APRIL 1 BUS TO THE STATE HOUSE – NO JOKE!

It’s not too late!  The Western Massachusetts Library Advocates (WMLA) has hired a bus to take library supporters to the State House in Boston for Library Legislative Day. Join us and use this opportunity to advocate with your legislators for funding for libraries and library networks.    

The pick-up spots are:

            7:30 am           Table & Vine Liquors, West Springfield

            8:15 am           Palmer Public Library

            9:00 am           Auburn Public Library

The bus will leave Boston by 2:45 pm and will arrive in West Springfield by 5:00 pm. The group discount cost is still only $20 per person.  This price is a great deal, less than the cost of parking in a Boston garage for five hours.  

Complete the form below and mail with your check to: WMLA, PO Box 609, So. Deerfield, MA 01373 ~or~ send through delivery to MLS/ Whately Attn: WMLA. Please include the memo "Legislative Bus" on your check.

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Your name:                                                                  

Your library:

Cell phone if available:                                                  

Your email (WMLA use only):

Your pick up spot:

Amount enclosed:

____I want to be a member of WMLA! Enclosed is my additional $15 check for membership.

WMLA Announces 4th Annual Scholarships for MLA Conference

Have you ever wanted to attend the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Conference, but could use a little help from your friends - the travel expenses and registration costs got in the way?

The Western Massachusetts Library Advocates (WMLA) are pleased to offer 4 scholarships of up to $250 each to cover conference registration, meals and travel to the MLA Annual Conference which will be held at the DCU Center in Worcester from Monday, May 4 to Wednesday, May 6th.  Costs, up to the limit, will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. 

By April 8, 2015, please submit a brief paragraph explaining why you want to attend the conference to Eric Poulin at pouline@gcc.mass.edu or John Ramsay at jramsay@springfieldlibrary.org.  In your email, in addition to why you’d like to attend, include your full name, library affiliation, email and phone contact information.

Preference will be given to first time attendees, but others will be considered. 

Decisions will be made by April 14, 2015, and award winners will be notified that day.  Winners will also be announced that morning at the WMLA Semi- Annual meeting.

These scholarships are provided through a memorial fund in the memory of Franklin P. Taplin, long time western Massachusetts librarian, trustee, Western Mass Library Club and WMLA member.

If you have any questions about the scholarships or the application process, please contact either Eric or John at the email addresses noted above.

Advocacy for All – Contacting Your Legislator

The strength of our democracy and support for our libraries depends upon citizens getting involved and engaging our legislators and other town, state and federal representatives.  Keep these tips handy when contacting your elected officials.

• Politicians are primarily interested in the opinions of people who vote for them.  Identify yourself as a constituent.
• Whether writing or calling, focus on a single topic.  If emailing, put libraries or library legislation specifics in the subject line.
• Ask the legislator to take specific action, like support budget line items or particular legislation.  Ask for a written response that gives the legislator’s position on the issue.
• Make your points concisely and quickly to focus their attention and to have greater impact.
• Use your own words on the issue and use local examples of how the particular action will impact your library and your community.

The Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) makes Capwiz available to all residents of the Commonwealth to simplify contact with legislators.  Capwiz allows you to learn about current legislation and key votes, to set legislative alerts and updates, and to send advocacy messages to key legislators at the state and national levels. Access Capwiz at:  capwiz.com/ala/ma/state/main/?state=MA

Thanks to MLA for providing Capwiz and to The League of Women Voters for the list of points regarding contacting legislators which we have customized.