{"id":537,"date":"2019-02-19T10:54:31","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T15:54:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/?p=537"},"modified":"2019-02-19T10:54:31","modified_gmt":"2019-02-19T15:54:31","slug":"537","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/2019\/02\/19\/537\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

Library news from across the state
\n<\/strong>January 2019<\/p>\n

327 Receive State Aid Awards;17 Request Waivers
\n<\/strong>At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners certified twenty-two additional municipalities<\/a> meeting all FY2019 requirements for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program.\u00a0 In total, 327 libraries have met all state aid requirements and have been awarded $4,247,669.12 in state funding.
\nCommissioners also considered waivers of the Municipal Appropriations Requirement (MAR) for seventeen applicants. This is the lowest number of MAR waiver applicants since 2008 and well the below the 2011 high of 123 waiver applications.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Support for Summer Grants Awarded<\/strong>
\nThe Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the first Support for Summer <\/em>grants totaling $50,000 to 54 public libraries. Research shows that summer learning helps close the achievement gap between lower-income students and their middle-and upper-income peers and is a key factor in academic achievement.\u00a0 Two types of grants were awarded in this pilot:\u00a0 Summer Learning Expanded<\/em> and Online Reading Program
\n<\/em>More<\/a><\/p>\n

$204K paid for rare, auctioned penny; proceeds will go to Pittsfield library
\n<\/strong>A rare copper penny that a late Pittsfield man found in his lunch money more than 70 years ago has been sold at an auction for more than $200,000, and all proceeds will\u00a0 go to the city’s public library. Don Lutes Jr., of Pittsfield, was 16 when he found the coin in change he received at his school cafeteria in 1947, according to Heritage Auctions.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Stoughton Library Opening Draws Hundreds<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>“It’s like welcoming a friend that’s been missing.”
\nThat’s how parent and Stoughton resident Erin Gomes described coming to the town’s new library, a building which took 18 months to complete. Apparently, hundreds of people felt the same way. To a crowd of nearly 1,000, the ribbon was cut and the new Stoughton Public Library officially opened on Saturday afternoon. There wasn’t an empty aisle or computer chair in sight.
\nMore<\/a>
\nNote: The MBLC supported this project with a $6,875,844 construction grant from the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. The MBLC is currently seeking a new bond authorization<\/a> to continue the construction program.<\/p>\n

Sunday fun day at the library<\/strong>
\nPatrons were all over the Quincy library Sunday. People visited to use the public WiFi, work on computers and strengthen their algebra.
\nMatt Hutton, a Duxbury High School freshman, was taking tips from math tutor Yong Na Huang, a senior at North Quincy High School. Hutton said midterms were coming up and he wanted to go into them strong.
\nIn a quieter corner in the library on the top floor, Jacquelyn Lungelow set up shop on a table with several papers and her laptop.
\n\u201cI try to come every Sunday,\u201d Lungelow said. \u201cI can\u2019t focus at home. There\u2019s a TV, or a refrigerator.\u201d
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Marlborough Public Library Foundation is aiming to raise $2-3M for the project<\/strong>
\nThe Marlborough Public Library Foundation is ramping up its efforts to raise between $2 million and 3 million for the library renovation and expansion a week after city councilors approved funding for the project. The City Council signed off on a $23.7 million bond to pay for restoring the more than century-old West Main Street library. Councilors also formally accepted a $10.1 million grant the state Board of Library Commissioners awarded the city over the summer for the project.
\nMore<\/a>
\nNote: The MBLC awarded this project a $10,186,626 grant as part of the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. The MBLC is currently seeking a new bond authorization<\/a> to continue the construction program.<\/p>\n

Council shelves library plan<\/strong>
\nA decision on a new (Greenfield)\u00a0 library will have to wait, at least until next month, following a dramatic decision Wednesday to table the City Council vote\u00a0on the $19.5 million project. The original deadline for the city to match a state $9.4 million grant was Jan. 11, but the library had asked for an extension on Oct. 26 and was granted it on Nov. 1. The extension to April 30 was not discussed at last week\u2019s big public meeting that showed an outpouring of public support, and the strength of a strong and vocal grassroots campaign, but it was reported Wednesday.
\nMore<\/a>
\nNote: The MBLC awarded this project a $9,378,183 grant as part of the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. The MBLC is currently seeking a new bond authorization<\/a> to continue the construction program.<\/p>\n

This Western Mass. Town rejected Comcast and decided to build its own broadband network
\n<\/strong>The public library here, in a wing of the sturdy brick Town Hall off of Route 2, isn\u2019t necessarily the best spot for quiet study.
\nIt\u2019s one of the few places in this small town nestled in the northwest corner of the state where residents can reliably get high-speed Internet access. So when the library is open \u2014 parts of three days a week \u2014 patrons are as likely to be immersed in a teleconference or a streaming movie as they are in a good book.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Boston Public Library partners with Museum of Fine Arts in new exhibition
\n<\/strong>The Museum of Fine Arts and the Boston Public Library recently announced a new collaboration, \u201cToulouse-Lautrec and the Stars of Paris.\u201d The endeavor is part of a greater effort by BPL to showcase the institution\u2019s various collections, prints, and rare books, by making them more available and visible. Throughout June, BPL cardholders will be able to sample MFA membership and participate in programming throughout the library\u2019s 25 branches.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Erving Library winner Betters attends Bruins game<\/strong>
\n<\/u>Jameson Betters of town, is one of a select group of young people who won a visit to a Boston Bruins game, as a prize for joining the Erving Public Library\u2019s Summer Reading Program. The library participates in the statewide program each year. Betters is shown with Blades, the Bruins\u2019 mascot at Boston Garden.
\nMore<\/a>
\nNote: Jameson was one of 17 children and teens to win<\/a> a special prize as part of the MBLC and MLS summer partnership with the Boston Bruins<\/p>\n

Weymouth historical reports available online<\/strong>
\nHistorians and residents can now access the town\u2019s annual reports dating back to 1850 over the internet thanks to a collaboration with libraries and museums across the state. Ahead of the town\u2019s 400th<\/sup> anniversary in 2022, the Weymouth Public Libraries had its collection of 167 annual\u00a0 reports and 25 town meeting warrants digitized for free by the Boston Public Library. The digital records are made available through the Digital Commonwelath, a collaboration between more than 160 institutions, including Weymouth
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

PhotoStory:\u00a0 Franklin STEM play at library
\n<\/strong>The first ever Play Stem event designed for grades K-4 took place Tuesday at the Franklin Public Library Tuesday with youth services librarian Mitzi Gousi.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Sudbury TV, Goodnow Library team up for a new project
\n<\/strong>Zoulas, host of the nonprofit\u2019s 30-minute interview program \u201cGlobal Village\u201d, said the collaboration first came about when he interviewed Library Director Esme Green. He said he hopes to bring more attention to the library\u2019s available resources, calling it \u201chidden in plain sight.\u201d As part of the partnership, \u201cGlobal Village\u201d will feature four 30-minute programs over the next year on the services at the library. Possible topics include the second-floor maker space, which houses a 3-D printer and a computer-controlled vinyl cutter, or Robert Carter, the teen librarian, who plans project-based programs for teens. Episodes will be filmed at the library.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Acushnet Woman of the Year Dina Brasseur has opened new chapter at Town\u2019s Library
\n<\/strong>It\u2019s almost impossible to find anyone in town who has anything but wonderful things to say about Acushnet Public Library\u2019s \u201cnew\u201d director, Dina Brasseur.
\nSince she arrived in Acushnet in the spring of 2015 to take on the job of director \u2014 and to coordinate the awesome task of relocating all of the library\u2019s collections from the old Russell Memorial Library to new quarters on Middle Road \u2014 folks have been saying good things about the new head of the library.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Marion Woman of the Year: \u2018Quiet librarian\u2019 has given generously
\n<\/strong>Marguerite \u201cPeggy\u201d Repass has long had a special place in her heart for the Elizabeth Taber Library.
\nBefore retiring, she served as the library\u2019s director and now the 98-year-old and her family are spearheading the creation of the library\u2019s Marguerite K. Repass Garden and Entrance, which will feature a new wheelchair ramp, automatic doors and stone benches for outside reading.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Time to Book: North Adams Library director to retire next year<\/strong>
\n<\/u>After nearly five years at the helm of the North Adams Public Library, director Mindy Hackner is retiring. “I think she means a tremendous amount to the city and the library \u2014 she’s been a good leader in her time there,” (Mayor)Bernard said. “She is a strong advocate for the library, for her staff, for the trustees and for the needs of the building.”
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Hopkinton\u2019s children\u2019s librarian Denise Kofron retiring at end of month
\n<\/strong>Every time 11-year-old Jackson Hinchliffe comes to the library, he gives children\u2019s librarian Denise Kofron a hug.
\nHe then asks for recommendations for a good book.
\n\u201cI don\u2019t remember them all because there\u2019s so many,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll ask, \u2018I need a book to read\u2019 and she just brings me to the shelves and finds a book.\u201d
\nAt the end of the month, Kofron, who goes by \u201cMrs. K,\u201d will retire after 12 years at the Hopkinton Public Library.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n

Massachusetts fastest growing state in the Northeast<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>Massachusetts is the fastest growing state in the Northeast \u2014 with many of its newest residents coming from other countries.
\nThat\u2019s according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.
\nMassachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin said the numbers show Massachusetts is growing twice as fast as it did in the previous decade.
\nMore<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Library news from across the state January 2019 327 Receive State Aid Awards;17 Request Waivers At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners certified twenty-two additional municipalities meeting all FY2019 requirements for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program.\u00a0 In total, 327 libraries have met all state aid requirements and have been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,144],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-library-news","category-library-news-bites"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=537"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":539,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537\/revisions\/539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}