Massachusetts Library Legislative Day & Letters about Literature Awards
April 8, 2004 at the State House
The Great Hall was filled for much of the day with library supporters for a series of events which began in the morning with the Massachusetts Letters about Literature Awards. This event is put on by the Massachusetts Center for the Book (http://www.massbook.org/) . Sharon Shaloo, Executive Director of the Center greeted attendees. Elia Marnik, Chair of the Center (and Commissioner of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners) and John Arnold (Vice Chair, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners) presented the awards. Lt. Governor Kerry Healey concluded the session with her remarks.
Library Legislative Day was kicked off by an introduction by Lt. Governor Kerry Healey who announced additional funding for library construction and encouraged attendees to work with their elected officials to restore funding to the Library Technology and Resource Sharing Account 7000-9506. Rob Maier, Director of the MBLC provided details on the MBLC Legislative Agenda which focuses on restoring and increasing the the Library Technology and Resource Sharing Account to provide funding for specialized databases, regional delivery, automated networks, small libraries in networks, the virtual catalog, MassCat, and the Journal Article Clearinghouse.
The MLA Legislative Day lunch time program included the presentation of the MLA Library Advocacy Award to Representative Susan W. Pope, Wayland.
Other presentations were made by:
Barbara Flaherty, President, Massachusetts Library Association, who announced the kick off of the "Mail a Message" campaign to encourage grassroots support for libraries.
Irving Zangwill, President, Massachusetts Library Trustees Association
Mary E. McDonald, President, Massachusetts Friends of Libraries
Senator Stephen M. Brewer, Ashburnham
Senator Susan C. Fargo, Lincoln
Representative Lida E. Harkins, Needham
Representative Donald F. Humason, Jr., Westfield
Representative Rachel Kaprielian, Watertown
Representative Angelo M. Scaccia, Boston
Haverhill's Legislative Breakfast - March 12, 2004
 | The Legislative Breakfast in Haverhill attracted approximately 80 attendees on Friday, March 12. Attendees included a legislator, three legislative aides, the Mayor of Haverhill, and several of the Haverhill Councilmen. Also attending were library directors, trustees, and many friends of many of the NMRLS libraries. Please visit the web site to view snapshots of the event! |
Beverly's Legislative Breakfast - March 12, 2004
The Legislative Breakfast at Beverly was attended by the Lieutenant Governor, William Scanlon (the Mayor of Beverly), and a number of legislators and aides. Rob Maier from the MBLC was also in attendance. Approximately 130 library supporters represented NOBLE and neighboring towns. |
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Visit MLA's Legislative Alerts page for the latest news and to identify elected officials for your address and zip code: capwiz.com/masslib/officials/state/?state=MA.
"Advocating Effectively for Your Library: A Workshop,"
presented by the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association (MLTA), on May 1, 2004 -- Click for more info and a registration form
Public Library Trustees and Directors Current Topics:
Intellectual Freedom, Advocacy, & Trustees' Roles
Saturday, May 15, 2004 -- 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM -- NMRLS, Danvers
Presenters will discuss the three current issues of highest interest in the region: advocacy for your library, intellectual freedom, and the roles of a trustee and director. Intellectual freedom issues include the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the USA Patriot Act, and an update on legislation related to parents' access to children's library records. The advocacy discussion will include an introduction to online advocacy tools*. The roles of the library trustee and director in these areas will also be discussed.
This workshop will be presented by members of the Massachusetts Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee: Kimberly Lynn (Reading Public Library) and Krista McLeod (Nevins Memorial Library, Methuen); Tom Standring, (Trustee of the Peabody Institute Library, Danvers); Maureen J. Killoran, (Head of the Public Library Advisory Unit, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners); and Mary Behrle and Greg Pronevitz, (NMRLS).
*Please note: the advocacy tools scheduled at the end of the agenda were presented previously at the Survivor workshop held in Methuen on February 13.
To register online, please visit: http://www.nmrls.org/ce/ceform.shtml
