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Northeast 9th Annual Library Legislative Breakfast
Massachusetts Libraries: Where hope springs eternal

Photos by Sue Berman of Reading

The Northeast Library Legislative Breakfast was held on Friday, March 4, 2005, at the Reading Public Library. Attendees numbered about 130 including Lt. Governor Kerry Healey and a dozen elected officials and aides.

Ellen Rainville, J.V. Fletcher Library (Westford), and MLA Past President introduced all of our distinguished speakers. Peter Hechenbleikner, Reading Town Manager, gave a warm welcome to attendees from the

Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey began with a positive note on how funding for two library accounts was increased in the Governor's House One budget. She continued with a perspective about the importance of libraries in the Commonwealth and expressed support for funding library construction.

Elia Marnik, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, reviewed the 2005 MBLC Legislative Agenda and the importance of increased funding for resource sharing and library technology. Senator, Jarrett T. Barrios, (Middlesex, Suffolk, and Essex), shared some personal experiences in libraries as a child and as a visitor to a Cuban library. He asked elected officials to understand the need for funding library technology and resource sharing. Representative Bradley H. Jones Jr. (Twentieth Middlesex), stressed the importance of libraries in providing equity of access to information and expressed good wishes for library expansion projects in the region. He asked attendees to advocate and express their thoughts to their elected officials. Barbara Flaherty, Past President Massachusetts Library Association, Billerica Public Library, thanked everyone for attending and asked for support for libraries at MLA Library Legislative Day on April 6th at the State House.

Special thanks goes to the NMRLS Legislative Education Committee for planning this event and extra special thanks to Elizabeth Dickenson, Reading Public Library, Acting Director, her staff, Library Trustees, and Library Friends who worked so hard to host this important library event. We also thank Bill Schwarz of the Reading/Melrose KaBloom for the floral arrangements and a large number of library friends groups that provided financial support.

MLA Library Legislative Day - Wednesday, April 6, 2005

The Massachusetts Library Association has scheduled Library Legislative Day on April 6, 2005 at the Statehouse.

Car Pool to Library Legislative Day!

The NMRLS Legislative Education Committee is arranging car-pooling to make it easier to attend MLA Legislative Day at the State House on April 6, 2005.

The NMRLS parking lot has been designated as a car pool meeting place. We plan to consolidate passengers at 8:00 AM on April 6th. Drivers will have the option of driving to the State House or driving to the Blue Line T stop at Wonderland and traveling in by train. Please let me know if you plan to meet and if you are willing to drive: greg@nmrls.org. You may use the NMRLS electronic discussion list to arrange alternative car pool meeting places, or let us know if we can help.

Please note:
The NMRLS Legislative Education Committee attempted to arrange for a bus to ease transportation issues for attendees from our region. Unfortunately we did not get sufficient response to call for a bus. We also wonder if there might be some who would like a mentor to accompany them on their first legislative visit. cIf you are interested in making such arrangements, or if you are willing to act as a mentor, please let me know: greg@nmrls.org. .

Agenda

9:30 AMRegistration Begins in the Great Hall 2nd Floor

Coffee courtesy of the Massachusetts Center for the Book

10:00 AMLegislative Briefing in room 222

Letters about Literature Awards, Massachusetts Center for the Book, Great Hall 2nd Floor www.massbook.org

11:00 AMLegislative Briefing in room 222 (repeat of 10am briefing)
12:00 noonLuncheon, Program, and Presentation of the 2005 MLA Library Advocacy Award, Great Hall 2nd Floor
All DayVisit Your Legislators