In this month’s news and updates:
- FY25 Action Plan
- MLS Call for Executive Board Nominations
- Coming Soon! Recruitment Services for Permanent Placements
- Training Needs Analysis Update
- Joint ACRLNEC – NELIG Conference Announcement
- Blue Marble Library Update
FY25 Action Plan
The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) FY25 Action Plan is now available online, which is written to complement our strategic plan. To learn more about our work, please review our FY23 Annual Report.
We look forward to further opportunities to collaborate, visit, and engage as we continue our work together.
MLS Call for Executive Board Nominations
MLS is looking for individuals to step into the executive board’s director-at-large roles. Whether you’re from a public, academic, school, or special library, and regardless of your position within the library, we encourage you to consider applying.
Directors-at-large play an advisory role, participating in meetings either in person or remotely, and they may also take on committee leadership roles. This initial three-year commitment, starting in January 2025, could potentially lead to board leadership positions, such as secretary or president.
Help us build a robust and diverse pool of nominees by either nominating yourself or a colleague using this form.
Nominations must be received by June 28, 2024.
Your contribution is greatly appreciated!
Please contact Anna Bognolo (Nominating Committee Chair) at anna.bognolo@greenfield-ma.gov with any questions.
The MLS Nominating Committee:
Anna Bognolo, Greenfield Public Library (chair)
Hope Houston, Bentley University
Allyson Malik, Oak Bluffs Public Library
Joseph Rodio, South Hadley Public Library
Betsy Meaden, Massachusetts Library System
Sarah Sogigian, Massachusetts Library System
Coming Soon! Recruitment Services for Permanent Placements
We are very happy to announce that our BiblioTemps service has a new business plan! Over the next five years, we will follow a four-phase plan that will diversify offerings, grow our client base, expand our service area, and develop new offerings. In the first phase of our new plan, BiblioTemps will now offer recruitment services for permanent placements at all library levels.
Since its relaunch under MLS in 2012, BiblioTemps has specialized in the recruitment of skilled library workers for short-term and temporary placements in public, academic, and special libraries. This new offering encompasses a range of positions, from paraprofessionals to experienced librarians. With this service, we plan to address the increasing demands on libraries seeking qualified candidates by alleviating the time constraints faced by library directors and staff. Make your search simpler by working with BiblioTemps!
Filling permanent positions can be challenging and time-consuming. To ease this burden, BiblioTemps is prepared to assist your library in the promotion, recruitment, and screening of candidates. Every library is different, so we will work with you to tailor the process to fit your needs.
Like temporary placements, this fee-based service will be available to member and nonmember libraries. Member libraries will be billed at a discounted rate.
To learn more about permanent recruitment, visit our website.
Training Needs Assessment Update
MLS recently conducted a comprehensive Training Needs Assessment with the assistance of Dr. Audrey Barbakoff of Co/Lab Capacity, an external consulting firm. This initiative aimed to gather insights from our members about their goals and how MLS can best support these ambitions through targeted training and development opportunities.
Learn more about some of the key themes and recommendations that emerged from this assessment by reading our blog post.
Joint ACRLNEC – NELIG Conference Announcement
MLS staff will host a booth at the Joint ACRLNEC – NELIG Annual Conference on Monday, June 3 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. We hope to see you there!
Blue Marble Library Update
Check out the Blue Marble Library’s blog to learn more about the Concord Free Public Library becoming certified sustainable through the Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP).
