Tag: Covid-19

MBLC Service Update                                                                              
June 3, 2020

Past Updates
April 1, 2020
April 8, 2020
April 15, 2020
April 22, 2020
April 29, 2020
May 6, 2020
May 13, 2020
May 27, 2020

As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide issues.  Please let us know if there’s info you’d like us to cover—we’ll include it if we are able. Stay well.

State Reopening Advisory Board
Contact: Maura Deedy, Rob Favini (MBLC)
Sarah Sogigian, Terry McQuown (MLS)
The MBLC and MLS worked together to develop guidance to assist libraries as they begin the process of re-opening. The guidance was based on listening sessions that were held in coordination with the nine automated library networks.
Library-specific Re-opening guidance and tools
Baker-Polito Administration’s Reopening Massachusetts Report

State Aid- Reopening survey
Contact: Liz Babbitt
In light of the Governor’s phased re-opening plan, please update the COVID19 reopening survey via the  new LibWizard form This will be shared with the library community in a Google spreadsheet titled “COVID19: Re-opening Public Libraries Survey”.
We understand that COVID19 will continue to be a serious threat to public health and that your plans may change as the situation evolves so we will NOT be creating a version of this survey for the public UNTIL libraries have started opening.
You can still update the original COVID19 Closure form via this LibWizard link: https://mblc.libwizard.com/f/covid-19​ . I’ll continue to update that Google sheet for the next few weeks.

CARES ACT Grants
Contact: Lyndsay Forbes
The application for Virtual Programming for Distance Learning is now open!
This grant opportunity is one way the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is using CARES Act funding. Libraries may use Virtual Programming for Distance Learning grants to support increased public access to library virtual programs.  Programming for all ages should be considered. Libraries are strongly encouraged to work with local museums and local cultural institutions to enhance virtual programming.
Any library that is a member of MLS can apply. Public libraries must be certified in state aid. These are the only eligibility requirements for this grant. Libraries may apply for funding between $1000-$3500. Applications are due June 19, 2020. We anticipate notifying libraries of their award status in early July. Funds must be spent by September 30, 2021. Grant funds can only pay for costs incurred after a signed contract. We cannot reimburse for earlier expenses.
Contact Lyndsay with any questions.

Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)
Contact:  Lauren Stara
Andrea Bunker
Monthly Reporting: on Monday, March 16, the MBLC suspended the requirement for monthly reports to be submitted for construction projects. As the Commonwealth reopens and construction restarts, we will resume the monthly reporting requirement with the May report, which is due on June 30. At that time, we would like you to submit the February, March and April reports as well.
If you have been submitting monthly reports as usual, thank you! If not, please work with your OPMs to resume this effort. As always, contact Lauren or Andrea with any questions, concerns, or for assistance.

New Episodes of the Construction Podcast are coming soon!
Current Episodes:
Sustainability and Building Performance: An Interview with Building Evolution Corporation
Designing for Sustainability: An Interview with Finegold Alexander Architects

Ebooks and Audio Books through LEA (Library eBooks and Audiobooks)
Contact: Kate Butler
Visualization of usage from May 2019 through April 2020.

Performers Directory Enhanced to Simplify Finding Virtual Programs
Contact: Paul Kissman
MBLC has just added a new feature to the Performers Directory (https://mblc.state.ma.us/directories/performers).  You can now limit search results to programs that can be delivered virtually.   270 online program opportunities have been added or updated by the performers since we reached out to them last week encouraging them to update their offerings

Preservation and Disaster Recovery
Contact: Evan Knight
How to Sanitize Collections    American Libraries Magazine (Evan is featured again!).

Save the Date for two exciting virtual events for Massachusetts Libraries and Library Workers:
National Weather Service speaker on Hurricane Preparedness, June 16, 10:30aMBLC and COSTEP MA partners are hosting a speaker from the National Weather Service’s Boston area office to speak on hurricane preparedness on Tuesday, June 16^th at 10.30am. The session covers the hazards posed by tropical storms and hurricanes in southern New England, and should enable attendees from the library, archive, and museum communities to evaluate the threats to their individual facilities, and begin the process of constructing a mitigation plan. Registration information coming soon.

Special collections symposium for smaller libraries, July 23, 9a-12p
Local public memory collections provide important, unique, and sustainable opportunities to interpret a community’s contemporary experiences as they change over time. Yet there are many challenges in building, preserving, and sharing these collections, especially among smaller libraries. Renowned experts in the book trade, academic libraries, and library special collections will convene for a morning symposium of sharing and dialogue about these topics, tailored specifically for library workers, librarians, archivists, and collections volunteers with various levels of experience. Registration information and additional symposium information coming soon.

Promotion/Summer Library Program
Contact: Celeste Bruno
Matthew Perry
               Rachel Masse (summer and the Bruins)

Video Library (for kids and teens)
First Lady of the Commonwealth Lauren Baker has posted s fun story-time video on the site.
Updates have been made to the video library. Users can now sort by library as well as topic of interest
Video site
Upload your video directly or email it to Celeste

Promotion
Ads promoting digital resources through libraries.state.ma.us will continue to run through June.
CSLP posters are at the printers and should be to your library in the next week
Materials for the First Lady of the Commonwealth and Blades Reading Challenge will be sent to the printer this week; libraries should have them by mid-June.
It’s not too late to Register and order materials for the summer challenge

Bruins
We are excited to announce that orders for Boston Bruins materials for the summer are now open! The NHL has announced that hockey will be returning and games will be played over the summer, so for the first time, summer reading will take place during the hockey season, and the Bruins are currently in first place.

In addition, this year’s player is Weymouth native Charlie Coyle. We are so excited to have a player who grew up in Massachusetts on the posters this year!

You can see the Bruins materials here: https://awarehouse.mblc.state.ma.us/collateral/programs/summer-reading/

You can order the materials here: https://mblc.libwizard.com/id/9a9d1a8d8450c8d79c5e1c9cef0e9bb9

We received over 50 applications for visits from Bruins Mascots Blades. While visits will not happen this summer, new Bruins prizes will be awarded as part of the First Lady of the Commonwealth and Blades Reading Challenge. Winners of the first round of prizes have already been drawn. We draw these prizes at the beginning of the summer and notify the winners so that libraries can use the prize as part of their promotion for summer reading. Full list of prize winners.

State Aid To Public Libraries
Contact: Liz. Babbit
Uechi Ng
Mary Rose Quinn

ARIS Workshops
State Aid will be hosting eight ARIS (Annual Report Information Survey) workshops online in June via Zoom. All sessions will take place from 10:00 am -12:30 pm. We’ve added half an hour to each session to allow for additional questions you may have. Registration will be through the MBLC Calendar
The dates are:
June 3
June 10
June 11
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 24
June 25

Reporting Deadlines for FY2021:
ARIS will open as usual on July 1st but the deadline will be extended until October 2nd to allow libraries and networks more time to gather statistics. The Financial Report and State Aid Compliance Application will open August 7th as scheduled and also close on October 2nd. Municipalities applying for a waiver of the FY2021 MAR will have until November 6th to complete additional paperwork.
PLEASE NOTE: All dates are based on current information we have about COVID19 and the Governor’s State of Emergency. We will reassess deadlines if necessary but they will not be earlier than stated above.

MBLC Service Update                                                                              
May 27, 2020

Past Updates
April 1, 2020
April 8, 2020
April 15, 2020
April 22, 2020
April 29, 2020
May 6, 2020
May 13, 2020

As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide issues.  Please let us know if there’s info you’d like us to cover—we’ll include it if we are able. Stay well.

Library Re-opening
Contact: Maura Deedy, Rob Favini (MBLC)
Sarah Sogigian, Terry McQuown (MLS)
The MBLC and MLS worked together to develop guidance to assist libraries as they begin the process of re-opening. The guidance was based on listening sessions that were held in coordination with the nine automated library networks.
Library-specific Re-opening guidance and tools
Baker-Polito Administration’s Reopening Massachusetts Report

State Aid- Reopening survey
Contact: Liz Babbitt
In light of the Governor’s phased re-opening plan, please update the COVID19 reopening survey via the  new LibWizard form This will be shared with the library community in a Google spreadsheet titled “COVID19: Re-opening Public Libraries Survey”.
We understand that COVID19 will continue to be a serious threat to public health and that your plans may change as the situation evolves so we will NOT be creating a version of this survey for the public UNTIL libraries have started opening.
You can still update the original COVID19 Closure form via this LibWizard link: https://mblc.libwizard.com/f/covid-19​ . I’ll continue to update that Google sheet for the next few weeks.

Library Re-opening News
Public Libraries Begin Reopening In Massachusetts With Curbside Pickup   CBS Boston

Libraries full of reservations over opening ‘much too soon’ under Baker’s plan  Boston Herald

Is it safe to go back to my libray?    Boston Magazine

Area libraries outline gradual reopening amid pandemic  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

MBLC Monthly Board Meetings
Contact: Rachel Masse
The regular monthly business meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 4, 2020 by Zoom Videoconference Meeting. https://mblc.libcal.com/event/6201492

CARES ACT Grants
Contact: Lyndsay Forbes
Celeste Bruno
The MBLC is happy to announce the CARES ACT grants for online reading software (Beanstack), virtual programming, and mental health.  The grants were developed in collaboration with Christi Farrar and April Mazza from MLS and were based heavily on the needs expressed during their weekly virtual check-ins with hundreds of librarians.
Here’s all the info.
Please note: The deadline to apply for Beanstack grants is May 29 so that the MBLC can turn contracts around as fast as possible (thank you Maryellen at the MBLC) and libraries can have the software in time for summer programs.

Contracts/Business Office
Contact: Tracey Dimant
The Business Office has continued to communicate with Administration and Finance​, House Ways and Means, and Senate Ways and Means staff regarding any updated information on the FY2021 budget as well as the Construction Bond Bill; processed contract for the Beanstack Summer Reading grants, renewed contracts for vendors providing services that support the Commonwealth Catalog (Fenway Libraries Online), communications and marketing (Buyer Advertising Inc.), and MBLC’s web and database server support (Beacon Technologies). Continued to process funding requests from affiliates and invoices from vendors, as well as handling daily operations.

Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)
Contact:  Lauren Stara
Andrea Bunker
Bond Bill News
The IT Bond bill (which contains the funding for the Massachusetts Construction Program) passed through House on May 20. House leadership worked a Consolidated Amendment to handle the 189 or so amendments that had been filed. Leadership also approved bonding for the library construction of $115million, not the $150million as sought in the amendment put forth by Rep. Higgins and Rep Murray. The bill now needs approval from the Senate.
MBLC construction consultants estimate that $115 million will be enough to get through the construction waitlist. The MBLC is exploring whether the bond amount for the construction program can be increased to $150 million for the Senate vote. This would allow the MBLC to start a new grant cycle.

PJ Drive
Contact: Rachel Masse
Matt Perry
Tomorrow, Cradles to Crayons is heading to the warehouses to pick up the PJs that have been there since March.
As a reminder, if you still have PJs please do not put them into delivery yet. If possible donate them locally.  If you can’t donate locally, please hold them for 2 weeks after delivery opens up again. If you have questions about which warehouse you should send your pajamas to please contact Rachel. Contact her as well with estimates of your totals. Thanks!

Promotion/Summer Library Program
Contact: Celeste Bruno
Matthew Perry
               Rachel Masse (summer and the Bruins)
New! Share your story—two ways to share:
From the Heart
Even during the pandemic, Massachusetts libraries are finding creative ways to step up and support their communities and residents. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) invite libraries to share their “From the Heart” stories here.  They will be visible on the public From the Heart website and MBLC and MLS will share them broadly

Library Idea Share
Serving your community in the current environment can be challenging! Let us know what you’re doing and how it’s going; what’s worked well and not-so-well.  Email Kelly Jo Woodside and we’ll share it here. Your stories and tips will help your colleagues across the state as we all move through the phases of re-opening.

Summer Posters and Bruins materials
Your CSLP orders are at the printers, we estimate that you should receive them in 2 weeks.
Ordering for Bruins posters and materials will open first week of June. Look for an email from Matt.
Bruins Prize winners for Summer 2020
see the list

The First Lady of the Commonwealth and Blades Reading Challenge provides an opportunity for libraries that have had to cancel summer plans to be a part of a statewide initiative. The library community sets a goal and once it’s reached they are entered into a drawing to win even more Bruins prizes to be awarded late in the summer. Register and order materials

State Aid To Public Libraries
Contact: Liz. Babbit
Uechi Ng
Mary Rose Quinn
ARIS Workshops
State Aid will be hosting eight ARIS (Annual Report Information Survey) workshops online in June via Zoom. All sessions will take place from 10:00 am -12:30 pm. We’ve added half an hour to each session to allow for additional questions you may have. Registration will be through the MBLC Calendar
The dates are:
June 3
June 10
June 11
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 24
June 25

Reporting Deadlines for FY2021:
ARIS will open as usual on July 1st but the deadline will be extended until October 2nd to allow libraries and networks more time to gather statistics. The Financial Report and State Aid Compliance Application will open August 7th as scheduled and also close on October 2nd. Municipalities applying for a waiver of the FY2021 MAR will have until November 6th to complete additional paperwork.
PLEASE NOTE: All dates are based on current information we have about COVID19 and the Governor’s State of Emergency. We will reassess deadlines if necessary but they will not be earlier than stated above.

MBLC Service Update                                                                              
May 20, 2020

Past Updates
April 1, 2020
April 8, 2020
April 15, 2020
April 22, 2020
April 29, 2020
May 6, 2020
May 13, 2020

As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide issues.  Please let us know if there’s info you’d like us to cover—we’ll include it if we are able. Stay well.

State Reopening Advisory Board
Governor Baker released the comprehensive plan to safely reopen the Massachusetts economy, get people back to work, and ease social restrictions while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19. Full information on this release can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts
The first phase allows libraries and businesses who meet standards and requirements to consider opening on May 25^th with heavily restricted services and reduced staffing. The Governor anticipates that Phase 1 will last a minimum of three weeks and could last longer before moving to the next phase. The May 25^th opening date is a guidance, not a requirement. Not all libraries will be ready to open due to limited staffing and budgets. Each library in consultation with their municipality will decide when they are ready to open, and at what level of service
Libraries are specifically mentioned in the listing of businesses by industry with the following guidance:
Libraries
Phase 1 – May 25 for curbside pickup and delivery only
Phase 2 – browsing inside the Library with restrictions

State Aid- Reopening survey
Contact: Liz Babbitt
In light of the Governor’s phased re-opening plan, please update the COVID19 reopening survey via the  new LibWizard form This will be shared with the library community in a Google spreadsheet titled “COVID19: Re-opening Public Libraries Survey”.
We understand that COVID19 will continue to be a serious threat to public health and that your plans may change as the situation evolves so we will NOT be creating a version of this survey for the public UNTIL libraries have started opening.
You can still update the original COVID19 Closure form via this LibWizard link: https://mblc.libwizard.com/f/covid-19​ . I’ll continue to update that Google sheet for the next few weeks.

CARES ACT Grants
Contact: Lyndsay Forbes
Celeste Bruno
The MBLC is happy to announce the CARES ACT grants for online reading software (Beanstack), virtual programming, and mental health.  The grants were developed in collaboration with Christi Farrar and April Mazza from MLS and were based heavily on the needs expressed during their weekly virtual check-ins with hundreds of librarians.
Here’s all the info.

Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)
Contact:  Lauren Stara
Andrea Bunker

Bond Bill News
From Jennifer Harris, Chair, MLA Legislative Committee:
Thanks to your advocacy last week concerning the MBLC Construction funding in the Infrastructure bond bill (H4708), 50 additional co-sponsors signed on to support the amendment filed by Library Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Natalie Higgins and Brian Murray, to increase the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) funding from $100 million to $150 million. The Construction Bond funding at $150 million will allow the MBLC to complete all of the projects currently on the waitlist and to prepare for a future grant round. The amendment language and the list of co-sponsors can be found by clicking here.

Construction projects to start-up again
Governor Baker’s Reopening Advisory Board released its report and guidelines for the reopening of construction sites, including public library construction funded through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program.
Sites are permitted to begin reopening as of, May 18, 2020, with the implementation of the required safety protocols outlined in the attached documents. Once the protocols are in place, construction may resume. The documents can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/lists/safety-standards-for-construction.
Please note the highlighted portions of the Sector-Specific Workplace Safety Standards. Each project’s Owner’s Representative will be required to forward the following documents to the MBLC Library Building Specialist on the project as soon as they are received.

1. The site-specific risk analysis and enhanced COVID-19 safety plan
2. The completed MA COVID-19 Checklist
3. Each written daily report from the designated COVID-19 Officer

Construction Podcast is featured in Library Journal.
Episodes:
Sustainability and Building Performance: An Interview with Building Evolution Corporation
Designing for Sustainability: An Interview with Finegold Alexander Architects

LSTA-Institute of Museum and Library Services
Scholarships Help Small Libraries
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and Massachusetts Library System (MLS) are pleased to announce recipients of the scholarships to attend the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) annual conference in Wichita, Kansas, September 30-October 3, 2020.
The recipients are as follows:
Beverly Bullock, Director, Meekins Library in Williamsburg
Nicole Daviau, Director, Porter Memorial Library in Blandford
Jessie McKinney, Children’s Librarian, Raynham Public Library
Jessica O’Connor, Director, West Falmouth Library
Sheila Parks, Director, Lanesborough Public Library
Misha Storm, Library Assistant, Greenfield Public Library
More info

Preservation and Disaster Recovery
Contact: Evan Knight
State Resource on Purchasing Hygienic or Protective Supplies for the Workplace
From yesterday’s (Tuesday, May 19) MEMA situation report, there is a helpful resource highlighted among the Commonwealth’s ‘Reopening Massachusetts’ website that may be particularly helpful. “Reopening: Purchasing Hygienic or Protective Supplies for the Workplace” (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-purchasing-hygienic-or-protective-supplies-for-the-workplace) compiles resources information for employers and employees about supplies needed to return to workplaces, and connects businesses with manufacturers and distributors. There is a sortable list of vendors, with contact information, that can supply materials needed during all phases of reopening.

Project REALM (OCLC, IMLS, Battelle research partnership) releases public website
A new site is now available to support the research partnership between OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to staff and visitors engaging in delivery or use of museum, library, and archival services. Current progress and ongoing updates for the REALM project (REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums) can be found at  https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/COVID-19-research-project.html. The site includes a research timeline, committee members, and will be updated with program results and resources as they become available. You can sign up to receive project updates by email.

 

PJ Drive
Contact: Rachel Masse
Matt Perry
Way back in March we asked everyone to please hold PJs in place. The warehouses were getting full, DCF workers were getting overwhelmed, and librarians weren’t comfortable handling pajamas.
The big question now is once staffs are able to get back into the buildings what do we do with the PJs now?
For libraries that still have PJs, is it possible to donate the pajamas locally?
If you can’t donate locally, please hold them for 2 weeks after delivery opens up again. If you have questions about which warehouse you should send your pajamas to please contact Rachel.
Matt is working with MLS and Cradles to Crayons to get the PJs that are currently in warehouses picked up.
This is probably the last thing on your mind but if you haven’t submitted your totals to Rachel please do so. Also if some pajamas already went out please give your best estimate.
Lastly the winners most likely won’t be announced until sometime in September since schools also participate.

Promotion/Summer Library Program
Contact: Celeste Bruno
Matthew Perry
               Rachel Masse (summer and the Bruins)

Bruins Prize winners for Summer 2020
see the list

The First Lady of the Commonwealth and Blades Reading Challenge provides an opportunity for libraries that have had to cancel summer plans to be a part of a statewide initiative. The library community sets a goal and once it’s reached they are entered into a drawing to win even more Bruins prizes to be awarded late in the summer. Register and order materials

Video Library (for kids and teens)
Video site
Upload your video directly or email it to Celeste

State Aid To Public Libraries
Contact: Liz. Babbit
Uechi Ng
Mary Rose Quinn

 

ARIS Workshops
State Aid will be hosting eight ARIS (Annual Report Information Survey) workshops online in June via Zoom. All sessions will take place from 10:00 am -12:30 pm. We’ve added half an hour to each session to allow for additional questions you may have. Registration will be through the MBLC Calendar
The dates are:
June 3
June 10
June 11
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 24
June 25

Reporting Deadlines for FY2021:
ARIS will open as usual on July 1st but the deadline will be extended until October 2nd to allow libraries and networks more time to gather statistics. The Financial Report and State Aid Compliance Application will open August 7th as scheduled and also close on October 2nd. Municipalities applying for a waiver of the FY2021 MAR will have until November 6th to complete additional paperwork.
PLEASE NOTE: All dates are based on current information we have about COVID19 and the Governor’s State of Emergency. We will reassess deadlines if necessary but they will not be earlier than stated above.

MBLC Service Update                                                                             
May 13, 2020

Past Updates
April 1, 2020
April 8, 2020
April 15, 2020
April 22, 2020
April 29, 2020
May 6, 2020

As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide issues.  Please let us know if there’s info you’d like us to cover—we’ll include it if we are able. Stay well.

State Reopening Advisory Board
Interview with Mass. Reopening Advisory Board Member Easthampton Mayor LaChapelle
News and information from the Reopening Advisory Board
Summary of comments from the MLS and MBLC listening sessions are on the MLS Resource Guide.

State Aid- Reopening Survey
Contact: Liz Babbitt
Several library directors have asked us if we will be adding re-opening questions to the COVID19 survey; others wanted to know if we were planning a new survey. No one realized when we created the original form how nuanced the process of reopening would be and there are some limits to adding questions to an existing LibWizard form so we made the decision to create a new survey.
The re-opening survey can be completed via a new LibWizard form This will be shared with the library community in a Google spreadsheet titled “COVID19: Re-opening Public Libraries Survey”.
We understand that COVID19 will continue to be a serious threat to public health and that your plans may change as the situation evolves so we will NOT be creating a version of this survey for the public UNTIL libraries have started opening.

You can still update the original COVID19 Closure form via this LibWizard link: https://mblc.libwizard.com/f/covid-19​ . I’ll continue to update that Google sheet for the next few weeks.

Your library info in the Library Directory on public portal
Contact: Paul Kissman
Some of the information that libraries have provided to Liz on the COVID19 Closure form is being integrated into the Library Directory on the public portal. Here we use Canton as example of what the public sees when it looks for library info on libraries.state.ma.us. This information will become even more important as libraries begin opening and offer varying degrees of service. This information will also be included on the Library Directory on the agency website.

CARES ACT Funds
Contact: Lyndsay Forbes
Celeste Bruno
The MBLC will soon announce grant opportunities that focus on virtual programming and mental health. These grant opportunities were developed collaboratively by MBLC and MLS and were based on the needs expressed during the weekly check-ins conducted by Christi Farrar (MLS) and April Mazza (MLS) with hundreds of children’s, YA, and school librarians.
Also coming very soon: Availability of more Beanstack grants

 

Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)
Contact:  Lauren Stara
Andrea Bunker

Construction Bond funding/ Bill H.4154
The IT Spending Bond Bill that contains library construction funding is being discussed today.
From State House News:With dependence on technology rising, House Democratic leaders have set their sights on legislation to borrow more than $1 billion for information technology and cybersecurity upgrades as one of the next major bills that could emerge for a vote. Speaker Robert DeLeo’s office informed members of his party on Monday to be prepared to discuss a committee rewrite (H 4039) of Gov. Charlie Baker’s IT bond bill during a remote caucus on Wednesday. The Baker administration has been pressing for the bill’s passage for months. The speaker’s office did not outline explicit plans or a timeline for consideration of the bill by the full House, but the bills that are the focus of caucus talks often emerge for House consideration shortly thereafter. Baker filed his $1.15 bill in April 2019, describing it as necessary to protect Massachusetts from cyberattacks and to improve how constituents interact online with their government for health care, housing and more. The House Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Committee recommended the bill with an amendment in October, and it has been pending in the House Ways and Means Committee since then.

NEW! MBLC Construction Podcast!
Episodes:
Sustainability and Building Performance: An Interview with Building Evolution Corporation
Designing for Sustainability: An Interview with Finegold Alexander Architects

Preservation and Disaster Recovery
Contact: Evan Knight
A note of caution about UV light disinfecting products.
UV light radiation indeed can disinfect against viruses, however, the radiation levels must achieve certain thresholds of intensity and certain thresholds of exposure time. There are several systems considered effective for medical device and whole-room virus sterilization, such as those in use at large hospitals. But please be hesitant to consider purchasing a small UV radiation devices for the sterilization of your library materials, as they are not clearly shown to be as effective in disinfecting SARS-CoV-2, as advertised. Here are some questions and issues to look for in any UV disinfecting machine:

1. What levels of irradiation does the product reach? What is the required exposure time? When you look into product documentation, make sure to find the specific wavelengths and intensity of UV radiation for effective use. Do they meet the thresholds required to disinfect analogous viruses of SARS-CoV-2? (No product should claim that they have demonstrably disinfected SARS-CoV-2 specifically because that research, as far as I, and peers from the preservation community, can tell, has not been released from these products. I’ve submitted a request for more information about the required thresholds of wavelength and intensity for SARS-CoV-2 from the REACH group (IMLS/OCLC/Battelle).) Some products have tested their efficacy against bacteria, such as E.coli, which may react very differently to radiation than viruses.
2. There should be obvious directions, with lots of details, about the safe operation of any disinfecting product. Books and materials do not put themselves in the machine, after all.

In my outreach with preservation peers, the Library of Congress Preservation Directorate could not comment on any specific products, but was comfortable sharing with us that at this point, they “are not using UV systems at present, and that [their] own planning focuses on safe processes (hygiene, quarantine, contact tracing).”

PJ Drive
Contact: Rachel Masse
Matt Perry
Way back in March we asked everyone to please hold PJs in place. The warehouses were getting full, DCF workers were getting overwhelmed, and librarians weren’t comfortable handling pajamas.
The big question now is once staffs are able to get back into the buildings what do we do with the PJs now?
For libraries that still have PJs, is it possible to donate the pajamas locally?
If you can’t donate locally, please hold them for 2 weeks after delivery opens up again. If you have questions about which warehouse you should send your pajamas to please contact Rachel.
Matt is working with MLS and Cradles to Crayons to get the PJs that are currently in warehouses picked up.
This is probably the last thing on your mind but if you haven’t submitted your totals to Rachel please do so. Also if some pajamas already went out please give your best estimate.
Lastly the winners most likely won’t be announced until sometime in September since schools also participate.

Promotion/Summer Library Program
Contact: Celeste Bruno
Matthew Perry
               Rachel Masse
Paid advertising for Library eBooks and Audiobooks and virtual programming began yesterday. They will run through the middle of June.  We’re targeting two audiences:
Parents and caregivers of children under six and middle-income residents under the age of 55
Type of ads:
Pre-roll advertising (video)-these are short ads that run before a video.
OTT streaming spots (video) that run during episodic content—OTT stands for Over-the-top. They’re ads that run before streaming content.
Digital banner ads
Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat social ads

Video Library (for kids and teens)
Video site
Upload your video directly or email it to Celeste

SUMMER: Please submit your Summer Success Story, even if you can’t do the challenge. Please omit any identifying info

• Consider joining the summer challenge
  Description
  Register and order materials
  Poster
  Goal tracker
• Order/re-order CSLP posters (last day to order, Friday May 15)
  They can be sent to your home
  order form
  poster designs

State Aid To Public Libraries
Contact: Liz. Babbitt
Uechi Ng
Mary Rose Quinn

ARIS Workshops
State Aid will be hosting eight ARIS (Annual Report Information Survey) workshops online in June via Zoom. All sessions will take place from 10:00 am -12:30 pm. We’ve added half an hour to each session to allow for additional questions you may have. Registration will be through the MBLC Calendar
The dates are:
June 3
June 10
June 11
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 24
June 25

Reporting Deadlines for FY2021:
ARIS will open as usual on July 1st but the deadline will be extended until October 2nd to allow libraries and networks more time to gather statistics. The Financial Report and State Aid Compliance Application will open August 7th as scheduled and also close on October 2nd. Municipalities applying for a waiver of the FY2021 MAR will have until November 6th to complete additional paperwork.
PLEASE NOTE: All dates are based on current information we have about COVID19 and the Governor’s State of Emergency. We will reassess deadlines if necessary but they will not be earlier than stated above.

Library closure/status info
Liz Babbitt continues to update the Google Docs for both libraries and the public.
Links to the documents:
For Patrons
For Librarians
Changes and updates can be submitted through the LibWizard form
​for both libraries and the public.

Trustees and Friends
Trustees and Friends
Contact: Maura Deedy
Rob Favini
There are 3 Virtual Trustee Orientations scheduled for May.
Description: Are you a new library trustee eager to learn about your new, and very important, role? A “seasoned” board member looking for a refresher course? Trustee Orientations are a great opportunity to meet key staff at MBLC who work with trustees, to learn more and ask questions about your roles and responsibilities as a member of a library board. At each session we cover board responsibilities, library funding and State Aid, state laws with relevance to libraries, and how to be an effective advocate for libraries. Time is included for questions and answers.  Orientations are aimed at new trustees, and all trustees and library directors are welcome to attend.
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2020
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Register

Tuesday, May 19, 2020
10:00am – 12:00pm
Register

Wednesday, May 20, 2020
10:00am – 12:00pm
Register

MBLC Service Update                                                                             
May 6, 2020

Past Updates
April 1, 2020
April 8, 2020
April 15, 2020
April 22, 2020
April 29, 2020

As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide issues.  Please let us know if there’s info you’d like us to cover—we’ll include it if we are able. Stay well.

State Reopening Advisory Board
Lieutenant Governor Polito is co-chairing the Reopening Advisory Board that the Governor announced last week. MBLC Commissioners sent the Lt. Governor a letter to help ensure that libraries are considered in the reopening process.
Letter to Lt. Governor Polito

 

Please take the survey- Deadline Monday May 11 at 5pm.
Contact:  paul.kissman@state.ma.us
Please help the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners identify and prioritize the legal reference training topics that will be the most value to you over the coming weeks and months by taking this brief survey: https://mblc.libwizard.com/f/legal-reference-topics.

The MBLC is working with a partnership of legal reference and service providers to address public libraries’ need for quality legal information and referrals, including: the Massachusetts Access to Justice (A2J) Commission, the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries and Court Service Centers , coordinated by the Social Law Library.  Training sessions and resource guides will be developed based on your input.

As you answer, consider not only which legal information requests have been the most prevalent or challenging in the past, but also those you anticipate will be caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the heart: Libraries share stories about how they’re stepping up to support their communities
Contact: Celeste Bruno
From Deb O’Brien, Director of the New Marlborough Town Library
Read this entire amazing blog post. Here’s a preview:
Internet connectivity is one topic, but what matters more is the connectivity of my library to the people of my town, the role it serves as its center and the glue that binds so many of us in this far-flung community.  Our library (and I think libraries in general) are thought of as safe havens no matter what world or local events swirl around us.  We are the community’s security blanket.
NOTE: The MBLC is in the process of setting up a website where librarians can upload their stories so that they may be shared broadly.

MBLC Monthly Board Meetings
Contact: Rachel Masse
The regular monthly business meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 7, 2020 by Zoom Videoconference Meeting. https://mblc.libcal.com/event/6201491

Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)
Contact:  Lauren Stara
Andrea Bunker

NEW! MBLC Construction Podcast!
COVID-19 has caused all of us to shift operations and services to meet the needs of those we serve, and, for the MBLC’s Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program, that means moving our in-person workshops and site visits to the digital realm. As such, we, the Construction Team, would like to introduce you to our new endeavor: the “Building Literacy: Public Library Construction” podcast, in which we will explore all topics relevant to the entire construction process.
Episodes:

Sustainability and Building Performance: An Interview with Building Evolution Corporation
Designing for Sustainability: An Interview with Finegold Alexander Architects

 

ESOL coordinators meeting scheduled
Shelley Quezada, MBLC Consultant to the Unserved, reports that while libraries may be shut down but library-based literacy/ESOL programs in Massachusetts are still valiantly coming up with ways to serve their ESOL and adult learners. An informal group of about 20+ literacy coordinators around the state who usually meet face to face twice a year will be convening a zoom meeting this coming Friday to discuss  changes they have instituted over the past few weeks brought on by the pandemic. They will explore ideas about how they are helping  students and tutors now forced to meet remotely if they are able.

This meeting is usually attended by those who work in the metro Boston area however ESOL coordinators from other parts of the state are most welcome to participate. This meeting is being convened by  Philippa Biggers, Literacy Coordinator at the Wayland Public Library and is set for Friday May 8th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.   Inquiries should be directed to her attention at: pbiggers@watertown-ma.gov

Preservation and Disaster Recovery
Contact: Evan Knight
June Preservation Assessment Grant round postponed
Unfortunately we will not be able to run the June Preservation Assessment Grant round as originally planned. It will be rescheduled at a later date to be determined. (See https://mblc.state.ma.us/programs-and-support/lsta-grants/mini-preservation-assessment.php for more details about the program.) The contributing factors are the uncertainty of the end of the stay-at-home order, and what the after effects will look like. We also believe that there may be difficulty engaging preservation assessment consultants to do the work on short notice. This is key, because grant funds awarded after June would have to be spent by the end of the current federal fiscal year which would be September 30, 2020.

 

Promotion/Summer Library Program
Contact: Celeste Bruno
Matthew Perry
               Rachel Masse (summer and the Bruins)
The summer team (Christi Farrar, April Mazza, Matt Perry, Rachel Masse, Celeste Bruno, and Lyndsay Forbes) has met to discuss how CARES Act funding may be used to support summer programs. Since the shut down due to COVID-19, the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) has conducted weekly check-ins with hundreds of YA and children’s public librarians and school librarians. Any recommendations will be based on the needs expressed during those check-ins. We’ll send out more information as soon as we have it.
In the meantime:

• Please submit your Summer Success Story, even if you can’t do the challenge. Please omit any identifying info
• Consider joining the summer challenge
  Description
  Register and order materials
  Poster
  Goal tracker
• Order/re-order CSLP posters
  They can be sent to your home
  order form
  poster designs

State Aid To Public Libraries
Contact: Liz. Babbit
Uechi Ng
Mary Rose Quinn

ARIS Workshops
State Aid will be hosting eight ARIS (Annual Report Information Survey) workshops online in June via Zoom. All sessions will take place from 10:00 am -12:30 pm. We’ve added half an hour to each session to allow for additional questions you may have. Registration will be through the MBLC Calendar
The dates are:
June 3
June 10
June 11
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 24
June 25

Reporting Deadlines for FY2021:
ARIS will open as usual on July 1st but the deadline will be extended until October 2nd to allow libraries and networks more time to gather statistics. The Financial Report and State Aid Compliance Application will open August 7th as scheduled and also close on October 2nd. Municipalities applying for a waiver of the FY2021 MAR will have until November 6th to complete additional paperwork.
PLEASE NOTE: All dates are based on current information we have about COVID19 and the Governor’s State of Emergency. We will reassess deadlines if necessary but they will not be earlier than stated above.

Library closure/status info
Liz Babbitt continues to update the Google Docs for both libraries and the public.
Links to the documents:
For Patrons
For Librarians
Changes and updates can be submitted through the LibWizard form
​for both libraries and the public.

 

Trustees and Friends
Trustees and Friends
Contact: Maura Deedy
Rob Favini
There are 3 Virtual Trustee Orientations scheduled for May.
Description: Are you a new library trustee eager to learn about your new, and very important, role? A “seasoned” board member looking for a refresher course? Trustee Orientations are a great opportunity to meet key staff at MBLC who work with trustees, to learn more and ask questions about your roles and responsibilities as a member of a library board. At each session we cover board responsibilities, library funding and State Aid, state laws with relevance to libraries, and how to be an effective advocate for libraries. Time is included for questions and answers.  Orientations are aimed at new trustees, and all trustees and library directors are welcome to attend.
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2020
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Register

Tuesday, May 19, 2020
10:00am – 12:00pm
Register

Wednesday, May 20, 2020
10:00am – 12:00pm
Register

MBLC Service Update                                                                              
April 29, 2020

Past Updates
April 1, 2020
April 8, 2020
April 15, 2020
April 22, 2020

As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide issues.  Please let us know if there’s info you’d like us to cover—we’ll include it if we are able. Stay well.

Stay-at-home extended; advisory board formed
At his press conference yesterday, Governor Baker extended the stay-home order to May 18 and continues the ban of gatherings of more than 10 people.
More
Note: The MBLC is contacting Lt. Governor Polito with information about library re-opening and the role libraries will play in economic recovery.

Federal Budget
Individual libraries are eligible for CARES Act funding. Applications for CARES Act grants will open on May 4. Interested organizations can visit MassHumanities.org/Cares-Act to preview the application, learn more about eligibility, and find additional resources.
Mass Humanities will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the size of the organization’s operating budget.
More

Re-opening/Library Advisory
Contact: Sarah Sogigian (MLS)
Rob Favini (MBLC)
This week the MBLC and MLS, through the automated library networks, will be holding a series of virtual sessions to learn what issues you face as you start planning for the resumption of full services. Schedule of sessions.  In preparing for these sessions we have found several library organizations who have shared their resumption of service plans. They highlight a wide range of considerations that may be helpful to you as you begin to formulate your plan.

        Recent article from Medium.com: https://medium.com/@john.alan.thill/a-phased-reopening-plan-for-libraries-as-covid-19-restrictions-are-lifted-2d96885c0c1d

        Utah State Library: https://library.wyo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Utah-Libraries-Plan-for-Moving-Towards-Full-Service.pdf

        Indiana Library Federation: https://library.wyo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/planelementsphasesofpandemic.pdf

        Oak Park Public Library WY: https://library.wyo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/OAK-PARK-PUBLIC-LIBRARY-COVID-19-Library-Building-Reopening-Phases.pdf

        Midlothianm WY: https://library.wyo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Tentative-Reopen-Plan-Midlothian-DRAFT-2.pdf

From the heart: Libraries share stories about how they’re stepping up to support their communities
Contact: Celeste Bruno
From Ellen Snoeyenbos,  Director West Bridgewater Public Library
The West Bridgewater Fire Department took to Instagram to thank West Bridgewater Public Library  for making face mask extenders for their responders. Ellen reported that she’s using the library’s 3D printer to make the extenders, “We’re up to 325 extenders shared out to nurses, MDs, physical therapists, transporters, EMTs, sheriff’s departments, prison guards, “ she said. “It’s been a labor of love and the need to feel useful.”
She also shared a bit about the process: With some inspiration from an involved patron, Ellen started the project. They moved the 3D printer out of the library and into her home in Halifax. She tweaked the print model a bit, in response to the feedback she got from the Good Samaritan nurses, making them thinner so they would bend around the head more comfortably. And she created a file that could crank out 5 at time. “My husband actually really got into it and I had him running the printer while I did other work from home for the library, “she added.
The library is also hosting Laughter Yoga, Family Trivia Night, and a bunch of online storyhours that are produced on a weekly basis, too. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmRwzeimVk-qzGy3a6H0UFwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TbUPnDUkCo

MBLC Monthly Board Meetings
Contact: Rachel Masse
The regular monthly business meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 7, 2020 by Zoom Videoconference Meeting. https://mblc.libcal.com/event/6201491

Contracts/Business Office
Contact: Tracey Dimant
The Business Office has worked with the state’s Administration and Finance department to set up the appropriation for new IMLS CARES Act funding; communicated with Administration and Finance​, House Ways and Means, and Senate Ways and Means staff requesting information on the FY2021 budget (no news as yet); continued to process contracts, funding requests from affiliates, and invoices from vendors, as well as handling daily operations.​

Preservation and Disaster Recovery
Contact: Evan Knight
ALA’s Preservation Week, in its tenth year from ALA/ALCTS, promotes and advocates for improving collections care at your library. There are a number of events, tips, and resources available from http://www.ala.org/alcts/preservationweek.  The week culminates with a related promotion from the Society of American Archivists, called “MayDay,” supporting your institution’s Emergency Preparedness – tips an resources are available from https://www2.archivists.org/initiatives/mayday-saving-our-archives. MBLC and collaborative partner COSTEP MA will aggregate these links, and release original emergency preparedness content, on their website on Friday the 1st, “MayDay.” https://mblc.state.ma.us/costepma

Promotion/Summer Library Program
Contact: Celeste Bruno
Matthew Perry
Rachel Masse (summer and the Bruins)
SUBMIT YOUR SUMMER SUCCESS STORY, even if you can’t do the challenge.
Here’s why: summer success stories help demonstrate that while summer programs are fun, they are also instrumental in helping kids and teens improve academically. Mrs. Baker will read the success stories and chose a library/libraries to visit. Stories can be sent to the MBLC here (please omit any identifying info) and will be part of the public facing page.

Order/re-order CSLP posters
We’ve decided to redo the ordering for the CSLP posters that we are making available for this summer. Since the order form was originally sent out in the beginning of March, circumstances have changed for everyone and summer reading is starting to look very different. We figured reordering is the best opportunity for those who want posters to get them, and those who can no longer receive them or use them to not. They can be sent to your home.
order form
poster designs

Summer Challenge: If you’re wondering how to do a summer program this year, the summer challenge may help. You’ll receive everything you need to participate- you just set your goal and track it. You’ll also be helping to demonstrate the importance of summer programs because we’ll be able to use the completed goal info to raise awareness of what libraries are doing even in these challenging times.
Description
Register and order materials
Poster
Goal tracker

State Aid To Public Libraries
Contact: Liz. Babbit
Uechi Ng
Mary Rose Quinn

The State Aid unit held three Q&A sessions last week that were attended by over 250 people. We are working on an FAQ based on the questions we received. It should be available early next week.
Library closure/status info
Liz Babbitt continues to update the Google Docs for both libraries and the public.
Links to the documents:
For Patrons
For Librarians
Changes and updates can be submitted through the LibWizard form
​for both libraries and the public.

Statewide digital library – libraries.state.ma.us
Contact: Kate Butler (website issues)
Matt Perry (content additions)
Paul Kissman (virtual calendar)
New Statewide Calendar for Virtual Library Programs is LIVE!
Calendar
More Info
NEW Social media to help you spread the word!

Trustees and Friends
Trustees and Friends
Contact: Maura Deedy
Rob Favini
There are 3 Virtual Trustee Orientations scheduled for May.
Description: Are you a new library trustee eager to learn about your new, and very important, role? A “seasoned” board member looking for a refresher course? Trustee Orientations are a great opportunity to meet key staff at MBLC who work with trustees, to learn more and ask questions about your roles and responsibilities as a member of a library board. At each session we cover board responsibilities, library funding and State Aid, state laws with relevance to libraries, and how to be an effective advocate for libraries. Time is included for questions and answers.  Orientations are aimed at new trustees, and all trustees and library directors are welcome to attend.
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2020
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Register

Tuesday, May 19, 2020
10:00am – 12:00pm
Register

Wednesday, May 20, 2020
10:00am – 12:00pm
Register

MBLC Service Update                                                                             
April 22, 2020

Past Updates
April 1, 2020
April 8, 2020
April 15, 2020

As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide issues.  Please let us know if there’s info you’d like us to cover—we’ll include it if we are able. Stay well.

Federal Budget
The MBLC is receiving CARES Act funds through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and are considering how to best use these funds to target the priorities detailed in the legislation.
The latest news release about the funding

Re-opening/Library Advisory
Contact: Rob Favini
Governor Baker has reported that Massachusetts has entered the peak period for COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. As we all anxiously look past the peak our thoughts turn to the day when we can begin to reopen our libraries. Right now the consensus is that this will be a multi phased approach beginning with library staff prepping the building for opening, then leading to a period of partial openings with limited hours and services, ending with resumption of full hours and services.

The MBLC is starting the conversation with the library community to learn what pressing issues face libraries relating to the reopening process. We have scheduled virtual update sessions planned around our State Aid and Construction programs, and with library trustees across the state. These sessions are designed to provide information and, more importantly, gather valuable feedback around library reopening concerns. In addition MBLC is working with the MLS to gather broader feedback to help prepare reopening guidance and resources. Announcements around these efforts will be coming soon.

MBLC Monthly Board Meetings
Contact: Rachel Masse
The regular monthly business meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 7, 2020 by Zoom Videoconference Meeting. https://mblc.libcal.com/event/6201491

Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)
Contact:  Lauren Stara
Andrea Bunker

Andrea is working on a Library Construction Sustainability podcast that will be available soon.

The Construction Team has scheduled a virtual meeting to check in with libraries involved in the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP). Check with Lauren or Andrea for details.
Summary of MPLCP happenings:

• All public libraries are currently closed
• All active construction sites are shut down or are in the process of shutting down, as the result of explicit clarification from the Governor’s Office classifying public library construction as “non-essential” – those still in the process of shutting down are required to follow strict social distancing guidelines
• Planning, including design work and construction documentation, continues as architectural and OPM firms work from home or in accordance with social distancing guidelines
• Monthly reporting requirements have been suspended, but some libraries are still submitting monthly reports and we are able to receive and log them
• Final reports for projects scheduled to receive their final payment in this Fiscal Year are still due by April 30
• Disbursement requests for payments on current projects are being received and processed as usual.
• We have received no information on FY21 funding or the pending Capital Bond Bill
• We are still planning for new Provisional Grant awards in July or August of 2020; the number of grants will depend on the amount of our Annual Cap as set by the department of Administration & Finance, and we have been told that the soonest we will know this figure is sometime in May

Contracts/Business Office
Contact: Tracey Dimant
The MBLC business office has on-boarded a new MBLC staff member: Aparna Ramachandran, MBLC’s new IT Systems and Data Analyst. The final payments to the networks will be processed this week.  They are also continuing to process contracts, funding requests from affiliates, and invoices from vendors, as well as handling daily operations.

Preservation and Disaster Recovery
Contact: Evan Knight
Evan is working with folks from Boston Public Library, Northeast Document Conservation Center, Massachusetts Library System, and the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts, and the Philadelphia Free Public Library to work out details, FAQs, and develop guidelines and considerations for the many types of lending practices in our respective constituent libraries.

Evan was interviewed for American Libraries’, Dewey Decibel podcast called Libraries Respond to Covid-19; Conversations with librarians about the pandemic.  https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/.

Evan is also part of the Massachusetts Libraries Respond to Emergencies with COSTEP MA (Webinar), run by MLS, this Friday at 10.30 am.
More info Registration

Promotion/Summer Library Program
Contact: Celeste Bruno
Matthew Perry
Rachel Masse (summer and the Bruins)

• New Statewide Summer Reading Challenge! The MBLC has worked with MLS, a public library focus group, the Boston Bruins, and First Lady Lauren Baker to come up with a fun way to have “summer reading” even with social distancing.
  Description
  Register and order materials
  Poster
  Goal tracker
• Summer Reading Fairy Tale Masks for kids to color: We’ve created masks to support the summer reading theme, Fairy Tales. There’s a unicorn, dragon, fancy mask, and knight.
  State Aid To Public Libraries
  Contact: Liz. Babbit
  Uechi Ng
  Mary Rose Quinn

1) Three State Aid Q&A sessions via Zoom filled up quickly and will take place later this week. We will be creating an FAQ document/webpage for questions that have general appeal. Additional sessions will be scheduled in the next couple of weeks.

2) A question was added to the COVID19 Public Library Closures/Status Google Docs about library staff affected by lay-offs or furloughs while the building is closed to the public. Liz Babbitt continues to update the Google Docs for both libraries and the public.
Links to the documents:
For Patrons
For Librarians
Changes and updates can be submitted through the LibWizard form
for both libraries and the public.

Statewide digital library – libraries.state.ma.us
Contact: Kate Butler (website issues)
Matt Perry (content additions)
Paul Kissman (virtual calendar)
New Statewide Calendar for Virtual Library Programs is LIVE!
Calendar
More Info

Trustees and Friends
MBLC’s Library Advisory & Development and State Aid staff will be hosting a virtual MBLC Service Update for Trustees about MBLC’s programs and activities as they have been impacted by COVID-19. This session will provide an update about the State Aid Program including policy changes for FY2020/2021, Open Meeting Law Changes, Strategic Plans updates, and will end with opportunities for questions from attendees.

Session dates and registration:
Thursday April 23, 2020 11:00am – 12:00pm
and Wednesday April 28, 6:30pm – 7:30 pm

MBLC Service Update
April 15, 2020

As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide library issues.  Please let us know if there’s info you’d like us to cover—we’ll include it if we are able. Stay well.

Internet Access: a report from Director Rosie Heidkamp in Wendell, MA
From early morning through late evening the Wendell Library parking lot has a steady stream of 4 to 10 cars with individuals trying to “work remotely” or participate in school assignments. Unfortunately the Library wifi bandwidth has not been enough to meet the demand. Last week our tech guy shifted the bandwidth normally reserved for public computers in the library out to the parking lot wifi. This has helped but more is needed. Today the town is working on establishing a second temporary wifi connection for the public. It’s looking positive but it may take another few weeks before it’s installed.

LSTA (Federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services)
Contact: Lyndsay Forbes
Shelley Quezada
Rob Favini
The deadline to apply for the FY21 LSTA direct grant round was April 7. The MBLC was pleased to receive 42 applications totaling close to $500,000.
The State Advisory Council on Libraries (SACL) now begins the review process. This year, the reviews will begin with small virtual groups which will lead up to a full SACL virtual meeting on May 6. SACL makes its recommendations for grant awards to MBLC commissioners at the July monthly board meeting.

Preservation and Disaster Recovery
Contact: Evan Knight
Digital Commonwealth’s 2020 Conference was held on April 7th and was the most attended conference they’ve ever had. Originally scheduled as an in-person event, the Conference Committee, Conference Coordinator, and all the speakers and panelists worked hard to transition the event to a totally virtual conference, which allowed for national and international reach: registrants numbered over 700. The slides from the presenters are available here, with recordings and transcriptions forthcoming: https://digitalcommonwealth.wildapricot.org/2020-Conference

Promotion
Contact: Celeste Bruno
Matthew Perry
New Video Library
The MBLC is working with First Lady of Massachusetts, Lauren Baker, to build a video library with educational and entertaining videos for kids.
Here’s what’s good about our site:

• Super easy: if your video is already up somewhere else just email me the link and we’ll add itor if you’re creating a new video you can upload it right from your device to https://www.mavideolibrary.org/upload/
• Unique URL: the site gives you a unique URL you can post anywhere
• NO Advertisements
• Reviewed and transcribed: Each video will be reviewed before it’s posted and it will be professionally transcribed, increasing accessibility.
• Easy access for residents to more resources.
• Promotion: The video library will live on the public website, libraries.state.ma.us. This site will be promoted through paid advertising.
• Ideas for videos include: storytelling, songs, music and movement, science experiments, art projects, and other activities that kids can follow along with. Please keep in mind copyright rules regarding reading published books and choose a public domain story.

 

State Aid To Public Libraries
Contact: Liz. Babbit
Uechi Ng
Mary Rose Quinn

1) State Aid will be hosting two Q&A sessions via Zoom on Wednesday, April 22 from 10-11 a.m, repeated from 1-2 p.m. The content will be the same at each session and each session is limited to 100 participants.

We plan to go over the emergency preamble to the FY2020/2021 State Aid policies that the Commissioners voted on at their April meeting (hours, materials, MAR, and waivers). That should take about about 15 minutes. Then, we’ll open up the session to questions from the library community about how COVID19 may affect your State Aid application this fall. All discussion will take into account what we know/surmise/guess based on current information about the COVID19 situation.

You can register through the MBLC Calendar and the Zoom meeting information will be sent closer to the event. Register for April 22 10-11am.  Register for April 22 1-2pm.

2) Liz Babbitt continues to update the Public Library Closures/Status Google Docs for both libraries and the public.
Links to the documents:
For Patrons
For Librarians
Changes and updates can be submitted through the LibWizard form

 

Statewide digital library – libraries.state.ma.us
Contact: Kate Butler (website issues)
Matt Perry (content additions)
New Statewide Calendar for Virtual Library Programs
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is teaming up with Burbio (https://www.burbio.com)  to create a statewide calendar of virtual library programs. Libraries do not have to take any additional action to have their programs included in the calendar. Burbio automatically harvests almost all public library calendars, and will identify for inclusion programs with the following words in the title: virtual, online, live, Facebook live, remote, zoom, vimeo.
The new calendar will be located on our consumer portal, libraries.state.ma.us, making it easy for residents to find and participate in the educational and entertaining virtual programs that libraries are offering during the coronavirus crisis.  We hope to have it live by the end of the week and will send out the link.

 

Training, workshops, and conference opportunities
Teen Services: MBLC and MLS staff are working together on a webinar:  Connected Learning (part of the national initiative to transform teen services) on Tuesday April 21^st at 11:00am
Register

For small and rural libraries: The MBLC and MLS are providing scholarships for up to six Massachusetts public librarians to attend the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) annual conference in Wichita, Kansas, September 30-October 3, 2020.  Deadline to apply is this Friday, April 17.
More information

Checkout the many trainings and workshops, the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is offering.

2020 Census
Contact: Maura Deedy
Census update from U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham
The official census tracking map tracks self-response rates from around the country.
Resources are available to help you get the word out.
MBLC LibGuide: https://guides.mblc.state.ma.us/census