provide funds for the continued operation of no fewer than two regional library systems to serve the different geographic regions of the Commonwealth, one of which shall serve eastern Massachusetts and one which shall serve the western Massachusetts regional library system.”

Line Item 7000-9402 Talking Book Library (Worcester)

FY2009 - $421,143

FY2010 – $421,143

FY2011 - Governor's $421,143

FY2011 – House Budget $421,143

Line Item 7000-9406 Talking Book & Machine Lending (Perkins)

FY2009 - $2,241,016

FY2010 – $2,241,016

FY2011 – Governor’s $2,241,016

FY2011 – House Budget $2,241,016

Line Item 7000-9501 State Aid to Public Libraries

FY2009 - $9,989,844

FY2010 - $6,823,657

FY2011 – Governor’s $6,823,657

FY2011 – House Budget $6,823,657

FY2010 and FY2011 Governor’s and House state budgets provide 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).

The House budget for FY2011 includes the following provision under line item 7000-9501:

“; provided further that said section 19A of said chapter 78 shall not apply to a municipality with more than 500,000 residents during fiscal year 2011 unless such municipality funds and maintains operations for all branch libraries in service as of January 1, 2010 and funds and maintains staffing levels at its central library as such staffing levels existed on January 1, 2010”.

Line Item 7000-9506 Library Technology & Resource Sharing

FY2009 - $2,799,104

FY2010 - $1,929,238

FY2011 – Governor’s $1,929,238

FY2011 – House Budget $1,929,238

Special Provision:

An amendment was added to the budget providing “that the house of representatives shall commission a study by the Legislature Library Caucus to assess the costs, benefits, and impact of changes in regional library systems in the commonwealth and to provide a recommendation on the role of the library of last recourse with regards to funding, jurisdiction and purpose.”

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Robert C. Maier, Director
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
98 North Washington Street, Suite 401
Boston, MA 02114
Ph (617) 725-1860 x249"