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In this Month’s News and Updates…

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The 2026-2031 MLS Strategic Plan

At our Member Annual Meeting on November 5, 2025, MLS members approved our 2026-2031 Strategic Plan. We’re happy to share that this is now available on our website!

Along with three strategic initiatives that will structure our work, our plan includes a new mission statement and core values. These are:

Mission

The mission of the Massachusetts Library System is to empower libraries across the Commonwealth through innovative and responsive services.

Mission: Shorter Version

Empowering libraries across the Commonwealth.

Core Values

  • Member Focus. Our members are our top priority. We meet their needs through high quality services and continual improvement.
  • Equitable Access. We use our state funding to support equitable access to our services for all member libraries, in recognition of the critical role libraries of all types play in building strong, thriving communities.
  • Building Community. We foster connections among our member libraries, experts, and supporters to ensure a strong and collaborative library community.

We encourage you to read our full plan for the complete details. Stay tuned for our first action plan coming in July 2026.

Strategic Planning Community Chats

Join us for our brand-new Community Chats all about strategic planning!

Is strategic planning on the horizon in 2026, or are you working on a plan now?

Wherever you are in the process, these Community Chats are for you! Join your colleagues and MLS Consultants Michelle Eberle, Martha Meacham, and Katherine Adelberg for in-depth discussions on specific strategic planning topics. From surveys to interviews, and from focus groups to formatting your plan, join us for this special 6-month edition of Community Chats.

Here’s the schedule:

If you have any questions about the chats, please let us know. We hope to see you there!

MHEC Mondays

Interested in learning more about purchasing discounts for your library? Check out our new webinar series: MHEC Mondays!

On the first Monday of each month, we’ll learn about both library-specific contracts and non-library contracts relevant to our members’ needs.

In our next session on February 2, we’ll get a brief overview of the MHEC website, an update on contract reopenings, and hear about offerings from two suppliers.

Visit LibCal to register for our February session or any of our upcoming MHEC Mondays. We’ll share more details as we get closer to each session.

HR Hotline for Public Libraries

Does your public library have HR-related questions?

MLS public library members have free access to a hotline service provided by the Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE). EANE’s certified HR professionals are standing by to answer your HR-related questions at no cost to your library.

Please note that EANE staff may not be fully versed in local policies relating to compliance issues (such as leave management, or wage and hour), which may fall under jurisdictional laws.

To access the hotline:

  • Call 877-662-6444.
  • Provide your name, your library’s name, and the municipality in which your library is located.
  • Ask your question(s).

When calling the hotline, please note that:

  • Callers should hold a management or administrative position in an MLS member public library. (Currently this service is only available to MLS public library members.)
  • Callers should ask questions on behalf of their organization.
  • The hotline is not intended for library staff to discuss personal HR matters.

For more HR information, visit the HR Services LibGuide.

Over the Phone Interpretation Services for Public Libraries

Looking to access interpretation services for your public library?

We’re pleased to offer MLS public library members the opportunity to access over the phone interpretation services at no cost.

  • Interpretation services are provided by Language Line Solutions, the nation’s largest over the phone interpretation service.
  • Interpretation over the phone is a great option when you need to communicate with a patron who speaks another language.
  • Language Line Solutions has interpreters for 240+ languages, and they can typically connect you with a professional interpreter in a matter of seconds.

At this time, Language Line Solutions over the phone interpretation services are only available to MLS public library members.

If you are interested in accessing Language Line Solutions for your library, please follow the steps listed on the Language Line Solutions LibGuide.

Community Engagement Blog: Engaging the Community Through Trivia Night

Check the newest Community Engagement Blog post: Wellesley Free Library: Engaging the Community Through Trivia Night.

In this blog post, Wellesley Free Library Information Services Librarian Haley Schmidt discusses engaging her community through Trivia Night!

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