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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 Library Re-opening State Aid-<\/u><\/strong> Reopening survey<\/u><\/strong> Library Re-opening News Libraries full of reservations over opening \u2018much too soon\u2019 under Baker\u2019s plan<\/a>\u00a0 Boston Herald<\/p>\n Is it safe to go back to my libray?<\/a><\/u>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boston Magazine<\/p>\n Area libraries outline gradual reopening amid pandemic<\/a>\u00a0 Worcester Telegram and Gazette<\/p>\n MBLC Monthly Board Meetings<\/strong> CARES ACT Grants Contracts\/Business Office Construction-The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP)<\/u><\/strong> PJ Drive<\/u><\/strong> Library Idea Share The First Lady of the Commonwealth and Blades Reading Challenge<\/em><\/a><\/strong> 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 State Aid To Public Libraries<\/u><\/strong> 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 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.\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-858","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\/858","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=858"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":860,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858\/revisions\/860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n<\/u>May 27, 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
\n<\/u><\/strong>Contact: Maura Deedy<\/a>, Rob Favini<\/a> (MBLC)
\nSarah Sogigian<\/a>, Terry McQuown<\/a> (MLS)
\nThe 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.
\nLibrary-specific Re-opening guidance and tools<\/a>
\nBaker-Polito Administration\u2019s Reopening Massachusetts Report<\/a><\/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>Public Libraries Begin Reopening In Massachusetts With Curbside Pickup<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 CBS Boston<\/p>\n
\n<\/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, June 4, 2020 by Zoom Videoconference Meeting. https:\/\/mblc.libcal.com\/event\/6201492<\/a><\/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>
\nPlease note: The deadline to apply for Beanstack grants is May 29<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/u><\/strong>Contact: Tracey Dimant<\/a>
\nThe Business Office has continued to\u00a0communicate\u00a0with Administration\u00a0and Finance\u200b, House Ways and Means, and Senate Ways and Means staff regarding any updated\u00a0information on the\u00a0FY2021 budget\u00a0as well as the Construction Bond Bill; processed contract\u00a0for the Beanstack Summer Reading grants, renewed contracts for vendors providing services that support the Commonwealth Catalog\u00a0(Fenway Libraries Online), communications and marketing (Buyer Advertising Inc.), and MBLC’s web and database server support (Beacon Technologies). Continued to process\u00a0funding requests from affiliates\u00a0and\u00a0invoices\u00a0from\u00a0vendors,\u00a0as well as handling daily operations.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Contact:\u00a0 Lauren Stara<\/a>
\nAndrea Bunker<\/a>
\n<\/u>Bond Bill News<\/strong>
\nThe 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.
\nMBLC construction consultants estimate that $115 million will be enough to get through the construction waitlist<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n
\nContact: Rachel Masse<\/a>
\nMatt Perry<\/a>
\nTomorrow, Cradles to Crayons is heading to the warehouses to pick up the PJs that have been there since March.
\nAs a reminder, if you still have PJs please do not put them into delivery yet. If possible donate them locally<\/strong>.\u00a0 If 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. Contact her as well with estimates of your totals. Thanks!
\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 \u00a0Rachel Masse<\/a> (summer and the Bruins)
\n<\/u>New! Share your story\u2014two ways to share:<\/strong>
\nFrom the Heart
\n<\/em><\/strong>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 \u201cFrom the Heart\u201d stories here<\/a>.\u00a0 They will be visible on the public From the Heart website<\/a><\/em> and MBLC and MLS will share them broadly<\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/strong>Serving your community in the current environment can be challenging! Let us know what you\u2019re doing and how it\u2019s going; what\u2019s worked well and not-so-well.\u00a0 Email\u00a0Kelly Jo Woodside<\/a>\u00a0and we\u2019ll share it\u00a0here<\/a>. Your stories and tips will help your colleagues across the state as we all move through the phases of re-opening.
\n
\n<\/u>Summer Posters and Bruins materials<\/strong>
\nYour CSLP orders are at the printers, we estimate that you should receive them in 2 weeks.
\nOrdering for Bruins posters and materials will open first week of June. Look for an email from Matt.
\n<\/u>Bruins Prize winners for Summer 2020
\n<\/strong>see the list<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Contact: Liz. Babbit<\/a>
\nUechi Ng<\/a>
\nMary Rose Quinn<\/a>
\n<\/u>ARIS Workshops
\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":"