- Advocating for Libraries
- MassCat Changes: A new system & membership opens up!
- Internet without a string – Metrowest has gone wireless!
- Online Workshops On Demand – Webjunction
- Manage your own Workshop Registrations!
- FY09 MARLS Cooperative Update
- Getting the "Giver"
- Workshops to Go
- Exciting Workshops at Metrowest!
- Wild Reads at Your Library
- From the Reference Center
- March 2008 Bookshelf-YA Programming
- Upcoming CE Events
Advocating for Libraries
by
Sunny Vandermark
What were you doing between 8 and 9 am on March 14? Hopefully you were attending one of the two Metrowest area legislative breakfasts held this year at the Belmont Public and the Needham Free Public Libraries. Needham opened its beautifully renovated and enlarged library a couple of years ago. Belmont is on the wait list for public library construction funds.
The informal library setting provides a great opportunity for librarians, trustees, friends, patrons and legislators to enjoy an early morning cup of coffee and pastry. And there is plenty of time to talk about library funding challenges. As Rob Maier, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners said during his presentation at Needham, “No library can meet the demands of its users with local resources alone.” The fiscal 2009 legislative agenda seeks increases in all 6 MBLC accounts. Rob focused on aid to regional library systems, state aid to public libraries, and library technology and resource sharing—the account that helps fund the networks and statewide access to electronic content. There were presentations from library patrons, Susan McAlister, Executive Director of the Minuteman Library Network, and Linda Rossman from the Perkins School for the Blind and the Talking Book Program. Ann Perham, school library teacher in Needham spoke about Bill 564. H564 puts the word “libraries” into Chapter 70 so that school administrators will recognize that Chapter 70 funds can be used to purchase school library books and equipment. It recognizes the link between school library teachers and student success. Libraries on the wait list for construction funds heard a brief update on the Bond Bill.
At the same time, parallel presentations were made at the Belmont legislative breakfast.
Legislators were invited to make comments. In Needham Representatives Lida Harkins, David Linsky and Richard Ross spoke eloquently about libraries. Representative William Brownsberger made equally eloquent remarks in Belmont. Each had a personal library story.
A special thank you to Maureen Conners and Ann MacFate, library directors in Belmont and Needham for hosting and to their respective staff and trustees who helped make everything work. A total of 93 library supporters attended the breakfasts, including 15 legislators or their aides.
If you were unable to attend the Metrowest area legislative breakfasts there is another opportunity to advocate for libraries. The Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) and the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) are holding a joint Legislative Day at the State House in Boston on Wednesday, April 2. In addition to visiting legislators throughout the day, there are some exciting events planned in the Great Hall. At 10:00 prizes will be presented to Massachusetts students who won the MSLA’s annual Bookmark Contest. At noon attend “Telling Our Stories,” a forum for Massachusetts residents to explain how libraries transform lives. Don't miss the legislative briefings that will be held in Hearing Room A-1 at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
April 2 at the State House is another great opportunity to connect with your elected representatives and emphasis the importance of libraries in our Commonwealth.
MassCat Changes: A new system & membership opens up!
Current MassCat members can reduce costs by committing before April 1 st!
by
Nora Blake, MassCat Manager, Whatley, MA
Rita Gavelis, Metrowest, Waltham, MA
MassCat has just signed a contract with LibLime, a vendor providing services around an open-source library system named Koha. LibLime’s Koha ZOOM will offer a very robust OPAC with many more services to patron and library staff alike! The new LibLime system will include integrated modules for circulation, acquisitions, interlibrary loan, cataloging, and serials control. The system is web-based and hosted remotely by LibLime. Local libraries will just need an Internet connection and a browser to use it, nothing to install locally! We are looking forward to the move to Koha and plan to migrate to the new system this summer.
Please remember however, that MassCat is a resource sharing system for small libraries. Membership in MassCat is not meant for libraries that are already members of another automated network. We are really looking forward to implementing this new system and we hope you like what you will see.
MassCat offered a series of demonstrations of the new system throughout February and March. If you would like information about LibLime Koha please contact:
Nora Blake, MassCat Manager ( nblake@masscat.org / 1-866-MASSCAT toll-free).LibLime Koha Links
STAFF-side DEMO: LibLime Koha Zoom:
OPAC-side: Libraries using Koha:
- Athens County Public Libraries (OH)
http://search.athenscounty.lib.oh.us/
- Crawford County Federated Library System (PA)
http://catalog.ccfls.org/cgi-bin/koha/opac-main.pl
-Stow- Munroe Falls Public Library (OH)
http://opac.smfpl.org/cgi-bin/koha/opac-main.pl
Info on LibLime, company website:
-
Internet without a string – Metrowest has gone wireless!
by
Rita Gavelis
If you have taken a class at Metrowest and wished you brought your laptop, you now can. We have added wireless access to our office. Whether you’re in the lab taking a hands-on class or in the meeting room taking notes, you can do so and access the Internet at the same time.
This opens up more possibilities in terms of the number of people we can serve in the Lab or the types of notes you can take in our lectures. Just imagine, you are working on a webpage for your library, but need to take a hands-on Dreamweaver class. Providing you have the software, you can bring your laptop and take the class using your own files. If you are attending a lecture, you can bring your laptop and bookmark the same web pages the presenter is projecting on the screen. It’s so easy!
-
Online Workshops On Demand – Webjunction
by
Rita Gavelis
Does the price of gas get you down? You don’t have coverage to attend a workshop? Don’t worry! We are now offering classes through Webjunction. WebJunction is a cooperative of library staff sharing and using online resources to identify and embrace appropriate technologies so you can apply them to your daily work.
WebJunction is supported in part by OCLC, grants from IMLS and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, partners in state library agencies and other library service organizations, and by the library community.
Webjunction offers training in a number of different categories, from administration to web design. Some of the course titles are: “Business Skills”, “Managing Public Access Computing”, “Sustainability, Advocacy, & Outreach”, “Access”, “Excel”, “Crystal Reports”, “Paintshop”, “PowerPoint”, and much, much more. These classes come in the form of videos, online-teacher-lead classes, or self-paced online tutorials. The import thing is, as long as you have a PC with internet explorer you can access them from work or home at your own convenience. How simple is that!
Normally, these classes cost anywhere from $25 to $125. For Metrowest members, however, these classes are now free! We have purchased a number of coupons for Webjunction classes. If you wish to take advantage of one of these coupons, give Rita a call at 781-398-1819 and she will email you with the registration instructions.
If you do take advantage of a class, please let us know how it went. We would love to hear from you!
-
Manage your own Workshop Registrations!
by
Rita Gavelis
We have changed the way we track workshop registrations here at Metrowest. We are now using EventKeeper registration forms for our Workshops. With this new form, all members who register for a class can create a password and access a history of the classes you have registered for. If something comes up and you are unable to attend, you don’t have to call us to cancel, but can log into your account and cancel your registration your self. If you have registered for a class but forgot to create a password, don’t worry. The next time you register for a class, you can enter a password then. As long as you use the same email address to register for both classes, you will be able to see every class you have enrolled in. This is a great feature which not only allows you to manage your own account, but frees up a great deal of Metrowest Staff time, so we can work on other projects to benefit you.
-
FY09 MARLS Cooperative Update
by
Judy Zomer
Some libraries have contacted me because they want to make sure they are included in the FY09 MARLS Cooperative. As the years go by, timelines and deadlines for various things seem to meld together and it can be hard keeping track of everything. However, be assured, that to date, there have been no mailings to Metrowest members regarding next year’s coop.
At the moment, discussions are under way with the current vendors in the hopes that most, if not all, will continue to participate in the coop for another year. At this point, it is not guaranteed however, which means we need to wait for a definitive answer. As soon as we have concrete information we will let everyone know. In event that we have to go out to bid again, all Metrowest members will receive information about joining the coop, but we are hoping this will not be the case.
Metrowest members are still eligible to sign up for the coop on a quarterly basis. If you want to purchase both supplies and materials you must pledge a certain amount in both categories of the coop. Signing up exclusively for one means you will not be able to order in the other, unless a pledge is submitted.
One of the goals of the coop is to help libraries purchase their supplies and materials at the lowest price and best terms each vendor has to offer. That means you may check the costs using the vendors listed in each category and place your order with the vendor that offers the best terms.
Please feel free to contact the Metrowest office with any questions you have about the coop.
-
Getting the "Giver"
by
Sarah Sogigian
Maynard is making a bid to be the literary capital of the world, or at least MetroWest! Two-time Newbery award-winning author, Lois Lowry, will be appearing on Thursday evening, May 15th at 6:30 PM at the Fowler School auditorium. This program is so BIG, the Friends of the Maynard Public Library are opening it up to the entire MetroWest district. Everyone is invited to hear the author of "The Giver" and be the "getter" of a night of true literary inspiration. For more information, please contact the Maynard Public Library at 978-897-1010.
-
Workshops to Go
by
Sarah Sogigian
Want to attend workshops at Metrowest, but don’t want to do the drive?
Metrowest offers a way for you to gain all the knowledge of our classes without leave your library. Many of the workshops we lead at the region are available “to go”, at your library! We’ll come and present on a variety of topics of interest to you and your staff. You can also open up the workshop hosted at your library to others in the Metrowest region. Popular Workshop to Go topics include: customer service workshops, Introduction to Blogging, and Introduction to Web 2.0. The fine print? Only members of Metrowest can participate-sorry no public classes—and you must have five people participating. Contact Metrowest with questions and to set up your Workshop To Go!
-
Exciting Workshops at Metrowest!
by
Sarah Sogigian
Spring is in the air, and with it comes new CE opportunities!
Metrowest has been chosen as one of eight communities to participate in a grant program with TERC, a nonprofit educational research and development organization in Cambridge , Massachusetts . The project is called Mix in Math, and it will provide participants with materials and tools to implement math skills into your storytimes and after school programs. To learn more, come to our workshop, presented by TERC on Thursday, March 6 at 10 AM . Register on Metrowest’s CE webpage.
Metrowest is also presenting a visit with local author Mitali Perkins. Ms. Perkins, who was born in India ,will be speaking about growing up between cultures, and offering suggestions on how we librarians can help patrons in our communities. This topic has been of interest to many Metrowest members, and we’re pleased Ms. Perkins will be guiding us.
Another author is coming to Metrowest! Melanie Watt and her friend Scaredy Squirrel will be visiting the Metrowest New Blog. This new and unique CE opportunity lets you participate and earn Certificates of Completion without leaving your library! To learn more, visit Metrowest’s CE webpage.
On Friday, April 18, Susan Conlon and Allison Santos from the Princeton Public Library in Princeton , NJ will be here to present a program on creating a teen volunteer workforce! But it’s not just for teen librarians—anyone working with volunteers of any age will benefit from hearing how Princeton PL structures their volunteer program.
There’s always something exciting going on at Metrowest! Be sure to check our calendar of events often, so you don’t miss out!
-
Wild Reads at Your Library
by
Sarah Sogigian
2008 Massachusetts Statewide Summer Reading Program
The 2008 statewide summer reading program is gearing up! This year’s theme is Wild Reads, and there are some pretty wild artwork and activities to go along with the theme. Over 45 Metrowest members are participating in the Statewide reading program this year.
We’re also in our second year using E*Vanced Online Summer Reading Program. This program is generously sponosored by the MA Board of Library Commissioners. If you’d like to give the online program a try this year, contact Sarah Sogigian, Trainer/Consultant for Youth Services at sarah@mmrls.org . Or sign up for one of our informational webinars. Check our CE calendar for details and to register.
-
From the Reference Center
by
Elinor Hernon
The days are definitely getting longer. This is always a good sign.
The Newton Reference Staff has been working hard during the winter months to plan some
informative programs that you can look forward to this spring. Kate May, our reference colleague, will be offering a workshop on Real Estate Information Resources. The focus will be on resources for first time home buyers as well as resources for making sense of the current real estate market. By participating in the workshop, librarians will be able to guide the patron through the maze of online government information resources, demographic databases and useful web sites. These information resources cover topics such as: what to do before you hire a real estate broker, how to study a community before you relocate, where to find information about mortgages, and the do's and don'ts of buying or selling your home. Watch for this program on Real Estate Resources on the Metrowest web site for class registration.
Our legal series of programs continues to be popular and there will be another one offered
this spring. It will take place at the Norfolk Law Library on May 29th. The law librarians
there present a highly instructive session on legal reference service. They have an extensive
law collection of documents and electronic resources. If you haven't had a chance to visit this
library, try to do so this time. Enrollment is limited to 8 people and registration is available on the Metrowest web site.
Every week we continue to add links to web sites on the Newton Free Library home page at http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net/Reference/databases.htm
Links have been set up to some timely online information that you might find useful at your library. There is one to the TV Converter Program which explains the switch to digital television broadcasting and provides access to the coupons for purchasing converter boxes. Find this link among the other resources we provide under the heading "Consumer". We have also added a link to the Google News Archive under our "Newspapers" heading. Searches in this database can be restricted by date, source, language, or to free content only, and is a great addition to available news articles, including some from the Wall Street Journal. Another useful link is to the Charity Navigator web site which ranks charities with regard to efficiency and provides donation tips and other information. This link appears under our new topic of Charitable Giving. There are new bibliographies posted on our web site as well. Recent additions include booklists on Women Adventurers, How Your Mind and Body Can Grow Stronger as You Grow Older, and another on Finding Family Who Served in World War II.
Let us hear from you if you have suggestions for additional programs or topics for bibliographies. We welcome your ideas and feedback. Our direct Reference phone number is (617) 796-1380 and we get email at newtonreference@minlib.net
Reference Department
-
March Metrowest Newsletter Column
-
March 2008 Bookshelf-YA Programming
by
Carol Shilakowsky
Do you plan activities for teens at your Library? Looking for ideas? Some insights? Maybe these books in our professional Collection would help!
Getting Wiser to Teens: More Insights Into Marketing to Teenagers . Peter Zollo, Neil Schuman Publications, Inc.: 2004.
A Year Of Programs For Teens . Amy J. Alessio and Kimberly A. Patton. ALA Press: 2007
More Teen Programs That Work . Rosemary Honnold. Neil Schuman Publications, Inc: 2005.
Serving Young Teens and Tweens. Ed. Sheila B. Anderson. Libraries Unlimited Professional Guides: 2007.
The Nextgen Librarian’s Survival Guide. Rachel Singer Gordon. Information Today: 2006
Sarah Sogigian has Workshops planned for March and April that will enhance your skills: Teen Crafts-March 4,Tag! Your It! (Teen Advisory Groups)-March 17; Booktalks to Extend and Enliven Library Programs-March 20; Get Graphic!-March 26; Creative Writing Programs For Youth-April 3 (With Beth Gallaway!); BookShare: GLBTQ Titles-April 8; Create and Run Teen Volunteer Summer Workforce in your Library-April 18. Check us out! Word!
-
Upcoming CE Events
by
Judy Zomer
Have we got classes for you – from the technical to the mundane, to the frivolous and fantastic, to the fun and informative. Take advantage of our continuing education offerings. Keep your skills honed in our fabulous new computer lab featuring 19inch Mac computers with dual PC/Mac platforms.
Some of Metrowest’s upcoming CE events include:
Basic PC Maintenance – March 24
Creating Writing Programs for Youth - April 3
Useful Websites for Adult Reference – April 7
Digital Photography – April 9
Copyright Law and Libraries – April 29
For a complete list of offerings, and to register, go to http://www.mmrls.org/ce.html
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page
Go to Top of Page