In this Month’s News and Updates…
- Conference Scholarship Application Period Opens Soon
- Browse the New MLS Merch Store
- Updates on Empowered Libraries: Improving the Library Work Experience
- MindEdge Certificate Grant Program Spotlight
- Learning Hub Video Spotlight
- Community Engagement Blog: Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries
- 2025 Member Annual Meeting Photos and Reflection
- Happy Holidays from Executive Director Sarah Sogigian
Please note: This is the final MLS newsletter of 2025. See you again in January 2026!
Conference Scholarship Application Period Opens Soon
The application period for conference scholarships is open from December 1 – 15. This period is for conferences held between March and August 2026.
MLS member library staff are welcome to apply for a scholarship to attend a conference relevant to their current position or career aspirations.
Key details of this program:
- The conference scholarship is open to staff who work in MLS member libraries.
- Full-time and part-time staff with regularly scheduled hours are eligible to apply.
- Any conference that may be relevant to a staff member’s current library position or library career aspirations will be considered.
Scholarships will be offered in the following amounts:
- Virtual conferences: $500
- Local conferences (within Massachusetts): $1,000
- Regional Conferences (outside Massachusetts, but within New England): $1,500
- National Conferences (outside New England): $2,500
Additional terms and conditions apply and can be found, along with a link to the application form, on our Conference Scholarship LibGuide.
This conference scholarship program is part of MLS’s continuing commitment to expanding our learning offerings for all levels of library staff in all types of member libraries. It also supports Initiative 1, Goal 3 and Initiative 2, Goal 2 of the MLS Strategic Plan.
Browse the New MLS Merch Store
We’re excited to share a new way for you to show your love for libraries: the Massachusetts Library System’s new merch store!
Purchases from the store directly support the programs and services provided by MLS.
This helps extend our impact, from expanding access to digital resources for students to delivering millions of materials between libraries statewide each year.
Explore the store, find your favorite designs, and join us in celebrating 15 years of collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to equitable library services for all who live, work, and study in Massachusetts.
Updates on Empowered Libraries: Improving the Library Work Experience
In FY25, MLS partnered with CultureAlly to explore a vital question: How can we encourage more individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in librarianship? The result was Pathways to Inclusion, a initiative focused on understanding barriers to entry and advancement in the library profession and identifying meaningful strategies to build a more inclusive, accessible, and diverse workforce across Massachusetts libraries.
This project was driven by MLS’s mission to support all types of libraries and by a strong belief that library careers should be open and welcoming to everyone. In collaboration with libraries and communities across the state, we set out to listen, learn, and lay the groundwork for long-term change.
What We Did
The work was conducted in two phases, which focused on listening – gathering insight through a community-informed research process that included:
- Survey responses from more than 1,000 individuals
- In-person focus groups
- In-depth interviews
- A policy review and a scan of inclusive hiring and workplace practices within and beyond the library field
What We Learned
Through this process, we identified several important themes:
- Library Workforce Demographics are Shifting: While the current library workforce is largely White, female, and non-disabled, students and job seekers reflect broader racial, gender, and ability-based diversity. This signals real opportunity—if we can remove systemic barriers and create a supportive entry into the profession.
- Barriers Still Exist: Participants shared challenges such as the cost of education (especially advanced degrees in library related fields), unclear pathways for advancement, and feelings of exclusion. Many from historically marginalized communities reported lower levels of belonging and support in the workplace.
- Hiring and Workplace Culture is Important: Respondents noted that hiring practices often lack transparency, and training opportunities are not consistently available. There’s a need to improve representation at all levels and foster environments where all staff feel safe, valued, and heard.
- Policies Need Attention: While MLS and its member libraries show a strong commitment to fairness, there are opportunities to strengthen policies, so they are more inclusive, accessible, and aligned with community needs.
Takeaway: Massachusetts libraries value inclusion and attract workers who see librarianship as a meaningful career path. But real gaps remain – especially in workforce diversity, hiring practices, training, and ensuring that all voices feel heard and safe. Addressing these barriers is key to building libraries that reflect and serve their communities.
Next Steps
Launch of Empowered Libraries Initiative
Insights from the Pathways findings will guide a new MLS initiative – Empowered Libraries: Improving the Library Work Experience – focused on delivering training and resources to help libraries build welcoming, supportive, and equitable workplaces.
MLS and CultureAlly have developed a practical toolkit to help libraries address challenges identified in the Pathways Project findings. The toolkit is now available with sections addressing the following topics:
- Hiring Process Guide & Checklist
- Candidate Evaluation Tipsheet
- Salary Transparency & Pay Equity Guide
- Equitable Performance Evaluation Framework (Directors)
- Cultural Competency Development Plan
- Onboarding Checklist
- Workplace Accommodations Guidance
- Psychological Safety Self-Assessment Tool
- Interview Training Guide (Legal & Inclusion)
- Blind Hiring Instructions & Process
A copy of the toolkit is available on our Empowered Project LibGuide. This LibGuide will evolve and expand overtime as we develop resources and supporting materials.
MindEdge Certificate Grant Program Spotlight
Looking to build your skills through an online certificate program?
MLS is proud to provide selected MindEdge certificate programs to staff at MLS member libraries at no cost through the MindEdge Certificate Grant Program!
MindEdge certificate programs:
- Are asynchronous, so you can work through the certificate program materials at your own pace
- Begin any time, whenever you are ready to start
- May include readings, videos, quizzes, simulations, and exams
- Must be completed within a defined period of time (which is detailed in the certificate program’s description)
- Typically require several hours of work each week
MindEdge offers credits from a variety of national credentialing institutions, such as IACET, PMI, SHRM, HCRI, and ATD, upon course completion.
Visit our the MindEdge LibGuide to view a full list of certificate programs available.
Learning Hub Video Spotlight
Check out a recent video spotlight about the MLS Learning Hub!
MLS Learning Experience Program Manager Hillary Washburn shares how Titus, a digital learning company, dramatically improved the Learning Hub for our member library staff.
All MLS member library staff have access to over 250 self-paced courses available to them for free at the Learning Hub. Build the skills you need with learning that fits your life. Start your journey today: learn.masslibsystem.org
Community Engagement Blog: Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries
In the latest Community Engagement blog post, MLS Consultant Michelle Eberle reviews “Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries” by Margaret Ann Paauw.
Check out the blog post to learn more about creating a safe and welcoming space at your library and improving your skills to de-escalate difficult situations.
2025 Member Annual Meeting Photos and Reflection
Thank you to everyone who attended our 2025 Member Annual Meeting on November 5! At this year’s event, we celebrated a milestone of 15 years of service to our members.
At the beginning of our meeting, Massachusetts State Senator Jacob Oliveira provided remarks and spoke in support of libraries across the state.
Joining us this year as keynote speaker was Jay McChord, who led an engaging session on tailoring your messaging to varying audiences.
We also heard updates from our colleagues at the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA), and the American Library Association (ALA).
Thank you all for making this year’s meeting special!
Happy Holidays from Executive Director Sarah Sogigian
As I reflect on the past year, I want to take a moment and thank each of you for your support of MLS. 2025 has brought its fair share of news and opportunities and I know 2026 will have new occasions for collaboration. Thank you for your trust, advocacy, and engagement. I wish you and your team a joyful and healthy holiday season.
Happy Holidays,
Sarah Sogigian, Executive Director
