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Rob and Sarah on the road!
June is almost here and Rob Favini (MBLC) and Sarah Sogigian (MLS) are going back on the road!
They had such a blast on last year’s road trips, visiting with our member libraries and learning more about your work during the pandemic. They are booking their calendars for more visits; let them know if you’d like them to stop by. They would love to hear about and see what you are working on this summer!
They will work with you to find a mutually appropriate date and time, and will adhere to all safety guidelines. They are also available for virtual visits!
Contact:
Rob Favini – Robert.favini@state.ma.us
Sarah Sogigian – sarah@masslibsystem.org
Summer Reading Mascots!
How to Participate:
- Adopt a toy or stuffed animal mascot.
- Take photos of your mascot in and around your library and community.
- Send photos to Mandy at the Massachusetts Library System or post them directly to the MA Summer Reading Facebook page. Don’t forget a caption!
- Have fun!
Mandy Malikowski – amalikowski@masslibsystem.org
MLS Summer Reading Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MASummerReading/
This year’s theme is Tails and Tales more info here – https://guides.masslibsystem.org/slp/home
Staff Profiles
Each month we will be highlighting two MLS staff members and sharing a little bit about them. This month we would like to introduce you to…
Tressa Santillo, Electronic Resources Coordinator
As the Electronic Resources Coordinator, I work in the Resource Sharing department. My primary responsibilities include managing our eBook program, Commonwealth eBook Collections (which includes the OverDrive K-12 Shared Sora Collection) and supporting the statewide databases via frontline troubleshooting support for member libraries and coordinating training opportunities.
Learn More
Anna Popp, Consultant
There’s no such thing as a typical work day, and I love that! Everyday brings something different. Whether I’m helping a library with space planning, collection management, marketing, reference, staff training, or time management, each library and community is unique and so is my experience working with them.
Learn More
Meet the new MHEC Contacts for Library Contracts
Ryan Kidder
Ryan Kidder, Sr. Strategic Sourcing Manager, brings years of procurement and contract management experience as a MCPPO and certified project manager (PMP). Before coming to MHEC, he had worked in school procurement, finance, and contract management.
You can reach Ryan at rkidder@mhec.net or call 413.992.2576
Janet Garabedian
Janet Garabedian, Business Development, has over 20 years of experience working in the higher education space, in addition to other non-for-profits in New England. She has worked for a national group purchasing organization, as well as major furniture manufacturers and dealers, and looks forward to building relationships with municipalities and libraries in New England.
You can reach Janet at jgarabedian@mhec.net or call 413.992.2578
More information about MHEC – https://guides.masslibsystem.org/purchasingcoop
Blue Marble Library Blog
The Blue Marble Library Blog features ideas for change-making programs, resources, and services to support sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social equity by thinking globally and acting locally. This blog will also discuss climate change as a social justice issue.
Would you like to connect with other librarians interested in environmentalism and sustainability? Join theBlue Marble-Discussion List — a communications forum for Massachusetts Library System members. The name for this listserv is inspired by the first image of the Earth taken from the Apollo 17 spacecraft on route to the moon, which generated great awe and reverence for our planet.
Do you have a story that you would like to share with Massachusetts Library System members in this blog? If yes, please contact Michelle Eberle.
We have a new guest post by Laura Gardner in the Blue Marble Library Blog about Cli-Fi Books:
“For the last fifteen years, more and more MG and YA science fiction has been inspired by the climate crisis. We have a term for this: cli-fi (a play on the sci-fi genre). The books are dystopian in nature with a clear focus on the breakdown of society and the world being related to our inability to respond effectively to climate change. I find myself drawn to these books, likely because I’m interested in the climate crisis, but also because I enjoy exploring what happens next. What survival skills are needed in this new world? What groups are resilient and why? Where are there breakdowns in society? What is worth fighting for and what is worth sacrificing? As in reading any book about a topic for which I have no personal experience (divorce, abuse, trauma are other examples), I’m curious. Here are a few middle grade and young adult cli-fi novels you may want to read or include in your collection.”
Congratulations to Greg Pronevitz, former MLS Executive Director for his induction into the MA Library Association’s Hall of Fame!
During his career in Massachusetts Greg has served on the MLA Legislative Committee, and worked with the MA Board of Library Commissioners to develop and promote the state’s Library Legislative Agenda. He frequently attends local and national advocacy events to help promote the critical work of libraries and librarians. Even in retirement, he continues his work for libraries, serving as the MA School Library Association’s Director of Outreach and as a national consultant for libraries.
His understanding and passion for equity of access can be seen in his work on Statewide Delivery. Under his guidance, the Statewide Delivery service continues to be offered at no direct cost to libraries or end users. Greg championed freedom of access to librarians, legislators, partners and supporters, by sharing stories and data that helped provide a picture of what equity truly means.
Congrats, Greg!
We also send our congratulations to Michael Colford, Director of Library Services at the Boston Public Library and Patience Jackson, Library Building Specialist (ret.) at the MA Board of Library Commissioners for their induction into the MLA Hall of Fame this year.
