{"id":2154,"date":"2025-10-30T11:28:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/?p=2154"},"modified":"2025-10-30T11:32:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:32:05","slug":"service-update-october-29-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/2025\/10\/30\/service-update-october-29-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Service Update – October 29, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
PDF MBLC Service Update – October 2025<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\ud83d\udd59 MBLC Monthly Board Meeting on November 6 <\/strong>(Hybrid)<\/em> 
Contact: <\/strong>Rachel Masse<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regular monthly board meeting<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is scheduled for 10AM on Thursday, November 6, 2025, <\/em><\/strong>at the Massachusetts State House.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udda5\ufe0f Preservation Pop-Up: Environmental Monitoring Program Info Session <\/strong>(Online)<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Jessica Branco Colati<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, October 30 at 11AM \u2013 More Information & Registration<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Massachusetts Libraries steward unique and locally significant collections representing the history of their local communities and residents.  Learn more about the Environmental Monitoring Program at this pop-up info session and check out the related LibGuide on Preservation in Massachusetts Libraries<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83e\udd1d<\/strong>Annual MLTA Trustee Conference <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Al Hayden<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, November 1, 10AM to 1PM – Registration & More Information<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Massachusetts Library Trustee Association (MLTA) will hold their annual conference this year on Saturday, November 1 at the Shrewsbury Public Library, 609 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545<\/strong>. Please register in advance as space is limited<\/a> and lunch will be provided. The MLTA conference is a great opportunity for trustees across the state to interact with each other, learn new approaches to advocate for their library, have conversations about challenges you’re facing, and trade stories about successes.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2705 FY26 State Aid Certifications Begin!<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Cate Merlin, Jen Inglis <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thank you to all libraries for completing their FY26 ARIS and Financial Report surveys! The first group of municipalities to be certified will be brought before the Board of Library <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commissioners at their November 6th meeting, and certifications will continue at the December and January meetings. We’ll email the State Aid listserv after each meeting with a list of municipalities certified and their initial State Aid grant awards- Directors, be sure you’re signed up here: https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/sympa\/info\/stateaid<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A reminder that full Waiver applications are due on Friday, November 7th<\/strong>, and those municipalities seeking a waiver of the FY26 MAR will be presented to the Board of Library Commissioners in January, and voted on by the Commissioners at the February board meeting. We’re taking a break from State Aid Office Hours so we can focus on certifying all municipalities as quickly as possible- but don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about State Aid or your upcoming FY27 budget cycle! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcbb Web Accessibility Office Hours <\/strong>(Online)<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: <\/strong>Jaccavrie McNeely<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Kate Butler<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, November 7 at 11AM \u2013 More Information & Zoom Link<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, November 19 at 3PM \u2013 More Information &  Zoom Link<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Need help making your web content accessible?  MBLC staff are here to help!  Join our office hours every first Friday at 11AM or third Wednesday at 3PM.  View all upcoming Web Accessibility programming under the Internet, Technology, and Access category<\/a> on our calendar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udda5\ufe0f Fall 2025 Update: What Public Librarians Should Know about Immigration Law <\/strong>(Online)<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contact: <\/strong>Kate Butler<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, November 13 at 11AM \u2013 More Information & Registration<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this wide-ranging presentation, two Boston immigration attorneys will explain the basic concepts of immigration law which every librarian (and every American!) should know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n