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MBLC Service Update\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As we work together to get through the current reality, the MBLC will provide regular updates on MBLC services and other statewide issues.\u00a0 Please let us know if there\u2019s info you\u2019d like us to cover\u2014we\u2019ll include it if we are able. Stay well.<\/p>\n State Reopening Advisory Board <\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n Please take the survey-<\/u><\/strong> Deadline Monday May 11 at 5pm.<\/strong> 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<\/a>, the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries<\/a> and Court Service Centers<\/a> , coordinated by the Social Law Library<\/a>.\u00a0 Training sessions and resource guides will be developed based on your input.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n From the heart: Libraries share stories about how they\u2019re stepping up to support their communities MBLC Monthly Board Meetings<\/u><\/strong> Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)<\/strong> NEW! MBLC Construction Podcast!<\/strong> Sustainability and Building Performance<\/a>: An Interview with Building Evolution Corporation <\/p>\n ESOL coordinators meeting scheduled 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\u00a0 Philippa Biggers, Literacy Coordinator at the Wayland Public Library and is set for Friday May 8th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. \u00a0 Inquiries should be directed to her attention at: pbiggers@watertown-ma.gov<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n ARIS Workshops Reporting Deadlines for FY2021: Library closure\/status info <\/p>\n Trustees and Friends Tuesday, May 19, 2020
\n<\/u>May 6, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Past Updates
\n<\/strong>April 1, 2020<\/a>
\nApril 8, 2020<\/a>
\n<\/u>April 15, 2020<\/a>
\n<\/u>April 22, 2020<\/a>
\nApril 29, 2020<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n
\nLieutenant\u00a0Governor\u00a0Polito is\u00a0co-chairing\u00a0the 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.
\nLetter to Lt. Governor Polito<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Contact:\u00a0 paul.kissman@state.ma.us<\/a>
\nPlease 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Contact: Celeste Bruno<\/a>
\nFrom Deb O\u2019Brien, Director of the New Marlborough Town Library
\nRead this entire amazing blog post<\/a><\/strong>. Here\u2019s a preview:
\nInternet 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. \u00a0Our library (and I think libraries in general) are thought of as safe havens no matter what world or local events swirl around us. \u00a0We are the community\u2019s security blanket<\/em>.
\nNOTE:<\/strong> The MBLC is in the process of setting up a website where librarians can upload their stories so that they may be shared broadly.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Contact: Rachel Masse<\/a>
\nThe 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<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Contact:\u00a0 Lauren Stara<\/a>
\nAndrea Bunker<\/a><\/p>\n
\nCOVID-19 has caused all of us to shift operations and services to meet the needs of those we serve, and, for the MBLC\u2019s 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 \u201cBuilding Literacy: Public Library Construction\u201d<\/em> podcast, in which we will explore all topics relevant to the entire construction process.
\nEpisodes:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDesigning for Sustainability<\/a>: An Interview with Finegold Alexander Architects<\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>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 \u00a0changes they have instituted over the past few weeks brought on by the pandemic. They will explore ideas about how they are helping \u00a0students and tutors now forced to meet remotely if they are able.<\/p>\n
\nPreservation and Disaster Recovery<\/u>
\n<\/strong>Contact: Evan Knight<\/a>
\n<\/u>June Preservation Assessment Grant round postponed<\/strong>
\nUnfortunately 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<\/a> 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\u00a0assessment 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Promotion\/Summer Library Program<\/u><\/strong>
\n<\/u>Contact: Celeste Bruno<\/a>
\nMatthew Perry<\/a>
\n<\/u>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rachel Masse<\/a> (summer and the Bruins)
\n<\/u>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\u2019s public librarians and school librarians. Any recommendations will be based on the needs expressed during those check-ins. We\u2019ll send out more information as soon as we have it.
\nIn the meantime:<\/p>\n\n
\nDescription<\/a>
\nRegister and order materials<\/a>
\nPoster<\/a>
\nGoal tracker<\/a><\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>They can be sent to your home<\/em>
\norder form<\/a>
\nposter designs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nState Aid To Public Libraries<\/u><\/strong>
\n<\/strong>Contact: Liz. Babbit<\/a>
\nUechi Ng<\/a>
\nMary Rose Quinn<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>State Aid will be hosting eight ARIS (Annual Report Information Survey)\u00a0workshops online in June via Zoom. All sessions will take place from 10:00 am\u00a0-12:30 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<\/a>
\n<\/strong>The dates are:
\nJune 3<\/a>
\nJune 10<\/a>
\nJune 11<\/a>
\nJune 16<\/a>
\nJune 17<\/a>
\nJune 18<\/a>
\nJune 24<\/a>
\nJune 25<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>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\u00a0and also close on October 2nd. Municipalities\u00a0applying for a waiver of the FY2021 MAR will have until November 6th to complete additional paperwork.
\nPLEASE NOTE<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Liz Babbitt continues to\u00a0update\u00a0the Google Docs for both libraries and the public.
\nLinks to the documents:<\/strong>
\nFor Patrons<\/a>
\nFor Librarians<\/a>
\nChanges and\u00a0updates<\/strong>\u00a0can be submitted through the\u00a0LibWizard form<\/a>
\n\u200bfor both libraries and the public.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Trustees and Friends<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>Contact: Maura Deedy<\/a>
\nRob Favini<\/a>
\n<\/u><\/strong>There are 3 Virtual Trustee Orientations<\/strong> scheduled for May.
\nDescription: Are you a new library trustee eager to learn about your new, and very important, role? A \u201cseasoned\u201d 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.\u00a0 Orientations are aimed at new trustees, and all trustees and library directors are welcome to attend.
\nDate: Thursday, May 14, 2020
\n<\/strong>Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
\nRegister<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>10:00am – 12:00pm
\nRegister<\/a><\/p>\n