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In this Month’s News and Updates…

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Delivery Survey Week

It’s that time again! Delivery Survey Week is March 9-13.

The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is collecting statistics from all member libraries who receive Delivery. Information on how Delivery is used helps us determine how to allocate funding during our planning and budgeting process.  

Reminder: Reporting Delivery statistics is a requirement of membership in the Massachusetts Library System. 

Visit the Delivery LibGuide for Delivery Survey information.

If you have any questions, email delivery@masslibsystem.org.

Webinar Recording Available Soon: Responding to ICE at the Library

MLS contracted with the American Library Association (ALA) to offer a Public Library Association (PLA) webinar recording of “Responding to ICE at the Library: Real World Approaches” at no cost to our members.

The recording will be available to MLS member library staff through the MLS Learning Hub. Once the recording is available, you’ll need to log in to your Learning Hub account or create a free Learning Hub account if you haven’t done so already to access the recording.

We hope to share the recording in early March, so please stay tuned to our follow-up announcement with the link on the All-Regions listserv and our social media.

About Responding to ICE at the Library: Real World Approaches

When agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enter a public library, staff need to know how to respond calmly, lawfully, and in ways that keep everyone safe. This webinar will highlight how libraries of different sizes and in different communities are navigating these situations in real life. Presenters will share how their libraries are approaching staff training, handling interactions, and ensuring everything is done professionally and legally. This webinar, sponsored by PLA’s Committee on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice, is designed to offer practical, real-world perspectives.

MHEC Purchasing Cooperative Updates

Suppliers Update

MHEC is happy to announce that there are three newly awarded suppliers with contracts beginning on March 1: Barnes and Noble, Bookazine, and Grey House Publishing.

In addition to the new supply partners, Follett Content is excited to serve the public library market with a new offer, as well as Ingram with an updated offer for members.

Please tune into the next session of MHEC Mondays on March 2 to hear a little more about these new additions. See more details below!

MHEC Mondays

Interested in learning more about purchasing discounts for your library? This is a reminder to check out our monthly 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.

Our next session on March 2 will focus on new suppliers added to MHEC contracts.

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

Summer Library Program 2026

It’s hard to imagine with all the snow outside, but summer will be here before we know it!

Start planning for summer reading today by visiting the MLS Summer Library Program LibGuide.

The 2026 theme is “Plant a Seed, Read” and is rooted in the concept of farm to table. A farm grows food that nourishes our bodies; a library grows ideas that nourish our minds. Both food and stories connect us to our family, culture, economy, and ecology. iREAD 2026: Plant a Seed, Read will provide a context for exploring culture, history, science, health, and human connection.

If you have any questions or need access to the password-protected iREAD resource guide, please contact Christi Showman Farrar (christif@masslibsystem.org).

Grow Your Skills with the MLS Learning Hub

Looking to grow skills to reach your goals?

The MLS Learning Hub is your destination for impactful and accessible learning for excellence in library work.

Our site features an ever-growing catalog of over 370 self-paced courses and instructor-led learning opportunities.

Search for learning in topics relevant to your work, including:

Build the skills you need with learning that fits your life. Start your journey today at learn.masslibsystem.org.

Celebrating MLS Staff Milestones

In 2025, we celebrated five staff members who reached milestone years working for MLS!

  • 15 Years: Shirley MacLean, Scott Kehoe, and Sarah Sogigian
  • 10 Years: Betsy Meaden
  • 5 Years: Kate Bowen

Thank you all for the impactful work you do in support of our member libraries! We’re grateful for your dedication during your many years of service.

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