In this months news and updates:
- Access Recordings from PCI Webinars
- The AI Hour
- From our Colleagues at Unite Against Book Bans
- Legislative Update from our friends at the MA Library Association
- Smokey Bear Reading Challenge
Access Recordings from PCI Webinars
Did you know that MLS has been working with PCI Webinars (a well-known national library webinar vendor) to provide MLS members with access to live, library-related webinars? You can browse the current live webinar lineup on our events calendar.
Don’t worry if you miss a live PCI Webinar. PCI Webinars records each of its webinars and publishes the recordings on an easy-to-navigate platform. Recordings are typically available one week after the live session.
Library staff employed by MLS member libraries are welcome to browse this archive and access webinars tailored to their training needs. To get started, visit the PCI Webinars Archive – MLS login page and select “create a free account.” Be sure to use your library-issued email when creating an account.
Please only register for PCI Webinars in the events calendar that you intend to attend live. If you are only interested in viewing the recording, please wait about a week to access the recording through the PCI Webinars Archive.
The AI Hour
Join us monthly for an informal conversation about AI on the second Friday of each month at 12 PM We’ll cover the latest AI news, demonstrate a specific AI tool or use case, and leave time to chat and ask questions from your colleagues.
On March 8th we will discuss Custom GPTs and Research Focused AI Tools. To view the full list of dates and register, visit the Events Calendar. The AI Hour Community Chats are recorded and posted to the MLS Vimeo Channel and the MLS AI LibGuide.
From our Colleagues at Unite Against Book Bans
Unite Against Book Bans, in collaboration with the publishing community, launched Book Résumés, a free resource to support librarians, educators, parents, students, and other community advocates in their efforts to keep frequently challenged books on shelves.
Created in partnership with dozens of publishers and featuring information provided by publishers, librarians, and Unite partner School Library Journal, Unite Against Book Bans book résumés are easy-to-print documents designed to support readers’ access to books that are targeted by censors.
To learn more visit Book Résumés here.
Legislative Update from our friends at the Massachusetts Library Association
The Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) released an update on the H.3239 – An Act empowering library access to electronic books and digital audiobooks. Read the update here.
Smokey Bear Reading Challenge
This year is Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday and, in celebration, the U.S. Forest Service has developed a national Smokey Bear Reading Challenge!
Encourage your library patrons to read books, visit Massachusetts parks, take action, and have fun from January to November 28th, 2024! This reading challenge is aimed at kids ages 4-10, but all ages are welcome.
The MA landing page for the Reading Challenge is here. This is where you will find a link to sign your library up for the program, a link to the library tool kit for the challenge (including fun printables), and a link for the patron-facing landing page. If you sign your library up, then your library’s name will appear on this landing page.
Thanks to the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the MBLC, and MLS, every public library branch in MA will receive materials for the Reading Challenge.
