News Release

The Massachusetts Friends of Libraries and the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association are co-sponsoring their 16th annual conference on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Worcester Technical High School.  The conference provides an opportunity for Friends and Trustees to learn about and discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth's libraries.

The keynote address, Celebrating the USS Constitution, will be presented by Sarah Watkins. Ms. Watkins will describe the events and activities surrounding the USS Constitution and the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812. The USS Constitution received a federal Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to develop Discovery Kits that can be used by libraries and other educational institutions. Ms. Watkins will provide information about how libraries can use these resources in conjunction with the bicentennial celebration.

Conference topics and workshops include:

Selling Online presented by Arthur Weinburg
Book sales and marketing strategies to increase sales will be a central focus of this discussion. Mr. Weinberg will identify different bookselling web sites and the strategies for selling books on each.

Getting the Most Out of Events presented by Karin Turer
So we booked a room...now what? Are you looking to hold a fundraising event for your library?  Nonprofit event consultant Karin Turer will show you the best ways to turn a low budget event into a success for your organization.

Ebooks 101
This session provides an overview of ebook hardware and software. It provides information for those who have heard the terminology but don’t fully understand what it means for your library. This would be good background for the Implementing Ebooks session.

Implementing Ebooks in Your Library—panel presentation and discussion
So you want your library to use ebooks. Now comes the hard part. The panel members will discuss the issues and their solutions for their libraries as they walk us through their decision making and implementation of their libraries’ ebook “solution”. The session will wrap up with a Q&A segment.

Legal Issues for Non-Profits presented by Robert Abruzzo
This session we will introduce their legal requirements, primarily what you have to apply for and what you have to file at both the federal and state levels. If you have done some of these things in the past, but have lost track of your current status, you will see how to locate this information. The session will be accompanied by the online location of a detailed guide you can download.

Advocacy 101 presented by Millie Gonzalez, Alison Kenney, Cindy Roach
Do you have a strong passion for libraries?   Come and learn how to take that passion and become an advocate for your library on the local, state and national levels.  Millie, Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian, Framingham State University and Alison, Friend of the Swampscott Public Library will explain why they became advocates and what you can do to promote your library. They will join Cindy Roach, MBLC member, in a discussion of why libraries want you to speak on their behalf.

Technology “Petting Zoo”
A technology area will demonstrate a variety of technologies that libraries use today in meeting patrons’ needs. Users from the MBLC, MLS and various libraries will be there to answer your questions. This will be available during the conference.

The deadline for registration is October 8, 2011. For more information and to register, please click here for a registration form (doc).