MBLC Presents Fall Workshops

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners presents How to Advocate Effectively For the Library Budget and Library Security Summit on Saturday September 20, 2008 at the Weston Public Library. The program is from 10:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please note that the Library opens at 10:00 a.m. Seating is limited to 70 people so early registration is encouraged.

Description: In this tough economic climate, as municipal officials make decisions about library funding, it will become even more critical for library directors, trustees and friends to improve their advocacy skills. A panel of library trustees and library directors will discuss their experiences in advocating for their library budgets before the Finance Committee, City Council, and Town Meeting. Panelists will share stories about strategies, which worked successfully and those, which didn't. Library trustees, library directors and Friends of the Library are encouraged to attend this workshop to learn strategies for seeking adequate municipal funding for library services.

Robert Maier, MBLC Director, will give an update and overview of what is happening with our libraries across the Commonwealth in this challenging budget year.

John Arnold, MLA Library Advocacy Award winner, former Chairman of Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and current member of the Westboro Finance Committee will offer tips and suggestions for achieving success when presenting your budget proposal to the municipal Finance Committee.

Admission is free, however registration is required. Please Register by September 12, 2008. Upon receipt, confirmation will be sent.

Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008
Location: Weston Public Library 87 School Street Weston, MA 02493
Time: 10:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m

The Library Security Summit will be held on Saturday October 4, 2008 at the Lunenburg Public Library. The program will be from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Description: Recent news articles remind us that public libraries are not immune from many of the safety problems, which affect our society today. Libraries experience a wide variety of security issues, including child safety concerns, theft of materials, unruly teens, etc. The "Library Security Summit" will provide an opportunity to hear library administrators and a representative from the law enforcement community speak about providing a safe environment for library users.

MBLC Chairman, George Comeau, will moderate a panel of library directors who will talk about security issues at their libraries. A representative from the police will discuss safety awareness for parents, children, and teens. Gregor Trinkaus-Randall, MBLC Preservation Specialist, will discuss steps to minimize the possibility of theft or destruction of library materials, developing security policies and procedures, and facility issues which impact library security.

Everyone is invited to attend including Friends, Trustees, and Library Staff. Admission is free, however registration is required. Please Register by September 26, 2008

Date: Saturday, October 4, 2008
Location: Lunenburg Public Library, 1023 Mass. Ave., Lunenburg, MA 01462-1321
Time: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Registration for Both Workshops: Contact: Maureen Killoran, Head Public Library Advisory Unit
Phone: 1-800-952-7403
Fax: 617-725-0140
E-Mail: Maureen.Killoran@state.ma.us
Mailing address: MA. Board of Library Commissioners, 98 N. Washington St., Suite 401, Boston, MA 02114

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Departures:

Anne Larsen is leaving the Board of Library Commissioners after 10 years as Library Building Consultant/Small Library Specialist to return to her native New York where she will assume a new position as Director of Facilities Planning and Technology at Hunter College of the City University of New York.

Anne came to the Board of Library Commissioners in 1998 following a career that included positions at academic, school and prison libraries. In 1992, she spent a sabbatical year establishing a library at the fledgling American University in Bulgaria Along with her husband, Malcolm Brown, she has also founded a rural community public radio station, built a micro-hydropower facility, and supported wind power development in Hull, Massachusetts.

James Lonergan, State Aid Specialist, left in August after just over four and a half years at the agency. He has accepted a position as a Senior Program Officer in the Office of Library Services, State Programs Division at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, D.C. He will be responsible for IMLS grants to states administration for a large group of states.

Yiluo Song, is heading for the Midwest after having been with the MBLC as Web Coordinator for close to two years. She is taking on the position of Systems Librarian at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois.