June 2026 News and Updates

By
Jack Martin
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0
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Unfolded map with Massachusetts Library System Logo

In this Month’s News and Updates…

FY27 Action Plan

We’re pleased to share the FY27 Action Plan.

Using the 2026 – 2031 Strategic Plan as a guide, this document defines the actions the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) will prioritize from July 2026 to June 2027.

Throughout the fiscal year, we’ll share updates on our progress toward achieving the actions outlined in this plan.

MLS Achieves IACET Accreditation

MLS officially earned accreditation from the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) for our Learning Services training program.

IACET maintains an internationally recognized standard for quality in continuing education and training. MLS is the first state library system in the country to earn this accreditation.

As an IACET Accredited Provider, MLS offers IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.

MLS-developed training and courses that meet the standard can now offer IACET CEUs. When member library staff successfully complete these learning experiences, their certificate or digital badge will document learning awarded through an accredited continuing education provider.

This gives MLS learning added value for professional development records, workplace learning requirements, and future career opportunities.

To find courses that offer IACET CEUs, visit the MLS Learning Hub and create a free account. These courses are available at no cost to MLS members.

Read the news article on the MLS website to learn more about this milestone.

MLS Welcomes New Electronic Resources Manager Cody Mansley

Cody Mansley photo.MLS is pleased to welcome Cody Mansley as the new Electronic Resources Manager in the Resource Sharing Department. In this role, Cody will manage the Commonwealth eBooks Collections’ Sora program and provide support for statewide databases.

Cody comes to the MLS from OverDrive, where he spent several years assisting academic librarians manage their Kanopy programs. Before that, he was at Boston College working as a reference and collection development librarian. Cody holds an MSLIS degree from Simmons University and an MA from Brandeis University.

A passion for education has led Cody to focus his career on supporting students and librarians by furthering the mission of accessible and affordable resources for all. He also is a strong advocate for metadata and knowledge management systems, stemming from his extensive experience in cataloging and resource management.

Outside of work, Cody enjoys spending his free time wandering by the ocean, finding new places to eat, playing board games, reading, and avidly watching soccer.

Cody can be reached at cody@masslibsystem.org.

Coming July 7: MLS Training Registration is Moving to the Learning Hub

Beginning July 7, MLS training registration will move from the MLS events calendar on our website to the MLS Learning Hub. This change will give you one place to find and register for MLS learning opportunities, including vendor webinars, Community Chats, MLS events, and training sessions.

In the Learning Hub, you will also be able to find courses, access session materials, and track your learning activity across different types of training.

We know many library staff are used to registering through the website calendar, so we will share reminders and instructions before the transition.

What can I do to get ready for the change?

If you don’t already have one, create your free Learning Hub account before July 7. This will make it easier to register for upcoming training once the transition begins.

After July 7, you will visit the MLS Learning Hub to browse and register for MLS training. The MLS events calendar will remain available on our website, but registration links will direct you to the Learning Hub.

Where do I go for help?

For help creating a Learning Hub account, or questions about the change, contact learninghub@masslibsystem.org.

Conference Scholarship Application Period Opens in July

We’re excited to announce the next application period for our conference scholarship program.

Between July 1 – 15, 2026, we’ll accept scholarship applications for conferences that will be held between September 2026 – February 2027.

Key details of the conference scholarship program include:

  • 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 available 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
  • If you apply for and are offered a conference scholarship, you must confirm that you are accepting the scholarship within seven calendar days of receiving the offer.
  • All conference scholarship recipients must complete a Conference Experience Report within 30 days of the end of their conference.
  • MLS provides reimbursement only. All reimbursement requests from scholarship recipients must be received within 30 days of the end of their conference.
  • Library staff may receive no more than one conference scholarship each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

Additional terms and conditions apply and can be found, along with a link to the application form, on our Conference Scholarship LibGuide.

Let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing an application from you!

Participants Chosen for Community Resilience through Small & Rural Libraries: Building Partnerships for Impact

Congratulations to the 11 Massachusetts library staff who were selected to participate in the Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s (SLI) Community Resilience through Small & Rural Libraries Pilot Training! MLS is collaborating with SLI to support this program.

The selected Massachusetts library staff are:

  • Mary Anne Antonellis, Shutesbury Public Library, Shutesbury
  • Aaron Falbel, Sunderland Public Library, Sunderland
  • Ed Godbois, Holmes Public Library, Halifax
  • Taylor Godfrey, Paul Pratt Memorial Library, Cohasset
  • Katherine Gomes, Holbrook Public Library
  • Sarah Gomes, Ayer Library
  • Rachel Jacobe, Acton Memorial Library
  • Alexandra Pratt, West Tisbury Free Library
  • Jeremiah Rood, Greenfield Public Library
  • Talya Salem, Auburn Public Library
  • Miriam Warner, Wendell Free Library

Read SLI’s press release to learn more about this pilot program.

MHEC Monday: Barnes & Noble Supplier Spotlight

Join MLS and MHEC on July 13 at noon for our next MHEC Monday! This session will spotlight Barnes & Noble’s contract and its benefits for members.

Please note: As MLS transitions our training calendar to the Learning Hub, registration for this MHEC webinar is temporarily being collected through a form on the Learning Hub.

Please follow the steps on our event page to register for this webinar.

Did You Know About Over the Phone Interpretation Services for Public Libraries?

Looking to offer interpretation for your library’s patrons?

MLS is 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.

If you are interested in using this service at your library, please follow the steps on our Language Line Solutions LibGuide.

Library Social Work Blog Posts

Interested in learning more about social work in libraries? Check out three more blog posts from a recent series of blogs conducted by MLS Consultant Michelle Eberle!

This month, three social work interns share their experience working at the Boston Public Library.

A Visit to the Robertson Memorial Library in Leyden

On June 17, several members of MLS’s Learning Services Department visited the Robertson Memorial Library in Leyden to tour the building and hold a department meeting.

We had a great conversation with Director Karin Parks, who shared how the library serves its community of over 700 residents.

Thank you, Karin, for welcoming us to Leyden and helping us learn more about your library!

The Robertson Memorial Library in Leyden. The front desk, fireplace, and book stacks at the Robertson Memorial Library in Leyden. Book stacks at the Robertson Memorial Library in Leyden. A sign reading "Native Plants Garden" at the Robertson Memorial Library in Leyden. Flowers and plants in the Native Plants Garden at the Robertson Memorial Library in Leyden. Two outdoor chairs overlooking a vista next to the Robertson Memorial Library in Leyden.

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