NEWSLETTER

December 2003 Volume 6, No.5 135 Beaver Street Waltham, MA 02452-8424

It's Happening at

Your Library

by

Sunny Vandermark

Work has begun on the It's Happening at Your Library, Metrowest's LSTA funded marketing project. An RFR was advertised. Thirteen proposals were received. An Advisory Committee composed of Stephanie St. Laurence, Tisch Library at Tufts, Joan Craig, Morse Institute Library Natick, Katie Baxter, Noble and Greenough School Dedham, Maryellen Loud, Robbins Library Arlington, Richard Poisson, Mitre Corp., Dorothy McQuillan, Newton South HS, and Metrowest staff met November 17^th and selected two groups for interviews on December 2^nd. The finalist will work with the committee in developing materials that member libraries can use to market their services. More details will be forthcoming.

Metrowest's Seventh Annual Council of Members

Meeting - Summary

by

Sunny Vandermark

Metrowest's Seventh Annual Council of Members Meeting was held on the afternoon of November 12^th at the Metrowest Office in Waltham. Rob Maier, Director of the Board of Library Commissioners, thanked everyone for his/her hard work and advocacy for the MBLC during the FY2004 budget process. Rob talked about the new challenges facing libraries amid the early sobering news of potential budget shortfalls for FY2005, and asked for everyone's support in the upcoming months.

Susan Brennan, outgoing President, briefly discussed the careful review of Metrowest policies and procedures during the year as both the Personnel Committee and the Budget Committee dealt with ongoing budget issues. The process has helped clarify procedures.

Kathy Bell, Treasurer, presented the FY2005 Plan of Service and highlights from the level funded FY2005 budget. Tom Viti, Assistant Treasurer/Treasurer Elect offered additional information on budget issues.

Several bylaw changes were approved, including the addition of an Assistant Treasurer/Treasurer Elect position and extending voting privileges to the Past President rather than staying on for one year in an Ex Officio position.

Bill Talentino, outgoing Past President and Chair of the Nominating Committee acknowledged the difficulty in filling officer positions. The position of Vice President/President Elect was unfilled. And, the lay representative position on the board is still unfilled. Bill recommends that Metrowest members become more involved in the Region. He spoke about the positive impact of involvement.

Susan Brennan offered special recognition to the youth services librarians in Metrowest who participated in YSLead Massachusetts July 24-26, 2003 at Endicott College. YSLead was a youth services leadership institute sponsored by the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems and funded through

Metrowest Services are provided through state funds administered by

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

In This Issue:

2. MSLMA Conference

3. Share Your Success Stories

3. Database Tips

4. Strengthening Connections

4. Kathy Obbagy Leaves

4. In the Spotlight

5. Eric Carle Museum

5. Summer Reading Evaluation

5. Performers Online Directory

6. Reference Corner

7. Value of Service

7. Welcome New Members

7. From the Bookshelf

8. Continuing Education

Continued on page 2

MSLMA Conference

by

Barbara Andrews

The MSLMA Conference was held on November 2 and 3, 2003 at the Sturbridge Host Hotel.

Della Curtis, Coordinator of the Office of Library Information Services for the Baltimore County Public Schools presented two very interesting programs _ Online Research Models and Turning Data Into Dollars: An Open and Shut Case for Library Funding. Much of the information is available at the Baltimore County Public Schools web site http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis.

Dr. Ross Todd, Associate Professor at Rutgers outlined his recent research including the "Student Learning through Ohio School Libraries" project. The research documented the key role that school libraries play in student learning.

The Metrowest Region was well represented on the program with presentations by Cheryl Chase, Rita Fontinha, Ann Ritchie, Jean Holmblad, Barbara Andrews, Jane Connolly, Shelley Glantz, Amy Hart, and Leslie Schoenherr.

Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island was honored as the first recipient of the Joan Gallagher Legislator Award. Senator Reed is a champion of libraries and librarians who has been leading the charge for increased federal funding for libraries through the Library Services and Technology Act.

The Conference Committee did an outstanding job organizing two days of presentations.

Metrowest

Phone Numbers:

Phone number: 781-398-1819

In state only: 888-383-8882

Fax number: 781-398-1821

STAFF EMAIL ADDRESSES

Sunny Vandermark Barbara Andrews

Regional Administrator Assistant Regional Administrator

svanderm@mmrls.org andrews2@mmrls.org

Carol Shilakowsky Judy Zomer

Clerical Assistant Administrativel Assistant

carols@mmrls.org jzomer@mmrls.org

Web address:

www.mmrls.org

Continued from page 1

135 Beaver Street for three additional years. Barbara Andrews reported on the database selection process and the 26.5% increase in database searches in FY 2003, the growth of the MassCat database including 443,213 Metrowest member holdings, and the 24/7 reference pilot project.

Paul Kissman, Metrowest liaison from the MBLC, summarizmasthead titleÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ

an LSTA grant from the MBLC. Present to receive her diploma was Dorothy McQuillan of Newton South High School. Also participating but unable to attend to receive their diplomas were Ann Ritchie, Countryside Elementary School in Newton; Bonnie Peirce, Dover Town Library; Robin Brenner, Cary Memorial Library in Lexington; and Lindsay Patterson, Watertown Free Public Library.

Sunny Vandermark and Barbara Andrews presented highlights from the FY2003 Annual Report. The complete report is available on the Metrowest web site. Sunny talked about the new three-year delivery contract and the ongoing increase in delivery volume, the bid process for the Regional Reference Support Contract and the award of the FY2005-FY2007 contract to Newton Free Library, and the extension of the Metrowest lease at

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the department head informing her/him of any new books, videos, websites or news that may be of interest to the members of the department. This ensures that we reach every department in the school

4. The library website we developed last summer will have a section for teachers websites as well as a provision for teachers who do not have a website, but would like to have something posted. We have a section for information for students as well as one for parents which is under construction. We plan on making important information easily available to the larger community.

ited to a list. This new collaboration will hopefully contribute to a more pleasant reading experience for students.

2. The library developed a new teacher packet. On the first day of school, the library invited the school administrators to hold the new teachers meeting in the library. We asked for a few minutes of their time and went over the materials in the packet: an information sheet about how to schedule classes in the library, a library research project form, a brochure explaining the resources in the library, a copy of the MLA style sheet, and a bookmark with information on home access to databases. We wanted them to know we looked forward to collaborating on assignments.

3. The librarians have each taken responsibility for several departments within the school. In the course of the school year the librarian will send a newsletter to

Share Your

Success Stories

by

Barbara Andrews

In the September newsletter,

I asked that people share stories of successful promotional events or outreach to users that helped to promote library services. I want to thank Dorothy McQuillan for submitting the first article for this new feature in our newsletter. Again, if you would like to share your story send

the information to me at andrews2@mmrls.org. The next newsletter will be published in March 2004.

Summary of Newly

Instituted Public Relations at Newton South High School Library

by

Dorothy McQuillan

As a result of a workshop with Diane Pardes last year, the librarians at Newton South High School have formulated some steps we could take to become more visible. This is what we have done so far:

1. As part of the summer reading, the library is polling students to find out what they thought of the books they read. One book was required reading for all. The second could be chosen from a list developed by the English department. The third could be any book of the student's choosing. The responses are being compiled so that the library and English department can have a conversation on the purpose of the summer reading program. The library is also interested in seeing what the students choose when they are not lim

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Database Tips

by

Barbara Andrews

netLibrary contains thousands of electronic book titles in subject areas such as computer application manuals and "how to's," personal and consumer health, business and education, cooking, hobbies, sports, family and popular psychology, literary criticism, and much more. Books can be searched for specific words, phrases, or by chapter.

Every patron can create his or her own confidential account using a valid email account (web-based "freemail" is perfectly valid). With an account, books can be checked out overnight and accessed from any computer during the loan period.

Usage statistics are also available for your library by entering the URL http://www.netlibrary.com/resourcecenter/index.asp. Log in using your own username and password. You should set up an account for yourself just as a patron would. If you have never accessed the netlibrary statistics, email your username to Connie Dudgeon cdudgeon@bpl.org so netLibrary can add permission for reports to your name in the system.

Save The Date

Strengthening

Connections with

the School Community:

A two-part workshop presented

by Diane Pardes

In these workshops, Diane Pardes will work with participants to develop strategies and actions to advocate for their libraries. These interactive sessions will address the real-world situations that librarians are facing in their schools. Brainstorming strategies will be used to address the information needs of students, teachers, principals and parents.

Through a combination of breakout sessions, guided group discussions, and individual assignments, the workshops will help participants identify key objectives, analyze and address challenges, uncover new opportunities, develop techniques for communicating more effectively,

Kathy Obbagy Leaves Metrowest

by

Sunny Vandermark

After working at Metrowest since June 1999 Kathy Obbagy decided to take advantage of some new opportunities. Her last day at Metrowest was November 21^st. Kathy's responsibilities at Metrowest included developing and implementing continuing education opportunities, assisting members with database questions and other issues, compiling and presenting database use statistics on our home page, and as liaison to various Metrowest advisory committees. Recently Kathy took on the Summer Library Adventure Program activities for Metrowest, working with our youth service librarians and the statewide steering committee in expanding this valuable service. We wish Kathy all the best as she leaves Metrowest.

and brainstorm new initiatives to make a greater impact on the school community.

February 27, 2004 9am - 3:30 pm March 6, 2004 9am - noon at the Metrowest office in Waltham.

March 24, 2004 9am - 3:30 pm

March 31, 2004 9am - noon at the SEMLS office in Lakeville.

April 6, 2004, 9am - 3:30 pm and April 13, 2004, 9:00 am - noon at the CMRLS office in Shrewsbury.

For more information on Diane Pardes see the September 2003 Media Forum Online at www.mslma.org.

MSLMA and the Metrowest, Central, and Southeast regions are sponsoring these two-part workshops.

In the Spotlight

by

Barbara Andrews

This month's spotlight shines on the library at the Mason-Rice School in Newton

The Mason-Rice School in Newton Centre was built in 1959 and is one of 15 elementary schools in Newton. Mason-Rice has an enrollment of approximately 400 students in 18 K-5 classrooms.

The Library Media Center contains over 10,000 volumes which supports the schools K-5 curriculum and is staffed by National Certified Library Teacher Chris Swerling. Chris is one of the first Library Teachers in the country to achieve National Teacher Certification status which she pursued as a means of achieving increased recognition for all school librarians and to educate others as to the important role certified school library media specialists provide in the education of children.

Mason-Rice and four other elementary schools in Newton are currently working on automating their libraries. At the completion of the project all of the Newton schools will be automated. Chris has received a grant from the Newton Schools Foundation to develop a district library web page to be used by all of the Newton Elementary Schools. Chris and four of her colleagues have been working on developing this web page. All individual school web pages will link to this page. This is an ongoing project and will also include parent and teacher resources.

For more information visit the Mason-Rice library web site at http://www.newton.mec.edu/MasonRice/mr_library/index.html.

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Youth Services News

bookmarks, reading logs and certificates. They make the program very special. I hope they continue to be provided in the future.

Trip To Eric Carle Museum

by

Sunny Vandermark

Friday the 14^th was a great day for a bus trip to Amherst and the new Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Three Metrowest youth services librarians met me at Metrowest where we were picked up by Big Daddy Bus, then we drove to the Central Region office where two additional Metrowest librarians and 14 youth services librarians from CMRLS were collected. Arriving at the Museum around 11:30, we got to view a new Eric Carle exhibit and a fascinating exhibit of Russian picture books. Lunch and an opportunity to participate in a craft activity rounded out the day. And, of course, there was an incredible museum gift store with many picture books and related materials. We all would have enjoyed having more time at the Museum. It was a great event, just sorry more Metrowest librarians didn't take advantage of a practically stress free trip! Check out the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art web site (www.picturebookart.org) for up to date information on exhibits, illustrator visits, and other special events.

Participation by age group:

Birth _ 11 12,804

12-18 3055

Adult 322

Total 16,181

How participating libraries liked the program:

Theme: 47% of respondents liked the theme, 9% of respondents disliked the theme

Artwork: 47% of respondents liked the artwork, 23% of respondents disliked the artwork

Promotional items: 42% of respondents liked the promotional items, 0% of respondents disliked the promotional items

Online manual: 42% of respondents liked the Online manual,

19% of respondents disliked the Online manual

Comments about the program included the theme was too broad and generalized to zero in on any particular topic or area of interest, and the theme was very broad and I liked that _ allowed for much creativity, the theme was too general. We use art in every subject area anyway. The artwork was just stick figures on the promotional material, and I loved the theme. The artwork was colorful and well done. The theme made it easy to decorate the library. It was also easy to plan programs and events incorporating the Read! Think! Create! theme.

Other comments included Just keep it very broad _ when it gets too specific it's less relevant, the statewide summer reading program is totally relevant to the needs of my library just the way it is and I really appreciate the materials provided: posters,

Add Your Favorite

Performers to

Online Directory

by

Kathy Lussier, SEMLS

The new online Directory of Programs and Performers is now available for submissions. The Online Directory is replacing the previously printed Directory distributed by the regions. Budget cuts and staff reductions in MRLS forced the regions to rethink the format and production of the printed directory. Librarians can submit contact and program information for the directory by going to http://www.semls.org/performer/login.asp and registering for a new account.

To register for an account, users need the directory authorization code: mrlsperform. Feel free to share the code with your favorite performers so they can create accounts as well. Be sure to enter the performer's correct e-mail address. This information will ensure that the performer will be able to go into the directory at a later date to update his/her own information.

Librarians will be able to start searching the new directory by December 1. For more information. Please contact Cheryl Letendre at 877-923-3531 or cletendre@semls.org.

Read! Think! Create!

@ your Library

2003 Statewide Summer Library Adventure

Program Evaluation

There were 35% more participants in 2003 than in the 2002 program, A Star Spangled Summer (16,181 vs. 11,944). Thirty-seven libraries participated in 2003: 31 Public, 5 School, and 1 Special.

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Reference Corner

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From The Book Shelf

by

Carol Shilakowsky

Metrowest has been enriched with books from the YS Lead program. These books were purchased with LSTA funds awarded by the MBLC and selected by the Regional Library System staff.

The books we received from this fund are specifically labeled and are shelved with our Professional Collection. They include the following authors and titles:

Bell, Chip R. Managers as Mentors: Building Partnerships for Learning. Berrett-Koehler

Publishers, Inc.: 2002. (1576751422)

Bens, Ingrid. Facilitating with Ease: A Step-by-Step Guidebook with Customizable Worksheets and CD. Jossey-Bass: 2000. (0787951943)

Chelton, Mary Kay. Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults (3^rd ed). ALA: 2000.

(08389078650)

Katzenbach, Jon R. The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization.HarperBusiness Essentials / HarperCollins Publishers: 2003. (0060522003)

Minow, Mary and Lipinski, Tomas A. The Library's Legal Answer Book. ALA: 2003. (0838908284)

Vaill, Peter B. Learning As A Way of Being: Strategies for Survival in a World of Permanent White Water. Jossey-Bass: 1996. (0787902462)

Ziarnik, Natalie Reif. School and Public Libraries: Developing the Natural Alliance. ALA: 2003. (0838908411)

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Metrowest Continuing Ed Courses

Upcoming CE Programs

All courses listed below, unless indicated otherwise, are held at:

Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System

135 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA 02452

Please register online with Metrowest at: http://www.mmrls.org

DATE COURSE TIME

January 15, 2004 Successful Book Clubs 2:00pm-4:00pm

Presented by Jane Connolly

January 23, 2004 Survivor: Library Success in Difficult Times 10:30am_1:30pm

Presented by MLA Legislative Committee

To be held at Morse Institute Library _ Natick

February 19, 2004 Integrating the Library Program Into The Curriculum 3:00pm-5:00pm

Presented by Katie Baxter

To be held at Noble and Greenough _ Dedham

February 27, 2004 Strengthening Connections with the School Community 9:00am-3:30pm

Part I - Presented by Diane Pardes

March 6 , 2004 Strengthening Connections with the School Community 9:00am-noon

Part II - Presented by Diane Pardes

May 11, 2004 Don't Be Afraid to …&…& 8:30am-4:00pm

Presented by YSLead Institute Graduates

To be held at Newton Free Library

****** PLEASE ROUTE THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOUR LIBRARY STAFF - THANK YOU ******

Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System

135 Beaver Street

Waltham, MA 02452-8424

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