In this months News and Updates:
- Library Juice Academy
- Delivery Open House
- DEI Best Practices
- ACRL Off-Road Show
- May is Mental Health Awareness Month
- Are you ready for Summer?
- MHEC Vendor Expo Announced
The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) launched a new Library Juice Academy Grant program on April 12th. This program allows staff from MLS member libraries to take courses with Library Juice Academy at no cost to them. Library Juice Academy offers a wide range of online professional development courses for all types of library staff, including support staff. There are courses for staff at various stages in their library career and the courses focus on practical topics to build new skills.
Delivery Open House – West Bridgewater 2023
On May 17th MLS and Optima hosted a Delivery Open House at our sorting facility in West Bridgewater. The West Bridgewater site handles library materials destined for delivery to and from 160 libraries in the Southeast. During the open house, members learned how the operation works. Attendees watched vans arrive at the warehouse, materials get sorted and scanned using sort to light, and then staged to be delivered the next day. Here are a few of the comments from attendees.
“I think it can be hard to truly visualize the work and getting to see it in operation makes it clear how all the pieces come together. Delivery is such a vital service and I think it’s important to have these open houses so we can continue to value the hard work that goes into making it all happen.” – Kristen Cardoso, Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library
“I think it helps the people who don’t see the process get a better understanding of how things get from Point A to Point B and beyond and the efforts that go into making things flow smoothly on a consistent basis. We at the SAILS Library Network appreciate your excellent service – from the sorters to the drivers and all the people in between making all the magic happen for us and our libraries – THANK YOU!!” – Ginny Berube, SAILS Library Network
“I am glad I went! It was very interesting to see the day -to -day routine in processing library materials, especially how the items are scanned and sorted as well as the volume of materials shipped daily. It was also nice to put names and faces together, finally meeting Mandy and Chris as well as seeing staff from various other networks. Jim was great in his detailed tour/presentation of the overall functioning of the site.” Rachel M. Emde, Bridgewater State University
Thank you to all those who attended, and we look forward to hosting more in the future.
At the heart of our mission and as a priority in our strategic plan, the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) supports our members’ initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice work (DEIASJ). In this interview series, the MLS is pleased to highlight the many ways that our libraries contribute to DEI in their communities.
Learn More –
The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is working with the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) to provide two ACRL Off-Road Show opportunities to MLS members in June. Sign up today, spots are limited!
Open Educational Resources (OER) and Affordability: June 1 and 2, 2023. Register Here
Engaging with the ACRL Framework: A Catalyst for Exploring and Expanding Our Teaching Practices: June 12, 14, and 16. Register Here
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Explore our series of recorded webinars “Mental Health Supports and Libraries” available now on our Vimeo page.
These sessions were presented with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and our speakers discuss the resources and supports available for libraries and people experiencing mental illness.
The 2023 Summer theme is “Find Your Voice!” and features artwork from Angela Dominguez, Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, Hannah Templar, and Michaela Goade. “Find Your Voice” will provide a context for exploring books, history, social justice, and STEAM fields as well as develop library programs and services that empower patrons of all ages to make their voices heard.
Planning for next year? The 2024 theme has been announced.
Summer 2024: Read, Renew, Repeat
Designed for all ages, our summer reading program will feature the idea of conservation. Conservation as a movement focuses on protecting species from extinction, maintaining, and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services, and protecting biological diversity. iREAD 2024: Read, Renew, Repeat makes for a wonderfully diversified summer reading program that encourages reading as a restorative method of self-improvement and self-preservation.
The 2024 iRead theme will feature the following artists:
- Jason Chin
- Zoe Persico
- Holly Bradly
- James Stanley
Visit our Summer Library Program LibGuide
Our colleagues at the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium invite you to celebrate Autumn in New England at the 2023 Annual Vendor Expo on Thursday, September 21 at the DCU Center in Worcester.
This FREE event offers members a chance to meet suppliers, make connections, and enter to win raffles and competitive prizes.
