December 2020 – MBLC Blog

The JBPL Day After Christmas

By Patrick Marshall, Director of the Jonathan Bourne Public Library, Bourne, MA

The JBPL Day After Christmas (With apologies to Clement C. Moore)

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through Bourne

All the children were playing, while the parents were worn.

Paper wrappings and ribbons were scattered through the room;

While Mom sat there hoping someone would just grab a broom.

The teens were all playing X-Box on their beds;

Ignoring everyone for untold hours still ahead.

The little ones crying, not taking their naps;

How long were us parents to put up with this crap?

When at last we thought our sanity restored;

Here comes another child saying, “Mom! Dad! I’m bored”.

All of these toys, yet still nothing to do;

It just makes us want to cry, a hearty boo hoo.

I knew an idea was needed quite fast;

Something the family could do that’s a blast.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

An item that gave me ideas perfectly clear.

My wonderful Bourne issued CLAMS Library Card;

With so many services, choices would be hard.

Whether home or away, so much from which to choose;

The library would have something to chase away the blues.

New music! New movies! New audios and eBooks!

Magazines, newspapers, one must not overlook.

Away to the website, bournelibrary.org

I hope there is a video of the Pianist Victor Borge.

As I call the family over, we’ll have so much to do;

When we do things together, we are quite a crew.

So into the living room, the children they flew;

With their library cards at the ready to try something new.

We started with Freegal to dance to the Eagles;

But then went to hOOPLA for Snoopy, the Beagle.

On the website we searched, and were surprised to have found;

Qello offered concerts like Paul Simon’s Homeward Bound.

Tumblebooks offered us so many kids’ games,

I knew that our family time would never be the same.

We then went to Mango to learn a new language,

A mouthful of cookies gave us a disadvantage.

We then took a look at the database Great Courses;

Our daughter was hoping to learn about horses.

And though there was nothing much along those lines,

I did find one called “Great Meals in Less Time”.

We then took a look at the database Kanopy;

For we heard it contained some great documentaries.

And then it was back to the Overdrive app,

To find a good book while the dog sat in my lap.

We managed to find the book “Elf on the Shelf”;

And I laughed when I saw it, in spite of myself.

All of these resources, it just blew my mind;

I couldn’t believe the library was such a great find.

To get a library card, it’s not that much work;

Why, there are even sources for the kid’s homework.

As I looked at all the options, my face all aglow;

I wished to tell everyone what I now know.

The library offers so much service from home;

No matter if you use Mac, Firefox or Google Chrome.

I’ll end it with this, for I know it’s airtight;

The JBPL resources are just plain out of sight.

Happy Holidays from the MBLC

To Our Library Community and Partners,

This year has quite literally been one for the books. It’s created challenges we’ve never had to face but has made us grow closer and realize how much we need each other. You’ve had to reinvent library services and you deserve enormous respect for the many ways you’ve made it work.

As we continue to navigate this new normal, know that we’re so impressed with the creativity and resilience you’ve shown as you work to take care of yourself, those you love, and your community.

You are the reason people love their libraries and your health and safety are what matter most. On behalf of the Commissioners and staff of the MBLC, I wish you a healthy and safe holiday season and hope we can be together soon.

Mary Ann Cluggish, Chair
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Walk With Ease: Program Opportunity With Positive Rewards

By Tom Cummiskey, Outreach Librarian at the Plymouth Public Library

Just before the COVID shutdown, I was notified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners of a program opportunity that sounded like it would fit nicely into the Consumer Health programming that I was spearheading at the library. After I spoke with Julia Chevan, the program coordinator at Springfield College Department of Physical Therapy, I requested 20 of the Walk With Ease guidebooks that would be distributed for free to patrons. Students in the physical therapy program at Springfield College would be using the material in 1:1 coaching sessions with patrons as part of the internship hours they needed.

The books arrived while we were furloughed, but when we came back in August I began to promote the program through our social media, the Center for Active Living, and a local news article. The response was surprisingly strong, and by Labor Day I requested eight additional books. Books were picked up by registrants at our curbside pickup area along with a welcome letter explaining how the program would work, and when the Springfield students would be contacting the registrants.

Students began contacting registrants the third week in September and for approximately six weeks, walkers and students began meeting virtually to review the material, learn strengthening and stretching exercises, and to offer walking tips, motivation and suggestions based on each person’s capabilities.

Once the program ended, I began to hear all sorts of glowing comments from the patrons, saying how wonderful and inspiring it was to work with such an enthusiastic group of students. Many reported that they were now able to walk with more confidence and assurance, all benefits of the program.

When I offered participants the opportunity to meet virtually on a monthly basis throughout the winter as a means of continual support, there was great interest. We had our first Zoom meeting for 30 minutes on December 2nd. This further connection provided an adjunct program opportunity without having to do much other than organize the Zoom session, send out the link, and then facilitate the group discussion among the eager participants. We will offer this monthly meeting through April, with the possibility of group activities once the “all clear” is given post-pandemic.

Feedback has all been positive for both the material presented in the book as well as the attentiveness and guidance of the physical therapy students at Springfield College. The Walk With Ease program is a fine example of a collaborative effort between public libraries and higher education institutions. Very little work was needed on our part to ensure participant success and it provided access to expertise and resources that would not have been locally available. If any other libraries are interested in offering this programming, they can contact Dr. Julia Chevan at Springfield College.

Tom Cummiskey, MLS

Outreach Librarian

Plymouth Public Library

Plymouth, MA 02360

Amherst council gets go-ahead to use $1M in CPA funds on Jones Library work

In a reversal from earlier in the year, the Community Preservation Act Committee is recommending that the Town Council use $1 million from the account for the proposed build-out of a new special collections room at the Jones Library.

Fundraising, naming opportunities still available at library

Despite all the challenges 2020 has brought, those organizing the effort to fund a new public library in Medford say there has been an outpouring of support from the community that has them quickly approaching their goal.

Read more from Wicked Local Medford