NMRLS News:

Executive Board Summary - Parker Middle School, Chelmsford - Wednesday, March 20, 2002

Upcoming Meeting Change: The next meeting has been rescheduled to April 30, 2002 at 9:00-10:00AM at the NMRLS office. The meeting will be followed by a Board Retreat.

Membership Recertification Task Force: Vicki Yablonsky provided a brief history of the process to determine eligibility requirements for NMRLS membership. She explained what a difficult decision it has been to have to remove membership of school libraries due to the lack of a certified library media specialist. Vicki then introduced Carla Guarnieri, Principal at the Stanley Elementary in Swampscott, (one of the schools under consideration for membership removal at this meeting).

Ms. Guarnieri gave an overview of issues faced in trying to find a certified library media specialist to fill the .75 position at her library. She works hard to maintain the integrity of her school library program and has tried to find a qualified person to provide library skills and to address library technology issues. She expressed some disappointment with the letters her librarian and her superintendent received from NMRLS, regarding possible removal from membership, since there is no longer a certified library media specialist in the Stanley Elementary School. She believed that the NMRLS Executive Board should provide support to school administrators and challenge the standards set by the MBLC, ("Each public school library member must be staffed by a full or part time librarian meeting Massachusetts certification requirements as a school library media specialist"). A discussion ensued regarding the responsibility for enforcing standards set by MBLC, using Department of Education (DOE) certification as one of the standards. The Board members felt that this standard is important, even though the DOE is willing to waive this requirement for individuals under certain circumstances. Using the MBLC guidelines, regional membership is offered to school administrators with the hope that they will realize the benefits of employing qualified, certified library media specialists in their schools. Ms. Guarnieri expressed concern about there not being a formal appeals process. Doug Rendell, anticipating future funding cuts, predicted that NMRLS is likely to address more school membership issues related to library media specialist certification and expressed the need for further clarification of the process. Greg Pronevitz suggested that NMRLS invite Ms. Guarnieri to write a letter to the MBLC outlining her concerns.

After the discussions concluded, Doug Rendell called for a motion. Motion was made to remove the Marblehead Middle School and the Stanley Elementary School in Swampscott from NMRLS membership, because the school library media centers no longer meet NMRLS eligibility requirements. Approved unanimously.

Approval of Reference Committee Recommendation to Form Two Committees: Greg explained that Jeff Klapes, NMRLS Reference Committee Chair, was unable to attend the Board meeting. He recommended the formation of Committees with membership as follows:

"After Hours Reference Evaluation Committee" to evaluate services provided under this agreement and to make recommendations on a future contract and budget by June 1, 2002.

• Jeff Klapes, Lucius Beebe Memorial Library (Wakefield)
• Lori Stalteri, McQuade Library, Merrimack College, North Andover
• Susan Conner, Swampscott Public Library
• Mary Behrle, NMRLS
• Susan Babb, NMRLS

"Legal Reference Extended Hours Evaluation Committee" to evaluate services provided under this agreement and to make recommendations on a future contract and budget by June 1, 2002.

• Jeff Klapes, Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield
• Linda Hummel-Shea, Bentley Library, Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill
• Donna Maturi, Peabody Institute Library, Danvers
• Greg Pronevitz, NMRLS

The board voted to accept the recommendation to form the two committees with one abstention (Brian Archambault, Librarian at the current contracting library for Legal Reference Services)

Review letter to Memorial Hall Library regarding regional reference center contract: Greg Pronevitz noted that in December 2001, the Board charged him with the task of drafting a letter to Jim Sutton, Director, Memorial Hall Library (Andover), to explain the Board's intention to address the discrepancy of regional cost vs. value in the contract for regional reference center services. The letter was reviewed by Sharon Gilley (chair of the task force which did an extensive study of regional reference center services) and finalized by Doug Rendell.

Jim Sutton expressed that, while he is not in complete agreement with the letter, he is willing to work with the region to provide the best regional reference service possible. Vicki Yablonsky expressed her regret that, in discussing the value of service that Memorial Hall provides, it often appears that the Board is questioning the quality of service. She explained that members are not questioning the quality of service and commended Jim for the service Memorial Hall provides. She further explained that, any library providing regional reference services would still face the issue of geography, where surrounding towns use the service more than those towns at the perimeter of the region. Jim thanked Vicki for her comments.

Doug Rendell reiterated NMRLS' goal to provide excellent regional reference service and the desire to work cooperatively with Memorial Hall in order to do so. The Board was in agreement to send the letter to Jim Sutton of Memorial Hall.

---

Delivery Update: Revised Delivery Slips
By Lucie Gallagher

New and improved delivery slips will be available to libraries on delivery very soon. We will notify libraries on delivery, and the slips will be available on our web site. This new design was developed in response to librarians who wanted to improve the efficiency in handling and sorting materials. The new slips can be phased in gradually when you need to re-supply your stock, so use up your old slips! The changes are subtle, and there are still six regions with 9 routing slips to choose from:

N   Northeast	C   WACL-Central	W   Western
B   Boston	M   Metrowest	W   HILC-Western
C   Central	S   Southeast	W    CLGS-Western

To find the delivery location for a library, check the Statewide Routing Directory

---

Professional Collection Update:
By Scott Kehoe

The NMRLS Professional Collection is now on the MassCat Union Catalog!

The NMRLS Professional Collection focuses on titles dealing with library management, long-range planning, digital libraries, customer service, youth services, intellectual freedom, and access. We also focus on current topics in computer technology, such as the various versions of Microsoft Windows, scanning and digital cameras, web page design (HTML, Javascript) and Microsoft Office software. Search the collection.

If you would like us to send an item please email Dawn Fanning or call our office at 888-326-7772. NMRLS is also an ILL Lender on MassCat (NNRL). If you are a MassCat member, you may send requests via the MassCat ILL system.

NMRLS and MassCat members may borrow items from the NMRLS Professional Collection for 30 days. Items may be renewed if not in demand.

If you would like to suggest a purchase for the NMRLS Professional Collection, please contact Scott Kehoe with your suggestion.

---

AV News:
By Anne Hendrickson

The AV Center has leased two new 16mm feature films, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Shrek, from April 2002 to March 2003. The films are available to member libraries in CMRLS, MMRLS, NMRLS and SEMLS. Each library is limited to one booking per title unless the overall demand is less than anticipated at which point you will be notified and may request a second booking.

The AV Center will accept requests for show dates after April 8, 2002. Using this form (pdf), fax your request listing preferred and alternate show dates or submit your request via e-mail. Telephone requests will not be accepted.

---

Upcoming Events:

Special Libraries Quarterly Meeting at the Lawrence Law Library on April 8, 2002
10:00 - Special Libraries Committee
10:30 - General Meeting
Register online.

April 10, 2002 MLA Library Legislative Day at the State House
For more information.

NMRLS at Library and Information Science Recruitment Fair for the Simmons College (GSLIS), April 16th

NMRLS will be staffing a table at the 4th annual GSLIS recruitment fair on Tuesday, April 16th, 1-3pm. We will display and promote current and any future job openings available at all our member libraries. The Simmons College recruitment fair is open to all Simmons College students and alumni/ae.

If you would like to have your library's current, or any anticipated, openings displayed at the NMRLS table please send an electronic version (MS Word) of the job description by April 5th, 2002, to Lucie Gallagher. If you have any further questions, please contact Scott Kehoe. Further Simmons College GSLIS recruitment fair information.

MBLC Poster Contest Presentation on April 26 at the State House
Judging of the posters is happening in early April throughout the State. Posters contributed by NMRLS participants will be judged on April 8 at the NMRLS office. Statewide, there will be a total of 18 winners. Six 1st Place Regional Winners. Each 1st place winner will have their poster turned into a newspaper advertisement and receive additional prizes. From the six 1st Place Regional Winners, one Grand Prize statewide winner will be chosen. The grand prizewinner will have their poster turned into a 12' by 25' billboard and receive additional prizes at an awards ceremony. Six 2nd and six 3rd Place Regional Winners will also be chosen and recognized in their local area. All winners will be recognized at a special awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House, Friday, April 26, 2002 at 1:30 p.m.

Every Picture Tells a Story: Managing Photographic Collections on May 10
Presented by the Essex National Heritage Commission and cosponsored by NMRLS.
May 10, 2002 at Merrimack College For more Information.

PLA (Public Library Association) Perspectives The 9th National Public Library Association was recently held in Phoenix, Arizona, March 12 - 16, 2002. Several members attended the conference and were glad to report on different workshops that they attended. Thank you for sharing the wealth of information at PLA!

"Imaging Our Treasures: LSTA-funded Digital Projects in Public Libraries"
Reported by Joe Dionne, Haverhill Public Library

This program featured presentations by representatives of two very different public libraries. First, Joe Benford from the Free Library of Philadelphia talked about a grant they received to digitize some of their images of the Centennial Exhibition of 1876. Joe and his staff did all that and more. You can see the exhibition display online.

The Free Library set up the Digitization and Collection Care Center as a result. They prioritized their special collections for eventual digitization and purchased specialized scanners, printers and computers. They trained staff, got the library to commit to on going funding and they set up procedures to care for and preserve each item that was digitized. They have now moved on to collaborative digitization projects with area historical societies.

The Caroline County Public Library in Denton, Maryland got a much smaller grant to digitize their weekly newspaper and a collection of post cards. They sent two people to the Northeast Document Conservation Center's "School for Scanning". They hired a vendor to scan the 105 years of the newspaper using OCR so it could be key word searched. They spent some money on hardware and software and set about scanning the post card collection.

In both cases, the public relations results were very positive and people in both communities have since come forward with interesting collections to donate to the library for digitization. The collections are now easily accessible and protected from lots of casual use.

---

"Top Ten Human Interface Design Factors for Your Web Site"
Reported by Victor Dyer, Ipswich Public Library

Speaker Nardina N. Mein is the Director of the Sladen Library at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Interest in her talk was high - every seat in the meeting room was filled and dozens of attendees crowded around the doorways. Ms Mein explained that in the course of her doctoral work on how people receive information via computers she has reviewed over 250 research articles on this subject. She illustrated her remarks with many examples of well-designed (and not-so-well-designed) web sites. Her suggestions for effective web sites included the following advice:

• Strive for simplicity and consistency.
• Limit the number of colors you use. Avoid red. Use light backgrounds.
• Graphics should take no more that 2.5 seconds to download.
• High contrast between font and background is desirable. Avoid italics.
• Try to place menus and navigation bars in the same locations on each page.
• Keep in mind that some users may be colorblind.
• Scrolling should be limited to 4 pages.
• Sound, animation, blinking and other 'alerts' should be use sparingly.
• Try to reduce the amount of text on your screens.
• Minimize white space on screens - computer screens do not require the same amount of white space as printed text.
• Field testing with even a small number of users (4-5) can reveal usability problems.

---

"We Already Know They Don't Read Signs: Technology-based Service Responses at the Public Library" (Presented by the Mooresville, Indiana Public Library)
Reported by Beth Mazin, Memorial Hall Library, Andover

This program reported on the results of an LSTA grant to a smallish Indiana library. The purpose of the grant was to use PUSH technology (in this case, an email notification system) and a database implementation (MySQL) to market the library's new items, programs, and services. Patrons submit their preferences via web-based forms, and the system sends timely automatic email notices targeted to the patron's request. The program was also a concise primer on Z39.50, and it's strengths and limitations.

The system is working well, thanks to an under-compensated but highly motivated programmer who is married to the library's accountant. But no thanks to SIRSI's implementation of Z39.50 and it's tight controls on access to the library database.

---

"Spiraling Up: Putting Some Spin in the Old Planning Process" (Presenters: Charlaine Ezell, Consultant, The Extra Edge, Gina Millsap, Director, Ames, Iowa, Public Library)
Reported by Marnie Oakes, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

Not surprisingly, the first recommendation of the presenters was to hire a consultant to help with the plan. An outside facilitator can whip through the planning process, provide expertise in data collection and analysis and ask the "rude and/or innocent" questions. There is less stress on the staff and the process is less expensive in the long run according to Ezell.

Ezell recommended a three-year scenario plan in which all possible outcomes are examined to provide a blueprint for moving forward no matter what the resources available. She suggested dividing activities into "non-negotiable" and "possibilities".

There are at least eight different sources of data/goals: from those being served, from benchmarks in other libraries (keeping up with the Jones Library), from library policy-practice discrepancies, from current problems, from predictions about the future, from our professions, from retail providers such as bookstores and from a vision of our own potential. Ezell and Millsap suggested that we "fix the things that irritate the customer" and do "cool things". They recommended that planners concentrate on satisfying library users and forget trying to survey non-users. "Everyone thinks that they are a library user."

Data should be collected around the potential goals. The pitfalls of data collection are that it is time consuming, people ask the wrong questions, collect the wrong data, look at the right data in the wrong way and analyze data incorrectly or not at all. Have experts do any surveys. Collect soft data from personal interviews, staff canvasses, literature review, mystery shopper visits, site visits, suggestion boxes and best practices from other libraries.

The presenters recommended that the planning committee do its work during a two day retreat during which they take a "whining tour" of the facility, visit other libraries, review the data analysis, come up with ideas (Gold Nuggets) from brainstorming and craft the mission of the library. The Gold Nuggets become the key goals and activities. Ezell recommends that mission statements be clear and understandable by everyone and easily remembered. The Ames mission statement is "We connect you to the world of ideas". All of the key goals should be related to the mission. After the retreat the staff crafts the goals and activities using the CASK method: Change it, Add it, Stop it, Keep it the same.

Some of the roles Ezell suggested were: destination library, do-it-yourself information library or wired library, which operates like the light and water department by phone and on line.

The entire process for the Ames Public Library took 15 months. I'm still not sure where the recommended scenario planning came into this process. In my opinion, there were some valuable ideas presented, but the program failed to zero in on the specifics that allow libraries using this process to have faster turn-around time for new ideas. Fifteen months is more than a third of a three-year plan.

ALA's Public Programs

Check out the American Library Association's Public Programs Office - Linking Libraries, Communities, and Culture which exists to helps libraries excel as community cultural centers by providing librarians with leadership, resources, training, and networking opportunities. Specifically, there are book and media discussion programs which provide opportunities to invite adults to the library to discuss books or films and to explore contemporary life and culture. The newest discussion addition is "Research Revolution: The Laboratory and the Shaping of Modern Life".

Focus On ...The Statewide Library Directory By Susan Babb

Check out the Directory Public View Librarian's View (For User Name and Password, call NMRLS.)

A Statewide Library Directory of nearly 1600 regional member libraries in Massachusetts is hosted on the Massachusetts Library and Information Network web site MLIN. The Directory serves as a one-stop resource for library contacts in the state. The Directory covers main library buildings, branches, departments, and key staff contact in the library. The Directory can be searched using a variety of criteria, including: organization name, library name, municipality, and library type. You can search for library staff by name or function.

The Directory is a cooperative effort between the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the six regional library system headquarters offices. The regional offices are responsible for maintaining currency and accuracy in the database for their own members. Please look at your own library's record to ensure that your information is correct and provide corrections to the NMRLS headquarters office via fax 978-739-4537 or email.

Update

Six Massachusetts Libraries Placed on Construction Waiting List - Revere Included!

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is pleased to announce that it has placed six additional projects for General Construction Grants totaling $11,199,707 to the existing waiting list for the 2000-2001 Grant Round.

A General Project may be either a project to construct a new facility, an addition/renovation to an existing building that may or may not add space but does involve a significant reorganization of functional space, or a joint library project that will involve construction of a facility by two or more municipalities.

Applications were reviewed based on the following evaluative criteria as stated in the regulations (605 CMR 6.08 (6)), application and review sheet: General Overview, Project Information, Needs Assessment, Planning Process, Building Program and Its Relation to Project, Project Design, Financial, Site and Exterior Design, Library Services (Adult, Children, Staff Member, and Custodian), and Overall Assessment. These awards take into account the ranking of projects by outside reviewers, the distribution of projects by community size, and a measure of economic hardship based on an equalized valuation (EQV) per capita factor.

The projects are listed in numerical order:

Further information about the Construction Grants, as well as the complete Waiting List, can be found on the Board's Web site.

Regional ILL Centers Updates

Memorial Hall Library (Andover) Phone: 978-623-8401 x15 Fax: 978-623-8406 E-mail

NOBLE (Danvers) Phone: 978-777-8844 Fax: 978-750-8472 E-mail

Spring into the Annual NOBLE ILL Center Spring Meeting!

The NOBLE ILL Center will have it's Spring meeting on Wednesday, April 24th from 10am -12:00 noon at the NOBLE offices in Danvers.

All members of NMRLS from the towns that the NOBLE ILL Center serves are welcome. They are: Beverly, Danvers, Everett, Gloucester, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Melrose, Nahant, Peabody, Reading, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Wakefield, Winthrop.

This meeting is for all types of libraries; public, school, special or academic. It is especially for the staff who are the ILL practitioners at the library.

"Quicker, Better, Faster" is the theme, and the meeting will offer a variety of ways to improve the ILL process from receiving the request to entering it and keeping track of it. We will also announce the addition of ARIEL, a faster, better document delivery system, and updates from the NMRLS ILL Committee.

If any libraries have additional issues they would like addressed please contact Marilyn Graves.

A formal announcement and agenda will go out for this meeting in the mail and on the NMRLS listserv. Mark your calendars. Happy Spring!

NMRLS Regional Reference and Research Centers

Regional Reference Centers
Memorial Hall Library (Andover) Phone: 978-623-8401 Fax: 978-623-8407	Lawrence Law Library Phone: (978) 687-7608 Fax: (978) 688-2346	Reference On Call Phone:866-733-6622 (toll-free)

By Eleanor Sathan
Memorial Hall Library, Andover

Memorial Hall Library in Andover is contracted by the Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System to provide supplementary reference service to all NMRLS member libraries. You are encouraged to call the reference desk at Memorial Hall Library with questions that cannot be answered with the materials available in your library. The Memorial Hall reference staff of twelve MLS certified librarians is eager to assist you. This service is available by telephone at 978/623-8401 ext. 31, by fax at 978/623-8407, or via the Web.

Recent Reference Additions:

The 2002 edition of Children's Writer's &Illustrators Market has been added to the Memorial Hall Library Reference Collection.

In depth descriptions of the food, recreation activities, dress, medical treatments and warfare during the Middle Ages are presented in Daily Life in the Middle Ages.

Locating Union and Confederate Records explains how to obtain Civil War records including draft, military, pension, and prisoner of war records. The publisher, HeritageQuest, specializes in providing genealogical data.

The 2002 edition of Culinary Schools, lists information on schools that offer certificate programs, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and PHD programs in all areas of culinary arts. In addition, scholarships information is included.

Interesting Web Sites:

FindLaw Legal News and Commentary This section of the Findlaw web site provides quick access to current legal news stories by keyword search or subject.

Baseball-Reference.com Current and historical baseball information for all major league teams can be found on Baseball-Reference.com.

Telephone Directories Teldir.com, a service of Infobel, lists telephone directories for countries worldwide.

Stumper for March:

Is there a law that says that a policeman working in Massachusetts cannot smoke?
Answer: Policemen hired after January 1988 are prohibited from smoking.
Source: Massachusetts General Laws chapter 41 section 101A
Paula Bryne, Wilmington High School librarian, Barbara Flaherty, director of Billerica Public Library and Sharon Hamer, Methuen High School librarian, all had the correct answer. Congratulations and thank you.

Stumper for Stumper for April:

I am looking for the words to a Hebrew children's song about a train. It talks about the wheels going round and round.

Submitted by Brian J. Archambault , Head Law Librarian, Lawrence Law Library. (The opinions expressed are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries.)

Lawrence Law Library Continues to Offer Extended Hours:

The Lawrence Law Library, located at the Fenton Judicial Center, 2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA is open to the public as follows:

Monday through Thursday:	8:30AM to 9:00PM
Friday:	8:30AM to 4:30PM
Saturday:	9:00AM to 3:00PM

Trial Court Security Officers are stationed at the Appleton Street entrance, and the Law Library is on the second floor.

Evening and Weekend Hours are made possible by NMRLS funding, as part of the Reference-On-Call service. We are available in person, by telephone (978-687-7608), fax (978-688-2346) or email.

The NMRLS Region includes three of the seventeen Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries: Lawrence Law Library, Lowell Law Library, and the Essex Law Library (Salem, MA). Directions, hours, telephone numbers and email addresses for all Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries can be found on the Web site.

Reference On Call

By Esmé Green

If you are a school media specialist, check your mail this month for an exciting promotional package from ROC. This kit will include flyers with tear off bookmarks, and other promotional materials.

Reference On Call is pleased to announce that we will be launching a new medium for interacting with patrons on Monday April 1st. Sponsored by the California State Library, 24/7 Reference is a customized set of software tools that lets your library patrons ask questions and get answers, in real time, on the Internet, from your live reference staff. We will be joining the Boston Public Library and the Memorial Hall in Andover as suppliers of this exciting new service. Please look for the link on the Reference-On-Call website.

If you haven't already done so, please consider creating a link from your homepage to Reference On Call. This is the best way to make the service useful to your patrons, and it will enhance your services without added effort on our library's part! To help you get the word out,see the many promotional tools that are available, such as magnets, bookmarks and business cards.

Remember that we are always available to meet with you or your students to show you ways you can get the most out of this service. Feel free to contact Esmé Green or 781-944-0840.

Reference on Call is provided by NMRLS through state funding administered by the MBLC in co-operation with your local library.

Youth Services Column

By Susan Babb

A Star*Spangled Summer at Your Library:

Do visit our Star*Spangled Summer At Your Library! web site! The Massachusetts Regional Library Systems are now featuring online selections of programming suggestions from our statewide summer reading program manual. We hope that you will visit our reading program website soon! (The print version is due to be in your hands by mid-April)

---

CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) Lawsuit:

The ALA and ACLU CIPA lawsuit began March 25th. For the most current information, please visit the ALA website and click on litigation for updates on the trial. The trial is scheduled to last nine days. After the trial, the ALA attorneys will be filing post-trial briefs and proposed findings of fact/conclusions of law for the court.

---

Upcoming NMRLS Youth Services Programs:
April - Continuing Education

Upcoming Youth Services Book Review meetings, NRMLS Headquarters, Danvers :
All meetings begin at 10:00 and end at 12:00.
Tuesday, May 7
Wednesday, June 12

Resources on the Web for Youth Services Librarians:
4/3/02 -- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM -- NMRLS, Danvers -- Collection Development
5/1/02 -- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM -- NMRLS, Danvers -- Reader's Advisory
6/5/02 -- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM -- NMRLS, Danvers -- Programs and Marketing
Managing youth services either in the public or school library can be a daunting task. So much to do, so little time! How can the Web help the youth services librarian in collection development, reader's advisory, and programs and marketing? Susan Babb will demonstrate in hands-on workshops resources on the Web, which can help keep a school or public library responsive to its users.

A Star*Spangled Summer at Your Library! Visits the Wenham Museum
4/29/02 -- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM -- Wenham Museum, Wenham
The Wenham Museum, a museum of social history, explores how we have lived, worked, dressed and played from the 17th century to today. Join colleagues and view "Once Upon a Time…the Art of Folktales" along with the dolls, trains, and the historic Claflin-Richards home. Try your hand at some Colonial games and crafts as well as some from the 50's (to go along with the summer exhibit "The Fabulous Fifties").

What’s New with Staff and Libraries in the Region?

Lori Hodgson is the new Assistant Director of Burlington Public Library.

Kathleen D. Hutchins is the new head of youth services at J.V. Fletcher Library in Westford.

Sharon Doyle is the Interim Director of Lawrence Public Library.

Robert Allison is the new Librarian at the Essex County Correctional Library, in Middleton.

---

Author Visits Book Group Author Ellen Wittlinger (at far end of table) was the special guest at the March meeting of the Mother/Daughter Book Group at Wakefield's Beebe Library. The group discussed Wittlinger's novel Razzle. The Mother/Daughter Book Group is open to teenage girls in grades 6-12 and their mothers, teachers, or other interested adult.

The group meets monthly to discuss books of interest to young adults. The group is co-run by Beebe Library Assistant Director Nanci Milone Hill and Young Adults Librarian Jessica Connelly.

---

The Board of Trustees of the Peabody Institute Library in Peabody named Maria Vagianos Assistant Director on March 4, 2002. Maria has been Technology Coordinator/Head of Technical Services at the Peabody Institute Library since 1999. She received her MLS from Simmons in 1998. Director Martha Holden and staff are pleased with the appointment and look forward to working closely with Maria to best meet the needs of Peabody's patrons.

---

The Peabody Institute Library, Peabody is one of 12 libraries nationwide selected by Libraries for the Future (LFF) for The MetLife Reading America Program. This innovative, library-based national book and film discussion program for teenagers and adults, made possible through a $150,000 grant from the MetLife Foundation, was developed to foster greater understanding and communication among youth and adults, especially in immigrant families. Reading America also aims to expand awareness and use of public libraries, particularly in communities experiencing significant demographic change, and is intended for libraries across the country to adapt to their own communities. The Library will partner with North Shore Community Action Programs.

---

Acting Governor Swift at Parlin Library (Everett): Governor Jane Swift visited the Parlin Library, Friday, March 1st, during the Read Across America celebration of Dr. Seuss' Birthday. She read her favorite Dr. Seuss book, The Cat in the Hat, to second graders from Everett's Lewis School during a morning field trip. She stayed for a while and answered the children's questions about her job and her family. Governor Swift told the students that she and her children read together regularly, commented on their favorite books and encouraged them to use their library.

The students enjoyed meeting the Governor and she clearly enjoyed a pleasant way to highlight the importance of reading skills and education. Channel 5 covered the visit and a report appeared on the 11 o'clock news.

Mayor David Ragucci and Representative Edward G. Connolly, Representative Jarrett Barrios and other community leaders read stories during the afternoon program. Crafts, games and a raffle for prizes provided by the Friends of the Everett Libraries made for a lively party. What's a birthday party without a cake and balloons? The grand finale was a Dr. Seuss birthday cake, especially decorated by Trustee Theresa Shalsi. The Library has held a Dr. Seuss program annually, but this was a special year. Over 300 people participated.

Children's Supervisor Mary Puleo and Director Deborah Abraham were pleased that all went smoothly and that the children enjoyed the variety of activities. It always takes a lot of cooperation to put this program together. This year it took more than the usual amount of preparation. Fortunately, we found that the Governor's staff was very professional and handled everything with great ease. We provided advance information on Read Across America and the Dr. Seuss celebration. Jane Swift took it from there and gave us all a very nice birthday gift.
Deborah Abraham, Parlin Memorial Library

---

Assistive Technology at the Newburyport Public Library:
Last October, the Newburyport Public Library received a $20,000 LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant to help guarantee equality of library services, and access to such services, to people with disabilities. This 2-year grant is Federally funded and is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. On April 17, the Library will host an open house, "Adaptive Technology at the Newburyport Public Library," at which time the library's first-year grant purchases will be introduced to our library-using public, which includes visually impaired (or blind) patrons and/or their caregivers, as well as sighted patrons.

The Library has purchased two fully networked Gateway computers, one or both of which will be located in the Technology Center (aka 3rd floor reference). Each computer has an attached scanner and is loaded with OpenBook scanning software which, in simple terms, reads scanned text (via computer) to a person who cannot see to read a book. Each computer will also be loaded with a software program called JAWS, which can read (aloud). For example, a patron can receive and send e-mail, scan the headings of daily newspapers, visit a web site, etc. The computers have both speakers and headphones, and will print to the networked printer. The keyboards will be large print, and screen magnification (MAGic) will be available. The monitors will be 19" in size.

The library has also purchased a closed circuit TV (CCTV) and a portable, height-adjustable table, not unlike, but much more compact than, the Archival Center's Optelec. This CCTV's portability makes it more multi-purpose - for example, it can be used to enhance documents or photos that an ordinary magnifier or enlarger would still render too tiny (handouts in the Program Room or at City Hall, IRS tax publications, even some large print books). We are also using some of this first-year grant money to purchase additional audiobooks, descriptive and closed captioned videos, and large print reference materials (such as dictionaries and computer-how-to books) for the library's general collection.

Until very recently there have been three major barriers to equality of access at the NPL. With the completion of the new library facility last spring, the greatest hurdle - almost total physical inaccessibility - has been cleared. As the library introduces new adaptive technology this spring, and as library staff become trained and/or more familiar with assistive devices available within the library, we will be on our way to eliminating a second barrier, by being able to facilitate independent access of patrons to the resources in the library. Third, it will be up to all of us to "market" the library's improved, inclusive accessibility. Not long ago, Massachusetts had 16 "Access Centers" where persons with disabilities were expected to procure specialized library services - it is expected that, through such grants as Serving People with Disabilities, equal, inclusive access to library programs and services will be available at the local or consortium level.

Please join us at the Open House for Adaptive Technology at the Newburyport Public Library, 94 State Street, on Wednesday afternoon, April 17.
Nancy Alcorn, Newburyport Public Library

---

Young Adult Symposium Program:
Pollard Memorial Library is excited to announce the initiation of our Young Adult Symposium Program. Each month we offer different workshops or activities, specifically targeting YAs. Some upcoming programs include a story telling workshop, a skateboarding demonstration, and a genealogy workshop. And that's just a few of the activities planned! YA librarian Victoria Woodley is overseeing our YAs program, which is partially funded by a significant grant from the Lowell Cultural Council and partially fueled by staff elbow grease.
Molly Hancock, Coordinator of Youth Services, Pollard Memorial Library

---

Program Planners Meeting:
Program Planners Meeting will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 9, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield. The topic will be on Book Discussion groups and will be presented by Diane Giarrusso. Sue Jefferson of the Lucius Beebe Library in Wakefield will host the meeting. Bring any handouts or booklists that you use for your book groups. Also bring along tips/questions etc. for the group to share--so we can help each other solve book group-related "concerns".
Kathy Cryan-Hicks, Chelmsford Public Library

---

Next YA Librarian Support Group - Newburyport Public Library
"Crafts and Fun Activities for Teens" is the topic. Come prepared to share any of your own ideas, or just come to see what you can do with your teens. The meeting will be held on Monday, April 29th, from 1pm to 3pm. Directions may be found on the Library website and click on "All About the NPL." Light refreshments will be served. Any questions? Email Donna Childs or call (978)465-4428 ext. 228.

---

The Reading Public Library hosted a "Book Group Gala" on a Tuesday evening in March. Librarians Kathy Miksis and Diane Young got the inspiration for the event from two booksellers at the New England Booksellers fall trade show, where they also met author Suzanne Berne, who agreed on the spot to participate. Members of Reading-based book groups were asked to pre-register and encouraged to read Berne's Crime in the Neighborhood, discussing it in their own groups or at the Library a couple of weeks prior to the Gala. In addition to Berne's talk and a Q&A session, the program featured a dessert buffet, tips on finding groups, meaty titles and questions, and success stories from the audience. Everyone loved it.

NMRLS welcomes new members:

ABIOMED, Inc., Information Center, Danvers
Tower School, Marblehead

Newsletter Deadline for May

Job Postings

Librarian/Teacher (2 openings), School Media Centers, Billerica

To have a listing from your library included on our web site, please email the posting to Lucie Gallagher. The listing will be updated the first and third Fridays of the month.

NMRLS posts library-related jobs on our site for positions within the region or related to the region, e.g., positions in other regional systems, automated resource sharing networks, or at our funding agency, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. For positions outside the region, search the Board of Library Commissioners' Web page under "Library Position Vacancies".