Dear MLS Members,
Today’s update is very special, because we are celebrating our 10th Birthday today! It’s a bittersweet time here at MLS, as we reflect on the past 10 years and our great accomplishments, and while I look forward to our next decade, I can’t help but reminisce on the time ten years ago that brought MLS into existence.
As many of you will recall, the drastic budget changes in FY09 dictated a consolidation of our beloved 6 regional library systems. And now, as we enter our next decade of service, the unknowns are encouraging us to once again be thinking creatively and proactively.
I am proud of the work this organization has done, building on our initial 5 core offerings (Statewide Delivery, Databases, CE, Consulting, and Mediated ILL) to introduce and expand new and unique services to meet the demands of members and patrons (Commonwealth eBook Collection, BiblioTemps®, Purchasing Coop with MHEC, Summer Library Program, Basic Library Techniques, Word of Mouth Marketing, and more). Enjoy our history timeline of Massachusetts Library System!
MLS has been fortunate to have some incredible talent working with us, now and through the past ten years. Each one of them has brought unique experiences that have helped strengthen and grow our organization.
But we would not be as strong, as successful, as supported as we are without you. While I know that our members are technically libraries as organizations, and not people, I’m sure you know that an organization isn’t much without its people. Each of you has contributed to the success we celebrate today. I thank our volunteer board and committee members, our trainers and taskforce volunteers, and everyone who has taken a class or consulted with our team, utilized our delivery and databases, and advocated on our behalf. I also thank our current staff, who have committed themselves to providing the best service possible, and go above and beyond every day in support of our mission.
I am excited about what the future holds for us, and while our world is currently in a state of uncertainty, know that MLS is here, ready to serve.
In our first decade, we worked to assert MLS as a statewide service point for multi type libraries in the Massachusetts, and in our next one, we’ll strengthen the great relationships we have built with member libraries, workers, and partner organizations to continue our legacy of providing unique and innovative service that benefit all members of the Commonwealth.
Thank YOU!
Sarah Sogigian
