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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 Past Updates 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> State Aid-<\/u><\/strong> Reopening survey<\/u><\/strong> CARES ACT Grants Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)<\/u><\/strong> Bond Bill News<\/strong> Construction projects to start-up again Construction Podcast<\/a><\/strong> is featured in <\/strong>Library Journal<\/a>.<\/strong> LSTA-Institute of Museum and Library Services<\/strong> <\/p>\n PJ Drive<\/u><\/strong> Bruins Prize winners for Summer 2020 The First Lady of the Commonwealth and Blades Reading Challenge<\/a><\/em> 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\u2019s reached they are entered into a drawing to win even more Bruins prizes to be awarded late in the summer. Register and order materials<\/a><\/p>\n Video Library<\/strong> (for kids and teens) <\/p>\n ARIS Workshops Reporting Deadlines for FY2021: 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 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.\u00a0 Please let […]<\/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":[21,2],"tags":[210,219],"class_list":["post-855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-library-news","category-mblc","tag-covid-19","tag-service-update"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/855","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=855"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/855\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":859,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/855\/revisions\/859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n<\/u>May 20, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n
\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>
\nMay 6, 2020<\/a>
\n<\/u>May 13, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n
\nGovernor 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<\/a>
\nThe first phase allows libraries and businesses who meet standards and requirements to consider opening on May 25th<\/sup> with heavily restricted services and reduced staffing. The Governor anticipates that Phase 1 will last a minimum of\u00a0three weeks and could last longer before moving to the next phase. The May 25th<\/sup> 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
\nLibraries are specifically mentioned in the listing of businesses by industry<\/a> with the following guidance:
\nLibraries
\nPhase 1 \u2013 May 25 for curbside pickup and delivery only
\nPhase 2 \u2013 browsing inside the Library with restrictions<\/p>\n
\nContact: <\/strong>Liz Babbitt<\/a>
\n<\/strong>In light of the Governor’s phased re-opening plan, please update the COVID19 reopening survey\u00a0via the\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>new LibWizard form<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0This\u00a0will be\u00a0shared with the library community in a Google spreadsheet titled “COVID19: Re-opening Public Libraries Survey”.
\nWe understand that COVID19 will continue to be a serious threat to public health and that your plans may change as the situation evolves so\u00a0we<\/strong>\u00a0will\u00a0NOT\u00a0be creating a version of this survey for the public<\/strong>\u00a0UNTIL libraries have started opening<\/strong>.
\nYou can still update the original COVID19 Closure form via this LibWizard link:\u00a0https:\/\/mblc.libwizard.com\/f\/covid-19<\/a>\u200b\u00a0. I’ll continue to update that\u00a0Google\u00a0sheet\u00a0for the next few weeks.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Contact: Lyndsay Forbes<\/a>
\nCeleste Bruno<\/a>
\n<\/u><\/strong>The MBLC is happy to announce the CARES ACT grants for online reading software (Beanstack), virtual programming, and mental health.\u00a0 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.
\nHere\u2019s all the info.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Contact:\u00a0 Lauren Stara<\/a>
\nAndrea Bunker<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/u>From Jennifer Harris, Chair, MLA Legislative Committee:
\n<\/u>Thanks to your advocacy last week concerning the MBLC Construction funding in the Infrastructure bond bill (H4708)<\/strong>, 50 additional co-sponsors signed on to support the amendment filed by Library Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Natalie Higgins and Brian Murray<\/strong>, to increase the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) funding from $100 million to $150 million<\/strong>. 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Governor Baker\u2019s Reopening Advisory Board released its\u00a0report and guidelines for the reopening of construction sites, including public library construction funded through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program.
\nSites are permitted to begin reopening as of,\u00a0May 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<\/a>.
\nPlease note the highlighted portions of the Sector-Specific Workplace Safety Standards. Each project\u2019s Owner\u2019s Representative will be required to forward the following documents to the MBLC Library Building Specialist on the project as soon as they are received.<\/p>\n\n
\nEpisodes:
\n<\/strong>Sustainability and Building Performance<\/a>: An Interview with Building Evolution Corporation
\nDesigning for Sustainability<\/a>: An Interview with Finegold Alexander Architects<\/p>\n
\nScholarships Help Small Libraries
\n<\/strong>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<\/a> in Wichita, Kansas, September 30-October 3, 2020.
\nThe recipients are as follows:
\nBeverly Bullock, Director, Meekins Library in Williamsburg
\nNicole Daviau, Director, Porter Memorial Library in Blandford
\nJessie McKinney, Children\u2019s Librarian, Raynham Public Library
\nJessica O\u2019Connor, Director, West Falmouth Library
\nSheila Parks, Director, Lanesborough Public Library
\nMisha Storm, Library Assistant, Greenfield Public Library
\nMore info<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPreservation and Disaster Recovery<\/u>
\n<\/strong>Contact: Evan Knight<\/a>
\n<\/u>State Resource on Purchasing Hygienic or Protective Supplies for the Workplace
\n<\/strong>From yesterday\u2019s (Tuesday, May 19) MEMA situation report, there is a helpful resource highlighted among the Commonwealth\u2019s \u2018Reopening Massachusetts\u2019 website that may be particularly helpful. \u201cReopening: Purchasing Hygienic or Protective Supplies for the Workplace\u201d (https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/info-details\/reopening-purchasing-hygienic-or-protective-supplies-for-the-workplace<\/a>) 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.
\n<\/strong>
\n<\/u>Project REALM (OCLC, IMLS, Battelle research partnership) releases public website
\n<\/strong>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 \u00a0https:\/\/www.webjunction.org\/explore-topics\/COVID-19-research-project.html.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
\nContact: Rachel Masse<\/a>
\nMatt Perry<\/a>
\nWay 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\u2019t comfortable handling pajamas.
\nThe big question now is once staffs are able to get back into the buildings what do we do with the PJs now?<\/strong>
\nFor libraries that still have PJs, is it possible to donate the pajamas locally<\/strong>?
\nIf you can\u2019t donate locally, please hold them for 2 weeks after delivery opens up again<\/strong>. If you have questions about which warehouse you should send your pajamas to please contact Rachel.
\nMatt is working with MLS and Cradles to Crayons to get the PJs that are currently in warehouses picked up.
\nThis is probably the last thing on your mind but if you haven\u2019t submitted your totals to Rachel please do so. Also if some pajamas already went out please give your best estimate.
\nLastly the winners most likely won\u2019t be announced until sometime in September since schools also participate.<\/p>\n
\nPromotion\/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)<\/u><\/p>\n
\nsee the list<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nVideo site<\/a>
\nUpload<\/a> your video directly or email it to Celeste<\/a><\/p>\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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"